Romenesko

1) People think we enjoy bad reviews more. Negative pieces can be a lot of fun to write, but nobody likes sitting through dreck to get there, so you always hope whatever you're seeing is good.
2) Variety critics are especially vulnerable to industry pressure. We hear this occasionally, and it's bull. Most people understand that critics bite the hands that feed their publications. Tough but fair is the goal, as it should be for any critic.
3) All critics are frustrated (fill in the blank). Sorry to disillusion you, but I have zero desire to write TV shows or movies -- a character failing that I attribute to being allergic to large quantities of money.