Opinion: David Hinckley's Got It

Opinion. It’s that one ingredient that can make or break a column. We don’t always agree with the opinions expressed in the columns that we read, but isn’t that half the fun? What’s better than reading a column and disagreeing so much with an opinion that your blood begins to boil? Or reading a column and thinking, “Finally, someone agrees with me!”

Perhaps it is this love of opinions that leads so many to read David Hinckley’s columns on a regular basis. A staff writer for the New York Daily News, David Hinckley is anything but subtle in his attempt to comment on entertainment and popular culture.

Hinckley began his position at the Daily News in 1980 and “for the last dozen years has been critic-at-large.” While he does use a good portion of his column to review and comment on various television programs, his views can also be found in the Gossip and Lifestyle sections.

Although Hinckley’s subject matter may be somewhat diverse, his writing style is a constant. And what to some may seem like mere bluntness, upon further review, could be described as well-planned, and at times subtle, sarcasm. A sarcasm that leaves the reader with the dilemma of simply grinning or giving in and laughing out loud.

Take for example Hinckley’s review-style column on the television program Brothers & Sisters. Giving it one and a half stars, he complains about the program’s lack of a constant villain-like character. As he explains, each character takes a turn doing something mean. He then writes, “The trouble is, it never lasts. Someone is accused of being a jerk; he or she agrees and then repents. So the show is never more than 10 minutes from the next really gooey group hug, which may be great in real life, but on TV is mostly just annoying.” Hinckley’s sarcasm then shines through when he writes, “… a piece of potentially bad Justin news comes in and - wait, oh, darn, they've already had the hug.”

In addition to having a set writing style, David Hinckley is often very firm in his opinions of shows. Take for example his obvious appreciation for the show Friday Night Lights. Not only did Hinckley give more than his two cents regarding the show’s participation in this year’s Emmy Awards (they were non-existent), but he dedicated an entire column to the new program, praising its actors, writers and overall performance. So in addition to having strong opinions he is consistent.

But as previously mentioned, Hinckley does not focus solely on television. When embarrassing photographs of Vanessa Hudgens appeared online, Hinckley wrote a tongue-in-cheek “letter” to the young actress urging her to learn from the mistakes of Britney Spears. He ended his column/letter with:
“Ask Britney Spears. She's a Disney grad, too, and not long ago she was America's wholesome role model for tweens. Now she's our national celebrity from hell. I don't mean that because you posed for one picture, tomorrow you'll chop off your hair, check into rehab and only put half your clothes on. But next time you're tempted to strike a pose, you might want to pop in a DVD of Sunday night's Video Music Awards and fast-forward to Britney. She's the puffy one who loses all interest halfway through her own song. I'm just sayin'.”

So whether you are looking for a good laugh at the goings-on in Hollywood or the review of a television show, David Hinckley is guaranteed to be a good read. His sarcasm and opinions are sure to please.


Read some of David Hinckley's work here...