Tom Shales
Tom Shales (Thomas William Shales) was born on November 3rd, 1944. Tom passed away January 13th, 2024 at 79 years old. Tom Shales was born in Fairfax County, VA, USA. Shales attended the American University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. Shales also attended Elgin Community College.
Tom Shales was best known as a television critic with
The Washington Post, whose career spanned more than 25 years. At the Post, he developed a reputation with his insights into programming on TV and the social impact it had.
When he turned 18 Shales got a job at a local radio station as a disc jockey, announcer and reporter. He would later work for
Voice of America as a producer for programs for audiences in the Far East.
He got his big break when he was employed by the
Washington Examiner in 1968 to be its Entertainment editor. A year after he left the Examiner, he joined the
Washington Post.
For his work, he was named the winner of the 1988
Pulitzer Prize for TV analysis. He was also a regular contributor to
NewsPro and a reviewer of films for
Morning Edition on NPR.
Tom Shales retired from his job at
The Washington Post in 2010. He left a legacy that shaped American media discourse, particularly in cultural criticism.
In his work
Live From New York, Tom Shales combines interviews with the executives, cast, crew, and hosts of
Saturday Night Live, which has been airing since 1975.
It is a work that reveals behind-the-scenes stories of creativity, feuds, scandal, and humor, as it details episodes with iconic figures such as Fallon, Belushi, Fey, and Murray. Shales also looks into the notorious reputation of Chevy Chase and the leadership of Lorne Michaels.
It also comes with numerous interviews that showcase the evolution of SNL and how it influenced the digital era and political satire.
Those Guys Have All the Fun is a work in which Tom Shales provides a history of the
ESPN Network and how it resulted in a revolution in sports broadcasting.
Drawn from more than 500 interviews with key figures in
ESPN and famous sportsmen, as Tom, traces the evolution of the network from its origins in Connecticut to become a massive global empire.
It captures the innovation, internal scandals, intense rivalries, and milestones over the years, even as it explores its cultural impact, the iconic personalities it spawned.
Related Authors
Fans of Tom Shales also enjoy these authors:
- Agatha Christie, author of: And Then There Were None / Ten Little Indians.
- Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
- Bill Bryson, author of the Bill Bryson Travel Books.
- George Saunders, author of: Lincoln in the Bardo.
- Brandon Sanderson, author of the Mistborn Series.
Tom Shales: F.A.Q
When was Tom Shales Born?
Tom Shales was born on November 3rd, 1944.
When did Tom Shales die?
Tom Shales died on January 13th, 2024 at 79 years old.
Where was Tom Shales Born?
Tom Shales was born in Fairfax County, VA, USA.
What was the first book Tom Shales wrote?
The first book written by Tom Shales was On the Air, published in 1982.
What was the most recent book Tom Shales wrote?
His most recently released work was Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN on January 1st, 2011.
What is the most popular book by Tom Shales?
Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Tom Shales book is
Live from New York. Here are his most popular books and their average ratings:
- Live from New York (8.00)
- Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN (6.00)
How many books has Tom Shales written?
Tom Shales has written 4 books. All of his books are Non-Fiction Books.
How did Tom Shales die?
He passed away due to complications related to COVID and renal failure.