Gene Shalit, a journalist, author, and the pun-loving film critic on the Today show, has died at the age of 100. Shalit’s family announced the news of his tragic passing in a statement to NBC News:
”[He] passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life.”
Known for his frequent use of puns in movie reviews and his absent-minded professor-like appearance, complete with an oversized handlebar moustache, large glasses, fuzzy hair, and colorful bow ties, Gene Shalit started as a book reviewer on Today in the 70s.
Shalit got an impressive start as Dick Clark’s press agent in the 1960s. He reviewed the arts and wrote for publications such as Look magazine, Cosmopolitan, TV Guide, Seventeen, Glamour, and The New York Times before landing a permanent gig with Today in 1970. After a successful career of almost four decades, during which he entertained his fans with quick-witted movie reviews and entertaining celebrity interviews, Shalit retired in November, 2010.
Gene Shalit’s unique and quirky personality made its way into pop culture, and he appeared on many popular TV shows. One of his most famous roles til date remains a fish food critic named Gene Scallop in the popular animated comedy series SpongeBob SquarePants.
Here’s all about Shalit’s role on the animated series.
Gene Shalit guest-starred on SpongeBob SquarePants as a food critic.
Gene Shalit guest-starred as Gene Scallop, a Bikini Bottom News food critic, in the episode titled “The Krusty Sponge.” It’s no coincidence that Scallop shares his first name with the late movie critic, as the guest character was a caricature of Shalit himself, boasting purple skin, a velvet-colored suit, a light yellow dress shirt, a dark green bow tie, and round light blue glasses. Additionally, his full head of curly hair and his round, black mustache closely aligned him with Shalit.
Gene Shalit’s guest character posted a positive review for SpongeBob’s Krabby Patties when he visited the Krusty Krab. This inspired Mr. Krabs to make SpongeBob the theme of his restaurant. However, this plan backfired when his customers fell ill from food poisoning after consuming expired patties that had not been refrigerated.
Gene Shalit’s character later returned in the SpongeBob SquarePants episode as the thirteenth juror who, like the rest of the jury, found Mr. Krabs guilty and unloaded a barrage of words upon him.
While Gene Scallop was also included in another episode titled ‘Smartificial Intelligence‘, Shalit did not return to voice it. He was voiced by SpongeBob SquarePants writer Douglas Lawrence, who has also voiced other characters, including Sheldon J. Plankton, Potty the Parrot, and Larry the Lobster.
In addition to Shalit’s hilarious character on SpongeBob SquarePants, his quirky appearance also opened him up to imitation. Schitt’s Creek star Eugene Levy imitated the late movie critic on the Canadian television sketch comedy series SCTV, who was a recurring character. Additionally, Shalit was imitated on Saturday Night Live (by Horatio Sanz) and became the inspiration for a character on The Muppets, complete with oversized mustache and hair.
Shalit also lent his voice to animated shows such as Family Guy and The Critic, further showcasing his versatility as a performer. His wordplay found its way to Family Guy when Gene Shalit’s character (a caricature of himself) mugged Peter Griffin:
“Don’t Panic Room, I’m not going to William Hurt you. I only want your Tango & Cash. So, just Pay It Forward, and we’ll all be Happy Gilmore.”
The late movie critic is survived by a daughter, Willa Shalit.
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Edited by Aashna