People Magazine Axes Traditional TV and Movie Reviews for New ‘People Picks’ Section

Critics Alynda Wheat and Tom Gliatto will remain at the magazine in new roles

People Magazine is doing away with traditional film and TV reviews by its veteran critics and will replace those columns with a pop culture section called “People Picks,” TheWrap has learned.

Film critic Alynda Wheat will remain with the magazine in a new capacity, and her role as critic will not be backfilled. Current television critic Tom Gliatto is slated to helm the “People Picks” section, which will include a curated grouping of entertainment offerings the magazine recommends that week.

Also read: Time Inc. Shakeup: Jess Cagle to Head People and EW in Expanded Role

The changes are part of an ongoing revamp at People since the beginning of the year, when longtime Entertainment Weekly editor Jess Cagle took over from Larry Hackett in January.

“We have new sections being added to People, others are evolving as we go forward.  We hope to unveil some of this in upcoming June issues,” Cagle said in a statement to TheWrap.

Also read: EW’s Henry Goldblatt Jumps to People in Jess Cagle’s Time Inc. Shuffle

A representative for People Magazine told TheWrap that talk of “potential changes” to the magazine was premature when asked for further details.

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