Ray Richmond

Ray Richmond has worked as a journalist and author since literally before the dawn of time itself (actually 1976). He has served as the chief television critic for the Los Angeles Daily News, the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, the Orange County Register, Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. He is also the author of four books: "The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family (HarperCollins, 1997); "My Greatest Day in Show Business: Screen Legends Share Their Fondest Moments" (Taylor Books, 1999); "TV Moms: An Illustrated Guide" (TV Books, 2000); and "This is Jeopardy! Celebrating America's Favorite Quiz Show" (Tehabi Books, 2004). Having covered the entertainment industry as both writer and critic since 1984, Richmond boasts a rare insight into the inner-workings of a business presided over by wolves, sharks and zombies. He also has first-hand experience from the inside, having worked as a talent coordinator and segment producer for "The Merv Griffin Show" for 10 months in 1985-86. His articles have further been published in the Los Angeles Times, Backstage, Los Angeles magazine and Penthouse. Richmond additionally once famously punk'd Fox News Channel by posing as a legitimate expert for a story about comedian Paula Poundstone while representing the satirical website Hollywood Pulse. It resulted in his being banned from serving as a talking head on Fox News for some three years, which he viewed as a tragedy on par with being barred from dining at The Sizzler or shopping at Wal-Mart. When not writing similarly blasphemous material, Richmond can often be found begging quarters as a street mime in Spokane, Washington.