Robert Wilonsky
Encyclopedia
Robert Elliott Wilonsky (born 24 October 1968) is an American
journalist
and the former host of Higher Definition, an interview program on the cable
television network
HDNet
.
to Margaret and Herschel Wilonsky. Wilonsky graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School
, where he was an avid swimmer and cheerleader and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin
in 1990. During his senior year he was the managing editor
of The Daily Texan
.
, Wilonsky was hired by the Dallas Times-Herald, but moved to the Dallas Observer
after the former ceased publication in 1991. He has worked for the Dallas Observer since, aside from a one-year stint with the Los Angeles New Times. Wilonsky has served as feature writer, music editor, film critic, sports columnist, and is currently pop culture editor
for the Observer. In March 2006, he oversaw the launching of the paper's weblog, Unfair Park, which he edits. He has also been published in Salon
and American Way
, and has appeared as a guest critic on At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper.
In 2003, Wilonsky was hired as the host of HDNet
’s new talk show
, Higher Definition. The half-hour program initially had him engaging in recreational activities with the guests while interviewing them about the impact of high-definition video
on entertainment. However, the show has since adopted a conventional sit-down format. He is the former host of The Ultimate Trailer Show on HDNet.
Wilonsky has been a frequent guest on The Hardline, a popular afternoon show on KTCK
, contributing pop culture analysis and commentary.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and the former host of Higher Definition, an interview program on the cable
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
HDNet
HDNet
HDNet is a men's interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in high-definition format and available via cable and satellite television...
.
Early life
Wilonsky was born in Dallas, TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to Margaret and Herschel Wilonsky. Wilonsky graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School
Thomas Jefferson High School (Dallas, Texas)
For schools with a similar name, see Jefferson High School.Thomas Jefferson High School is a secondary school in Dallas, Texas that serves grades 9-12. The school is part of the Dallas Independent School District and is located at 4001 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229...
, where he was an avid swimmer and cheerleader and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
in 1990. During his senior year he was the managing editor
Managing editor
A managing editor is a senior member of a publication's management team.In the United States, a managing editor oversees and coordinates the publication's editorial activities...
of The Daily Texan
The Daily Texan
The Daily Texan is the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Austin. It is entirely student-run and independent from the university. It is one of the largest college newspapers in the United States with a daily circulation of roughly 30,000 during the fall and spring semesters and bills...
.
Career
After graduationGraduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
, Wilonsky was hired by the Dallas Times-Herald, but moved to the Dallas Observer
Dallas Observer
The Dallas Observer is a free alternative weekly newspaper distributed around the Dallas, Texas . At its inception, it was conceived as a weekly local arts and cinema review publication, with the credo "Advocate for Excellence in the Arts" on the cover. For a time during the early years, the paper...
after the former ceased publication in 1991. He has worked for the Dallas Observer since, aside from a one-year stint with the Los Angeles New Times. Wilonsky has served as feature writer, music editor, film critic, sports columnist, and is currently pop culture editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
for the Observer. In March 2006, he oversaw the launching of the paper's weblog, Unfair Park, which he edits. He has also been published in Salon
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
and American Way
American Way
American Way is a free, in-flight magazine available in American Airlines and American Eagle Airlines. The magazine offices are located in the AMR Corporation/American Airlines headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, United States....
, and has appeared as a guest critic on At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper.
In 2003, Wilonsky was hired as the host of HDNet
HDNet
HDNet is a men's interest television channel in the United States, broadcasting exclusively in high-definition format and available via cable and satellite television...
’s new talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
, Higher Definition. The half-hour program initially had him engaging in recreational activities with the guests while interviewing them about the impact of high-definition video
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
on entertainment. However, the show has since adopted a conventional sit-down format. He is the former host of The Ultimate Trailer Show on HDNet.
Wilonsky has been a frequent guest on The Hardline, a popular afternoon show on KTCK
KTCK
KTCK , is a sports talk radio station based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The station, currently owned by Cumulus Media, has been made popular by the incorporation of humor alongside the sports talk....
, contributing pop culture analysis and commentary.