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Maureen Ryan

b. 1966

American film and television critic, writer and reporter

Television criticJournalist Media critic
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About Maureen Ryan

Born 1966. Maureen Ryan is an American television critic, journalist and media critic.

Maureen "Mo" Ryan (born 1966) is an American film and television critic, writer and reporter. From 2000 to 2018, she was a TV critic at the Huffington Post and the Chicago Tribune. From 2015 to 2018, Ryan was the chief TV critic for Variety. Ryan is currently a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. Her book Burn It Down: Power, Complicity and a Call for Change in Hollywood was released on June 6, 2023.

Early life and education Ryan grew up in both Chicago's South Side and South Holland, Illinois.

Ryan graduated from Chicago Heights Marian Catholic High School. In 1988, she graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a double major in psychology and English. In 1993, Ryan received a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

Career From 1994 to 1998, Ryan edited and was chief contributor of the Chicago indie music zine, Steve Albini Thinks We Suck.

In 1992, Ryan began working at the Chicago Tribune. From 1997 to 2000, Ryan was an arts and entertainment editor, writer, and reporter. From 2000 to 2010, Ryan became the TV critic at the Trib. During her time there, Ryan created the Tribune's popular blog "The Watcher," which was nominated for an Espy Award.

In 2015, Ryan became the chief TV critic for Variety, a position she held until 2018.

In 2020, Ryan became a contributing editor at Vanity Fair.

Ryan has written for many publications including Broadcasting & Cable, Entertainment Weekly, MSNBC, NPR, Rolling Stone, Slate, among others.

Membership 2009-2015: Peabody Awards, Board of Jurors Television Critics Association, Board Member

Selected works and publications

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Important facts

Born
1966
Birth century
Occupation
Television critic, journalist, media critic
Nationality
Education
Washington University in St. Louis, Northwestern University
Employers
Variety
Also known as
Mo Ryan

People in Maureen Ryan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Maureen Ryan's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Maureen Ryan?

American film and television critic, writer and reporter

When was Maureen Ryan born?

Maureen Ryan was born in 1966.

What is Maureen Ryan's occupation?

Maureen Ryan is a television critic, journalist and media critic.

What nationality is Maureen Ryan?

Maureen Ryan is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Maureen Ryan

· Wikidata: Q47460009

· DBpedia: Maureen Ryan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Maureen Ryan. https://biography.guide/maureen-ryan/

MLA: "Maureen Ryan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/maureen-ryan/.

Chicago: "Maureen Ryan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/maureen-ryan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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