"We don't really need reviewers, just first-night reporters who will tell us faithfully whether or not the audience liked the show"

Carroll O'Connor's quote, "We do not really require customers, just first-night press reporters who will inform us consistently whether or not the audience liked the program", offers a nuanced point of view on the value of critiques versus audience responses in the performing arts. O'Connor, celebrated for his function as Archie Bunker in "All in the Household", means a shifting paradigm where the immediate, unfiltered reaction of an audience may be more significant than the analysis offered by expert critics.

First of all, the quote recommends a democratization of taste, valuing the cumulative reaction of an audience over the possibly esoteric viewpoints of critics. Typically, critics are seen as gatekeepers of artistic quality, using extensive analysis, context, and know-how. However, critics can in some cases be seen as out of touch with mainstream choices, captured up in technicalities and individual predispositions that may not resonate with general audiences. O'Connor's words imply a preference for first-hand, experiential reactions which might catch an honest, emotional reality that is probably simply as important as important analysis.

Additionally, the quote highlights the significance of audience engagement and complete satisfaction as a metric for success in the entertainment industry. In a landscape where financial practicality often depends upon ticket office and viewership numbers, the immediate reaction of an audience-- whether through laughter, applause, or perhaps silence-- supplies necessary feedback. It could suggest whether a production is compelling and accessible to its intended market.

Furthermore, O'Connor's viewpoint shows a shift in the media landscape where audience feedback is increasingly noticeable and influential, particularly in the age of social networks. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram allow for rapid and prevalent audience responses, forming public understanding and affecting a show's momentum in real-time.

In summary, Carroll O'Connor is emphasizing the importance of genuine audience responses over critical reviews, highlighting a belief in the power of collective approval and real-time feedback in the examination of carrying out arts. While not dismissing the worth of expert critique entirely, his quote champions a more populist method to comprehending a program's impact and success.