'Bloodbath' Day at Village Voice: Musto, Sietsema, Feingold Out
Last week, top editors at the Village Voice resigned in protest when they learned that management wanted them to lay off several members of their already-decimated staff. This morning, those layoffs came down. They're not pretty.
We hear that executives from the Voice's parent company flew in for today's massacre. Michael Musto, the Voice's nightlife columnist and most high profile remaining staffer, has been let go, as was rumored last week. (There had apparently been some talk of Musto's column hanging on in some form, but that does not seem to have worked out.) Also let go, sources tell us, was Robert Sietsema, the Voice's longtime food critic, and Michael Feingold, the paper's theater critic. Feingold was scheduled to host the Obie Awards for the Voice next week. That just makes the timing that much more shocking.
We're told that the paper's remaining staff is "devastated" and in "uproar."
Update: Michael Musto tells us, "So many people have come out to offer their love (and opportunities). I'll update you on all my new beginnings. My brand will be feistier than ever."
Update 2: We hear that this round of layoffs included "a big chunk" taken out of the paper's business side, as well. No specific figures yet.
Update 3: Here's the company's release on the layoffs today. Hey, the Voice is hiring!
Email Hamilton@Gawker.com if you know more.