I don't think it's a "well, we called it" subtext. They have an agreed upon checklist format for these kind of stories and it includes simply quoting the original review rather than asking the writer together anything else, especially for a show that hasn't run long.
If you can catch it, "Obit." the documentary about the Times obit section is really fun and interesting. It shows editors going through a checklist of what has to be in a story.
