07.21.08
Ebert & Roeper: “No Longer At the Movies”
After eight seasons of “At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper,” of which I only caught a few episodes, both Roeper and Ebert are over it. When Disney decided they wanted to take the show in a different direction, for reasons unknown, both parties have decided that they would rather not be apart of it. Roeper, an odd choice to fill in for Siskel in the first place, will make his final appearance on the weekend of August the 16th, before moving on to greener pastures. Ebert, who has been dealing with seemingly endless medical issues for a while now, has been unable to make an appearance on the show in forever, which prompted Roeper to call on fellow [more interesting, insightful and intellectual] critics to fill in. Obviously the show has never been the same, and the endgame was inevitable, it was all about when. And the time is now. [AP]
The statements:
Roeper: “Over the last two seasons, as Roger has bravely coped with his medical issues, I’ve continued the show with a number of guest co-hosts. It’s never been the same without Roger, but I’m proud of the work we’ve done and I’m grateful to all the co-hosts who stepped in — and to the viewers that stayed loyal to the show.”
“Several months ago, Disney offered to extend my contract, which expires at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season. I opted to wait. Much transpired after that behind the scenes, but an agreement was never reached, and we are all moving on.”
Ebert: “After 33 years on the air, 23 of them with Disney, the studio has decided to take the program named ‘Siskel & Ebert’ and then ‘Ebert & Roeper’ in a new direction. I will no longer be associated with it.
The show was a wonderful experience. It was a great loss to me when surgery in July 2006 made it impossible for me to appear on the air any longer. Although I remained active behind the scenes, I feel that Richard Roeper and several co-hosts, notably Michael Phillips and A.O. Scott, have excelled at carrying on the tradition Gene Siskel and I began in 1975 with ‘Sneak Previews’ on PBS.
Gene and I felt the formula was simplicity itself: Two film critics, sitting across the aisle from each other in a movie balcony, debating the new films of the week. We developed an entirely new concept for TV. Few shows have been on the air so long and remained so popular. We made television history, and established the trademarked catch-phrase ‘Two thumbs up.
The trademark still belongs to me and Marlene Iglitzen, Gene’s widow, and the thumbs will return. We are discussing possibilities, and plan to continue the show’s tradition.”
Siskel: “Who the frak is Roeper anyhow? Sayonara sweetheart.”
Marcy said,
July 22, 2008 at 8:01 am
I’ve watched about 90% of the “Ebert & Roeper” episodes since 2000. (Siskel and Ebert were much more entertaining, judging from the archives.) When I missed an episode, I listened to the audios on their old websites. Now they have this huge archive on the site. That’s even better.
It’s the show that got me interested in film criticism. I love it, despite the fact that it isn’t really the best. But in the past several months, they had some interesting guest critics; A.O. Scott from The New York Times in particular.
I wonder what Disney wants to do to the show, though. I know there are probably going to be different critics, but what “different direction” are they speaking of?
I’ll sure miss watching the show like it is now. But I’m looking forward to what the future might bring.
Nick Plowman said,
July 22, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I also wonder about the “different direction.” I would love to find out.
Marilyn said,
July 22, 2008 at 7:15 pm
David Poland has a pretty good idea of what might happen next: http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/archives/2008/07/the_ongoing_adv.html
I began watching in 1975, when Siskel and Ebert were on my local PBS station. It’s the end of an era, though I regret not a bit the removal of Richard Doeper’s idiotic face from our viewing screens.
Craig Kennedy said,
July 23, 2008 at 3:53 am
What Marcy said about Ebert and Roeper “It’s the show that got me interested in film criticism.” is what I say about the original Siskel and Ebert…I didn’t catch it as far back as ‘75, but it was before they left PBS.
Anyway, I lost interest in the show when Siskel died…the magic just wasn’t there. As someone smarter than me said, Siskel and Ebert were Matthau and Lemon. Ebert and Roeper were Matthau and Greg Kinnear. Not the same thing. Once Ebert went off camera, it really seemed pointless. Now I’m kind of fine that it’s going away. Ebert should stick to writing.
Caitlin said,
July 23, 2008 at 5:26 am
Ebert’s writing is much better than what he does for his television reviews, in my opinion. The man can bring the snark like no other.
Nick Plowman said,
July 24, 2008 at 8:25 am
Too true….on pretty much all of the above.
edmund alvey said,
September 8, 2008 at 4:03 am
Well we now know what a Different Direction Disney is taking the show!
What an mess of a show tonight- Cheesey set and at one point 5 people were talking over each other
God what an awful show At the movies is!
DEAD ON ARRIVAL
Salmaya said,
September 8, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I caught it, and it was so awful, oh my god!
Nick Plowman said,
September 8, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I didn’t see it, and I hate Ben Lyons so I won’t.
J.D. said,
September 8, 2008 at 8:01 pm
^ I concur with that guy above me.
Rac said,
September 8, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Man, oh man. I miss them so much.I watched one of the episodes with the new critics, and well, they don’t have the CHARACTER that Ebert and Roeper had. Roeper was hilarious, Ebert was the strait man, and together they where gold. The new ones, are just, critics.