Roger Ebert Leaving "Ebert and Roeper"

[Kolbar]

It appears that after 23 years on the air with "Siskel and Ebert" and now "Ebert and Roeper," Roger Ebert will not return to the show. It seems his health problems are not allowing him the ability to go back on the air.

Here's the article at Ebert's website (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080721/FEATURED/150028057).

Any comments?

[jlaking]

Roeper's final episode to air on August 16-17th.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080721ap_en_ot/people_roeper (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080721/ap_en_ot/people_roeper)

[Lord Dalek]

Yeah Ebert's battle with throat cancer did more damage than planned. He's litterally unable to speak without vast amounts of physical exertation.

[The Nameless]

That sucks.

I wonder what Disney'll call the show when both of the hosts bid adieu? "Whoever the Hell We Can Find & The Movies"?

[Classic Speedy]

It is the end of an era. :sad: Oh well, at least he'll continue writing reviews.

[Michael24]

I've only occasionally watched the show since Siskel passed away, but I never really cared for Roeper. It's a shame Ebert can't continue, as I always liked watching his reviews, even if I didn't agree with him all the time. I was shocked last year when I saw footage of him following his surgery. I had no idea the complications had left him in that bad of shape, unable to speak and all. A shame. I always enjoyed watching Siskel & Ebert back in the '80s and '90s.

I would hate to see At the Movies become another lame entertainment show like Extra or Entertainment Tonight. Would be nice if there was another movie review program that could fill the void. Was nice having a show that just reviewed movies and video releases.

[Aldrius]

I thought that Ebert hated the thumbs... still a shame. Even though I rarely agreed with either of them except on the obvious...

[Tobias]

Is this show even still on? It just mysteriously disappeared from the schedule last fall.

But yeah, it's a shame, although personally I think they should have ended the show when Siskel passed away. Replacing him was like the later seasons of Happy Days when Richie left, or Shirley leaving Laverne & Shirley.

[Michael24]

Is this show even still on? It just mysteriously disappeared from the schedule last fall.

Yeah, it seemed like after Siskel passed away TV didn't really care anymore. For years, I used to always see it every Sunday evening. Afterwards, it seemed to vanish and then I started coming across it during very late hours, like around midnight or 1AM.

[Temple Fugate]

You could argue they already left a while ago.

I've been wondering if they were going to officially call it quits. The last three times I tuned into the show neither of them were present.

[SirLemming]

I suppose the other thread will be merged into this one, since it overrides the topic:

Ebert quitting the show for good was pretty much what I assumed would happen, given he hasn't been on the show for at least 2 years and apparently can't really speak anymore. Roeper is a bit more surprising. I thought he'd sort of continue his little power trip for a while, but maybe he's fed up with the show's ever-decreasing status in the media and figures now is as good a time as any to ditch it. I'm not a big fan of the recent Ebert-less show anyway, as it's settled into a rut with Richard Roeper & Michael Phillips, which can be summed up as "Roeper & Roeper-er", or "Roeper & Doper", or, if you want to be crude, "****** & ******r."

It's been a good run, but with both Siskel and Ebert out of the picture, and with professional critics generally losing importance in the internet age, I guess its time is over.

[Silly McGooses]

The show has been limping on without him for so long now. Some of the guest critics were interesting, especially when they were prominent filmmakers, but it seems like this Michael Philips has just been on all the time recently, who I can take or leave. Like him better than Roeper, though.

[hobbyfan]

I haven't watched it in way, way too long. With Roeper leaving to launch his own show, and now reading that Ebert, sidelined for 2 years, has decided to hang it up, they can reboot the show in a roundtable format, a la ESPN's Sports Reporters. After all, it IS from Disney. Plus, it'd be a good way to bring back original Sneak Previews host Jeffrey Lyons as part of that roundtable.

Feedback, please.

[Matt Hazuda]

$5 says the new format will be Disney taking it in the horrible mold of the "Entertainment magazine" format of such crap as Access Hollywood, the Insider or Entertainment Tonight.

They want a piece of the poop pie for their own :sweat:

Edit by Bird Boy: Watch the language.

[Tobias]

Don't we already have ENOUGH entertainment magazines on the tube as it is?

Personally, I'd love to see them do 'Classic Siskel & Ebert' and showcase old episodes with reviews of films from the past that could draw in new viewers to said films.

[Hanshotfirst113]

I believe that Ebert's recent surgery left him unable to speak, so while tragic, this is unfortunately not unexpected.

[DarthGonzo]

Don't we already have ENOUGH entertainment magazines on the tube as it is?


We do, but the general public eats that crap up. Sad.

[Matt Hazuda]

Personally, I'd love to see them do 'Classic Siskel & Ebert' and showcase old episodes with reviews of films from the past that could draw in new viewers to said films.They may not have that, but you can legally view every single review ever online (http://www.atthemoviestv.com/).

[Peter Paltridge]

I don't think anyone cares anymore. I can't recall the last movie that used "Two Thumbs Up" in its critics quotes. (I'm sure it was a couple years ago, I just can't remember which movie.)

I wonder if there'll ever be critics again with as much clout and power as Siskel and Ebert had. They got their own show because they were the main critics for both of Chicago's newspapers. Newspaper critics aren't huge anymore. Maybe critics in general aren't.

[Tobias]

I don't think anyone cares anymore. I can't recall the last movie that used "Two Thumbs Up" in its critics quotes. (I'm sure it was a couple years ago, I just can't remember which movie.)

I wonder if there'll ever be critics again with as much clout and power as Siskel and Ebert had. They got their own show because they were the main critics for both of Chicago's newspapers. Newspaper critics aren't huge anymore. Maybe critics in general aren't.

I believe the 'Thumbs Up' only stopped being used about a year or so ago. Ebert had it in his contract that he owned the trademark on that and was using it in his contract negotiation when he thought he'd be coming back, so in a nutshell, he took that gesture away from the show and gave them another gesture in it's place.

[J'onn J'onzz]

Wow, that's really sad. Will the show just have guest reviewers from now on? Or will it be cancelled, or what?

[Blackstar]

The thing is, after Siskel & Ebert left At the Movies for their own syndicated movie review series, Siskel & Ebert and the Movies, the producers of At the Movies tried to keep the original series going with 2 new hosts, but it didn't last long.

[Master Moron]

Is this show even still on? It just mysteriously disappeared from the schedule last fall.


The show is called "At The Movies" now. So, if you search the listings for "Ebert and Roeper" you won't find it.

[George3000]

I don't think anyone cares anymore. I can't recall the last movie that used "Two Thumbs Up" in its critics quotes. (I'm sure it was a couple years ago, I just can't remember which movie.)
The Ebert & Roeper Show last used the thumbs during the episode airing the weekend of August 18-19 of last year. The guest host that week was Stephen Hunter. the featured movies were (in order as they were reviewed, I believe) The Invasion, Death at a Funeral, Delirious, Superbad, The 11th Hour, and Arctic Tale.

EDIT: BREAKING NEWS:
Disney announced its new hosts its new hosts of At the Movies today:
http://www.suntimes.com/business/feder/1068103,movies072208.article (http://www.suntimes.com/business/feder/1068103,movies072208.article)
Effective: 09/06/08.:(

EDIT AGAIN:
Here's more on the new format:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/movies-televisions-most-popular-respected/story.aspx?guid=%7BD3A986A3-330A-42BB-BD61-D0BA18AF4DB1%7D&dist=hppr (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/movies-televisions-most-popular-respected/story.aspx?guid=%7BD3A986A3-330A-42BB-BD61-D0BA18AF4DB1%7D&dist=hppr)

[Menos Grande]

I've watched At the Movies almost religiously for the past year. I watch it every Saturday night before I go to bed. Sad to see Roeper go, I didn't expect Ebert to return to begin with. Micheal Philips is probably my favorite movie reviewer. I guess I can still read his stuff in the Tribune.

I'll give the new hosts a shot but it won't be the same.

[BrendaBat]

This news doesn't surprise me. Honestly, I'm surprised Ebert didn't officially step down sooner.


Originally posted by Menos Grande
I've watched At the Movies almost religiously for the past year. I watch it every Saturday night before I go to bed. Sad to see Roeper go, I didn't expect Ebert to return to begin with.
I also like Richard Roeper. He's no Gene Siskel; but he and Ebert had great chemistry and, when paired with the right co-host, he's a lot of fun to watch.


Originally posted by George3000
EDIT: BREAKING NEWS:
Disney announced its new hosts its new hosts of At the Movies today:
http://www.suntimes.com/business/feder/1068103,movies072208.article (http://www.suntimes.com/business/feder/1068103,movies072208.article)
Effective: 09/06/08.:(

EDIT AGAIN:
Here's more on the new format:

So Roeper is being replaced by two dudes from the E! Network who, according to the article, are in the industry because they have famous parents.


........well, looks like I won't be watching At The Movies anymore. :sad:

[Classic Speedy]

I also like Richard Roeper. He's no Gene Siskel; but he and Ebert had great chemistry and, when paired with the right co-host, he's a lot of fun to watch. I don't mind Roeper, either. I always enjoy hearing his quick thoughts on movies when he's on Leno. And I liked how he dared to disagree with Ebert sometimes.

[Old Guy]

I started watching Siskel & Ebert like a year before Siskel passed away. I loved the show. Then, Roeper showed up. I didn't like him, but continued to watch cause I enjoyed watching Ebert and finding out what his opinions were on certain movies. However, after Ebert left the show in 2006 because of medicial reasons I pretty much stopped watching. It's still sad that the show is going to get new hosts, but I'll still check it out just cause I'm curious.

[SirLemming]

Roeper was decent when Ebert was alongside him, but now that he's the "big name" of the show I find him more and more irritating. I don't think he can carry the show and I also think he's becoming a bit smug. It doesn't help that Michael Phillips is pretty much exactly like him. Movie review shows are at their best when the two critics are different, and there's just not enough legitimate friction between these two.

[Old Guy]

Michael Phillips is as bad, if not worse, than Roeper. Let's hope he doesn't join Roeper in that new show "he's working on."

[DarthGonzo]

I'm surprised Disney resisted the urge to turn this into a lame gossip-style show a la TMZ.

Hopefully, however this turns out - it will continue to promote substance over style.