It was only a matter of time… Richard Roeper announced on Sunday that he is leaving the nationally syndicated Ebert & Roeper movie review television show. Apparently, Disney-ABC Domestic Television and Roeper were unable to come to an agreement on a contract extension, so Roeper’s last appearance on the show will air the weekend of August 16th. And with that Roger Ebert, who has been sidelined from the show for almost two years due to heath issues, has announced that Disney has decided to take the show in “a new direction” in which he “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,” wrote Ebert. “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 that has lasted all these years. 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.’ “
Ebert concludes his letter reminding everyone that he still owns the trademark with Gene’s widow, “and the thumbs will return.”
“We are discussing possibilities, and plan to continue the show’s tradition,” promises Ebert.
Roeper, who joined the show in 2000 after the death of Ebert’s original co-host Gene Siskel, says he intends to “proceed elsewhere … as the co-host of a movie review show that honors the standards established by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert more than 30 years ago.”
source: AP
July 21st, 2008 at 5:28 pm
The show died with Siskel a long time ago.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Well….Roeper HAS recommended some lame movies like Fred Claus and The Number 23 and 21.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I have watched this show religiously since I was 12 years old (I am now 24). It’s a sad day for movies. But if this is how it has to be, then that’s how it has to be. This will probably be the last movie review show to have a meaningful talk about it’s subject. Roger Ebert has been my hero growing up and he will continue to be a hero to me until the day I die.
Even if he liked cop and a half…
July 21st, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Sciretta and Stephenson at the movies. !!!
A new era.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I’m only surprised that Roeper wouldn’t want to stay on. Seemed like a pretty sweet high profile gig to me, but I didn’t really like his reviews, so no big loss. I’m curious to see what they will do now. Adam and Matty at Filmspotting are the new Siskel and Ebert as far as I’m concerned - but they seem to be way too smart to ever be excepted by a same sort of mass market audience - and their reviews don’t translate to 3 minute soundbites.
July 21st, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Godspeed, Roger Ebert. There isn’t a critic out there with a more profound appreciation for the medium.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Ebert is a true soldier of cinema.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:02 pm
It would be so cool if Ebert got one of those cancer voice boxes than did all his reviews in that creepy monotome robotic voice
July 21st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Fuck!!! I love this show
July 21st, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I agree with everything you said, SighGuy.
One of the only times they ever got it wrong:
Two Thumbs Down for ‘The Usual Suspects’
Two Thumbs Up for ‘Anaconda’
July 21st, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Never heard of them - seriously who cares?
Its like if Jonathan Ross left Film 2008 in the UK would you care?
July 21st, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Greg , Siskel and Ebert are a cornerstone of American pop culture.
“They” are the reason for the way films are rated and reviewed here in the US.
They started out on what back in the day was public tv. Basically they were pre-Youtube. They worked their way up to become a staple of review integrity in America when it came to movies.
Sucks your living in V for Vendettaville.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 am
Hey Greg, no I wouldn’t care, but I also wouldn’t go to a UK based website and say “who cares? I’m American, I don’t care about these guys or this show that has been on for over 20 years in your country” - it would be kind of a dick thing to do. On the other hand, I do listen to Mark Kermode on the BBC and I find him hilarious and refreshing compared to most US critics.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:54 am
Another Brit here, Greg is a twat, I apologise on his behalf ;)
@ W Smith:
Kermode is great, think more people should check him out, not least for the slicked 50’s throwback hair :)
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:36 am
Kip, just for the record…
I’ll take Paul Sarone over Keyser Söze any day of the week.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:50 am
I used to watch this show before they started changing the times it would come on. This is kind of a big deal seeing as it’s really the only movie review program on broadcast television. I wonder what they mean by Disney wanting to go in a “new direction”?
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:57 am
Two thumbs way down.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I think Roeper has done a great job with the program! His opinion’s aside, the guy is a talent in front of the camera. I’ll miss the show in it’s current format!
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Seriously who cares?
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I apologise I am being fairly moronic but in fairness the first guy to post says the show was awful, though if you truly want dire film criticism its best to listen to Slashfilm cast.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
@ Greg
You cared enough to post. Twice.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
With Ebert & Roeper going and the increase of really lame “reality shows” (is there any other kind?), the dumbing down of America continues. With the current trend of splash and slash, nonsense and no content, I can imagine the “direction” that Disney will be taking the show. I do not expect to continue watching it if my expectation as to the MTV/VH1 format is used.
And Greg, who care? Obvisiously a lot more than those who do not. Raerth, no need to apology for Greg, there are always a few that make comments that amount to one hand clapping, just not as quiet.