It’s impossible to love movies and have anything but fond memories toward Siskel & Ebert’s original TV show.
The program’s title has morphed since those early days, and Siskel died in 1999 leaving a very large void in the balcony.
Now, news it out that Richard Roeper, who replaced Siskel eight years ago, is leaving “At the Movies” (hat tip: Rich’s Movie News). Roger Ebert already hasn’t been on his own show for a long time due to a protracted illness. But while I rarely agreed with Roeper’s opinions I thought he kept the show from sliding into irrevelance. He didn’t try to be too hip and/or clever (hint, hint, Michael Phillips) and broke the films down with efficiency and affection.
So what happens next?
Roeper plans to front his own film review show without Disney’s backing … and Ebert has cut all ties with his old program. A Roeper-hosted show could still succeed, but I suspect the next big review show will be found on YouTube and involve online-only critics.
(Photo: Film critic Richard Roeper is leaving “At the Movies” after an eight-year run)
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