Posted by chicagomedia.org on July 21, 2008 at 18:35:11:
Ebert, Roeper want no part in 'At the Movies' sequel
The balcony is closed. And this time, they really mean it.
The back-to-back statements issued Sunday and Monday by Sun-Times colleagues Richard Roeper and Roger Ebert marked the end of the line for the movie-review show they co-hosted - and the end of an era for the 33-year-old Chicago television treasure created by Ebert and the late Gene Siskel.
You didn't have to read much between the lines of the hosts' gracious comments to infer that Disney ABC Domestic Television plans to dumb down and glam up the show next season.
Details are still sketchy, but word is that the new version will bear little resemblance to the brilliant and exquisitely simple format Gene and Roger invented - two Chicago newspapermen talking and arguing intelligently and passionately about movies.
Never mind that along the way the show was always profitable and prestigious for the company.
While Ebert continues to deal with the health problems that took away his voice and sidelined his broadcasting career, Roeper is weighing multiple offers to host a new national show in the tradition of the current format.
Granted we've been friends for years, but it's my personal feeling that Roeper never got the credit he deserved for upholding the show's spirit and standards after he succeeded Siskel or especially after he kept "At the Movies" on track with a revolving door of co-hosts in Ebert's lengthy absence.
Thumbs up to you, Rich.
(Feder)