At the Movies (1986 TV program)

(Redirected from Ebert & Roeper)

At the Movies (originally Siskel & Ebert & the Movies, and later At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper) is an American movie review television program produced by Disney–ABC Domestic Television in which two film critics share their opinions of newly released films.[1] Its original hosts were Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, the former hosts of Sneak Previews on PBS (1975–1982) and a similarly titled syndicated series (1982–1986).[1] Following Siskel's death in 1999,[2] Ebert worked with various guest critics until choosing Chicago Sun-Times colleague Richard Roeper as his regular partner in 2000.[3]

At the Movies
GenreFilm review
Presented by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons24
Production
Production locations
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkSyndication
ReleaseSeptember 13, 1986 (1986-09-13) –
August 14, 2010 (2010-08-14)
Related

Ebert suspended his appearances in 2006 for treatment of thyroid cancer, with various guest hosts substituting for him. From April to August 2008 Michael Phillips, a successor of Siskel at the Chicago Tribune, co-hosted with Roeper.[4] Starting on September 6, 2008, Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz took over as hosts;[5] their partnership lasted only one season.[6] On August 5, 2009, it was announced that Phillips would return to the show as a permanent co-host, teaming with A. O. Scott of The New York Times for what would be the program's final season.[6]

During its run with Siskel and Ebert as hosts, the series was nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards seven times and also for Outstanding Information Series, the last nomination occurring in 1997.[1][7] It was widely known for the "thumbs up/thumbs down" review summaries given during Siskel's and Ebert's tenures[8] (this was dropped after Ebert ended his association with the program, as the phrase "Two Thumbs Up" is a trademark held by the Siskel and Ebert families).[9][10] The show aired in syndication in the United States and on CTV in Canada; the show also aired throughout the week on the cable network ReelzChannel.

The show's cancellation was announced on March 24, 2010,[11] and the last episode was aired during the weekend of August 14–15, 2010.[12] The following month, Ebert announced a new version of At the Movies, which launched on public television on January 21, 2011.[13] However, the series went on permanent hiatus at the end of the year due to a lack of financial underwriting and the subsequent death of Ebert on April 4, 2013.[14][15]

Broadcast history edit

Predecessors edit

The show's origins and format trace back to Sneak Previews (1975), a PBS series produced by WTTW that originally featured Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, and At the Movies, a follow-up show that the two critics created with Tribune Entertainment.[1]

Siskel & Ebert & the Movies (1986–1987) edit

The series itself began in September 1986 as Siskel & Ebert & the Movies, when Siskel and Ebert signed with Buena Vista Entertainment, the television division of the Walt Disney Company.[1]

Siskel & Ebert (1987–1999) edit

The title of the show was shortened to simply Siskel and Ebert in mid-1987.[1] The program was originally recorded in the studios of WBBM-TV, Chicago's CBS owned-and-operated station. In August 2001, a few years after Disney's 1996 purchase of Capital Cities/ABC, the show's tapings were moved to ABC's Chicago station, WLS-TV, where it remained for its duration.

Siskel and Ebert often had notably divergent tastes, and as a result, heated arguments and spats added to the series's popularity. Many viewers considered such "fights" to be the highlight of the program.[1][16][17] In joint appearances on the talk show circuit, especially on David Letterman's NBC and CBS shows, the two critics indicated a mutual respect and friendship off screen. Widely circulated outtakes from promo-recording sessions show the two both bickering and joking off-air.[18]

In 1998, Gene Siskel was hospitalized for treatment of a brain tumor.[19] For a few weeks, the show was taped with Siskel on the telephone (from his hospital bed) and Ebert in the studio.[20][21][22] Although Siskel would eventually return to the studio, he seemed noticeably more lethargic[23] and mellow than usual.[24] In February 1999, Siskel announced he was taking a leave of absence for further treatment of the tumor, hoping to return.[2] Less than three weeks later, Siskel died from complications of the surgery.[25] The weekend following Siskel's death, Ebert devoted the entire half-hour as a tribute to him.[26] On the show were various clips from shows past as well as their history together as journalists and then on television.[26] Also, Ebert appeared on ABC's Good Morning America in a tribute to Siskel along with Diane Sawyer, Charles Gibson, Peter Jennings, and Joel Siegel, fellow critic and friend of Siskel.

The last show that Siskel and Ebert hosted together aired during the weekend of January 23–24, 1999. On that show, they reviewed At First Sight, Another Day in Paradise, The Hi-Lo Country, Playing by Heart, and The Theory of Flight.[27]

Roger Ebert & the Movies (1999–2000) edit

 
On-screen graphic from Roger Ebert & the Movies.

Ebert continued the show with a series of guest critics.[28][29] Originally containing the Siskel & Ebert title, the program was renamed Roger Ebert & the Movies on the weekend of September 4–5, 1999, following the death of Gene Siskel. The guests were allowed to try out their wits with Roger Ebert and test the possible chemistry. Ebert and film director Martin Scorsese co-hosted one noteworthy episode about the best films of the 1990s.[30] This format continued through the end of the 1998–99 season and into 2000 before Ebert named fellow Chicago Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper as his new permanent co-host.[3][31]

Critics substituting for Gene Siskel after his death edit

The following critics substituted for Siskel after his death:

Ebert & Roeper and the Movies (2000–2001) edit

 
On-screen graphic from Ebert & Roeper and the Movies.

The addition of Roeper as permanent co-host led to the show's name change on September 9–10, 2000 to Ebert & Roeper and the Movies.[3] The show's name was shortened to Ebert & Roeper in September 2001.

Ebert & Roeper (2001–2007) edit

 
On-screen graphic from Ebert & Roeper.

With the rebranding to Ebert & Roeper in 2001, the series gained a new set, replacing the one that had been used since its 1986 debut.

In 2002, Ebert was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent radiation treatments for tumors on his thyroid and a salivary gland while continuing to work. Complications led to an emergency operation in 2006,[36] which interrupted his reviewing schedule.[37] (A few reviews written or taped in advance were released shortly afterward.) For the remainder of the 2006–07 season, the show continued with guest hosts during his recuperation.

By October 2006, Ebert had recovered sufficiently to resume writing published reviews on a limited basis;[38] and later was able to make a few public appearances, but due to his difficulty speaking,[39] he did not return to the show. As Ebert's doctors attempted to reconstruct his jaw bone, his face and neck became increasingly malformed with each subsequent surgery.[39] Television being a distinctly visual medium, this put the producers on edge. They naturally worried that Ebert's resulting disfigurement would produce a decline in viewership, and lower ratings for the show. The show became available online toward the end of 2006, with access to movie reviews on demand. In June 2007, the online program updated its archive, making available all movie reviews since 1986.[40] After the show's cancellation in 2010, the archive, alongside the site, was shut down.

At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper (2007–2008) edit

 
Former logo from the show's official web site.

Over the summer of 2007, the show's official name was changed again to At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper, although the show's main title graphics continued to use the shortened name.[41]

As Ebert's absence from the show continued, a handful of critics came to be frequent guests. Robert Wilonsky of the Dallas Observer and HDnet.com, Chicago Tribune critic Michael Phillips, and A. O. Scott of The New York Times each appeared repeatedly. On April 13, 2008, Scott wrote that his "experiences [as guest critic]... ended when Michael Phillips of The Tribune was made Mr. Roeper's permanent foil..."[4] Phillips remained as Roeper's regular cohost until Roeper and Ebert ended their relationship with the series in August 2008.[4] The pair's final appearance together occurred in an episode of Entourage that aired on September 6, 2008 (during the weekend the new version of At the Movies debuted), in which they played themselves using their show (filmed on the old sets) to lambast the fictional film Medellin.[42]

The iconic balcony sets, which existed for decades, were dismantled and destroyed.[43][44] Ebert had been under the impression that they would be donated to the Smithsonian.[45]

Critics substituting for Roger Ebert, post-surgery edit

The following critics acted as substitutes for Ebert after his surgery:[according to whom?]

At the Movies (2008–2010) edit

Lyons and Mankiewicz (2008–2009) edit

On July 21, 2008, Roeper announced that he was leaving the show after he and Disney-ABC Domestic Television did not reach an agreement on a new contract.[47] His last show aired on the weekend of August 16.[48] On the same day, Ebert announced through a statement on his website that Disney had "decided to take the program... in a new direction" and that he would therefore no longer be associated with the show. Both Ebert and Roeper hinted at returning for a possible new show that would continue the traditional format devised by Ebert and Siskel.[9] The following day, Disney announced that Ben Lyons (whose father, Jeffrey Lyons succeeded Ebert and Siskel on Sneak Previews)[49] and Ben Mankiewicz would take over as the new hosts for At the Movies beginning on September 6–7, 2008.[5] The intention was that Lyons and Mankiewicz would take the show in a new direction, hoping to widen the viewership and appeal to younger audiences as well.[5] The show generally maintained the same format as before, with one of the two critics presenting a film, leading to a discussion of its merits.

The "See It/Skip It/Rent It" review thumbnails, the DVD recommendations, and the "3 to See" segment were retained. For some films, the show used a new "Critics Roundup" segment (see below). In addition, instead of the traditional "The balcony is closed" sign-off, one of the hosts said, "We'll be at the movies," which echoed the "We'll see you at the movies" sign-off from the first seven seasons of Sneak Previews and the Tribune Entertainment-produced At the Movies. The show also featured a new upbeat theme arrangement and brighter color scheme. An attempt to liven up film clips during reviews by filling clip letterboxes with coloring was quickly discontinued after the first two episodes due to viewer complaints.

During Lyons' tenure on At the Movies, he received criticism for his perceived lack of understanding of films and film history and use of positively phrased quotes (sound bites) that appeared tailored for use on movie advertisements (and increasing his media profile),[50] and for conflicts of interest in posing for photographs with actors whose movies he later reviewed.[51] While not specifically mentioning Ben Lyons by name, Roger Ebert wrote a general commentary on ethical standards for film critics,[52] which other commentators interpreted as implicitly critical of Lyons and responding to comparisons of Ebert with Lyons. Ebert later acknowledged that Lyons was indeed the subject of the commentary.[53]

During the first two months of Lyons & Mankiewicz's first and only season, ratings for the show slumped 23% to 1.7 total million viewers, compared with same period during Richard Roeper's final season as host, according to figures from Nielsen Media Research, with the program off 25% among the crucial category of adults 25 to 34 (from a 0.8 rating to a 0.6).[54][55]

Scott and Phillips (2009–2010) edit

On August 5, 2009, ABC announced that Lyons and Mankiewicz had been dropped from the series due to low ratings, with A. O. Scott and Michael Phillips returning to the series as the program's new permanent critics.[6][55] After rerunning the "Two Bens'" final programs for two weeks, the first program with Scott and Phillips premiered on September 5–6, 2009.[6][55] The program returned to most of its former structure in the Ebert & Roeper era (reviews, the DVD roundup, and "Three to See"), and the "Critics Roundup" segment was fully discontinued. The recap segment moved to within the closing credits sequence; however, the "we'll be at the movies" sign-off remained. The theme music was also changed to have more resemblance to the Ebert & Roeper theme (originally, this theme was used after Gene Siskel died, during the period when Ebert was using different co-hosts).

Cancellation and replacement edit

On March 24, 2010, Disney announced that At the Movies was being canceled, ending 24 seasons of national syndication on August 14–15, 2010.[11][49][56] The final episode included reviews of Eat Pray Love, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and The Expendables.[57]

The same day that the cancellation was announced, Roger Ebert announced he was "deeply involved" in talks to produce a new film review program called Ebert Presents: At the Movies, which would make use of the "Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down" recommendation he and Siskel introduced.[49][58] WTTW in Chicago, where Siskel and Ebert had their start, picked up the show, and began to nationally syndicate it on public television stations on January 21, 2011.[59] The show also aired worldwide on the Armed Forces Network.[60] The principal co-hosts of the show were originally announced as Christy Lemire of the Associated Press and Elvis Mitchell from National Public Radio.[61] Mitchell was dropped before the new series entered regular production;[59][60] his replacement was Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of Mubi and the Chicago Reader.[62] Also, Ebert announced that regular contributors and occasional co-hosts would be Kim Morgan and Omar Moore who were both respected and popular film bloggers.[63] Ebert himself hosted a segment called "Roger's Office", in which he used a computer voice or a guest narrator to review movies or to talk about the industry;[64] however, he did not debate the hosts or use the "Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down" method himself for the same film in the same episode as Lemire and Vishnevetsky: "They'll be awarding the Thumbs, and you can't have three Thumbs."[65] As it became more common for Ebert to give solo reviews for films that did not screen in time for the main critics to discuss, he started ending his positive reviews with a thumbs-up. For a time, negative Ebert reviews still received no thumb but later began receiving a thumbs-down. The last show of that program aired on December 30, 2011.[14][66]

Review style edit

The hosts reviewed a number of recently released and soon-to-be-released movies per episode, taking turns providing a narrative critique interspersed with studio-supplied clips, moving into a back-and-forth debate over the merits. Siskel and Ebert were especially known for sharp criticism that veered close to personally attacking each other, although they insisted this was largely a television act rather than a feud.

The show also recommended films coming on the home video market, including comments on DVD special features.

Reviews from the week's show were posted on the website, atthemoviestv.com, usually on the Tuesday following the show's airing. The site's archives had reviews as far back as the latter half of the 1980s. However, only the reviews for theatrical movies got posted on the web site; the weekly DVD feature and "3 to See" segments did not.

Review trademarks edit

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down edit

Since 1981 (as a test run, used permanently since the Tribune At The Movies incarnation in 1982), show reviewers would approve/disapprove the films they reviewed with a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" as a bottom-line recommendation on whether to see a reviewed movie or not. This system departed from the longstanding tradition of ratings with a number of stars or other symbols. As the show became more influential, studios would proudly advertise when their movie got "two thumbs up". In response, the phrase was trademarked in 1995 to ensure against fraudulent use that would endanger its credibility.[10] The critics frequently qualify their recommendations (e.g., "a mild thumbs up" or "two thumbs way down") in their remarks, but the official rating remains simply positive or negative. Prior to their 1982 move to Tribune, the critics approved/disapproved the films they reviewed with a yes/no verdict.

Following the death of Gene Siskel, Disney considered not permitting guest critics to use the "thumb" rating in their movie review.[67] However, this was quickly rescinded, enabling the show to continue with its signature (a picture of the guest critic's own hand giving a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" was used in the show's graphics presenting his or her review).

On August 20, 2007, Disney pulled the thumbs system from the program during contractual negotiations with Ebert over his involvement with the program. Disney stated that Ebert forced the program to do so.[68] In a statement to Poynter Online, Ebert said that Disney ordered the thumbs removed from the show. He says he had not expected this after an association of over 22 years: "I had made it clear the THUMBS could remain during good-faith negotiations."[69]

Upon being informed in mid-2009 of the most recent change in co-hosts to Scott and Phillips, Ebert indicated to Phillips that he would be prepared to return his endorsement and the "Thumbs" system to the series. However, Disney turned down the offer, saying that the show had "moved on".[53]

See It/Skip It/Rent It edit

On the show airing the weekend of May 24, 2008, the hosts began using the terms "See It" [green] and "Skip It" [red] (which appeared in on-screen graphics) when summarizing their reviews. "Rent It" [yellow] has been used to indicate a weakly positive verdict, suggesting that the viewer wait until the movie is available on home video.

Wagging Finger of Shame edit

From 2005 to 2006, the show experimented with a "Wagging Finger of Shame" feature, denoting films that were not made available for a standard advance screening and therefore could not be given either a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down". Failure to prescreen a film for reviewers is generally considered an indicator of low confidence by the distributor, apparently believing that negative reviews would harm opening-weekend box office sales. Films so spotlighted included The Amityville Horror, The Fog, In the Mix, Æon Flux, Underworld: Evolution, and Date Movie. This public rebuke was discontinued when Ebert decided the studios were not taking it seriously. Roeper asserted that too many films (eleven in 2006 by April, compared to two by that date in 2005) were being withheld from critics.[70]

3 to See edit

Introduced during the Roeper/Phillips era in 2008, "3 to See" was a segment appearing at the end of each show, in which the reviewers listed their top three favorites of the movies currently in theaters.

Critics Roundup edit

Introduced during the Lyons/Mankiewicz era in 2008, "Critics Roundup" was a variation of the traditional format in which one of the hosts presented a film, reviewed it, and then spoke with three other critics who appeared via satellite. Each critic provided their own See It/Skip It/Rent It rating, as did the other host, leading to a panel discussion. The votes of the whole panel were then tallied to provide the show's recommendation. Guest critics on the September 6, 2008, debut of the segment included Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe, Tory Shulman of ReelzChannel, and Matt Singer of IFC.

Over/Under edit

Introduced during the Phillips/Scott era in 2010, The "Over/Under" was a segment where the reviewers pick films of a certain genre that they think are overrated and underrated.

Special programming edit

Occasionally, special shows were produced that focus on particular aspects of film or home video. The show gives the hosts a convenient soapbox to feature their opinions on such issues as film colorization, letterboxing, the MPAA film rating system, product placement, independent filmmaking, and social issues. For instance, one episode, called "Hail, Hail Black and White", was shot in black and white with the pair in tuxedos as part of their focus on the virtues of black and white film. Regular episodes sometimes devoted a few minutes for the hosts to give their opinions of a current issue related to the motion picture industry or to pay tribute to something. Another recurring feature was their "Memo To The Academy" episode, where they offered award nominee recommendations to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

At the end of every year, the two hosts would run down their choices of the top ten best films from that year, followed the week later by their rundown of their choices of the top ten worst films from that year. Another year-end tradition was Siskel & Ebert's Holiday Video Gift Guide, a special episode where the hosts spotlighted, tried out, and recommended various gifts, toys, and movies for the Christmas season. These aired as an hour-long special from 1987 to 1992, with the final installment in 1993 running for a half hour.

Best films of the year edit

From 1986 to 2009, the show complied "best of the year" film lists which helped to provide an overview of the critics' critical preferences. Their top choices were:

Siskel & Ebert (1986-1998) edit

Year Siskel Ebert
1986 Hannah and Her Sisters Platoon
1987 The Last Emperor House of Games
1988 The Last Temptation of Christ Mississippi Burning
1989 Do the Right Thing
1990 GoodFellas
1991 Hearts of Darkness JFK
1992 One False Move Malcolm X
1993 Schindler's List
1994 Hoop Dreams
1995 Crumb Leaving Las Vegas
1996
1997 The Ice Storm Eve's Bayou
1998 Babe: Pig in the City Dark City

Ebert & Maslin (1999) edit

Year Ebert Maslin
1999 Being John Malkovich Topsy-Turvy

Ebert & Roeper (2000-2005) edit

Year Ebert Roeper
2000 Almost Famous Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
2001 Monster's Ball Memento
2002 Minority Report Gangs of New York
2003 Monster In America
2004 Million Dollar Baby Hotel Rwanda
2005 Crash Syriana

Roeper & Scott (2006-2007) edit

Year Roeper Scott
2006 The Departed Letters from Iwo Jima
2007 Michael Clayton 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days

Lyons & Mankiewicz (2008) edit

Year Lyons Mankiewicz
2008 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button The Wrestler

Phillips & Scott (2009) edit

Year Phillips Scott
2009 Up Where the Wild Things Are

Best films of the decade edit

From the 1980s to the 2000s, the show complied "best of the decade" movie lists, thereby helping provide and overview of the critics' critical preferences. Only two films for this listing were named by the critics as the best film of the year, Hoop Dreams (1994) for Roger Ebert in the 1990s, and Wall-E (2008) for A.O. Scott in the 2000s.

Siskel & Ebert (1980s) edit

Year Siskel Ebert
1980s Raging Bull

Ebert & Scorsese (1990s) edit

Year Ebert Scorsese
1990s Hoop Dreams The Horse Thief

Phillips & Scott (2000s) edit

Year Phillips Scott
2000s There Will Be Blood Wall-E

Accolades edit

Year Award Result
1987 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series Nominated
1988 Nominated
1989 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Series Nominated
1990 Nominated
1991 Nominated
1992 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series Nominated
1994 Nominated
1997 Nominated
OFTA Television Award for Best Informational Series Won
1998 Won
1999 Nominated
2000 Nominated
2004 Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Steinberg, Joel. "Siskel and Ebert". Museum of Broadcast Communications. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  2. ^ a b McG Thomas, Robert Jr. (February 21, 1999). "Gene Siskel, Half of a Famed Movie-Review Team, Dies at 53". The New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "Columnist to become foil to Roger Ebert". Tampa Bay Times. July 14, 2000. Retrieved May 18, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d Scott, A.O. (April 13, 2008). "Roger Ebert, The Critic Behind The Thumb". The New York Times. pp. Arts & Leisure, 1, 22. Retrieved May 5, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c Anne Thompson (July 22, 2008). "Lyons, Mankiewicz to host 'Movies'". Variety. Archived from the original on September 12, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Phil Rosenthal (August 5, 2009). "Chicago Tribune's Michael Phillips, N.Y. Times' A.O. Scott take over 'At the Movies'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  7. ^ "Siskel & Ebert - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  8. ^ Gliatto, Tom (November 1, 1999). "Despite the Loss of Film-Critic Buddy Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert Gives Life a Thumbs Up". People. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Statement from Roger Ebert". Chicago Sun-Times. July 21, 2008. Archived from the original on July 22, 2008.
  10. ^ a b "Trademark Status & Document Retrieval: US Serial No. 74587944". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Long-running review show 'At the Movies' canceled". Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  12. ^ "'At the Movies' canceled; Last show to air August 14, 2010". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  13. ^ Ebert launches revamped 'At the Movies', Digital Spy, September 10, 2010
  14. ^ a b Ebert, Roger (November 30, 2011). "So long for awhile". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  15. ^ Martin, Douglas (April 4, 2013). "Roger Ebert Dies at 70; a Critic for the Common Man". The New York Times. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  16. ^ Bernstein, Fred (August 20, 1984). "Tough! Tender! Gritty! Evocative! Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert Live to Dissect Films-and Each Other". People. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  17. ^ Zoglin, Richard (May 25, 1987). ""It Stinks!" "You're Crazy!"". Time. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
  18. ^ "Siskel & Ebert - Rated R, 1987". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  19. ^ "Doctors give Siskel two thumbs up after brain surgery". CNN. May 13, 1998. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  20. ^ "Godzilla, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Bulworth, The Horse Whisperer, 1998". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  21. ^ "The Truman Show, The Last Days of Disco, A Perfect Murder, The Opposite of Sex, Hope Floats, 1998". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  22. ^ "Six Days Seven Nights, Can't Hardly Wait, Cousin Bette, Mr. Jealousy, High Art, 1998". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  23. ^ Nostalgia Critic: Siskel and Ebert (08:43–09:11) Archived November 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ Singer, Matt (2023). Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever. G. P. Putnam's Sons. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-593-54015-2.
  25. ^ "In Tribute: Legendary film reviewer leaves thumbprint on a nation of moviegoers". The Star Press. March 27, 1999. p. 29. Retrieved May 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  26. ^ a b "Gene Siskel Tribute January 26, 1946 - February 20, 1999". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  27. ^ "At First Sight, Another Day in Paradise, The Hi-Lo Country, Playing by Heart, The Theory of Flight, 1999". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  28. ^ Perrone, Pierre (February 23, 1999). "Obituary: Gene Siskel". The Independent. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  29. ^ Singer, Matt (2023). Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever. G. P. Putnam's Sons. pp. 235–236. ISBN 978-0-593-54015-2.
  30. ^ "Ebert & Scorsese: Best Films of the 1990s". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  31. ^ "AWARD-WINNING CHICAGO SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST RICHARD ROEPER STEPS INTO CRITIC'S CHAIR OPPOSITE ROGER EBERT". Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  32. ^ "End Of An Era?". The Hot Blog. August 25, 2007. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
  33. ^ "A Q&A WITH RICHARD ROEPER CO-CRITIC, 'EBERT & ROEPER AND THE MOVIES'". Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  34. ^ Ebert & Roeper (February 27, 2000). "Best Films of the 90s".
  35. ^ "CNN Showbuzz - February 16, 1999". CNN. February 16, 1999. Archived from the original on April 28, 2001. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  36. ^ Ebert, Roger (June 29, 2007). "Sicko Movie Review & Film Summary". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  37. ^ Ebert, Roger (August 17, 2006). "E-mail from Roger". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  38. ^ Ebert, Roger (October 11, 2006). "Roger writes to readers". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  39. ^ a b Ebert, Roger (January 6, 2010). "Nil by mouth". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  40. ^ Ebert, Roger (July 31, 2007). "Siskel & Ebert & Roeper archived". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  41. ^ Caro, Mark (August 31, 2007). "Pop Machine: You can copyright thumbs? The Intellectual Property Answer Man knows". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  42. ^ "Fantasy Island". Entourage. Season 5. Episode 1. September 7, 2008.
  43. ^ Rossen, Jake (January 29, 2016). "8 Classic Movie Props That Were Tossed in the Trash". Mental Floss. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  44. ^ Wood, Jennifer M. (September 13, 2016). "13 Facts About Siskel and Ebert At the Movies". Mental Floss. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  45. ^ Roger Ebert: The Essential Man Esquire Magazine, February 16, 2010.
  46. ^ McElroy, Justin (December 30, 2006). "'Ebert & Roeper' show gives mixed Marshall review". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  47. ^ "Richard Roeper leaving popular movie show". Chicago Tribune. July 21, 2008. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
  48. ^ "Ebert and Roeper leaving 'Ebert & Roeper'". CNN. Associated Press. July 21, 2008. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008. Roeper said in a statement Sunday that he had failed to agree on a contract extension with Disney-ABC Domestic Television so his last appearance on the show aired the weekend of August 16–17.
  49. ^ a b c Rosenthal, Phil (March 24, 2010). "Disney-ABC cancels 'At the Movies,' Siskel and Ebert's old show". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  50. ^ Rush & Molloy (August 1, 2008). "Jeffrey Lyons pans son's critics". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  51. ^ Chris Lee (December 28, 2008). "Critic Ben Lyons gets many thumbs down". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  52. ^ Roger Ebert (October 28, 2008). "Roger Ebert's Journal: Roger's little rule book". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  53. ^ a b Roger Ebert (November 25, 2009). "Roger Ebert's Journal: Time keeps on slip, slip, slippin' away". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 30, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2009.
  54. ^ Collins, Scott (November 26, 2008). "Minus Ebert, 'At the Movies' sees ratings drop 23%". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  55. ^ a b c Goldwert, Lindsay; Praetorious, Dean (August 5, 2009). "'At the Movies' Drops Hosts Lyons, Mankiewicz". ABC News. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  56. ^ "Long-running review show "At the Movies" canceled - Yahoo! News". Archived from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  57. ^ "Eat Pray Love, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Expendables AND Tribute to Siskel & Ebert, 2010 - Final show!". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  58. ^ "See you at the movies". Roger Ebert's Journal. Chicago Sun-Times. March 25, 2010. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  59. ^ a b Lyons, Margaret (December 15, 2010). "Roger Ebert's 'At the Movies' set to return in January". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  60. ^ a b Lazare, Lewis (December 15, 2010). "Critical decision near for Eberts' movie show". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  61. ^ "Roger Ebert and PBS bring back 'At the Movies'". Los Angeles Times. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  62. ^ "Ebert's new show names Vishnevetsky as co-host". Associated Press. January 4, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  63. ^ Spearns, Mike. "Roger Ebert presents At the Movies". The Sun-Times Media Group. Archived from the original on September 12, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
  64. ^ "Roger Ebert to appear on movie review show". Associated Press. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  65. ^ ""Roger Ebert reviving "At the Movies" on public TV"". The Hollywood Reporter. Reuters. September 10, 2010. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  66. ^ "Best & Worst of 2011". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  67. ^ Ressner, Jeffrey (July 12, 1999). "Ebert's New Comrades Sit on Their Thumbs". Time. Archived from the original on November 23, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  68. ^ Elber, Lynn (August 24, 2007). "Ebert: No thumbs, up or down, on TV show". USA Today. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
  69. ^ Romenesko, Jim (August 27, 2007). "Letters Sent to Romenesko". Poynter. Archived from the original on May 27, 2008. Retrieved August 31, 2008.
  70. ^ Germain, David (April 4, 2006). "Studios Shutting Out Movie Critics". ABC News. Archived from the original on April 23, 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2008.

External links edit