Ebert & Roeper leave Ebert & Roeper

[joliet_jane]

Sad news.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/21/people.roeper.ap/index.html

This was no doubt the most intelligent syndicated show ever.  Think about it:  Reviewers have discussions about art, assume a position, and defend their arguments against one another. It was serious about film and insightful too. Just look at this review for Halloween. It will be missed.  Some things to think about...

-- Studios have recently been in the habit of not giving reviewers pre-screenings of their shitty movies so that the public has no chance to be informed.  Ebert has stood up and said that this practice is wrong.

-- The end probably has something to do with Ebert looking like this

-- Okay, so Richard Roeper always sucked.  But the format allows for someone to tell him he's wrong.

In an e-mail to The Associated Press on Monday, Ebert said Disney-ABC Domestic Television had decided to take "At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper" "in a new direction" and he won't be associated with it.

I don't know what Disney was up to, but I'm sure it had something to do with their awful movies and murdering dignity.

[The Spoiler]

To be honest, I never  watched Ebert & Roeper (Although I have read bits of their published reviews), but it's still sad to see an icon go, especially if it's because of Disney.

So I suppose it's a thumbs down to Disney-ABC and a thumbs up to Ebert and Roeper for leaving the stage with dignity.

[Losperman]

Sad news.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/21/people.roeper.ap/index.html

-- The end probably has something to do with Ebert looking like this

Indeed, although 1) I'm proud of him for actually showing his face and not being afraid to expose his illness. He's been very open about it in the press as well. And 2) He looks like a pretty bad ass Sith, doesn't he?

I don't know what Disney was up to, but I'm sure it had something to do with their awful movies and murdering dignity.

Indeed. I read Ebert's reviews on his site weekly now, and I almost prefer it. I do still wish there was someone to back-and-forth with him, but I like his writing style. Also, I just went through and watched a bunch of Siskel and Ebert's old reviews on YouTube. Lots of fun (especially the argumentative ones).