Questions for fans of "At The Movies" a/k/a Siskel & Ebert (& Roeper)

[kavika411]

I really enjoyed this show, and have been watching it since the early eighties. Does anyone really understand the new direction of the show? I'm not being rhetorical; I simply don't understand what Disney is trying to do to it or with it. I don't know who these two new guys are, or when it starts. I'm interested if anyone who has followed this show through the years (or perhaps decades) understands any of this.

Lastly, my DVR failed to tape the final Ebert & Roeper episode a couple of weeks ago. I've scoured the internet to find it, but can't. Does anyone know where I can find it?

Thanks.

 

[wasjoe]

Your timing is good. The new guys debuted over the weekend (9/6 - 9/7, depending on where you live and what channel you watch them on). Their website has chunks of the first episode available for streaming today.

As for the rationale, it appears that Disney (Buena Vista Television) was pushing for changes that neither Ebert nor Roeper wanted to do. Both have hinted that they may end up in a competing show, but I haven't heard anything more about that.

Ebert owned a lot of the rights, and the abandonment of the thumbs was because he refused to play ball with Disney. I haven't seen details about that.

As for the last Roeper episode (obviously sans Ebert), the website has an extensive-looking archive, which likely has the reviews from that episode for streaming.

 

[iJohnHenry]

If Disney (Buena Vista Television) owns them, how unbiased can they be??

I'm with Gene on this one. Time to strike out on your own again, son.

As to taking Roeper with you .... meh.

 

[MacNut]

Roeper has said that he is going to start a new show that will be in the spirit of the original Siskel & Ebert version.

On July 21, 2008, Roeper announced he was leaving the show, after he and Disney-ABC Domestic Television did not reach an agreement on a new contract.[6] His last show aired on the weekend of August 16.[7] 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 have hinted of returning for a possible new show, that would continue the traditional format devised by Ebert and Siskel.[2] The following day, Disney announced that Ben Lyons (son of film critic Jeffrey Lyons) and Ben Mankiewicz would take over as the new hosts for At The Movies beginning on September 6, 2008. 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, how ever it is much more designed to reach a wider audience range by making the program more commercially appealing in it's showiness. Carrying over from the last few months of the Roeper/Phillips version are the See It/Skip It/Rent It review thumbnails, the DVD recommendations, and the "3 To See" segment. For some films, the show uses the new "Critics Roundup" segment, a variation of the traditional format in which one of the hosts presents a film, reviews it, and then asks three other critics who appear via satellite. Each critic provides their own See It/Skip It/Rent It rating, as does the other host, leading to a panel discussion. The votes of the whole panel are then tallied to provide the show's recommendation. In addition, instead of the traditional "The balcony is closed" sign-off, one of the hosts now says "Until next week, we'll be at the movies." The show also features new theme music.

Since 1981 (as a test run, used permanently since the Siskel & Ebert incarnation in 1986), they would approve/disapprove the films they reviewed with a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" as a bottom-line recommendation of whether they thought the movie was worth seeing or not. This system departs 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 1989 to ensure against fraudulent use that would endanger its credibility. 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 1986 move to Disney, the critics approved/disapproved the films they reviewed with a "Yes"/"No" verdict.
Following the passing of Gene Siskel, Disney considered not permitting guest critics to use the "thumb" rating in their movie review[8]. However, this was quickly revoked, enabling the show to continue with its signature recommendation. (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 states that Ebert forced the program to do so.[9] In a statement to Poynter Online, Ebert says 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."