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Goodbye Nepotism, Hello Competence: New Critics For ‘At The Movies’
Contract Disputes End Ebert-Roeper
UPDATE: This is the show that started with Chicago newspaper critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. Then stayed on the air with Ebert and Richard Roeper. Then almost went down the drain with lightweights Ben & Ben (Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz, the two beneficiaries of nepotism). Then recently tried to resurrect itself with two heavyweights: The New York Times‘ A.O. “Tony” Scott and The Chicago Tribune‘s Michael Phillips. Now the show is R.I.P. Here’s the statement from distributor Disney/ABC Domestic TV:
After 24 seasons with us in national syndication, the highly regarded movie review show “At the Movies” (formerly known as “Siskel & Ebert” and “Ebert & Roeper”) will air its last original broadcast the weekend of August 14, 2010. “This was a very difficult decision, especially considering the program’s rich history and iconic status within the entertainment industry, but from a business perspective it became clear this weekly, half-hour, broadcast syndication series was no longer sustainable. We gratefully acknowledge the outstanding work of the program’s current co-hosts A.O. Scott and Michael Phillips and top-notch production staff, and it is with heartfelt appreciation that we extend very special thanks to the two brilliant, visionary and incomparable critics that started it all, Roger Ebert and the late Gene Siskel.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Pretty amazing that they could never find anyone to replicate the chemistry that Siskel & Ebert had. I don’t think Ebert & Roeper ever worked as well either. Siskel & Ebert are such a huge reason why I grew up caring about movies and appreciating them in a deeper, intellectual way than I might have otherwise. It’s sad to think that kids growing up today won’t have access to the same kind of honest, insightful, intelligent and lively criticism in the conversational form. Unfortunately, so much of the video-format criticism on the web is done by such uncharismatic, unappealing intellectual lightweights and often seems highly gimmick and personality-driven rather than content-driven.
I actually thought one of the best guest hosts they ever had was Aisha Tyler. She was surprisingly detailed and thoughtful in her commentary. On top of being a black woman, I think a different perspective like that of someone coming from outside the movie critic or movie geek world would have brought more chemistry to the show. I think what they forgot when trying to find replacements for Siskel, and later Ebert, was that Siskel wasn’t a natural movie critic, he was a career sportswriter. You could tell the guy didn’t live, eat and breathe movies. Rather than that of a pure movie buff, he offered more of the average Joe 6-pack perspective, albeit a well-informed and well-spoken one.
This is one reason I think he and Ebert had such a genuine onscreen rivalry. They didn’t fundamentally respect each other’s position and perspective. It’s almost like Ebert saw Siskel as a guy who’s not really qualified to give his opinions on movies and Siskel saw Ebert as a geek who was a bit out-of-touch with regular moviegoers. The producers really goofed by constantly trying to “cast” professional critics as the new co-hosts. The second critic should have been someone who didn’t make movies their life or their business beforehand, so that a different kind of opinion could have been offered and both critics could have felt they had a leg up on the other one due to their unique perspective.
And I definitely think a male-female rivalry along these lines could have added the best, freshest twist of all. Just imagine the kind of combative chemistry Sam and Diane had on Cheers except turning them into movie critics. To capture the magic Siskel & Ebert had you have to feel, at times, that both people genuinely disrespect and despise the opinion of the other person. That relationship was simply never captured again after Siskel’s death.
I’m sick of people beating up on Ben Mankiewicz. I think he did a great job on the show and on Turner Classic Movies. Lyons was rubbish, true, and Ebert has acknowledged so, but he also admits that Mankiewicz was pro. I think Roeper and Phillips would make the best team, though. Hopefully this continues as a webcast – I see no reason why it shouldn’t.
Like it or not nepotism is a fact of life in this town. Hollywood is loaded with families three generations deep that play an integral part in the day to day operations of the biz. With results ranging from outstanding to terrible.
Good outcomes = Jeff Bridges Bad outcomes = Mickey Rooney Jr.
That show jumped the shark when it left PBS back in the day, when it was called “At The Movies”. Siskel and Ebert would really go at it and they were very passionate about films you could tell. Today they all just want the limelight.
This is a shame, but Disney has been slowly killing the show for years. The Ben & Ben casting was bad enough. In our market (a top 5 market), the show is currently broadcast late Saturday night (early Sunday morning) – hardly a “sustainable” practice on Disney’s part as well.
Of course, perhaps Michael and Tony unfavorably criticized one too many of Disney’s products? (Including Disney, Touchstone, Buena Vista, or anything else in the Mouse House.)
Hopefully this show will find a new home elsewhere (not the Reelz Channel please).
When a show this inexpensive to produce (i.e. 2 cheap ol’ farts, seated, blathering on about a few current films) cannot hold on, what does that say?
It says that people who still care about movie reviews get them on the internet. Why watch commercials when you can read Ebert’s blog?
I miss the original gang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUMZjy8rXE4
A must see. Both hilarious.
I saw that a few weeks ago and it’s hilarious. It really shows why that show was successful. Not only did they know their movies, but the love/hate dynamic was always present and added another dimension.
Where I live, ‘At the Movies’ was on very late Sunday night, and was too boring to stay up for.
I’d love to see a new show in a decent time slot, but only if the personalities involved really know their stuff. I highly doubt, though, that anyone will be able to beat Siskel and Ebert.
What a loss. “At the Movies” was an essential tool for alerting the general public to little-seen, non-mainstream fare that was ignored or shut out of the multiplexes. Of course, that depended on having two critics whose brains weren’t in their thumbs.
Totally agree; it was one of the few shows I watched on a regular basis.
It’s a shame to see At the Movies fold right when it has found its footing again. Neither Phillips nor Scott are great broadcasters like Siskel and Ebert, but they are likable and trenchant, and the show is the strongest it has been since before Roeper got the gig.
Wow am I the only one who liked Ben Lyons? I am not saying he is the best or anything but its nice to hear from someone who ISNT one of the elitist clones who all think alike as critics.
Johns. You are the only one that liked Ben Lyons. All the guy could do was talk about how much money movies would make. I wish I could count the number of times the guy said “the franchise.” He was so vapid! You can just tell a young man who has been told he’s wonderful one two many times by his mother.
You’ve confused “elitist” with “having a point of view” and you just don’t know what a compelling point of view actually looks like.
Yes, Johns, you are the only one to like Ben Lyons. His “reviews” were atrociously shallow, inarticulate, and mindless. Defending a movie when Ben M. didn’t like it by saying “awww, come on, you gotta love (insert mega-star name)” is not the kind of thoughtful or incisive analysis that merits any exposure. I stopped watching because of Lyons and returned after A.O. Scott and Michael Phillips got hired. And I must say I’m sad, Scott & Phillips have been really great. I’ve truly enjoyed watching their reviews and their conversations which have delved a bit deeper than even Siskel & Ebert ever did. But nothing matches the chemistry Siskel & Ebert had!
Nikki – your comment regarding Ben Mankiewicz and nepotism – say what you will about his pedigree – Ben Mankiewicz is a very talented TV host and generally great guy to work with. He’s always prepared and extremely knowledgeable about many subjects.
While I would agree that when he and Lyons hosted, the show wasn’t very good (and I am a hardcore Ebert fan) – but to the constant hatred of Ben Mankiewicz is completely unwarranted. He was given a job to do and it just didn’t work. Give the guy a break.
It’s also a reflection of the low standing in which critics are held. Nobody bases their movie-going decisions on what a critic says anymore. It used to be the odd film that was ‘critic-proof’, now they can no longer stop people seeing films they hate, or going to the ones they suggest. They should focus more on recommending films you might otherwise miss in all the noise, that was the best part of the original Siskel and Ebert show.
It’s Ben Lyons fault. God was he awful.
Thank you.
I just recently began watching again. I think the format was at its strongest with the added “rent it” as well as the quick recap at the end along with the topical reviews. I also agree that the show is very beneficiary to movies that will otherwise go completely unknown.
My idea? Turn it into a twelve person reality show where the top two get the gig as movie reviewers(My original name- Yo No Slow! —Change to At The Movies). Hey, at least the young(or older) Hollywood contestants would be forced to talk about something meaningful……
Pitch to TV Guide Network? AMC? ___________?
In the beginning, I could never stand the way Disney (Buena Vista) movies always received glowing reviews, whereas other films, from other studios, also opening that week would be critically savaged…
Philips is ok but Scott … That schmuck doesn’t have a clue what a good movie is. Further, Scott is the living embodiment of why “reviewers” are so thorougly out of touch and completely irrelevant in today’s marketplace. The NYT should smarten up and drop him just like Disney did. Good move, guys — regardless of how cheap the show was to make.
Ebert writes about it, and his plans for a new show:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/03/see_you_at_the_movies.html
Yuck.
The show was getting quite good again but it relegated to the scheduling and channel placement ghetto. Why wasn’t this on ABC on a Fri-Sat-Sun slot that actually has some eyes? I could only find it on a ham radio quality WGN America broadcast or on Reelz.
They gutted the show shoe horning Lyons in and fixed it Scott and Phillips but they never gave a damn about it apparently when they couldn’t (or chose not to) chase whatever demo they thought Lyons was going to help them get. For the record Ben M was just fine on the show.
I guess they think people want EPK spots pre-produced for E! and nothing else.
This show is becoming more and more niche as online buzz becomes increasingly important in shaping opinions and driving ticket sales. I don’t think a lot of people like myself ever bothered looking for the show again after the Ben Lyons era. Maybe going back to PBS is the only place a show like this would fit now.
Most people stopped watching the show long, long ago. I didn’t even know it was still on either.
It has long since ceased to be relevant or even mildly entertaining.
Next, please!
Blame it on the internet.
You’all’ve forgotten the hatchet job the suits did on Roeper’s version after Ebert became ill. He was terrific and a heady counter to the parade of guest critics, but his stance at not leaving Ebert and his “thumbs up, thumbs down” in the dust – as ABC in their wisdom wished – put the show on the path to destruction. Now, hopefully, this will clear the path to have Roeper and Ebert’s “Thumbs-up” come back in some form. I couldn’t watch these cheezy versions, but would watch a Roeper (Ebert supported)”Thumbs-up” series.
ATM was not cheap to produce, thanks to a lot of fingers in the pie: Siskel’s widow, Ebert, Disney, and a former executive producer all get big pay-checks from the show, on top of production costs (which included 2-3 day trips to Chicago for taping by the talent each week).
There’s no chance it goes to Reelz; that place tried and tried to get it on a first-run basis once before, but Buena Vista knew it was amateur hour over there, even before it moved from LA to ABQ.
Let’s hope Ebert brings on a fresh (i.e., non-old-white-man) voice to staff the revamp. My pick: AP critic Christy LeMire, who knows her stuff and looks good on TV.
Glad to see it will go out with two “real” reviewers. I think there is still room for a syndicated and or weekly movie show. Maybe a cross between AMC’s Sunday Morning Shootout and At the Movies. A review or two, an interview with an industry type, casting/biz news, and a look at the week ahead.
Probably the first PBS show I watched regularly since The Electric Company. Gene and Roger were great, had such different tastes that if they both liked a movie it was likely to be great.
I would suggest listening to the “Filmspotting” Podcast.