It appears that Roeper will be bailing on Ebert and moving on to other pastures, we get this news form the professionals at Variety:
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper says he is leaving the nationally syndicated show “At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper” after eight seasons. 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 will air the weekend of Aug. 16-17.
Roeper said he intends to “proceed elsewhere … as the co-host of a movie review show that honors the standards established by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert more than 30 years ago.” “I will be free to share the details on that program in the near future,” he said.
Roeper has been holding down the fort while Ebert has been ill, using guest reviewers to fill the second seat. I am curious what will happen to the show, and wonder if it will just be but on ice until Ebert is able to return. I can’t blame Roeper for wanting to do his own thing; but this certainly puts more pressure on the recovering Ebert to figure out a direction for the show in his absence.
I certainly hope the program continues, eventually welcoming the return of Ebert. I have been watching it on and off since I was a kid and it would be a shame to see the doors shut on such an institution. I can’t say that if I was in Roeper’ s position that I would’ ve made the same decision. When Ebert eventually retires, I thought it certain that Roeper would take over At The Movies. I don’t know why he would pass up such a popular show with the power to pass the baton from one generation to the next. Only Roeper knows, only Roeper knows….
Very disappointing to see Roeper leave the show. Enjoyed his commentary, as well as those of his guest critics. The replacement show is not off to a good start. Big thumbs down. Guess all good things must come to an end.
I always enjoy seeing how Roeper rates a movie. He usually has good opinions on them rather I ulitmately agree or not. Much better than some critics that nitpick things or simply don’t even pay attention to the movie. Example! = I read a Dark Knight review from a “top critic” on Rotten Tomatoes. He gave it a negative review and hated Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent/Two-Face).
He said “Both of those incarnations flip a coin fatefully in the fashion of Javier Bardem’s monster in “No Country For Old Men,” except that this coin has two heads, so what’s the point?”
Umm the point was that he wasn’t leaving things to chance until he actually became Two-Face. Derr. And Two-Face has always flipped a coin…and did it before Anton Chigur so why the hell the comparison?
I have enjoyed his (Roeper’s take on things, the recent 10,000 B.C. especially. Not that I agree all the time, but his sense of humor lends a light touch. Still miss Roger though! I humbly confess to seeing 10,000 B.C. albeit with a coupon, I had to pay for the popcorn though. To err is human, …
“Roeper is probably the best, and most fair Movie critic out there”
Thumbs up to Blair Witch 2.
Nothing much left to say after that.
Vic
Good ridence. Its time to pass the torch. Something like discovstar.com is doing to the movie industry.
Roeper is probably the best, and most fair Movie critic out there! He reviews each film on its own merits and appreciates each genre on its own terms. I really hope that his new program is widely available for audiences to appreciate. Good Luck to Richard…
I’ve been watching this show every single week ever since they started the online version a couple of years ago. I’m going to say that i would be deeply disappointed if the show would go away. It would be absolutely awesome, though, if any of the two regular guests, Michael Phillips and A.O. Scott could take over.
ah well, I found him to be pretentious anyways. hopefully ebert recovers soon