[james99]

CHICAGO – Roger Ebert is returning to the small screen.

The famous film critic stopped appearing on television movie review shows in 2006 when cancer surgery left him unable to speak. But now he has his own segment on a new program, "Ebert Presents at the Movies." The weekly show debuts Friday on public television stations nationwide.

 

[smegger2000]

I'm looking forward to it. I missed not having a movie review show on tv.

 

[Inzane]

I too am looking forward to it.

Richard Roeper did a decent job carrying on the torch when Roger left, but after he too stepped down the replacements that followed were dreadful.

 

[ScaryBob]

I looked for this in the BellTV guide. Don't see it listed. It looks like there are some pledge programs instead.

 

[DSgamby]

It is in the guide on Shaw. 7:30pm on WTVS

 

[ScaryBob]

Did a search for "ebert" and "movies" in the BellTV guide. Didn't turn up. That's both PBS Boston and Seattle.

 

[DSgamby]

On Shaw. KSPS has it 1:30am this Sunday morning only.

 

[Jake]

Wow he has changed. I guess he will be the Hawking of movie reviewers.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/20/ebert.face/index.html

 

[smegger2000]

Just watched the first episode. No instant chemistry between the 2 hosts but maybe it will come over time. The guy seems to like anything that is projected on to a movie screen. Thumbs up for Green Hornet, The Dilemma and Season of the Witch. He hit the trifecta with those winners.

 

[Mach2billy]

It's too bad that there was so little of Ebert's direct work in the show. I guess he may not be entirely happy with his customized voice synthesizer made from sound clips of his old shows, since they had Bill Curtis read his review for him. I wasn't thrilled with either of the two reviewers occupying the balcony, but perhaps they will grow on me.

 

[asif9t9]

I used the watch At the Movies every week, so I was happy to hear it was coming back.

First episode was terrible. Missed the second episode. But the third episode was much better.

All that said, these reviewers don't have the instant perceived credibility that we had with Roeper when he started and then Michael Phillips and AO Scott. If those guys liked a movie, I tended to want to see the movie to try it out. Many times I wouldn't like it anyways, but I sorta understood what they were seeing.

At this point, I'm not sure I want to see a movie because these reviewers say they liked it.

As for the new format. Since there are no commercials, there's a lot of filler which I don't find interesting. (Jeff Greenfield did a report on why American presidents portrayed in movies are unrealistic....yawn) The Ebert segments are not interesting because there is no debate. Might as well read one of his reviews.

Anyways, will try it out a few more times. I wonder if ratings don't matter with the show on public tv.

 

[57]

I watch this programme, so I hope he gets funding for next year. It's one of the few TV programmes that discuss upcoming movies.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/ebert-says-show-off-air-cant-financial-backers-141226575.html

Roger Ebert says he can't afford to keep "Ebert Presents: At the Movies" on the air and it will be cancelled unless he can find funding.

 

[cheadlebeagle]

I did watch it once but it didn't click for me. I haven't actually watched movie reviews much although I love Siskel and Ebert and no one has come close to that partnership.

 

[jumpy27]

As for the new format. Since there are no commercials, there's a lot of filler which I don't find interesting. (Jeff Greenfield did a report on why American presidents portrayed in movies are unrealistic....yawn)

The very first Ebert/Siskel show was on PBS without commercials. So Ebert went back to his roots with the latest show.

 

[PokerFace]

On hiatus

I watched and liked some of the episodes (including last week's new one), but there was no new episode today on WNED, so the show is apparently on hiatus (as blogged by Ebert on November 30th) until they can find funding or decide to cancel it.

Gene Siskel is rolling in his grave ... or perhaps watching Buried (starring Ryan Reynolds).

 

[PokerFace]

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/12/some_year-end_thoughts_from_ch.html
[Some year-end thoughts from Chaz Ebert]

December 29, 2011

Roger and I thank you for joining us as we talked about the movies each week this past year. We have enjoyed producing Ebert Presents At The Movies and hope to continue sometime in 2012. This week we produced our last show.

It is the Best and Worst Movies of 2011 and begins airing Friday night, December 30, at 8:30 pm on WTTW, Channel 11 in Chicago, and all during the weekend and next week on public television stations across the nation.

Now its time to find sponsors or another network or platform that will allow the show to continue.

During this holiday season we will take some time off as well, but we will keep you informed in this space.