Cinema Science

On a statement posted on his website Roger Ebert has announced he will no longer be associated with Ebert & Roeper. This isn't really shocking considering Ebert hasn't been able to speak since 2006 but what new direction will the show take? Are there even two other critics out there that the public cares about and actively watch on television? The show has probably lost most of its relevance when every kid on his block has a movie website (heyo!) but I still tried to catch it as often as possible, in fact my DVR is scheduled to record the program every time it airs.

After 33 years on the air, 23 of them with Disney, the studio has decided to take the program named "Siskel & Ebert" and then "Ebert & Roeper" in a new direction. I will no longer be associated with it.

The show was a wonderful experience. It was a great loss to me when surgery in July 2006 made it impossible for me to appear on the air any longer. Although I remained active behind the scenes, I feel that Richard Roeper and several co-hosts, notably Michael Phillips and A.O. Scott, have excelled at carrying on the tradition Gene Siskel and I began in 1975 with "Sneak Previews" on PBS.

Gene and I felt the formula was simplicity itself: Two film critics, sitting across the aisle from each other in a movie balcony, debating the new films of the week. We developed an entirely new concept for TV. Few shows have been on the air so long and remained so popular. We made television history, and established the trademarked catch-phrase "Two thumbs up."

The trademark still belongs to me and Marlene Iglitzen, Gene's widow, and the thumbs will return. We are discussing possibilities, and plan to continue the show's tradition.

Richard Roeper also resigned from the show but I don't think anyone really cares about that, except Richard Roeper.