At the Movies (U.S. TV series)

:"This article is about the current movie review series. For the 1982-1990 movie review program also hosted by Siskel and Ebert, see At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert."Infobox Television
show_name = At the Movies


caption =
genre = Talk show
show_name_2 = "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies" (1986–1989)
"Siskel & Ebert" (1989–1999)
"Roger Ebert & the Movies" (1999–2000)
"Ebert & Roeper and the Movies" (2000–2001)
"Ebert & Roeper" (2001-2007)
"At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper" (2007-2008)
creator =
developer =
presenter = Gene Siskel (1986-1999)
Roger Ebert (1986-2006)
Richard Roeper (2000-2008)
Ben Lyons (2008-)
Ben Mankiewicz (2008-)
starring =
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
country = USA
language = English
num_seasons =
num_episodes =
list_episodes =
producer =
company = Disney-ABC Domestic Television
executive_producer =
location = WLS-TV Studios in Chicago, Illinois
camera =
runtime = 30 minutes
network =
picture_format =
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired = September 18, 1986
last_aired = Present
preceded_by = "Sneak Previews"
"At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert"
followed_by =
related =
website = http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/
imdb_id = 0090523
tv_com_id = 14460

"At the Movies" (formerly "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies", and later, "At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper") is a movie review television program, produced by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, in which two critics share their opinions of newly released films. The program has aired under various names. Its original hosts were Roger Ebert (of the "Chicago Sun-Times") and Gene Siskel (of the "Chicago Tribune"). Richard Roeper (of the "Sun-Times") became Ebert's regular partner in 2000 after Siskel passed away in 1999. Ebert suspended his appearances in 2006 for treatment of thyroid cancer, with various guest hosts substituting for him. From April to August 2008, Michael Phillips of the "Chicago Tribune" co-hosted.cite news
last = Scott
first = A.O.
title = Roger Ebert, The Critic Behind The Thumb
publisher = The New York Times
pages = Arts & Leisure, 1, 22
date = 2008-04-13
url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/13/movies/13scot.html?ex=1365652800&en=f8c0d5eab2237088&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
accessdate = 2008-05-05 ] Starting on September 6, 2008, E! Entertainment Television film critic and reporter Ben Lyons, and Turner Classic Movies and Sirius Satellite Radio host Ben Mankiewicz took over as hosts.

During its run with Siskel and Ebert as hosts, the series was nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards seven times, and for Outstanding Information Series, most recently in 1997. It is widely known for the "thumbs up" / "thumbs down" review summaries given during Siskel's and Ebert's tenures (although these are a trademark held by Ebert and by Siskel's widow, not the producers). The show airs in syndication in the United States and on CTV in Canada.

Broadcast history

Predecessors

The show's origins and format trace back to "Sneak Previews", a PBS series produced by WTTW that originally featured Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, and "At the Movies", a follow-on show that the two critics created with Tribune Entertainment.

Siskel and Ebert (1986-1999)

The series itself began in 1986 as "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies", when Siskel and Ebert signed with Buena Vista Entertainment, the television division of Disney. The title of the show was shortened to simply "Siskel & Ebert" in 1989.

Siskel and Ebert often had notably divergent tastes, and as a result heated arguments and spats added to the series' popularity. Many viewers considered such "fights" to be the highlight of the program. [cite web | last = Zoglin | first = Richard | title = "It Stinks!" "You're Crazy!" | journal = Time | date = 1987-05-25 | url = http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,964411,00.html|accessdate=2008-05-13] In joint appearances on the talk show circuit, especially on David Letterman's shows, the two critics indicated a mutual respect and friendship off screen. Widely-circulated outtakes from promo-recording sessions show the two both bickering and joking off-air.

In 1998, Gene Siskel was hospitalized for treatment of a brain tumor. For a few weeks, the show was filmed with Siskel on the telephone (from his hospital bed) and Ebert in studio. In February 1999, Siskel announced he was taking a leave of absence for further treatment of the tumor, hoping to return. Less than three weeks later, Siskel died from complications of the surgery. The weekend following Gene Siskel's death, Roger Ebert devoted the entire half hour as a tribute to his memory. On the show were various clips from shows past as well their history together as journalists and then on television. Also, Ebert appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" in a tribute to Siskel along with Diane Sawyer, Charles Gibson, Peter Jennings, and fellow critic and friend of Siskel Joel Siegel. The last show that Siskel and Ebert hosted together aired on January 23, 1999.

Ebert with guests (1999-2000)

Ebert continued the show, with a series of guest critics. Originally containing the "Siskel & Ebert" title, the program was renamed "Roger Ebert & The Movies" on September 4, 1999. The guests were allowed to try out their wits with Roger Ebert and test the possible chemistry. Ebert and Martin Scorsese co-hosted one noteworthy episode about the best films of the 1990s. This format continued through the end of the 1998-1999 season and into 2000 before Ebert named fellow "Chicago Sun-Times" columnist Richard Roeper as his new permanent co-host.

Critics substituting for Gene Siskel after his death

*David Ansen
*Peter Bogdanovich
*Jeff Greenfield
*Jane Horwitz
*Desson Howe
*Harry Knowles
*Joyce Kulhawik
*Norman Mark
*Janet Maslin
*Todd McCarthy
*Elvis Mitchell
*Joe Morgenstern
*Wesley Morris
*Howie Moshovitz
*Michaela Pereira
*David Poland [cite web|accessdate=2008-05-13|url=http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/archives/2007/08/end_of_an_era.html|title=End Of An Era?|publisher=The Hot Blog|date=2007-08-25]
*B. Ruby Rich
*Richard Roeper
*Leah Rozen
*Lisa Schwarzbaum
*Martin Scorsese
*Tom Shales
*Joel Siegel
*Kenneth Turan
*Jan Wahl
*Michael Wilmington

Ebert and Roeper (2000-2006)

The addition of Roeper as permanent co-host led to the show's name being changed on September 10, 2000 to "Ebert & Roeper and the Movies". The show's name was shortened to "Ebert & Roeper" in September 2001.

Roeper with guests (2006-2008)

In 2004, Ebert was diagnosed with cancer, and underwent radiation treatments for tumors on his thyroid and a salivary gland, while continuing to work. Complications led to an emergency operation in 2006, which interrupted his reviewing schedule. (A few reviews written or taped in advance were released shortly afterward.) For the remainder of the 2006-07 season, the show continued with guest hosts during his recuperation. Ebert recovered enough by October 2006 to resume writing published reviews on a limited basis, and he later made a few public appearances, but due to his difficulty speaking did not return to the show.The show became available online toward the end of 2006 with access to movie reviews on demand. In June 2007, the online program updated its archive, making available all movie reviews since 1986. Over the summer of 2007 the show's official name was changed again to "At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper", though the show's title graphics continued to use the shortened name. [cite web |last=Caro |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Caro |title=Pop Machine: You can copyright thumbs? The Intellectual Property Answer Man knows |date=2007-08-31 |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_popmachine/2007/08/you-can-copyrig.html |accessdate=2007-10-16]

As Ebert's absence from the show continued, a handful of critics came to be frequent guests. Robert Wilonsky of the "Dallas Observer" and HDnet.com, "Chicago Tribune" critic Michael Phillips, and A. O. Scott of "The New York Times" each appeared repeatedly. On April 13, 2008, Scott wrote his "experiences [as guest critic] ... ended when Michael Phillips of "The Tribune" was made Mr. Roeper's permanent foil..." Phillips remained as Roeper's regular co-host until Roeper and Ebert ended their relationship with the series in August 2008. The pair's final appearance together occurred in an episode of "Entourage" that aired on September 6, 2008 (the day the new version of "At the Movies" debuted), in which they played themselves using their show (filmed on the old sets) to lambast the fictional film, "Medellin".

Critics substituting for Roger Ebert, post-surgery

*David Edelstein
*Stephen Hunter
*Dave Karger
*Zorianna Kit
*Christy Lemire
*Jay Leno
*John Mellencamp
*Kim Morgan
*Wesley Morris
*Govindini Murty
*George Pennacchio
*Michael Phillips
*Harold Ramis
*John Ridley
*Peter Sagal
*Lisa Schwarzbaum
*A. O. Scott
*Toni Senecal
*Brad Silberling
*Kevin Smith
*Anne Thompson
*Katherine Tulich
*Aisha Tyler
*Mario Van Peebles
*Fred Willard
*Robert Wilonsky

Lyons and Mankiewicz (2008-present)

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. [cite news |title=Richard Roeper leaving popular movie show |http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-roeperleaving,0,5097063.story |publisher=The Chicago Tribune |date=2008-07-21|accessdate=2008-07-21] His last show aired on the weekend of August 16. [cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/21/people.roeper.ap/index.html |title=Ebert and Roeper leaving 'Ebert & Roeper' |accessdate=2008-07-21 |author=Associated Press |authorlink=Associated Press |date=2008-07-21 |work=CNN.com |quote=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 aired the weekend of August 16-17.] 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.cite web|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080721/FEATURED/150028057|title=Statement from Roger Ebert|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|date=2008-07-21] 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. 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 (see below). In addition, instead of the traditional "The balcony is closed" sign-off, one of the hosts now says "We'll be at the movies," which echoes Roger Ebert's own "We'll see you at the movies" sign-off from the first seven seasons of "Sneak Previews" and the first four seasons of the Tribune Entertainment-produced "At the Movies". The show also features new theme music.

Review style

The hosts review a number of recently-released and soon-to-be-released movies per episode, taking turns providing a narrative critique interspersed with studio-supplied clips, moving into a back-and-forth debate over the merits. Siskel and Ebert were especially known for sharp criticism that veered close to personally attacking each other, although they insisted this was largely a television act rather than a feud.

The show also recommends films coming on the home video market, including comments on DVD special features.

Reviews from the week's show are posted on the website, atthemoviestv.com (usually the Tuesday following the show's airing.) The site's archives have reviews as far back as the latter half of the eighties. However, only the reviews for theatrical movies get posted on the website - the weekly DVD feature and "three to see" segments do not.

Review trademarks

Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down

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 [cite news |first=Jeffrey |last=Ressner |title=Ebert's New Comrades Sit on Their Thumbs |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,27986,00.html |publisher=Time |date=1999-07-12|accessdate=2008-06-24] . 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. [cite news |first=Lynn |last=Elber |title=Ebert: No thumbs, up or down, on TV show |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2007-08-24-1919601412_x.htm |publisher=USA Today |date=2007-08-24|accessdate=2008-05-13] 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." [cite web|accessdate=2008-08-31|url=http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=12814|title=Letters Sent to Romenesko|publisher=Poynter|date=2007-08-27|author= Romenesko, Jim]

See It / Skip It / Rent It

On the show airing the weekend of May 24, 2008, the hosts began using the terms "See It" [green] and "Skip It" [red] (which appeared in on-screen graphics) when summarizing their reviews. "Rent It" [yellow] has been used to indicate a weakly positive verdict, suggesting that the viewer wait until the movie is available on DVD.

Wagging Finger of Shame

From 2005 to 2006, the show experimented with a "Wagging Finger of Shame" feature, denoting films which were not made available for a standard advance screening, and therefore could not be given either a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down". Failure to pre-screen a film for reviewers is generally considered an indicator of low confidence by the distributor, apparently believing that negative reviews would harm opening-weekend box office sales. Films so spotlighted included "The Amityville Horror", "The Fog", "In the Mix", "Æon Flux", "", and "Date Movie". This public rebuke was discontinued when Ebert decided the studios were not taking it seriously. Roeper has asserted that too many films (eleven in 2006 by April, compared to two by that date in 2005) are being withheld from critics. [cite news |first=David |last=Germain |title=Studios Shutting Out Movie Critics |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=1805193 |publisher=ABC News |date=2006-04-04|accessdate=2008-05-13]

3 to See

Introduced during the Roeper/Phillips era in 2008, "3 to See" is a segment appearing at the end of each show, in which the reviewers list their top three favorites of the movies currently in theaters.

Critics Roundup

Introduced during the Lyons/Mankiewicz era in 2008, "Critics Roundup" is 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. Guest critics on the Sept. 6 debut show included Wesley Morris of The "Boston Globe", Tory Shulman of ReelzChannel, and Matt Singer of IFC.

Special programming

Occasionally, special shows are produced that focus on particular aspects of film or home video. The show gives the hosts a convenient soapbox to feature their opinions on such issues as film colorization, letterboxing, the MPAA film rating system, product placement, independent filmmaking, and social issues. Also, at the end of every year, the two run down their choices of the top 10 films from that year, followed the week later by their rundown of what they consider the 10 worst studio releases from that year. In addition, the regular episodes sometimes devote a few minutes for the hosts to give their opinions of a current issue related to the motion picture industry, or to pay tribute to something.

References

External links

* [http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/ At the Movies] official web site of the show with video clips
* [http://kplusb.org/ebertroeper/ Ebert & Roeper Thumbs Summary]
* [http://www.innermind.com/misc/moviel.htm Siskel, Ebert, and Roeper's annual top ten lists (1969-present)]