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September 04, 2007
Thumbs Down, Way Down
Mark Caro of the Chicago Trib did a nice job reporting the details, as they are available, of the Ebert/Siskel thumbs vs Disney issue.
Let me just add this... Disney TV Syndication is lying.
The claim that the switch of the show's name - which I didn't know happened until I read this piece - to At The Movies "was a long-planned effort to align the show with its online counterpart" is an obvious lie, since the show only changed the internet address mid-season this last year. And of course, the obvious reality is that Ebert is the only brand that matters on this show.
I have no idea what the private discussions between Roger and Disney have been like. They may have wanted to make a clean switch earlier... but it's more likely that they are continuing to try to cut money out of the budget so they can maintain their syndication commitments for a show that is not much of a money maker for them (if it isn't losing money annually).
It is hard to say that Disney should not be free to do as they like. There is no doubt that they respect Roger and would prefer a show with him (so that someone might watch it). But by changing the names and trying to get the thumbs for a significant amount less than Roger has been paid to be on the show for all these years, they essentially boxed someone into a corner who should not be put in that position because of illness. As has been their norm, Disney has acted like stereotypical businesspeople on this and not like mensches trying to make the best of a bad situation. And everything I know about Roger after all these years tells me that being treated right and in a way that is not insulting, especially publicly, would have been enough.
I suggest now what I have suggested in the past, when Roger was healthy. Dump the old... move on to the new. Pull your name and let At The Movies with Rich & Bob work its magic. Let them go on Leno - who is loyal to both Roger and Richard - and try to make a go of it. Then let Roger go to Les Moonves and set up some kind of deal that puts him in a spot where he can do whatever he wants within reason for a network. Even as a producer of criticism content... even if the voice does not return, the Ebert name will carry great weight. And if he chooses to do a crit segment with "two thumbs up or down," it will be an industry favorite from Day One.
And we'll remember in Toronto, where Roeper & Wilonsky may or may not turn up, that Roger, even short of 100% healthy, will show up and find a way to express his passion for the movies under any circumstance.
Posted by poland at September 4, 2007 08:49 AM
Comments
I always hate to see companies go after the old and ailing, but with this, you have to wonder how much longer Disney should be expected to wait to make a move? Ebert's been out of comission for quite some time, and the prospect of more surgery doesn't make it seem like he's going to be back in the seat any time soon. The fact tht they waited this long is probably a sign of respect. But no matter when Disney went after him in the last year, or probably during the next year, he'd be ailing. So they're making the move now.
Sad, but Ebert wouldn't be the first forced into retirement (if just as co-host of Ebert & Roeper).
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at September 4, 2007 03:26 PM
Roeper and Wilonsky, eh?
Wow. Who'da thought.
Good to see a New Times guy do well.
Posted by: LYT at September 4, 2007 07:27 PM
Heat; Roeper usually goes to Toronto. You might see him. If so, remember this pattern, in the event he wants to give you a pop in the chops: Knees, balls, and the side of the throat. That aside; YOU ARE FULL OF SHIT with the AT THE MOVIES thing. It's been the web address for this show for close to 2 years. There might even be footage of Roger saying "ATTHEMOVIES.COM" out there.
Again; the rest of these shenanigans border on ridiculous. Roger should be respected and Disney should do what's right. Yet; this seems like a Bruce Smith deal. So goes it. That does not mean it sucks.
Posted by: IOIOIOI at September 4, 2007 07:48 PM
That means it REALLY fucking sucks. Ebert deserves better. Disney are fucking shameful for doing this to him.
Posted by: IOIOIOI at September 4, 2007 07:51 PM
In the Sept. 1 column on his website, Roger Ebert says that he will be attending the Toronto Film Fest.
Posted by: Jerry Colvin at September 5, 2007 09:44 AM
Roger, you're a prince among critics. Sadly ironic, isn't it, that it turns out Disney, of all people, doesn't know how to treat a prince.
There are so many media options out there. Hope you get far away from that dark & twisted forest and never look back.
Posted by: seenmyverite? at September 7, 2007 05:31 PM
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