Monday, July 21, 2008

Roeper Gives The Thumbs Down


Richard Roeper is leaving At The Movies With Ebert & Roeper. He made a statement on Sunday saying, "Several months ago, Disney offered to extend my contract, which expires at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season, I opted to wait. Much transpired after that behind the scenes, but an agreement was never reached, and we are all moving on."

Roeper said that he is going 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."

Disney is obviously not willing to shell out the amount of money that Roeper wants.

Roeper also said that "I will be free to share the details on that program in the near future," and that he wishes Disney "the best of luck with their new show, whatever form it may take."

Roeper joined the show in 2000 after Ebert lost his co-host Gene Siskel. Siskel passed away resulting from his battle with a brain tumor in 1999.

Commenting on Roger Ebert's illness Roeper said, "Over the last two seasons, as Roger has bravely coped with his medical issues, I've continued the show with a number of guest co-hosts. It's never been the same without Roger, but I'm proud of the work we've done and I'm grateful to all the co-hosts who stepped in - and to the viewers that stayed loyal to the show."

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