After 24 years on the air, this will be the last season of the classic movie review TV show At the Movies that made Siskel and Ebert (later Ebert and Roper) household names.
After 24 seasons with us in national syndication, the highly regarded movie review show “At the Movies” (formerly known as “Siskel & Ebert” and “Ebert & Roeper”) will air its last original broadcast the weekend of August 14, 2010.
This was a very difficult decision, especially considering the program’s rich history and iconic status within the entertainment industry, but from a business perspective it became clear this weekly, half-hour, broadcast syndication series was no longer sustainable.
Sustainable? More accurate to say no longer Media Relevant?
I am not saying that they are not doing their job, or that their reviews are not relevant but frankly who really watches this show? Most of the clips and reviews by these guys can be viewed online, which is limiting the audience already. And with blogs and online media being the new tastemakers is this just a sign that the times are changing with new media?
I think that tradition and respect was the only thing that kept them going this long. They are a valid contribution, just that their medium became irrelevant (like newspapers and Blockbuster)
It isn’t a statement against them as reviewers or personalities, but the days of full TV shows dedicated to reviews seems a little overkill. A segment on a entertainment news show? Sure. But how long before those shows lose media relevance too?
Honestly, while this may be an end of an era for the TV program, it was people like these critics that made me want to do what I am doing today.
