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Published on Friday, 26 March 2010 19:08
Despite serious health issues and struggles with various television studios, you just can't keep a good thumb down. Roger Ebert wrote yesterday the he and his wife, Chaz are planning on producing a brand new television program that reviews upcoming movies. The working title of the show is "Roger Ebert presents At the Movies."
The Chicago Sun-Times columnist and famed television movie reviewer wrote in his
blog yesterday about these initial plans. While many of the plans are still being finalized, and thus, cannot yet be fully revealed, he did say that they have already tested out a handful of hosts and know who they will be using already. They also are already planning on have a strong presence using new media, including streaming video, cell phone apps, Facebook page, Twitter account and all that the Internet offers. The show will also focus on more than just the big blockbuster films hitting the megaplex next weekend. They want to additionally focus on independent releases, foreign films, restored classics, and subjects that will appeal to true film lovers. Perhaps the best news of all: the "thumbs" will return!
Ebert did say that he like to make occasional appearances on the air, perhaps for special segments about Cannes or a "Great Movies" segment. Though, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer lost his ability to speak after radical thyroid cancer surgery, he recently announced that computer programmers have managed to capture his voice from movie DVD commentary tracks he had done in the past, and given him a technological way to "speak" now.
This movie review program announcement comes on the heels of another announcement by Disney-ABC Domestic Television that it will be ceasing producing of the TV show he started, "At The Movies." The last show will air the weekend of August 14th.
That cancellation announcement did not discourage the Eberts at all. He wrote in his blog, "We believe a market still exists for a weekly show where a couple of critics review new movies."
There is not yet a target start date for Roger & Chaz Ebert's new television production. However, if Roger Ebert is involved, it is a safe bet that it will be done right and done with class, much like the man himself. Thumbs up, indeed!
