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May 21, 2013

Update on film critic Roger Ebert

by Allison Waldman, posted Apr 1st 2008 7:21PM

Roger EbertI love movies. I'm a movie buff and always have been. I appreciate film critics, even when I don't agree with them. So, today, on the anniversary of Roger Ebert's 41st year reviewing movies for the Chicago Sun-Times, I'm glad to report that Roger Ebert will soon be back reviewing movies. Unfortunately, the same is not true of his ability to appear on his syndicated TV show, At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper.

In a letter to his fans, Roger wrote: "I am at last returning to the movie beat. After my current stay at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, I'm looking forward to opening night of my annual film festival at the University of Illinois on April 23, and I will resume writing movie reviews shortly thereafter. Are you as bored with my health as I am? I underwent a third surgery in January, this one in Houston, and once again there were complications. I am sorry to say that my ability to speak was not restored. That would require another surgery."

I feel bad for Roger that he cannot appear on the show anymore; his last appearances were in 2006. I miss hearing his voice. I still read his reviews online, but the enthusiasm he would bring to the TV show -- for good films and stinkers -- has never really been equaled by Roeper. I'm also old enough to miss the great back and forth Roger used to have with Gene Siskel, his original TV partner.

Get well, Roger, and if you do someday are up to a TV return, I'll tune in for sure. Thumbs up to that.

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Karen

OSKEE-WOW-WOW, Roger. You were a force to be recond with back in college, too. Wishing you some GOOD luck already with these surgeries. Hang in there - you are missed.

April 13 2008 at 12:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Will

Yeah, I'm old enough to remember the old back & forth with Siskel & Ebert. I never miss their show, I loved it when they disagreed about a movie, such a fun show, it was obvious they both enjoyed the job. It's really too bad that they both had health issues.

April 02 2008 at 7:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mj green

I've always liked him. I didn't agree with a lot he said, but I enjoyed listening to his reasons. And he had 'guilty pleasures,' movies that he liked, but didn't usually talk about. (Most of these I liked!) I really don't get why people can't just discuss the topic, but have to be nasty. The article spoke of his health problems, and yet people make fun of him. Shame. I really hope you find some compassion in your hearts, because karma IS out there.

April 02 2008 at 6:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Maria

NOT to approve of their comments-but-the top part of his face (eyes etc) does look like it had some aesthetic plastic surgery. I am sure they (at least one of them) didnt mean anything about his lower portion of his face.

April 02 2008 at 1:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Maria's comment
Jennifer

I highly doubt he's been worried about getting plastic surgery on his eyes when he's had MUCH more necessary surgery going on his face elsewhere.

I will concur that his eyes look a bit odd, but he's also got his glasses off in this photo. We're not used to seeing him with those off, so I suspect his eyes just look different to us.

(For the record: I wear glasses.)

April 02 2008 at 1:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MusicalJustice

Uh... before anyone else says anything stupid, y'all should know that Ebert had a large section of his jaw removed in order to stop the spread of the cancer located in his salivary gland. At the time, the surgery required a tracheostomy which impaired his ability to speak. He's been writing reviews on his website for some time, although he took a brief break for the most recent medical treatment.

So, yeah... his face looks different. Yours would too if you had half your jaw removed.

April 01 2008 at 10:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to MusicalJustice's comment
Eugene

It's too bad you didn't write that sooner, so we didn't have these last two FUCKING MORONS prattling on with their dumbass comments.

April 02 2008 at 1:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bash

I always said if I ever get that flabby kind of fat under my chin or a double-chin I am either going to kill myself or get a facelift. I understand that if he has the money he would get rid of it.

But his face looks different too...

April 01 2008 at 10:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Backing Logan on this one

Wow. He looks awful, and not in a way that I think can simply be explained by several rounds of oncological surgery. Not to be insensitive, but has he also had an extraordinarily bad facelift?
Regardless, I too miss his on-screen movie reviews, and hope for his full recovery and reappearance alongside Roeper (who is admittedly no Gene Siskel).

April 01 2008 at 8:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Eugene

I love Ebert, he's one of the few critics that seems to review films partially based on their genre and I respect him greatly for it.

Get well soon, you're missed!

April 01 2008 at 8:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Eugene's comment
Susan

Roger Ebert is one of the few critics who seems to share our view of films. We so value his opinions. He seems to feel what we feel when as we watch. Others are so intent on the "critique" that they forget to enjoy the experience. We miss you!! Get well, Roger! Susan & Tom Budner

April 15 2008 at 12:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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