"At the Movies" to become 100% less crap

[Sanjuro]

*holds up AK-47* WOLVERINES!

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...9S0wD99T33AG0"

Cue the closing credits for "At the Movies" co-hosts Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz, who've endured a year of caustic reviews for their performance as film critics.

Replacing them next month on the long-running syndicated series will be film critics A.O. (Tony) Scott of The New York Times and Michael Phillips of The Chicago Tribune, ABC Media Productions announced Wednesday.

The abrupt change reflects a move back to the show's quarter-century-old roots after a year its detractors dismissed as lightweight and too fast-paced.

This is such great news; I'd actually grown attached to Roeper, so I'm sad not to see him, but Phillips and Scott were easily the best of the guest critics who helped Rich out. I can't wait.

But let us pause for a moment of reflection: Rest in peace, Ben Lyons Quote of the Week. You've made me laugh, you've made me cry, you've made me tear out my hair in rage. The world is a little bit less darkly bright without you.


*I apologize if this has been posted elsewhere, but I searched with several different entries

[DetroitSportsFan]

I didn't like the Bens. Good to see them go.

[CaptainYoda]

I havent watched At The movies in decades. I dont need two people who have different tastes in movies than me tell me what to see.

[xander]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

I didn't like the Bens. Good to see them go.

That's the truth, I agree completely. I miss Roeper also.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

I didn't like the Bens. Good to see them go.

+1.

[raskal66]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

I didn't like the Bens. Good to see them go.

Supposedly, the Bens were only there because because they were connected.

Ben Lyons is the son of fellow film critic Jeffery Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz is the son of Frank Mankiewicz and nephew of "All About Eve," "Cleopatra," and Manhattan Melodrama" writer and Paramount money maker Joseph Mankiewicz.

You gotta love nepotism.

[Sponge-worthy]

I must admit not having watched "At the Movies" in quite some time. Roger Ebert left the show about the same time as film reviews became ubiquitous on the Internets, so for me there was neither interest or need for the show anymore.

[mikejet]

I still think that once Ebert left it should have been canceled.

Also, I never liked Roeper. I thought Kenneth Turan would have been a much better fill in for Siskel.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by raskal66

Supposedly, the Bens were only there because because they were connected.

Ben Lyons is the son of fellow film critic Jeffery Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz is the son of Frank Mankiewicz and nephew of "All About Eve," "Cleopatra," and Manhattan Melodrama" writer and Paramount money maker Joseph Mankiewicz.

You gotta love nepotism.

[Johnny Carson voice] "I did not know that". [/Johnny Carson voice]

[P@t_Mtl]

No change for me, never listen to what these guys have to say, whoever they might be

[AintNoSin]

Originally Posted by mikejet

I thought Kenneth Turan would have been a much better fill in for Siskel.

I remember Turan bending over backward to kiss Ebert's butt during his one appearance in Siskel's seat. The one thing that Roeper had none of the other "replacements" had was the willingness to stand up to Ebert.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

[Johnny Carson voice] "I did not know that". [/Johnny Carson voice]

Detroit you are showing our age...

You, for making a Johnny Carson reference

Me, for knowing exactly what you mean

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Detroit you are showing our age...

You, for making a Johnny Carson reference

Me, for knowing exactly what you mean

[quexos]

Especially since ABC is my favorite channel ... or would be if I had it