While no one can compare with Ebert, the folks at Ebert and Roeper have been trying mighty hard to make sure someone is trying to fill the big chair. So far, I think my hands-down favourite was Aisha Tyler. She actually managed to come up with valid points for and against her movies, and gave me a decent idea of whether or not I would want to see a particular film. For a while, I was left hoping the show would end up Ebert and Roeper and Tyler (oh my).
By a nose, my least favourite has been Toni Senecal. Perhaps it’s just because our tastes differ, but she seemed to hold tight from the “I love everything” stance, no matter how monumentally bad the movie looked.
So who has been your favourite so far? Kevin Smith? Jay Leno?
I thought Fred Willard was the best so far. His likable personality and well thought-out comments made him a good replacement. My least favorite was Kevin Smith. He seems very knowledgable, but he uses too much hyperbole when he likes a movie. He sounds like he’s writing the copy for the back of the movie’s eventual video box.
Unfortunately I don’t get to see Ebert’s TV show here, but I do miss his print reviews. But I remember back when Siskel died and before they picked Roeper, they had a rotating series of guest co-hosts on the TV show. One of the best was Bill Clinton. All partisanship aside, the guy had some interesting things to say, and really came across as a guy who liked and knew a lot about movies (at least for someone who’s not a professional critic). They should bring him back if they can.
What’s going on with Ebert anyways? There are very few updates on his condition on his website.
I liked Aisha Tyler the best so far. She explained her views well. I’d be happy with her as a permanent replacement, but I’m sure she has too many other projects for that to happen.
Jay Leno was surprisingly good.
Kevin Smith is too much a movie fanboy and not enough a thinker. Although it was fun to watch Roeper’s obvious distaste of Smith’s opinions.
I missed seeing the other replacements. Can we have Ebert back down?