Did anyone else catch on the news or Oprah the new speaking computer that Roger Ebert now has?
It’s still not perfect, but it is being programmed with archived voice sounds from Roger to personalize the artificial voice.
So cool, Roger can be a motormouth again 
Here’s a link to a videoof it.
I saw him on Oprah. A few answers to questions were prepared ahead of time. Poor guy, what a thing to happen, but I’m glad he’s still working. I read his column in the Sun Times every Sunday morning.
What an amazing testament to true love. A beautiful couple!
Thank you for that. I had to wipe away a few tears myself when I saw Chaz’s reaction.
That was awesome.
Amazing.
It was beautiful. What’s odd is that the surgery had given Ebert a really goofy grin that makes it hard not to feel happy when seeing him.
I believe his entire bottom jaw has been removed?
Yes, it was a good episode - saw it was coming and taped it, as normally not at home to watch Oprah.
Glad to hear his cancer is in total remission, and also glad to hear about the new technology that might allow him more freedom in creating another show or at least online voice reviews of films.
Always like his reviews - don’t always agree, but respect him as a critic.
Jesus. Horrible thing to happen to a really decent guy. He always skewed a bit more populist than I liked in his reviews (and thanks to rottentomatoes, I’ve probably read a few hundred) but he knows a hell of a lot about film, he’s a solid writer, and he always seemed like a guy that I’d be fun to catch a film and then discuss later over a few beers.
Great that he can talk again. Christ, that “treatment” looks devastating. No more lower jaw? Looks accurate from the video.
Ugh, can he not close his mouth anymore? It seems like wrapping it to stay shut would be better than permanently being agape. Not trying to dis on the guy, no doubt it’s been a terrible ordeal, but man.
I waver between finding that depressing and uplifting, as my uncle died from a similar cancer, after the operation (which removed much of the bone in his face, not just his jaw) failed to get it all, and he declined to get further treatments. It’s nice to see someone who had a more successful outcome, but it still makes me sad to remember.
Incredibly cruel loss… the man spent his life talking and eating, and now he can do neither. But he’s handling it beautifully, great healthy spirit.
The first time I saw this video a couple weeks ago, I had no idea how serious Ebert’s condition was. So my first reaction was complete and utter shock.
I grew up watching Siskel and Ebert on TV, so they were almost part of my family - I probably saw more episodes of the various incarnations of their show than any other TV show, save maybe MASH. I even got a little verklempt when Gene Siskel died in '99.
So when I saw his ruined jaw, and heard his generic synthesized voice, it kind of hit me - this was the man whose face and voice were kind of a constant during my childhood. But when he turned on his “real” voice, I actually choked up a little bit, especially after seeing his wife’s reaction.
He’s being honored at the SFIFF next month, which traditionally includes a Q&A. Don’t know how that will pan out, but he is scheduled to be in attendance and I plan on going so will report back after the event.