# RIP Roger Ebert 1942-2013 \[was 'Roger Ebert's cancer is back'\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 3, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744 "2013-04-03T17:38:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/81 "2013-04-04T23:13:54Z")
I remember discovering the show “Siskel & Ebert” sometime in the mid to late 80s. They were the ones who introduced me to the concept of evaluating a movie critically. Even when I disagreed with their assessment of a movie, I could understand perfectly why they had the position that they did. The show was never the same after Siskel died. The chemistry between them–which I do not doubt was partly fueled by the fact that they worked for rival newspapers–could not be recreated with any of the replacement hosts. In addition to his film criticism, I admired Ebert for his passionate advocacy of movies, and his willingness to evaluate a movie based on its own context, rather than judge it against the entire spectrum of film. He evaluated science fiction movies against other science fiction movies, action movies against other action movies, etc… His “Great Movies” columns introduced me to many films that I otherwise would likely have never tried to sample. His blog was always a fantastic read. He was a writer of exceptional caliber. I’ll miss him. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/82 "2013-04-04T23:23:27Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I would like to imagine that he’s just been greeted by Gene Siskel, who chided him about what took him so long, and they’re already off and running with a part-serious argument about some film. Yup, that’s what I was thinking. He’s finally back in the balcony with Gene. I remember Roger and Gene way back on “Sneak Previews” on PBS. R.I.P., Roger. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/83 "2013-04-04T23:48:31Z")
If anybody is interested in the history of Siskel and Ebert and their TV show(s) and if you have a Kindle I can highly recommend a Kindle Single (it’s like a very long magazine article) called Enemies: A Love Story. Two bucks, you’ll love it. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2013, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/84 "2013-04-04T23:50:55Z")
He didn’t fear death, and was probably in much pain. My guess is he ended his life on his own terms. I would. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/85 "2013-04-05T00:01:56Z")
Guess the balcony is closed for good. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/86 "2013-04-05T00:14:49Z")
A statement from his wife Chaz: > **[Chaz Ebert: Tired Of Cancer Fight, Ebert Said He Had 'Lived A Great And Full...](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/04/04/176282302/chaz-ebert-tired-of-cancer-fight-ebert-said-he-had-lived-a-great-and-full-life?ft=1&f=1001&sc=tw&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)** > > Roger Ebert's wife of more than 20 years, said he died with "no struggle, no pain, just a quiet, dignified transition." ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/87 "2013-04-05T00:21:51Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > A statement from his wife Chaz: > > [Chaz Ebert: Tired Of Cancer Fight, Ebert Said He Had 'Lived A Great And Full Life' : The Two-Way : NPR](http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/04/04/176282302/chaz-ebert-tired-of-cancer-fight-ebert-said-he-had-lived-a-great-and-full-life?ft=1&f=1001&sc=tw&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter) Powerful. ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/88 "2013-04-05T00:23:24Z")
I know there is a ton of stuff to read about (and by) Roger Ebert today, but I’ll assume that readers of this thread are interested in doing so. Here is a nice piece by Michael Moore about his first encounter with Ebert at the Telluride film festival where his film, “Roger & Me” had its premier showings. [http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/must-read/roger-ebert-and-roger-me](http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/must-read/roger-ebert-and-roger-me) And the review from September 5, 1989 that Roger Ebert wrote after seeing the film. [http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/must-read/roger-makes-its-point-humor](http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/must-read/roger-makes-its-point-humor) ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/89 "2013-04-05T00:29:42Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > A statement from his wife Chaz: > > [Chaz Ebert: Tired Of Cancer Fight, Ebert Said He Had 'Lived A Great And Full Life' : The Two-Way : NPR](http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/04/04/176282302/chaz-ebert-tired-of-cancer-fight-ebert-said-he-had-lived-a-great-and-full-life?ft=1&f=1001&sc=tw&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter) Tears and tears. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/90 "2013-04-05T00:57:27Z")
In inject some positivity and fun memories, one of my favorite Siskel & Ebert moments was when they reviewed Jurassic Park and Siskel said he didn’t like it because he didn’t feel like he could have a Dinosaur as pet. Roger just looks at him like he had lobsters crawling out of his ears. Just too funny. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/91 "2013-04-05T01:01:19Z")
[New York Times article with slide show](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/movies/roger-ebert-film-critic-dies.html?hp&_r=0&pagewanted=all) ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/92 "2013-04-05T01:29:52Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Tears and tears. Yeah. My jaded rotten heart actually turned and churned out real life tears. I feel like a real cornball right now. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/93 "2013-04-05T01:36:17Z")
Entertainment Weekly Article: [Werner Herzog on Roger Ebert, ‘the good soldier of cinema’](http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/04/04/roger-ebert-werner-herzog/) > [@](#): > > “I’ve always tried to be a good soldier of cinema myself, so of course since he’s gone, I will plow on, as I have plowed on all my life, but I will do what I have to do as if Roger was looking over my shoulder. And I am not gonna disappoint him.” ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/94 "2013-04-05T01:45:48Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Yeah. My jaded rotten heart actually turned and churned out real life tears. I feel like a real cornball right now. Not a cornball move so you shouldn’t feel like one. Mr. Ebert was, by all accounts, a truly terrific human being and so many of us are better off for having him on the planet that his passing is bound to reverberate strongly for some time. You want to see what a terrific person he was? Check out this excerpt from his memoir: [Roger loves Chaz](http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2012/07/roger_loves_chaz.html). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/95 "2013-04-05T02:53:13Z")
Well, this sucks. My favorite movie reviewer. The wife’s too. What news to wake up to. Yeah, fuck cancer. Now I feel guilty about being annoyed he’d slowed down on his reviews in recent weeks. RIP, Roger. You were the best. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/96 "2013-04-05T03:46:00Z")
[10 Movies Roger Ebert Really Hated](http://mentalfloss.com/article/49913/10-movies-roger-ebert-really-hated#ixzz2PYTDLVhw) “Watching _Mad Dog Time_ is like waiting for the bus in a city where you’re not sure they have a bus line.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CyclopticXander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@CyclopticXander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyclopticXander)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/97 "2013-04-05T03:54:10Z")
> **[Roger Ebert Hails Human Existence As 'A Triumph'](https://www.theonion.com/roger-ebert-hails-human-existence-as-a-triumph-1819574774?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=standard-post%3Aheadline%3Adefault)** > > CHICAGO—Calling the overall human experience “poignant,” “thought-provoking,” and a “complete tour de force,” film critic Roger Ebert praised existence Thursday as “an audacious and thrilling triumph.” “While not without its flaws, life, from birth... The Onion is rarely touching, but this is really sweet. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/98 "2013-04-05T06:17:07Z")
Two things: I would prefer to say that an out and proud atheist _died_, instead of using the fuzzy, and very religious sounding euphemism _“passed away”_. People die, and he described his own inevitable death as entering a state of non-existence. I’d prefer to give him the dignity of that. And I really wish he had died while watching a favorite film. Ideally, _Citizen Kane_. I only met him once, as he and Chaz were looking around the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show, back when it was held in Chicago as well as Las Vegas. I asked him what cool stuff he had seen so far, and he said that they had just gotten there. It was not that long after my wife and I had moved to Chicago, and I guess I thought that running into Roger Ebert was going to happen fairly frequently. Damn. Goodbye Roger. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/99 "2013-04-05T07:14:12Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > [10 Movies Roger Ebert Really Hated](http://mentalfloss.com/article/49913/10-movies-roger-ebert-really-hated#ixzz2PYTDLVhw) > > “Watching _Mad Dog Time_ is like waiting for the bus in a city where you’re not sure they have a bus line.” 😃 Hey, I LIKED _Good Luck Chuck_! ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744/100 "2013-04-05T10:56:44Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I would like to imagine that he’s just been greeted by Gene Siskel, who chided him about what took him so long, and they’re already off and running with a part-serious argument about some film. [Gene saved Roger the aisle seat.](http://media.cagle.com/91/2013/04/04/129739_600.jpg) 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-roger-ebert-1942-2013-was-roger-eberts-cancer-is-back/654744.md?page=6)