Ben & Ben No Longer 'At the Movies'

I can't say that I got as much of a chance to grow up on "Siskel & Ebert" as much as most of my colleagues -- and not a whole lot of "Ebert & Roeper" either, for that matter -- but I recognize and appreciate the value of two film critics trying to encourage a more popular dialogue about movies. However, ratings and quality both took a dive once Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper took their leave and were promptly replaced by Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz.
Well, since that pairing wasn't exactly cutting it, the show's producers have (wisely) opted to swap out the duo for the Chicago Tribune's Michael Phillips and the New York Times' A.O. Scott, who both have previously appeared in lieu of Ebert when he had taken ill and proved their own considerable intelligence and mutual respect for one another, the medium, and their audience.
How many of you still tuned in for the show's latest incarnation? And how many of you are as considerably relieved as many of us that things should take a turn for the better with proper print critics in the seats again come September 5th?










Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-05-2009 @ 5:56PM
Mike said...
Never once watched the new show. This one, I'm more likely to give a chance. Although nothing has been able to touch the Siskel & Ebert of the good old days.
Roeper can be too smug for my liking, but his tastes do run a bit more contemporary. I like that he's not afraid to give a comedy the thumbs up, even if it doesn't have any grand message.
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8-05-2009 @ 5:58PM
Edward said...
I stopped watching once Roeper became permanent co-host, and it's unlikely I'll ever watch again. I was more a Siskel fan than an Ebert fan, but the show just wasn't the same without both of them.
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8-05-2009 @ 6:04PM
ian said...
Immediately relevant again. Don't always agree with Scott and Phillips but they certainly raise the quality of dialogue.
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8-05-2009 @ 6:16PM
Zach said...
Very good news. Both Scott and Phillips were very good when sitting in for Roger Ebert on Ebert and Roeper. Both really intelligent and definitely know their stuff.
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8-05-2009 @ 6:28PM
uforeader said...
I still watched the show (shame on me) but I never really trusted a review from either of them... especially Lyons. Glad to see they've been replaced by 2 A-class critics. Hope the show gets better!
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8-05-2009 @ 6:38PM
Jerald Brewer said...
This is great news. As soon as Roeper (& his usually fine guest hosts) was replaced by a pair of gushing cheerleaders I quit watching & haven't watched a second of it since.
Scott & Phillips (like Roeper) have real minds with real informed opinions. I'll start watching again 5 September.
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8-05-2009 @ 6:54PM
Robin said...
Those were the two guest critics on the previous incarnation of the show that I really detested. I guess I'll stick to not watching.
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8-05-2009 @ 10:26PM
Patrick said...
Tried to watch the Bens, hated it, but I like the guys coming in, when I saw them as guest hosts, and I'll go back to the show now.
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8-05-2009 @ 8:17PM
Joe said...
I caught one episode with the two Bens. I had already some respect for Ben Mankiewicz from what I had seen of him on TCM and his family's hollywood reputation. As for Ben Lyons, I felt like I was watching some cable access teen critic who finally made it big. Lyons was awkward and just way to green.
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8-05-2009 @ 10:03PM
Dany M said...
Once Roeper dropped out and two new hosts were hired, I stopped watching the show. At least Scott and Phillips appeared on At The Movies when it was in it's prime. Lyons looks like he has to take a piss whenever the other one talked and he also loves giving grand 'quote' the movie can use from him. The other Ben was not interesting, just stale just wanted his pay check. Never cared for their opinion.
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8-06-2009 @ 8:09AM
Timothy said...
This is great news... A.O. Scott is one of my more trusted critics out there, so I'm glad to see him and Phillips taking over for the jokes that were the Ben's.
I must admit though... I still watched while the Ben's were babbling on senselessly. Mainly out of habit - I've been watching since I can remember, all the way back to the Siskel and Ebert days - but also because I found the nonsense often humorous (less often, more occasional really).
Can't wait for September 5th.
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8-06-2009 @ 8:09AM
carg0 said...
one was the very definition of 'movie snob' while the other was of no condition to recommend any movie to anyone over the age of 21.
its amazing they lasted this long.
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8-06-2009 @ 1:34PM
ML said...
This HAS to be an improvement. I think I'll check it out.
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8-06-2009 @ 1:34PM
lorettajohnson said...
I started watching Siskel & Ebert when they were on channel 13 PBS (late 70's/early 80's) and I continued watching them up until they replaced Ebert.
I like most fans were mortified that lightweight Ben Lyons would be replacing them. I watched one show just to see how bad it was. I couldn't watch any more. This is a show i've been watching for 30 years and i was upset on how it turned out.
I have very excited by the new line up. They were two of my favorite subs for Ebert. Cant wait to start watching again!
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8-06-2009 @ 1:34PM
Sam said...
F#@$ AND YES.
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8-06-2009 @ 1:34PM
Ben Lyons said...
Wait, what'd I miss?
*reads*
D@mmit! I was THIS close to making the next District 9 TV Spot. It was "intense", "breathtaking" and "what going to the movies is all about...at the end of the day". And now this has to go and happen.
This is an outrage, this is--- Hey Will Smith, take a picture with me.
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8-06-2009 @ 4:23PM
Pingles said...
Ben Lyons had already lost me when he popped onto E! News once in a while in his hipster-urban speak. Was actually mesmerizing to watch him try to talk like that.
I didn't mind Mankiewicz at all.
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8-06-2009 @ 5:21PM
vegimorph said...
I didn't mind Ben and Ben, cause hey I needed some film critics to listen to, and mankiewicz has some merit from his time at TCM and what I learned about his family. I'm glad Michael Phillips is back because I was really warming up to him when he was with Roeper (Kung Fu Panda rules and Phillips agrees with me) and he has a good sense of humor. A.O. Scott is a little bit stuffy for my taste but he's all right for the most part and it'll be interesting to see how these two interact. I'm game.
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9-12-2009 @ 2:21PM
Keith Nesbit said...
Great news! I thought Lyons was taking bribes from Hollywood agents and studio executives to hype typical Hollywood style movies. You could tell by watching the show that Lyons got the job from a major inside connection, like his dad or other close relative. Also, as a member of the audience it was obvious that mankiewicz didn't respect Lyons and was always big timing him and putting him in his place. Those guys had horrible chemistry, and even a movie junkie like myself had tuned out months ago.
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9-13-2009 @ 9:24AM
Jose Valentin said...
Hi
I love the movies and go at least once a week. I counted on Evert & Roeper for reviews. I feel Ben Lyons killed the show and I think (Hope Not) that A.O. Scott will do the same for this pair. There were great woman presenters with Roeper. Maybe a new view might change the outlook. Thanks
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