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Roeper Leaving Movie Review Show

Posted on: Monday, 21 July 2008, 18:00 CDT

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper has announced he is quitting the syndicated film review program, At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper.

Roeper joined the show eight years ago after former Chicago Tribune film critic Gene Siskell -- Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert's co-host on the show -- died of cancer.

The Tribune said Roeper issued a statement Sunday explaining he would be leaving the show in mid-August because he wasn't able to hammer out a new contract with Disney-ABC Domestic Television, which produces the program.

The Tribune said Roeper and representatives for Disney were unavailable for comment.

Ebert has been off the show for the past two years as he has battled various health issues that ravaged his voice.

Entertainment industry insiders told The Tribune that Disney is considering reinventing the show as a Hollywood news program.

I wish Disney the best of luck with their new show, whatever form it may take, Roeper said in the statement. In the meantime, it is my intention to proceed elsewhere with my ninth year as the co-host of a movie review show that honors the standards established by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert more than 30 years ago. I will be free to share the details on that program in the near future.

Source: United Press International

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