Ebert & Roeper format change

[AnubisVonMojo]

I've been meaning to mention this, but I've noticed that they've abandoned the classic "thumbs up/thumbs down" ratings standard. Granted, Ebert hasn't even been on the show for a good year or more since his physical problems flared up, but why drop the only part of the show that differentiated it from any of the two thousand other "two sh!theads b***h about movies" review shows on TV? Anybody else notice this or have any insight to offer?

[Yaddo 42]

I think Ebert and the Gene Siskel estate own the trademark to the "Thumbs up/down" gimmick. There have been news stories about Ebert having contract disagreements of some sort with the producers of the show, part of why he hasn't returned to the show after his health problems. IIRC, he is withholding permission for the thumbs to be used on the show.

There's more to it than I can recall and I probably have some things wrong, try a a google search to clear up what the real story is.

The show is pretty faceless and bland, with out Ebert and the the thumbs. Roeper just isn't interesting enough as a main host to make the show worth watching that often now.