America's top pundits

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Going by data compiled by market research group E-Poll on the country's leading pundits, Forbes staffer Tom Van Riper has listed the top dogs -- Roger Ebert, Bill Maher, Bill O'Reilly, Al Franken, etc. Leonard Maltin was ranked seventh. This is obviously based on visibility through television. Has anyone ever done a pundit/columnist popularity poll restricted to movie opinion? When I think of my favorite opinion-givers it's not how important they are or how much they've influenced my thinking (whatever that means), but how much I enjoy reading or hearing them.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 24, 2007 at 3:31 PM

comment #1

Walter Sobchak says ...

If it makes you feel any better Jeffrey, you're Number One...in the E-Poll that is my heart.

Posted by Walter Sobchak at September 24, 2007 4:44 PM

comment #2

Larry says ...

Ebert? Before he got sick, sure, but now? And I'm surprised to see Maher on the list. His perch is HBO, which might be prestigious, but isn't received by 70% of all households.

Posted by Larry at September 24, 2007 4:54 PM

comment #3

T. Holly says ...

Time for Ebert the biopic, "Thumb You, It Ain't Over Yet," starring Casey Affleck.

Posted by T. Holly at September 24, 2007 4:55 PM

comment #4

corey3rd says ...

Maltin's work on getting the classic Disney shorts out on DVD moves him up on my list for pundits that can actually get crap done for their readers. Ebert hasn't been able to figure out how to get himself an Oscar ballot.

Posted by corey3rd at September 24, 2007 5:11 PM

comment #5

T. Holly says ...

Top movie opinion awards have to go to the anonymous jounalists, writers, industry insiders and movie geeks posting HEre.

Posted by T. Holly at September 24, 2007 5:13 PM

comment #6

jeffmcm says ...

Why does Ebert need an Oscar ballot? The push he gave Crash had to given it plenty of votes it otherwise wouldn't have gotten.

Posted by jeffmcm at September 24, 2007 5:50 PM

comment #7

le corbeau says ...

Here's a funny thing about Maltin:

http://www.isntlifeterrible.com/labels/maltinization.html

Considering that he introduces half of what my kids watch, it's pretty on-target.

Posted by le corbeau at September 24, 2007 6:09 PM

comment #8

corey3rd says ...

Ebert used to whine about "if I could vote in the Oscars" BS show. The guy did write a couple scripts. He should have been able to get into the Academy if he had any real pull. Buddy Hackett was a voting member.

Posted by corey3rd at September 24, 2007 6:21 PM

comment #9

buckzollo says ...

Lewis Black should have a seat at that table.

Posted by buckzollo at September 24, 2007 10:41 PM

comment #10

Krazy Eyes says ...

Where's douchebags like Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, and Joe Scarborough? And on the liberal side of things I'm surprised Jon Stewart didn't make the list although I guess he's not technically a pundit. Odd list though.

Posted by Krazy Eyes at September 25, 2007 5:37 AM

comment #11

movieirv says ...

Keith Olbermann?

Posted by movieirv at September 25, 2007 7:42 AM

comment #12

Rich S. says ...

Leonard Maltin has written comprehensive books on animated cartoons (Disney and non-), The Three Stooges and, above all, The Little Rascals. I haven't watched his movie reviews in years, but his comprehensive knowledge of those three subjects give him a lifetime pass in my book.

Posted by Rich S. at September 25, 2007 9:41 AM

comment #13