Ding-Dong, Bens Are Dead
Was it low ratings or embarassment over content that prompted Disney's AMC Media Productions to pull the plug on At The Movies co-hosts Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz? I'd like to know the facts and hear all the inside-dirt theories over the coming hours.
My guess is that it was 70% ratings and 30% embarassment over Lyons, whose imprecise and overly generous reviews of too many crap-level films attracted most of the criticism directed at the show. Mankiewicz wasn't too bad by comparison. Tough deal. If I were Lyons I would issue a statement saying "I'd like to apologize to Ben Mankiewicz for taking him over the side with me."
The new replacements are newspaper critics Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune and A.O. Scott of the New York Times. I'm not sure what their chemistry will be like or whether they'll disagree very much -- they have similar mild-mannered personalities -- but thank God for the return of sophistication, film knowledge and all that good brainy stuff to the show, which had its glory days with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel back in the '80s and '90s.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 5, 2009 at 1:15 PM
comment #1
KC
says ...
I would pay to see the A.O. and Manohla Show, honestly. As a born-and-bred Chicagoan I don't even know who the fuck Phillips is, at first I thought it sounded okay and then I realized I was thinking of Wilmington. Now whenever I watch this show I'll always be thinking "haha, this is the guy they sent out whenever M WIlmington flat-out refused to see a movie because it was too shitty or he just didn't think it would make an entertaining pan."
(I'm just kidding, I don't ever watch syndicated TV)
Posted by KC
at August 5, 2009 1:37 PM
comment #2
KC
says ...
But yeah, rot in pieces re: the Bens
Posted by KC
at August 5, 2009 1:38 PM
comment #3
drbob
says ...
Truth be told, I didn't much care for Mankiewiz either. In fact, I would be very happy if he disappeared from TCM too. He pales in comparison to Robert Osborne.
Posted by drbob
at August 5, 2009 1:40 PM
comment #4
kingofnails
says ...
Philips and Scott are the new hosts of At the Movies? At first I thought Wells was joking, but then I click on the link and....no. It's for real.
WHAT A GREAT IDEA.
Posted by kingofnails
at August 5, 2009 1:44 PM
comment #5
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
Wow, cool. That show was really garbage, I had stopped watching (and I was a long-time viewer all the way back to the Siskel-Ebert PBS days). Truth be told, I'm not a huge Phillips fan, but he's a decent critic. And I love me some A.O. Scott. We may not have the exact same taste, but he's very perceptive (and a great writer to boot).
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at August 5, 2009 1:46 PM
comment #6
Gordon27
says ...
"whose imprecise and overly generous reviews of too many crap-level films"
Is that coming from Lyons himself? I always assumed that it was part of the corporate mandate, as it seems like every employed* film critic these days is unneccessarily generous to the studios' bigger movies.
* = that is, "non-self-employed"
Posted by Gordon27
at August 5, 2009 1:49 PM
comment #7
EdHavens
says ...
The short national nightmare is over
Posted by EdHavens
at August 5, 2009 1:50 PM
comment #8
tommysunshine
says ...
This is unexpected, but not unwelcome, news. Short of having Burma Shave and DeafTrashPunk do the show, I can't think of a worse combination than the two Bens.
ProBen wasn't too good and hated AmateurBen. AmateurBen was full of goodwill but stunningly incapable.
Posted by tommysunshine
at August 5, 2009 1:57 PM
comment #9
poseidon72
says ...
I thought Roeper was great. Why not him and Philips again.Glad the show will still go on.
Ive been afan from the beginning.
Posted by poseidon72
at August 5, 2009 1:59 PM
comment #10
KC
says ...
Oh my god, you laugh but srsly how can I prod DeafBrownTrashPunk and LexG At The Movies into production
Posted by KC
at August 5, 2009 1:59 PM
comment #11
KC
says ...
Roeper is one of my least favorite people on this planet. Dude is terrible.
Posted by KC
at August 5, 2009 2:00 PM
comment #12
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
I'd watch that show, KC. I'd have to cover my eyes, but I'd be sneaking peeks to see if Lex tried to awkwardly make out with her, or if DBTP had slapped his face (or dick) yet.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at August 5, 2009 2:03 PM
comment #13
Phatang!
says ...
Yeah, as bad as the show was (and it was horrible at first, but then became sort of watchable), it was actually better than the Roeper version. Ben M. at least has a personality.
Posted by Phatang!
at August 5, 2009 2:04 PM
comment #14
bmcintire
says ...
Is Michael Medved still doing this somewhere, or is he happy just dry-humping his Bible on the radio now?
Posted by bmcintire
at August 5, 2009 2:21 PM
comment #15
buck.swope
says ...
not a huge fan of phillips. i live in chicago and get the trib. he is admittedly a stage critic first, and then moved into movie criticism. so he has an affinity for musicals and plays made into film. i don't have a problem with that per se, but he just doesn't seem like a film geek.
Posted by buck.swope
at August 5, 2009 2:23 PM
comment #16
MilkMan
says ...
When Ben Lyons was told that his show was cancelled, his response was, "An instant classic!" When his manager repeated the news to him, his repsonse was, "A sure-fire Oscar contender!" No, Ben's manager said, you don't seem to understand, you are out of a job, to which Ben responded, "Even better than The Shawshank Redemption!"
Posted by MilkMan
at August 5, 2009 2:28 PM
comment #17
Stringer Bell
says ...
Gives ben enough time now to go produce his own amateurish movie reviews on Youtube like Lexg.
Ben being a movie critic is the equivalant to Andrew Giuliani becoming NYC Mayor like his dad (except for the fact that Jeffrey is a big bore).
Posted by Stringer Bell
at August 5, 2009 2:36 PM
comment #18
corey3rd
says ...
They once again blew it. hire Michael Lerner to play Ebert and read Ebert's reviews
Posted by corey3rd
at August 5, 2009 2:39 PM
comment #19
Renfield
says ...
Corey3rd,
I'd watch that in a heartbeat!!! BRILLIANT idea!
Posted by Renfield
at August 5, 2009 2:45 PM
comment #20
Manitoba
says ...
This could be good news if the show stays alive with Phillips and Scott. I must admit I have not seen the show for many months and lost track of its new version. If my memory is correct both Phillips and Scott filled in on the old show and did well. I still enjoy reading if not also hearing Ebert and have his site on my favorites list. Meanwhile Ebert's old Chicago Sun Times nemesis, press baron Conrad Black is in a Florida jail and recently lost a bid for early parole.
Posted by Manitoba
at August 5, 2009 2:50 PM
comment #21
lipranzer
says ...
This is good news. No idea if Scott and Phillips will have any chemistry together, but even when I disagree with them, they are intelligent critics and come across as such.
Posted by lipranzer
at August 5, 2009 2:54 PM
comment #22
Baron Munchausen-by-Proxy
says ...
I appreciated this pull from the Trib article:
"Mankiewicz would escape much of the criticism directed at the revamped "At the Movies," most of which targeted Lyons, whose inability to articulate his opinions undercut his cinematic knowledge and critical skills."
Honestly, to "undercut" them, Benny would have to possess "cinematic knowledge and critical skills" in the first place. Nice try, Trib.
Posted by Baron Munchausen-by-Proxy
at August 5, 2009 2:55 PM
comment #23
MikeSchaeferSF
says ...
First Paula Abdul and now the 2 Bens. A great day for idiots being shitcanned!
The show actually improved, marginally (as a show) when they got rid of that edited-for-people-with-ADD "panel of experts" segment. But it still sucked. My favorite Lyons moment: both Bens named their favorite Bond films when Quantum of Solace opened; Lyons said his favorite was GoldenEye "because it was the first one I played the spinoff video game for".
Posted by MikeSchaeferSF
at August 5, 2009 2:56 PM
comment #24
sumo-pop
says ...
Mankiewicz was fine and getting better. The less said about Lyons...
Scott and Phillips will definitely class the joint up. Siskel can stop spinning now.
Posted by sumo-pop
at August 5, 2009 3:12 PM
comment #25
LFF
says ...
On the bright side for them, if Noah Forest is any indication, they should have no problem getting hired at MCN.
Posted by LFF
at August 5, 2009 3:16 PM
comment #26
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
In fairness to Ben Lyons (five words I never thought I'd say here), the GoldenEye videogame is a world-class first person '90s shooter.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at August 5, 2009 3:17 PM
comment #27
/3rtfu11
says ...
Good news.
Posted by /3rtfu11
at August 5, 2009 3:21 PM
comment #28
xrats
says ...
I think I've watched the show 1.5 times since Roeper left. I only tolerated him, but I guess I was holding out hope that Ebert would come back. As soon as Roeper left, that connection was broken. The two Ben's never clicked for me.
I'll check it out again when Scott and Phillips take over Scott was the best guest critic on during Ebert's absence, Phillips somewhere in the top 5, so I have some hope. Does anybody remember John Cougar Mellencamp's appearance? That was hilariously embarrassing.
Posted by xrats
at August 5, 2009 3:22 PM
comment #29
EdHavens
says ...
If we rated the Sneak Previews/At the Movies critics:
Siskel and Ebert = Orson Welles and Charlie Chaplin
Roeper = Peter Hyams
Lyons and Mank = Uwe Boll and Brett Ratner
Scott and Phillips = David Fincher and Danny Boyle... I hope
Posted by EdHavens
at August 5, 2009 3:44 PM
comment #30
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
lol, Peter Hyams...
I'm actually not quite sure he's given a review that's quite as decent as 2010
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at August 5, 2009 3:59 PM
comment #31
fishhead
says ...
good i will watch again. f those two bens. and why the hate for roeper?
Posted by fishhead
at August 5, 2009 4:07 PM
comment #32
MickTravisMcGee
says ...
re: "why the hate for roeper?"
he was awful.
he frequently wore visible neckware.
he was loud.
he was creepy about actresses he had crushes on.
he had bad taste in film.
he tried to stir up debate by being rude to guest critics.
he was neither siskel, nor ebert.
he made poor choices with his wordplay.
he was awful.
but to be fair, lyons was worse.
mellencamp just needed a little L.dopa to bring him around.
Posted by MickTravisMcGee
at August 5, 2009 5:54 PM
comment #33
nodirectionhome
says ...
I dont understand the hate on Roeper, sure I guess he comes across as snide but his reviews were respectable and ultimately became a great addition to the shows legacy. Im glad they got rid of Lyons, I can now watch a film review and not wonder how much the critic got paid for a positive review.
Posted by nodirectionhome
at August 5, 2009 5:57 PM
comment #34
heybub1
says ...
The only justifiable complaint of this move, though, would be, "Great, two more middle-aged white guys." I remember John Ridley was a guest host w/ Roeper and he came across very well ---- I don't remember what movies he reviewed but he definitely didn't come across as a suck-up even though he is (or was) part of the industry. Maybe get him and Elvis Mitchell in there and they could rotate on a weekly basis.
I know they both have other TV gigs (Ridley on Reelz Channel I think(?) and Elvis has an interview show on TCM.
But it would be nice to get some different perspectives occasionally.
Posted by heybub1
at August 5, 2009 6:11 PM
comment #35
KRush
says ...
I remember a Siskel and Ebert show that spent the whole show breaking down "Pulp Fiction". And they analyzed the scene where Travolta and Samuel Jackson are going to kill the dudes that stole the suitcase. And the camera follows them down the hall but stops at the door while the two guys go to the window continuing their conversation. And Siskel and Ebert just talked about how it sustained tension, and it changed the way I look at movies. Obviously, no one would expect that from Ben Lyons. Will we get "special" shows like that from AO Scott and Michael Phillips? I hope so.
Posted by KRush
at August 5, 2009 7:19 PM
comment #36
MilkMan
says ...
I'd like to watch Armond White and Gene Shalit.
Posted by MilkMan
at August 5, 2009 7:36 PM
comment #37
Raccoon
says ...
Apparently Lyons thinks his firing is pretty darn alright:
http://www.celebrityfreakshow.com/2009/08/lyons-and-mankiewicz-fired-from-at-the-movies/
Posted by Raccoon
at August 5, 2009 8:26 PM
comment #38
richlbii
says ...
they should have gotten elvis mitchell instead. at least he's visibly animated when expressing his opinion.
Posted by richlbii
at August 5, 2009 8:34 PM
comment #39
Movie fan09
says ...
KRush Author Profile Page says ...
I remember a Siskel and Ebert show that spent the whole show breaking down "Pulp Fiction".
Link,please.
Posted by Movie fan09
at August 5, 2009 9:42 PM
comment #40
dggunz
says ...
Love Phillips and A.O. Scott. I wonder when the first show is?
Posted by dggunz
at August 6, 2009 5:24 AM
comment #41
pchu
says ...
Yay! This is great news. Like both Michael Phillips and AO Scott, I will watch again, wonder when it will start.
Posted by pchu
at August 6, 2009 6:03 AM
comment #42
actionman
says ...
dggunz -- Sept 5 or 12 I think...
Posted by actionman
at August 6, 2009 6:20 AM
comment #43
creepingmalaise
says ...
Damn--there goes the Ben Lyons drinking game: slam one down every time he uses the word "iconic". A guaranteed shitface on a good night.
Posted by creepingmalaise
at August 6, 2009 7:41 AM
comment #44
free games
says ...
Hire Michael Lerner to play Ebert and read Ebert's reviews
Posted by free games
at November 1, 2009 6:20 AM
comment #45
arentin
says ...
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at February 2, 2010 5:11 PM
comment #46
davemartial223
says ...
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at March 16, 2010 11:33 PM
comment #47
jannemarrie
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