Is there anyone out there whose heart doesn’t leap upon hearing the following news? In an unusual triumph for journalistic ability over boneheaded determination, “At the Movies” is getting a fresh pair of hosts, less than a year after its disastrous makeover. Taking over from the dread Bens, Lyons and Mankiewicz, are the New York Times’ A.O. Scott and The Chicago Tribune’s Michael Phillips. Via Variety:
“We are thrilled that A.O. Scott and Michael Phillips will be lending their well-respected and influential voices to At the Movies,” said Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, who oversees ABC Media Productions, which produces the show. “They are regarded by millions of people as authorities in film criticism and will take the series back to its roots of one-on-one film debate that was established when the show first began with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel.”
I don’t live in the States. I can’t watch “At the Movies.” And yet as the tales of Ben Lyons’s woeful foundering in the shoes of Roger Ebert travelled grimly across the pond, it became clear that his appointment portended terrifying things for the future of film criticism. (Did he really call “I Am Legend” one of the greatest films of all time, or is that an urban legend?)
Virtually anybody would have been a suitable replacement, but Scott is a fine choice indeed — in addition to being a smart, articulate and commendably catholic critic, he showed sharp televisual argumentative abilities on Charlie Rose’s Oscar show earlier this year. Most importantly, the move shows that some people do still care what people who can think, do think. Good luck, sirs.
Comments
18 responses to “There is a God”
No Guy, he called I Am Legend “THE greatest film of all time”. This is great news, I am a big A.O. Scott fan.
This is fantastic news. Believe it or not, Lyons had a whole slew of idiotic quotes, the I Am Legend one being just one of them.
I’m more excited for Michael Philips. He brought a real energy and a smart ass attitude when he was a guest on the show that made his debates with Roeper really entertaining.
@James D: Uh … wow. Thanks for the correction.
I like A.O. Scott, but Michael Phillips can sometimes seem to full of himself. It’s good they got rid of Roeper, whose ego was even bigger, but I wish they’d replace Phillips with someone more down-to-earth.
I wonder if this has anything to do with the journalists being released from North Korea. Maybe Kim Jong-il had demands.
Guy is right, James. Lyons called I Am Legend, “One of the greatest films ever made.”
Proof here: http://criticwatch.net/wp-content/uploads/ads/.resized/.resized_200x137_i-am-legend-12-09-07.jpg
Are there no female film critics in the US?
I’m glad to hear they hooked an intelligent soul like A.O. Scott for the show. He’s a rightful heir. I’m not a particularly big Michael Phillips fan, but he’s not a bad B-side choice, I suppose. I do think parker is onto something; I would have preferred a female film critic in that second seat, I believe.
There are many wonderful female critics writing today — Manohla Dargis, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Stephanie Zacharek, Jessica Winter, Jeannette Catsoulis, Dana Stevens, etc. After Siskel’s death, the rotating critics always included a woman. But of course they are outnumbered. That makes sense, I suppose, when you consider how male dominated filmmaking and journalism have been. I read a report once that said women compromised around 15-20% of all major film set positions, and women are featured less as major characters. That reflects in the film critic numbers, too. Men outnumber women 3-1 in film critic positions.
A few years ago when I graduated college, the j-school was predominantly female, but many were there at my particular university so they could transition into public relations or media consulting. It may even out someday (and I emphasize *may*), but not yet. Too bad, though. “At the Movies” would have been better for it.
YES!
I am sick of knowing “Battle of the Bens” exists.
The show will once again have credibility.
I haven’t hated the Bens as much as most, but they were definitely not great at all. Sometimes, the show shined (like last year’s Best of 2008 show and the If We Picked the Winners special), but Scott and Phillips are FAR superior, especially Phillips–at least, for me.
This’ll be GREAT.
Yes! I was just thinking today how I missed that show but couldn’t stand the two idiots now I have reason to watch it again! I remeber both of them being guest critics and they did a fine job I can watch this again!
This is good news. I like both these critics, but I wish they brought back Roeper with Philips because their interactions were hilarious.
OH and a couple more things (I apologize for the double posting).
The show could have been worse than the Two Bens. It could’ve had Armond White and Victoria Alexander in it.
Regarding the female critics, my favorite is definitely Christy Lemire. I just think that, right now, the best possible hosts are Phillips and Scott. If they change again (hope to God they don’t), Lemire should be considered, I think.
I wish Matt Cale had his own show.
The other Ben, Mankiewicz, was not bad.
“The show could have been worse than the Two Bens. It could’ve had Armond White and Victoria Alexander in it.”
I have to admit, I would totally watch that show, at least once. If only to see if Victoria Alexander comes off even crazier on television than she does in her written reviews.
I agree Michael Phillips comes off as a bit of a smart ass, but I’d take him over two plain old asses.
I am very glad and excited to hear about Michael Phillips coming back, I thought he was terrific on the show with Richard Roeper. They could even be pretty hilarious at times discussing the films. However, I am not a big fan of A.O. Scott, so I’m not that happy about him coming on the show. He was a guest a few times, and I always thought he was sort of a snobby critic (in my opinion).
Should have just changed it to Roeper and Phillips At the Movies, but I’d take Phillips and Scott over the two Bens anyday.