I was a massive fan of “At the Movies” when Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (and, later, Richard Roeper) hosted it. Just two guys who knew film talking intelligently about them. In fact, it’s the show that’s probably most benefitted from the creation of YouTube because now you can find nearly any “At the Movies” review on the site.
I stumbled across this clip a few months ago. It’s pretty funny. Though it’s well documented that Siskel and Ebert were friends — close friends — it’s pretty clear they didn’t really get along. That’s the first half of this video in which they struggle to make it through promos.
In the second half of it, Siskel starts ranting about how WASPs own everything in this country, and Ebert cracks on Protestants. Siskel was Jewish, and Ebert is a devout Catholic.
At 6:28: “Protestants: people who sort of want a religion.”
At 6:53: “Goddamn Protestants. Biggest thing that happens to them on Sunday is a bake sale.”
And Siskel, right after: “No, they gotta decide what kind of yellow tie to fuckin’ buy.”
Then Ebert: “You’re right. The only fucking religion that has the Reader’s Digest as a prayer book.”
“They don’t get enough shit!” Siskel says. “And they have all the money!”
And don’t miss both of them on “Letterman,” talking about snack bar strategy.
God, I miss that show.
They were friends…they were just teasing each other.
Thank you for the incisive analysis, sir.