What made Ebert and Siskel transcend other critics were their knock-down,
drag-out fights on camera. One of their funniest happened on the Letterman
show when they ignored Letterman and started arguing about "Free Willy" (Ebert
liked it, Siskel didn't).
Siskel said, "I didn't like 'Free Willy' because who likes the whale? The
whale isn't good looking enough on screen to care about. I once asked
Spielberg about why he likes creatures in his films and he said it's because of
their eyes. In 'Free Willy,' the whale's eyes are set so far apart that you
can't see them."
Ebert scoffed, "This is Gene Siskel's criticism of 'Free Willy.' Gene doesn't
like 'Free Willy' because you can't see both of the whale's eyes at the same
time. Now that, folks, is rompin' stompin' film criticism." Siskel responded,
"Well, YOU obviously identify with Willy. I wonder WHY." Ebert shot back,
"Yes, and Gene Siskel will ALWAYS be bald." Letterman was in stitches and let
them fight throughout their entire appearance.
In the end, when it mattered most, they were pals, and Ebert repeatedly said
after Siskel's death that he missed him every day, that he would never have a
smarter rival who was also a great friend. -d.
> Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 18:11:57 -0400
> From: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: Roger Ebert Passes
> To: [email protected]
>
> Such sad news and what a great loss.
>
> I'll deeply miss his Twitter messages...he was one seriously prolific
> "Tweeter," if that's the word. Those 144 characters regularly led me to some
> very interesting reading on a number of subjects all across the web.
>
> I guess with Mr. Ebert's passing the "balcony is REALLY closed."
>
> Scott
> MoPo List Owner
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MoPo List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
> Freeman Fisher
> Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 3:54 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [MOPO] Roger Ebert Passes
>
> Truly a loss for all fans of film and film criticism. You may not
> alway have agreed on some of his opinions, but he delivered them with
> style, wit and class.
>
> http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/roger-ebert-dead_n_3016769.html
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