The 21st Show

Best of: Matt Singer on how Illinois’ own Siskel & Ebert changed movies forever

Produced by Brian Mackey
 
Gene Siskel, left, and Roger Ebert photographed in Los Angeles in 1986 standing in front of a tree and some shrubs.

Gene Siskel, left, and Roger Ebert photographed in Los Angeles in 1986. Douglas C. Pizac / AP

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The late film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert created a television show that made them household names, and made their “two thumbs up” a coveted endorsement.

Author and film critic Matt Singer looks at their unique role in Hollywood history in his book, “Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever.”

Versions of this conversation aired on Nov. 20, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024.

GUEST:

Matt Singer 

Author, Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever

Editor, ScreenCrush.com