Why no more "thumbs up/down" on "Ebert & Roeper"?!
Question: Why has Richard Roeper discontinued the use of the "thumbs up or thumbs down" approval gestures for films on "Ebert & Roeper". Now Roeper and his guest host just say whether they recommend a movie or not. Is it something to do with the fact that Ebert isn't on the show anymore and his company owns the sole rights to that gesture? Anyone know for sure?
Answers: Why has Richard Roeper discontinued the use of the "thumbs up or thumbs down" approval gestures for films on "Ebert & Roeper". Now Roeper and his guest host just say whether they recommend a movie or not. Is it something to do with the fact that Ebert isn't on the show anymore and his company owns the sole rights to that gesture? Anyone know for sure?
Ebert owns the copyright for "thumbs up / thumbs down". He is currently in contract negotiations with Disney.
Disney claimed that Ebert “exercised his right to withhold use of the ‘thumbs’ until a new contract is signed”.
Ebert disputes that, saying he “had made it clear the Thumbs could remain during good-faith negotiations”.
You are correct. He is in litigation to the rights along with the estate of Siskel. It is uncertain if he will ever be able to return to the show due to his cancer operations.