or


[07/22/08 - 03:20 PM]
At the Movies, Television's Most Popular and Respected Movie Review Program, Names Two New Co-Hosts - Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz - and Adds Several Exciting New Segments to Show's Format
The revamped series will debut the weekend of September 6.

[via press release from ABC]

"AT THE MOVIES," TELEVISION'S MOST POPULAR AND RESPECTED MOVIE REVIEW PROGRAM, NAMES TWO NEW CO-HOSTS - BEN LYONS AND BEN MANKIEWICZ - AND ADDS SEVERAL EXCITING NEW SEGMENTS TO SHOW'S FORMAT

NEW SEASON TO PREMIERE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2008

Television's most popular and respected movie review program, "At The Movies," today announced that two new charismatic co-hosts, Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz, will co-host the next generation of the series when its new season begins the weekend of September 6, 2008. Both of these critics will bring their unique personalities and extensivequalifications to the series, and the show will also be adding several new exciting segments. This follows the announcement that famed Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Roger Ebert and his co-host Richard Roeper have bid farewell to the weekly television series.

A native New Yorker and best known as E! Entertainment's resident film expert, Ben Lyons interviews actors and reports from film festivals around the globe. His versatility as a host and critic finds him on the red carpet and reviewing films for "E! News," "The Daily Ten," as well as his featured blog and original broadband series, "The Lyons Den," on E! Online. Lyons has previously been featured on "Good Morning America," MTV's "Your Movie Show," "MSNBC at the Movies" and "Access Hollywood," and has a passion for music having worked as a segment producer on the nationally syndicated "Hip-Hop Nation."

Ben Mankiewicz has been a popular host for Turner Classic Movies for five years. He was also the host of "The Young Turks" on Sirius Satellite Radio, a live, daily alternative talk show discussing politics, film, pop culture, sports, and media. Prior to his work on Turner Classic Movies, Mankiewicz was a reporter and anchor for WCSC-TV in Charleston, South Carolina and he also served as the anchor of "The Times," a daily news magazine at WAMI-TV Miami.

"I am incredibly excited to be involved with such a prestigious show," said co-host Ben Lyons. "Reviewing films for a living is a thrill, and now that I will be a critic for 'At the Movies,' it is an honor and huge responsibility that I look forward to."

"I am thrilled and honored beyond words to be joining the series," added co-host Ben Mankiewicz. "As a movie fanatic, this is my dream job. Without question, I certainly have very big shoes to fill."

In addition to the new co-hosts, "At the Movies" will also introduce new segments, a new set, new music and new graphics with the September premiere. The show will continue its signature "cross-talk" reviews, where the co-hosts debate the latest motion picture and DVD releases, and add "Critics Round-Up," which features the co-hosts in lively discussions with other well-respected critics via satellite from cities across the country. Also, in the "3 to See" segment, the co-hosts recommend their top three "must see" films in theatres now, to give viewers a chance to make quick decisions on what to see that weekend.

In discussing the future of the series, Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, who oversees Buena Vista Productions, stated, "Over the years, 'At the Movies' has become synonymous with fun, compelling movie reviews. With the addition of Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz as our talented, charismatic new co-hosts, and exciting new segments planned, we're confident that audiences will be enjoying 'At the Movies' for many years to come."

Both Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz grew up immersed in the movie business; one in a family of film critics and one in a family of filmmakers. Lyons comes from a very distinguished family of journalists and film critics, including his father, film critic Jeffrey Lyons, and grandfather, renowned New York Post columnist Leonard Lyons. Mankiewicz comes from a legendary filmmaking family. Mankiewicz's grandfather, Herman Mankiewicz, won an Oscar for writing the screenplay for "Citizen Kane." His great uncle, Joseph Mankiewicz, won four Oscars for writing and directing "All About Eve and "A Letter to Three Wives." His cousin, Tom Mankiewicz, wrote several classic James Bond movies including "The Man with the Golden Gun," "Live and Let Die," and "Diamonds Are Forever." He also wrote "Superman" and "Superman II."

The show's comprehensive website, AtTheMoviesTV.com, is the only online destination on the internet to feature a 20-year video archive of every movie review in the show's history, and will offer full-length reviews for all the movies and DVDs reviewed each week by Lyons and Mankiewicz. In addition, the new "Critics Round-Up" will be incorporated into the site, along with a number of new online-exclusive features in coming months.

Buena Vista Productions has also named David Plummer as the new executive producer of "At the Movies." Plummer will be upped from his current position as supervising producer on "At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper."

Television pioneers Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel first paired up in 1975 at WTTW in Chicago when they hosted the local movie review show, "Sneak Previews." In 1978, the show moved to PBS and was syndicated shortly thereafter by Tribune Syndication and was renamed "At the Movies." In 1986, Disney-ABC Domestic Television (then known as Buena Vista Television) acquired the show, calling it "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies." Upon Gene Siskel's passing in 1999, the show retained the "Siskel & Ebert" title until the following fall when it became "Roger Ebert & the Movies." In July 2000, film critic Richard Roeper was named Ebert's new co-host and the show was retitled, "Ebert & Roeper and the Movies." The show was renamed "Ebert & Roeper" in 2001 and subsequently was modified to "At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper" last year. Ebert celebrated his 30th anniversary as a television film critic in 2005.

"It has been a remarkable 22 years working with our good friend Roger Ebert," commented Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic Television. "Roger is an exceedingly gfted critic and journalist who has made an indelible mark on the film industry. It has been our privilege to work alongside Roger and we are proud to have been his television partner for these many years. He is an extraordinary man of uncompromising strength and determination." She continued, "Richard's talent, enthusiasm and insights have been an integral part of the show for the past eight seasons. We thank him for his invaluable contributions and we are especially grateful to him for hosting the show so skillfully these past two years during Roger's absence. We wish them both the very best."

"At the Movies" will debut its 23rd season in national syndication the weekend of September 6, 2008. Buena Vista Productions oversees production of the series, which is distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. The series is produced at WLS-TV in Chicago. Check local listings for time and channel at www.AtTheMoviesTV.com.





  [july 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· ACCESS HOLLYWOOD (SYNDICATION)
· AT THE MOVIES (SYNDICATION)





[09/14/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: AMC+ Releases Spellbinding Sneak Peek Clip for the Highly Anticipated Contemporary Mystery Thriller, "Yaga," Premiering Friday, October 23
New episodes will debut on Fridays, with an epic two-episode finale on Friday, November 27.

[09/14/26 - 08:46 AM]
Netflix and SEGA Announce Film Adaptation of the Video Game Crazy Taxi as Part of New Multi-Title Collaboration
Sonic and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN adaptations are also in development.

[09/14/26 - 08:19 AM]
Food Network and TikTok Live Continue Flavors Come Alive Live Cooking Series with Fall Flavors Bake-Off Event
Filmed from Food Network Kitchen, each hour-long livestream pairs Food Network chefs with popular food creators to give viewers a front-row seat to trending recipes, helpful kitchen tips, and real-time conversation.

[09/14/26 - 08:01 AM]
Critically-Acclaimed Film "Tuner" Starring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman Makes Streaming Debut on Paramount+ September 21
The film follows a gifted young piano tuner whose heightened sense of hearing leads him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes - turning his carefully ordered life upside down.

[09/14/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Lupin" Part 4 - Official Trailer - Netflix
After four years in prison, Assane is ready to start a new life with his family. But the emergence of a mysterious copycat forces Lupin to return to his most brilliant schemes.

[09/14/26 - 04:00 AM]
The Next Chapter Begins on TLC's "Sister Wives"
The series returns Sunday, October 4 at 10PM ET/PT on TLC.

[09/14/26 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "Money Trap: The Karun Treasure" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a mythical map falls into the hands of a legendary scam artist, he decides to pull one last con before leaving it all behind for good.

[09/13/26 - 11:01 AM]
More Stars Join Presenter Lineup for the 78th Emmy Awards, Sept. 14 on NBC and Peacock
The newly announced presenters will join host Emmy Award-winning actor, director, producer and television icon Mariska Hargitay.

[09/13/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Official Trailer, Key Art & New Images for "Friday the 13th" Prequel Series "Crystal Lake"
A prequel to the franchise, the series follows single mother Pam Voorhees who has been unable to shake her grief after her young, sickly son Jason tragically drowned in the town lake almost a year before.

[09/13/26 - 07:01 AM]
Zoinks! "Scooby-Doo: Origins" Has Wrapped Production
A modern reimagining of the iconic mystery-solving group of teens and their very special dog.

[09/12/26 - 10:44 AM]
Diablo Is Coming to Netflix
Blizzard and Netflix are developing a new animated series set in the world of Diablo, bringing the franchise to a new screen.

[09/11/26 - 11:31 AM]
AMC Global Media Greenlights "Point Break"
More than three decades after the events of the original film, a new heist crew inspired by the Ex-Presidents has emerged and the FBI must rely on a mysterious ex-pro surfer with a checkered past to infiltrate them.

[09/11/26 - 10:39 AM]
Video: FOX Sports Unveils Star-Studded FOX NFL Campaign Featuring Tom Brady and Michael Strahan
The first two spots "Break Room" and "Barb" debut today and will be featured on FOX, FOX One and FOX Sports social platforms with two additional spots debuting in the coming weeks.

[09/11/26 - 08:00 AM]
ESPN Films' "14 Days in Gainesville" Premieres September 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
The new "30 for 30" documentary examines an unforgettable two-week period in the history of the University of Florida and its football program.

[09/10/26 - 05:01 PM]
Netflix Greenlights and Unveils Ensemble Cast for Mystery Noir Series "Outback" (wt)
Based on the popular webtoon "G'Day," the series builds on the original's dark, mysterious tension while dramatically reimagining its characters, backstories, and relationships.