1.26.10 - 3:00PM
- by
Drew Grant

Siskel and Ebert's Darker Side -- An Urlesque Compilation

Ah, the fond memories we have of America's most famous film critics, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. Remember that time they were on 'The Critic'? Sorry Roeper, you just don't compare to the automatically funny dynamic that is a tall skinny guy and a short fat guy. They were like a real-life Bert and Ernie, with sometimes questionable taste in film.

Siskel's death in 1999 was a sad moment for all of us, but especially for the Statler to his Waldorf, Ebert. Yet as this old compilation of footage we've assembled from their show's outtakes reveal, these friends' relationship was far from perfect.

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1.28.10

By cagravely

Neutral

When you listen to all those McDonald's comments, you realize that they are going to McDonald's together all those times. If you aren't friends, who would go to McDonald's together all the time?

1.29.10

By andrew

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ebert himself linked to this page on his twitter.

1.29.10

By D.

Neutral

"THESE 2 ARE ADOLESCENTS PERSONIFIED !!!"

Uh... at least legally, adolescents are already considered to be persons.

1.29.10

By harlan

Neutral

I was in the same army reserve unit as Siskel in Chicago in the early 70's. He was one of the funniest and quick-witted individuals I've known.

2.14.10

By Jim R.

Neutral

I'm no prude but I still found it jarring to hear Gene Siskel drop two f-bombs and an a-hole. I guess I saw these guys as such professionals on the show (and Siskel always seemed the more uptight of the two, to boot) that I couldn't have imagined that kind of language coming from him. Now where's a clip of them doing "Peas Porridge Hot" before a taping?

1.30.10

By webdiva

Neutral

Those of us who watched them back in the day on Chicago public television and saw their relationship evolve know that they didn't start off as friends but rather as stiff competitors working for competing morning newspapers. But they were certainly friends as well as colleagues by the time Siskel died. Everything in between those two end points was usually insightful and often hilarious. Loved, loved, loved watching them; they were a good counterpoint to each other. And though I like Roeper, he just never did compare and had a very hard act to follow.

1.30.10

By Terminal

Neutral

Man, what an interesting relationship they had. One filled with hatred, disgust, and sheer competitiveness. They clearly had a friendship that involved them trying to one up the other constantly. And that translated in to a really good show that will never be topped by anyone.