The end of an era is near. Both Roeper and Ebert are leaving the Disney produced review show that has been with Disney in one form or another since 1986. It sounds like Roeper, the thumbs, and an association with founder Ebert will love on in another form, but Disney will keep producing the show in a brand new form. The writing was on the wall when the thumbs disappeared last August because Disney could not agree on how much Ebert should be used for his trademark digit.
Now word is that Disney is transforming the show in to a new animal with their former employees creating a show in the vain of the classic Siskel & Ebert mold. I don’t know what the new Disney show will look like, but I wonder what caused the company to want to change the show. Perhaps Ebert was being stubborn and the loss of the thumbs was the loss of the show. Perhaps with the internet, the need and appeal of the show has worn off. I would love to know what was going on behind the scenes, but I am also looking forward to seeing how Disney’s new school competes against Roeper’s new show. Will Disney look foolish for letting this franchise die?
While this is not the most important product in Disney’s portfolio, it does represent an important milestone. This show was one of Michael Eisner’s first steps in transforming Disney in to a full-scale entertainment company. By syndicating this show, Disney was able to develop a television infrastructure that would allow such shows as The Disney Afternoon as well as laying the path to acquiring ABC. But as Disney grew, this show ended up being a small fish in an ever growing pond. While I will miss the nostalgia I have for the show, perhaps the new edition will have more relevance to a company that has changed a lot since the 80’s
Quick Takes:
Parks and Resorts: I can’t believe that Fantasmic! is only going to be performed two nights a week starting in January at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Is this the first sign that Walt Disney World, which has been resistant to the recession is finally seeing to start seeing bookings slow down? Disney is saying that this is because of all the new offerings at the park. But if this is the price we need to pay to have American Idol, its not worth it. I can always go see karaoke at Universal. Fantasmic is uniquely Disney and an important part of a park that needs the kiss goodnight Fantasmic provides. Let’s hope this is only a temporary situation.
Studio Entertainment: Miley Cyrus’s new album, “Breakout” drops tomorrow. To commemorate, here are 7 things I like about Miley Cyrus: 1. She rocked at the Disney Channel Games. 2. She has made Disney a lot of money. 3. She hasn’t followed her father’s example by having a mullet. 4. She has made Disney a lot of money. 5. I can see her in 3D on Saturday. 6. She isn’t Hillary Duff 7. She has made Disney a lot of money.
Consumer Products: If you want to purchase “Breakout” from Disneyshopping.com click here. You also get free shipping….. OOOOOHHH AAAAHHHH
Disney Interactive Media: At Disney.com, you can watch Freaky Friday staring Jamie Lee Curtis. Hopefully seeing this film will whet your appetite for Beverly Hills Chihuahua in which she is also featured. What do you want to bet she liked working with dogs more than working with Lindsey Lohan.
What to Watch: To get you pumped for the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert airing in 3D on the Disney Channel this weekend, watch two episodes of Hannah Montana after Jump In.
Video of the Day: Check out new Disney Channel star, Demi Lavato, enjoying Toy Story Midway Mania as part of the Disney 365 series here. Her score was half of mine… Get it? Anybody?
News from Around the Web:
ABC News: ABC News has an interview with Miley where she speaks about the Vanity Fair scandal as well as why she feels like she thinkgs being a regular teen would be harder. Leave it to ABC to ask the hard hitting questions of Disney Channel stars.
NY Times: The New York Times examines the Miramax film “Brideshead Revisited” and compares it to the 27 year-old mini-series adaptation. This article supposes that I have ever heard of Brideshead Revisited before I saw it was a Miramax film, which would not be the case. I think I might skip this film.
USA Today: In an unfortunate case of life imitating art, Scott Michael Foster, who plays frat president Cappie on ABC Family’s Greek was arrested on Monday for driving under the influence. Hopefully, this will be a wakeup call for the 23 year-old actor.
LA Times: The LA Times reviews Miley’s CD and gives it 3 stars. This might mean something if I knew how many stars this was out of. 4? 5? 10? Oh well, does it really matter? I don’t think that the girls buying this album really care what the LA Times has to say.
Orlando Sentinel: Apparently the High School Musical: Get in the Picture reality show did not do so well when it premiered on ABC this past Sunday. I enjoyed the show as it was a kinder and gentler reality show that seemed to be very sensitive not to showcase any of the young contestants in a negative light. It was also neat to see all these kids want to be a part of Disney. I will never get over how Disney has made itself cool again.
Variety: ESPN Star Sports has landed the rights for the 2010 and 2012 Olympics for India and other Southeast Asian countries. Could this be the beginning of a new relationship between Disney and the IOC that could result in ABC and ESPN getting the rights for future games in North America? The Olympics really belong on ABC.