Siskel & Ebert's Legacy Explored in 'Opposable Thumbs'

New book examines how the iconic film critics changed the landscape of television and movie reviews.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:37pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged black silhouettes of two figures against a bright red background, conceptually representing the influential film critic duo of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert.The confrontational chemistry and innovative approach of legendary film critics Siskel and Ebert left an indelible mark on both the movie industry and the evolution of television.Chicago Today

In his book 'Opposable Thumbs,' author Matt Singer makes the argument that legendary film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert not only changed the way movies are reviewed, but also transformed the nature of television itself. The book explores how Siskel and Ebert's confrontational, debate-style format for movie reviews pioneered a new style of television programming that is now commonplace across 24-hour cable news and competition shows.

Why it matters

Siskel and Ebert's long-running television shows were groundbreaking in their time, establishing a new model for how movie criticism could be presented to a mass audience. Their influence can still be seen today in the prevalence of debate-style formats and the prominence of film criticism on television.

The details

Singer argues that prior to Siskel and Ebert, movie reviews were typically a solo act, but the two critics made the format a 'duel' - a back-and-forth debate with opposing views. This confrontational style was novel when their show first aired on Chicago public television, but it is now a common format across many television genres. Siskel and Ebert also had an authentic on-screen rivalry, with real emotions and insults that predated the rise of reality television.

  • Siskel and Ebert first appeared on Chicago public television in the 1970s.
  • Their show went into national syndication in the 1980s and 1990s.

The players

Matt Singer

The author of the book 'Opposable Thumbs,' which examines the legacy of film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert.

Gene Siskel

One half of the iconic film critic duo Siskel & Ebert, known for their confrontational, debate-style movie reviews on television.

Roger Ebert

The other half of the Siskel & Ebert film critic duo, known for their influential and popular television reviews.

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What they’re saying

“Siskel and Ebert created the confrontational format for television. Prior to them, movie reviews were a solo act.”

— Matt Singer, Author, 'Opposable Thumbs'

“Whenever one rolled his eyes at something the other said, or one insulted the other for anything from cinematic taste to personal appearance, those responses were real.”

— Matt Singer, Author, 'Opposable Thumbs'

The takeaway

Siskel and Ebert's pioneering television format for movie criticism paved the way for the prevalence of debate-style programming across news, entertainment, and reality TV today. Their influence on the evolution of television remains an important part of media history.