An open letter to Roger Ebert

For those unaware, I'm a huge Roger Ebert fan.  Not that I always agree with him.  Far from it.  But I like his writing, I think he's intelligent, and I think his brand of reviews stand head and shoulders above a lot of the dreck that's to be had all over the internet these days.

I found out today, that his show, Ebert and Roeper, is going to disband as of August.  The film news site Darkhorizons-dot-com stating that one of the major reasons is difficult contract negotiations between Ebert and the show's producers, ABC.

Darkhorizons says that this is because ABC wants to take the show and turn it into an Entertainment Tonight style gossip show.

Because apparently, we don't have enough of those... especially when we have a whole network of those.

In any event, I felt I would be a gushing fan and stroke Ebert's ego in this open letter, which I sent via his movie answer man column.  I doubt he'll read it, but I sent it, and that's the best I could do.

(EDIT: Alert reader Jen [aka GrouchoMarxist aka Maggiethecat], points out the fact that Ebert hasn't done his show lately because he was esentially struck mute due to complications from thyroid surgeries.  This is true.  However, I'm operating on the assumption that Ebert still holds righst to the show, and at least his name on the show, which is what he would've been negotiating.  And lets face it, without his name on the show, who gives a rat's ass?)

Oh yeah.  And his co-host Richard Roeper is an insufferable twit who lacks the ability to have any fun and will probably sell out with the rest of the show's furniture to the highest bidder.

Sorry.

Had to get that off my chest.

Mr. Ebert,

I was shocked to find out today that your television program was going to be no more as of August.  I can tell you right now that your absence from the show of late has been unfortunate and the prospect of it being gone entirely saddens me greatly.

I've been watching it since I was a boy and you and Mr. Siskel were hosting.  I love hearing your well crafted reviews and I love silently arguing with Mr. Roeper almost constantly.

Please know I appreciate and respect your decision, and I certainly hope that the responsible parties are happy with whatever terrible, generic, cookie-cutter entertainment show they put in its place.  Because lord only knows those aren't a dime a dozen.

As television shows that discuss film in an intelligent manner go more and more by the wayside, please know that your show will be missed and that I will always remain a dedicated reader.

My question for the Answer Man:  What's next for Roger Ebert?

Always a fan,
-Trevor T. Trujillo
KTWO Radio
Casper, WY

Courtesy of Casper College

A few pics of our production of Brigadoon:

My son in the show, played by Carter Smith, gets sassy with good old dad... and dad sasses back.

That's me selling plaids and tartans at market to (starting left to right) Fiona (Katie Rhodes), Ms. Mclaren (Michelle Giffen), and Bonnie Jean (Faith Engine)

Two wayward travelers (Tyson Brett and Matthew Dailey) find themselves lost, and stumble into the magical village of Brigadoon.

The cermonial sword dance at Bonnie Jean's wedding.  That's me in the back just left of center.

Ms. Mclaren and myself searching for my son who has run away.

My Son is found dead by Ms. Mclaren and two of the villagers played by Jeff Black and Jason Garton.

At my son's funeral.

The travelers contemplate the enigmatic village.

Wasn't it just fucking lovely?

So my advisor failed to mention that one of the classes I needed to graduate had two prerequisites.

The class that I need is in and of itself a pre-requisite for another class I need.

They really are trying to make this the most aggrivating experience of my life aren't they?

Ha.  Joke's on them.  I've played Ghosts and Goblins for the NES.

That still doesn't make my life any easier RIGHT NOW.

I think I'm going to throw down the "Dammit, Pete.  I've been working as a professional journalist for going on two years now.  I don't need to take Editing and Production.  Substitute it with that video production class I took back in '99" card.

"Everytime I get out. They pull me back in." - Michael Corleone Godfather part III

I should have seen this coming.

It was ten years in the making.  I should have seen it coming every step of the way.

It boils down to this...

Federal financial aid, is unattainable at this time for me.  There are hoops to jump through, red tape to traverse, and at the end I still have to plead my case in a skillful and competent manner.

Not that I can't do this.  After all, I pride myself in my impromptu impassioned movie-style speeches.  Think Bill Pullman in Independence Day.

However, the paper work and other headache inducing bullshit I have to get through to even be considered for financial aid, cannot be done before school starts next month.  In the meantime, the show doesn't close until the 26th and I've got a trip to Vegas planned for August 8th.  No time.

So in order to get school done.

Drop the job, and finally knock it out once and for all taking my stand as the lone College graduate in my family...

I'm taking a theater performance scholarship.

The fact that I even was offered one in the first place is actually a great honor, as I'm not actually a theater major and I had already turned down a performance scholarship when I graduated high school (because I didn't want to be a theater major.)  So the fact that I'm being offered one now is really a testament to the department head at the College, and what a saint of an angel of a man he is.  I was lamenting my be-rollerskated uphill battle with financial aid, and he offered to help me out.

I love that man.

It does, however, carry with it many stipulations.  I have to take a few theater classes.  Which is fine.  I need more electives anyway.  I also need to participate in three productions this year.  Once again, you really don't have to twist my arm to get on stage and call attention to myself (the next production is Sweeny Todd.)

I've also reserved myself that I don't want to move back in with my parents, but need to find cheaper lodging than the home I've come to call Trashablanca.  So... for $200 a month... you can't beat single occupancy in the dorms.

Wait.  Strike that.  Reverse it.

For single occupancy in the dorms... you can't beat $200 a month.

With money needed for dorm life, books, and anything not covered by scholarship I'm co-signing a loan with my parents.  It'll actually be a reasonably small loan, depending on what I get in the scholarship... worst case scenario, we're looking at just under $6,000.  Which in the grander scheme is not much at all.

However, I also know that with dorm life is going to come a great many challenges.

Should make for some interesting blogging.  Maybe I'll finally launch that webcomic I've been floating around in my head.

As overheard in the news-tank

A conversation with two co-workers...

Susan: So [my son] Mikey is going to be an usher during Brigadoon.  Arliss called and asked if he wanted to do it, and you know Mikey, if there's money, he'll do it.

Trevor: Don't let him make too much money.  Then he won't he able to go to College after he graduates.

Susan:  (gives an understanding look) I know, that stinks.

Bob: (enters office with a cup of coffee) What stinks?

Susan: The college is telling Trevor that he doesn't qualify for financial aid because he makes too much money.

Bob: Just do what that guy who founded Fed Ex did.

Trevor: What's that?

Bob: He founded Fed Ex.