Roger Ebert, returning to television tonight with "Roger Ebert's Presents At the Movies," unveiled a new prosthetic chin he will wear during his segments on the show.
"I will wear the prosthesis on the new television show," Ebert (with the new chin, left) wrote on his blog. "That's not to fool anyone, because my appearance is widely known. It will be used in a medium shot of me working in my office, and will be a pleasant reminder of the person I was for 64 years. Symbolically, it's as if my illness never happened and, hey, here I still am, on the show with these new kids. When people see the 'Roger's Office' segment, they'll notice my voice more than my appearance.
Ebert's lower jaw was surgically removed when he was battling cancer, which also cost him his voice. He now speaks with the help of a computer.
The new show, featuring critics Christy Lemire and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, premieres tonight on PBS. Though they will handle thumbs up-thumbs down duties, Ebert will discuss classic, overlooked and new films.
