Roger Ebert Debuting New TV Show in 192 Markets in January

Ebert, back from battle with cancer, will contribute regular segments

Roger Ebert will debut his previoulsy announced new public television show, "Roger Ebert Presents At the Movies," in 192 markets in January, he announced Wednesday.

"After a long journey, our new program is poised for its debut," he wrote on his blog.

The show will air in the top 20 markets, and go out on Armed Forces Radio, Ebert said.

"The show will play in prime time or prime access in many major markets, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas, San Diego, Denver, San Jose and Detroit. It will have double runs in many cities," Ebert added.

Ebert, who lost the ability to speak in his fight with the disease, said he will contribute regular segments to the show. He has said previously he will use his computer voice to discuss classic, overlooked and new films.

Christy Lemire of the Associated Press and Elvis Mitchell of KCRW were initially named as the hosts, and taped a pilot together, but the Chicago Tribune reports that Mitchell is no longer with the show. (Lemire is.)

"To set the godd— record straight: Elvis and Christy had great chemistry, as anyone could see who bothered to watch the pilot we posted," Ebert tweeted.

The show will be based at WTTW, Chicago Public Television, where he and Gene Siskel first taped "Sneak Previews" in 1975.

"Our critics of course will be back in the iconic balcony, and will be using the famous 'thumbs up/ thumbs down' rating system," Ebert wrote.

Ebert's wife, Chaz Ebert, is the show's executive producer.

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