KBTime: RIP Roger Ebert (Siskel & Ebert and Dave)

Roger Ebert passed away this afternoon, just a day after saying he’d be cutting back on his schedule for cancer treatment. I guess he really meant it.

Back in the 1980s, though, Ebert was full-steam-ahead, co-hosting "Siskel & Ebert" and making TV appearances...

The latest late-night maneuverings have Jimmy Fallon replacing Jay Leno, and Seth Meyers replacing Fallon on “Late Night.” That would make him the fourth host of the show (fifth if you count Tom Snyder’s “Tomorrow” show, which was in the same time slot from 1973-82).

With two decades of blasé lobotomy under Leno’s belt, I can’t think of a single guest with whom he seems to have a special rapport. It’s not appointment television.

Looking back, it was always special when Norm MacDonald was on with Conan O’Brien or David Letterman. Charles Grodin and Don Rickles were both hilarious with Letterman and, even earlier, Johnny Carson. Carson and Rodney Dangerfield were classic. Johnny even fell out of his chair from laughter during one appearance.

One of my new favorite host-and-guest-combos is Siskel & Ebert when they would appear on “Late Night with David Letterman” (and later, “Late Show”). The two Chicago film critics were constantly debating on their own program – sometimes angrily, sometimes dismissively, sometimes hilariously, sometimes warmly, but always intelligently. On Dave’s show, it’s as if they were trying to top eachother. And sometimes, Dave.

Sadly, not all of their appearances are on YouTube right now. I’ve included a list, with dates, descriptions, and links below (I did not link their final appearance in 1998, because it makes me sad).

-Show #17: 3/1/1982

-Show #169: 1/5/1983

-Show #315: 11/21/1983

-Show #497: 1/9/1985... Roger only

Show #759: 9/11/1986

-Show #770: 10/2/1986... Part of viewer mail

-Show #1136: 5/3/1989... the pair stand in the wings and wait to review a movie

-Show #1195: 9/12/1989

-Show #1266: 2/15/1990