Ebert & Roeper leaving 'Ebert & Roeper'

That is not, by the way, a headline from The Onion.

AP:

In an e-mail to The Associated Press on Monday, Ebert said Disney-ABC Domestic Television had decided to take "At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper" "in a new direction" and he won't be associated with it.

In a statement, Ebert said, "The show was a wonderful experience," and added that he and Siskel's widow, Marlene Iglitzen, retain the trademark to the phrase, "Two thumbs up."

"The thumbs will return," Ebert's statement continued. "We are discussing possibilities, and plan to continue the show's tradition."

Ebert's announcement came a day after Chicago Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper said he was leaving the nationally syndicated show.

And I thought it was ridiculous when Valerie's Family continued without Valerie.