By Lee Pfeiffer
The bell has tolled for the two Big Bens.
At the Movies, the popular movie review syndicated TV series founded by critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, has fired its two current hosts Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz. The show is returning to its roots by replacing them with two seasoned, professional film critics: A.O. Scott of The New York Times and Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune. The producers were obviously responding to widespread criticism that the two Bens were out of their depth in getting the plumb spot as hosts of the show. Mankiewicz is part of the legendary show business family and had seemed to be more accepted by the audience. However, when Ben Lyons, the twenty-something son of film critic Jeffrey Lyons got the co-host spot, there was outrage among TV critics and the audience. Lyons was accused of having little knowledge of film history and was said to be all-too-happy to give favorable reviews in order to curry favor with studios. The move is an attempt to restore the integrity to the show it once enjoyed with Siskel and Ebert. It's a rare example of the industry reversing its mania for attracting a youth-oriented audience at any cost. For more
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