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Sneak Previews

  • TV Series
  • 1975–19961975–1996
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
647
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel in Sneak Previews (1975)
  • Talk-Show
Two critics review films both old and new.Two critics review films both old and new.Two critics review films both old and new.
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
647
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Gene Siskel
    • Roger Ebert
    • Jeffrey Lyons
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Gene Siskel
    • Roger Ebert
    • Jeffrey Lyons
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Episodes154

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos112

    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 40
    Video 30:36
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 40
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 39
    Video 29:42
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 39
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 38
    Video 28:50
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 38
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 37
    Video 29:15
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 37
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 36
    Video 29:47
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 36
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 34
    Video 29:15
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 34
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 33
    Video 28:59
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 33
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 32
    Video 29:51
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 32
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 31
    Video 27:29
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 31
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 30
    Video 29:51
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 30
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 28
    Video 29:51
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 28
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 27
    Video 29:04
    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 27

    Photos39

    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)
    Sneak Previews (1975)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gene Siskel
    Gene Siskel
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host
    148 episodes148 eps • 1975–1982
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host
    148 episodes148 eps • 1975–1982
    Jeffrey Lyons
    Jeffrey Lyons
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host
    4 episodes4 eps • 1983–1992
    Neal Gabler
    Neal Gabler
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host
    3 episodes3 eps • 1983–1985
    Michael Medved
    • Self - Guestas Self - Guest…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1985–1992
    John Iltis
    • Self - Publicistas Self - Publicist
    1 episode1 ep • 1980
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    One of the first widely popular film-review programs, this show gave reviews intended for everyday movie-goers, without trying to present an in-depth analysis of the filmmaker's 'artistic vision.' Popularized the "thumbs-up/thumbs-down" format of movie synopsis. —Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
    • film review
    • film discussion
    • film critic
    • film criticism
    • film clip
    • 2 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Talk-Show
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally, this public television series was intended to be produced in various cities with local newspaper film critics featured for their reviews. However, the Chicago film critics of the first incarnation of this intended TV franchise, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, proved so popular that it was decided that their show would be distributed nationally instead.
    • Connections
      Featured in Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)

    User reviews6

    Review
    Top review
    Where "Siskel & Ebert" got their start
    In the mid 1970's, public television station WTTW/Chicago wanted to do a movie review program which was unheard of at the time. This show was called "Coming Soon to a Theater near You" and it paired two movie critics from two rival newspapers in Chicago. Gene Siskel from the Tribune and Roger Ebert of the Sun-Times.

    Coming Soon... started out as a local show for WTTW, but the show's popularity caught the attention of PBS, who wanted to distribute the show nationally. Coming Soon... changed its name to "Sneak Previews" and the rest is history.

    Siskel and Ebert would discuss the current movies that were playing and one of the best parts of their show is where they disagree on film in which one liked and the other lumped it. Keep in mind however that their trademark "Thumbs Up/Down" was not used here. Rather they used a basic Yes/No regarding their take on the movies. For example when recapping the movies you would see a Yes or No on screen and who said. Something like, Ebert: Yes, Siskel: Yes. Not as great as "Two Thumbs Up" but you get the drift.

    Siskel and Ebert had a very strong following. A little too strong however and the two had to grow and to do that they had to move to commercial TV. WTTW remained committed to the show and brought in Neal Gabler and Jeffery Lyons to review the movies. In 1985 Gabler was replaced by Michael Medved who brought a conservative slant on the movies.

    Sneak Previews had difficulties trying to reclaim its popularity without Siskel & Ebert. It switched to cable and back to PBS in mid 80's. In the late 80's/early 90's Sneak Previews switched its focus on movies on home video rather than at the theater, and then going back to the original format more/less before Sneak Previews ended its run for good in 1996.

    Lyons and Medved were critics in their own right, and conservative thinking people that wanted a different slant on the movies had Medved on their side. However that was not enough to keep the show going.

    If anything Sneak Previews brought the ideal of movie review shows to the little screen. Without Sneak Previews their would not be a "Siskel & Ebert."
    helpful•8
    2
    • donmccullen-1
    • Dec 17, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 26, 1975 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Opening Soon at a Theater Near You
    • Filming locations
      • Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production company
      • WTTW National Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    ‘Phantom Thread’ Trailer Announces Sneak Previews in Los Angeles and New York
    ‘Phantom Thread’ Trailer Announces Sneak Previews in Los Angeles and New York
    Nov 20Slash Film
    Siskel and Ebert vs. 'Friday the 13th': A brief, scathing history
    Siskel and Ebert vs. 'Friday the 13th': A brief, scathing history
    Nov 14Hitfix

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    Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel in Sneak Previews (1975)
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