Network: PBS, First-run syndication
Episodes: Unknown (half-hour)
Seasons: 21
TV show dates: November 23, 1975 — 1996
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel, Neal Gabler Jeffrey Lyons, and Michael Medved.
TV show description:
This syndicated program was the first of its kind and features two movie critics discussing, arguing, and critiquing the latest movie releases.
Newspaper critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert began hosting this Chicago-based program that was initially called Opening Soon at a Theater Near You.
A couple years later, it was renamed Sneak Previews and began airing on PBS stations across the country. The show eventually moved to commercial television but Siskel and Ebert left in 1982 due to a contract dispute. They started doing a similar show for Tribune Entertainment and then went to Disney for another.
The owners of Sneak Previews kept it going for many years after Siskel and Ebert. Critics Neal Gabler and Jeffrey Lyons took their place initially. Gabler left in 1985 and was replaced by Michael Medved who had previously made occasional appearances on the program.