THIS is the Roger Ebert I know and love! Read the full piece on RogerEbert.com:
Message from Roger Ebert on the eve of the 9th Overlooked Film Festival (aka Ebertfest):
My Ninth Annual Film Festival opens Wednesday night at the University of Illinois at Urbana, and Chaz and I will be in attendance. This year I won’t be speaking, however, as I await another surgery.
I have received a lot of advice that I should not attend the Festival. I’m told that paparazzi will take unflattering pictures, people will be unkind, etc. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. As a journalist I can take it as well as dish it out.
So let’s talk turkey. What will I look like? To paraphrase a line from “Raging Bull,” I ain’t a pretty boy no more. (Not that I ever was. The original appeal of Siskel & Ebert was that we didn’t look like we belonged on TV.)
What happened was, cancer of the salivary gland spread to my right lower jaw. A segment of the mandible was removed. Two operations to replace the missing segment were unsuccessful, both leading to unanticipated bleeding.
A tracheostomy was necessary so, for the time being, I cannot speak. I make do with written notes and a lot of hand waving and eye-rolling. The doctors now plan an approach that does not involve the risk of unplanned bleeding. If all goes well, my speech will be restored.
So when I turn up in Urbana, I will be wearing a gauze bandage around my neck, and my mouth will be seen to droop. So it goes.
I was told photos of me in this condition would attract the gossip papers. So what? I have been very sick, am getting better and this is how it looks. I still have my brain and my typing fingers....
A wonderful and awe-inspiring gentlemen. You're a gift to the world.
Damn. Ebert is the best, period. I miss him more with every update. Though, I must say, A.O. Scott is doing an amazing job on the television show. Upgrade to three thumbs perhaps?
That's FANTASTIC! Attaboy, Roger! :)
Even without the ability to talk, you still speak the truth better than anyone. We're all so glad you're still around and "telling it like it is." You are absolutely right that we, as a culture, tend to shield our eyes from anything that is remotely uncomfortable. Even if the photos taken of you at the festival are "unflattering," I love that you just don't care. This is what you want to do and by golly you're gonna do it. I wish we all possessed that kind of conviction, commitment and just general having priorities in the right place.
You, sir, are a scholar, a gentlemen and an inspiration. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You show up looking however it is that you look because you've got intelligence, wit and wisdom to spare and, to quote one of your favorite films: "If you got it, flaunt it!"
I hope and pray that the gossip papers really do have a caption "La-Z-Critic." Roger's dignity and humour and grace are stunning to me, and I only hope that I'll be able to have a fraction of that.
(As an aside, I just a moment ago first read his review of "She Hate Me," which impressed me for its uncommon boldness and honesty. How I love Roger, for whom it's better to have fun and risk being wrong than play it safe.)
i can see that nothing can take away roger's sense of humor. truly, an inspiration.
I am very excited for him that he is going to the Eberfest!!!I admire his positive attitude about appearing in public and not allowing his appearance to stop him. Attitude has a lot to do with how we recover from illness. We have missed him!!!! GO ROGER, GO ROGER!!!
I cannot wait to get Roger back. I agree that A.O. has been a serviceable substitute, but he is not Roger. And ahem...was that John Mellencamp on my television last week in Roger's chair???
I really hope Roger gets better soon.
Much as I hate to admit it, there's a bit of vested interest in that hope. We all need Roger Ebert.
Amen, Rog. We all can't wait until you stop having to fight the good fight, and can get back to giving us the best insight into the greatest of art forms: the movies. You've been away too long, and no matter how good A.O. Scott has been on the show and Jim has been on the website (both of whom have been great), it just isn't the same. And I think you've earned the right to have your Laz-E-Boy at your festival whether your sick or not.
You go Ebert! Kick those shallow drama driven gossip munching wannabe journalists to the curb. If any one of them wanna talk smack about you, I'll hunt them down myself.
Love you, Roger! Miss you so much! Just take care and get better. You are in our prayers.
Who gives a f*** how you look? Get back to work. Um... please?
Glad to see an update on how Roger is doing and to see his indomitable spirit. Enjoy the festival Roger! Can't wait to see you back on the show soon. In the meantime, have been enjoying your thoughts via the website. :)
You are now on my list of heroes. Go get 'em.
What a great piece and what a TRUE hero! You give inspiration to us all! I teach adult learners and guess what they will find linked in their chat spaces in the morning!
PS - you still look better than Leonard Maltin or Gene Shallet ever did!!!!
Mr. Ebert, I had to comment(I usually don't do this). But, I applaud you and your spirit!!! Enjoy the festival and smile for the cameras. Who are these nuts that say don't go?! Bless you and get well with God's speed:)! -krissy in MN
ROGER EBERT IS SO INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL!! I'm so glad to hear that you are on the mend. We need you back with all you can give. I've never taken the time to write in before, but I'm doing it now to tell you this...there is NO ONE whose reviews are as good as yours. You hit the nail on the head every time. As long as I can remember, the first thing I've asked before seeing a film has been, "What did Ebert say?" Thank you for all the outstanding reviews and please keep them coming!
Mr. Ebert, you kick so much butt! You are right - we spend way too much time censoring illnesses and, if I may add, emotions. I love that you don't give a rat's ass! Plus, you look fantastic (it's not like you've spent the last year at the spa for crying out loud). Keep getting better! We miss you and love you!
God Bless you Roger and give you speed to heal. We miss you so. You're a great example to us all to never hide from reality but enjoy the fantasy of life. Hope you're back soon no matter how you look! kj
I love my living heroes. Witness Ebert, pre-apotheosis.
Ebert :: "New Look"
Gorgon :: Aegis of Athena.
-or something-
Respect. Big.
(Jim, did I miss YOUR turn in the chair? Or wha?)
How in the world are we going to replace another lost pretty boy? How about "American Pretty Boy"? Hey, Fox, are you listening?
The ray of sunshine is that the pressure's off now, Roger, and you can concentrate on dazzling us with your inner beauty and insight.
Mr. Ebert, we need that Wagging Finger of Shame more than ever! All the best!
What a guy!
What a spirit!
Yes, I also miss him a lot.
Without even realizing it, reading his pieces on the suntimes site over the years had become such a habit that, since his absence, I've lost total track on what/when films are released in the States (I'm from the Netherlands)
I wish him a full return good health and a great Ebertfest
Well, god bless. I have been completely inspired.
We love you, Roger! An old fan from long before the Intertube, when you and Gene Siskel were inventing the snark. Best luck!
As far as appearing in public with your injuries showing, "Go for it." Too many people are hung up on being beautiful and perfect. I'm a 64 year old woman. When I lost my hair from chemotherapy I decided I wouldn't wear a hat or a wig like I was ashamed of being sick. I went without hair, eyebrows and eyelashes for nearly a year. The supportive comments I got from so many strangers was really inspiring.
Ha! In sickness or in health, Roger's wit is sharp as ever. I liked how he used that message as an opportunity to subtly homage Kurt Vonnegut. God bless you, Mr. Ebert.
All these years and I still have a crush on you. It was always because of your knowledge. Your wife is lucky.
You are awe inspiring.
I have a confession to make. I never watch Roger’s show or read his reviews because of his looks. It’s always because his love, respect, and understanding of cinema shines through so bright.
You GO ROGER!I have been reading reviews from other sources,but they don't have the same spirit and it's just not the same. The world needs your fighting spirit and elegant prose as well.All the best!
I confess I didn't know what was going on with you Roger...But mann we've missed you...God Bless and our best wishes (my daughter and I) We watched every Sunday morning to see your Movie Pic's. And we have missed you of late. I don't know... we just like the movies you recommend.
Hang in there and know that people are thinking of you out here.
God Bless.!
I saw Kurosawa's Ikiru last weekend. I first learned about this great movie from Roger Ebert's website. Like the main character from Ikiru, Roger Ebert provides great inspiration to everyone.
Thanks to Mr. Ebert's reviews I have been able to learn more about cinema. I've been reading him for more than ten years (I am from Mexico so his reviews were only available to me through the internet). Thanks for teaching me so much about the movies... and about life.
Good attitude! Don't let the "beautiful people" worry you - they are as hollow as they are self-absorbed.
Rock on!
Roger - Your beautiful spirit shines through the recovery. Miss you dearly.
Sharis
Damn, we miss you, Roger. Thanks for showing up and choosing to be present. You look beautiful. You are in our hearts. I hold a vision of your voice being restored and re-invigorated.... and your words flowing out in writing and aloud. We really do feel a loss when you're not sharing what's true for you.
Jim, thanks for sharing Roger's post.
In sickness or in health, Roger's wit is sharp as ever. He even managed to work in a subtle homage to Kurt Vonnegut in that message. God bless you, Mr. Ebert.
Mr. Ebert, you are an inspiration. I lost both my parents to cancer among other family members and friends. It's time to live. My Mother used to go into the Children's Section at MD Anderson Cancer Center as a patient there and color with the children. They made pictures for their annual Christmas Cards. I don't think she wore her wig nor a scarf. She was not going to make any child feel worse than she did. 2 Thumbs up to you and her!
>We love you, Roger! An old fan from long before the Intertube, when you and Gene Siskel were inventing the snark. Best luck!
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I remember that too, LK. From back when Siskel and Ebert were on PBS in the late 70's/early 80's. Kudos to Roger and here's hoping he'll be fully back to speed soon.
What everybody else said, about the hero stuff. Roger's rep as a gentlemen is known throughout the film geek world and he proves he's a beyond a scholar every time he puts pen to paper.
But boy does he have a way of facing adversity. I can't say how happy I am that he's back, laz-z-boy and all.
Yes! Beat it, Roger, you can do it!
All best wishes to Roger Ebert. He wins the popularity contest. I love reading his reviews.
Being ALIVE always looks beautiful.
Roger, you are still a pretty boy--even more so now! Thank you for years of entertainment, insight, and just plain darn great writing. I watched the interview with you and your incredible wife and the best part was hearing the words "cancer free"! My husband and I want you around for a long, long time. Our love and best wishes to you and your family.
Val and Rob Zwick
Mount Vernon, WA
(Rob, known as Bobby in those days, went to undergraduate school with you.)
Roger,
I know that God will completely heal your body. You still have so much to give to the world. Know that many people are praying for you.