Sneak Previews

The show featured two critics who presented short clips of movies in current release and debated their the merits, energetically defending their remarks if the other critic disagreed. A designated "dog of the week" was also featured, with "Spot the Wonder Dog" barking on cue as an introduction. Episodes from the first seven seasons ended with one of the hosts saying "See you at the movies." Many episodes from seasons 8 through 14 and 17 through 21 ended with the hosts' reminder to "save us the aisle seats." Episodes from seasons 18 through 20 (when it was known as Sneak Previews Goes Video) ended with the hosts' reminder, "don't forget to rewind that tape." Some episodes were known as Take 2 shows, which replaced reviews of recently released films with themed topics such as "Women in Danger", and slasher films of the 1970s and early 1980s. On one occasion, Siskel and Ebert invited the viewer into a day in their lives as they screened films. ==History==

The show first aired in 1975 on a monthly basis under the name Opening Soon at a Theater Near You Ebert's future co-host on At the Movies, Richard Roeper, auditioned while still a college student and was turned down. In 1982, WTTW signed Neal Gabler and Jeffrey Lyons as replacements for Siskel and Ebert on Sneak Previews. and was replaced by Michael Medved. Before replacing Gabler, Medved had cameo appearances on the show, presenting the "Golden Turkey Awards," based on the book, and a variation of Siskel & Ebert's "Spot the Wonder Dog/Dog of the Week." Cancellation Although Sneak Previews continued on PBS for 14 years after Ebert and Siskel left, the program did not maintain the popularity it enjoyed during their tenure. The show's title was changed to Sneak Previews Goes Video in 1989, and concentrated on home video releases, but returned to its original title in 1991. PBS continued to broadcast the program until the fall of 1996, when it was canceled due to a lack of underwriting. ==In popular culture==

From the early-to-mid eighties to the early nineties, Sesame Street had a recurring parody sketch, "Sneak Peek Previews", which illustrated differences of opinion. In a rundown movie theater, Oscar the Grouch and Telly Monster watched a short video segment, usually from the Sesame Street archives. After the video, Oscar invariably disliked it, and Telly enjoyed it, and they each told why. Siskel and Ebert appeared in one sketch in 1991, teaching the hosts how their thumbs up/thumbs down rating system works. At the end of sketch, Oscar asks if there could be a thumbs sideways rating (the film in question was Walt Disney's Cinderella), and goads the two men about whether that would be acceptable. Ebert likes the idea, but Siskel does not. ==Accolades==

In 1979, the show received a Chicago Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Program. ==References==