Former Minnesotan to co-host 'At the Movies'

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: August 6, 2009 - 12:21 PM

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A University of Minnesota graduate and former Twin Cities journalist has been chosen as a co-host of "At the Movies," television's long-running syndicated movie review show that was made famous by critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel.

Michael Phillips, a movie critic for the Chicago Tribune, will join the New York Times' A.O. (Tony) Scott as the new hosts in the Sept. 5 season premiere, syndicator Disney-ABC Domestic Television announced Wednesday.

Phillips, critic at the Tribune since 2006, also has written about entertainment and the arts for the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Dallas Times-Herald and the Twin Cities weekly City Pages.

He also has covered movies for Minnesota Public Radio, WGN-AM and MSNBC. He graduated from the U with a degree in journalism.

Phillips and Scott have both been guest "At the Movies" co-hosts on occasion. The show airs in the metro area on Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. on the CW Twin Cities (WUCW, Channel 23).

Current co-hosts Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz will depart at the end of this month after just one season. Detractors panned them as lightweight and the show as too fast-paced.

The series' 24th season will continue to employ its "see it," "skip it," or "rent it" ratings system.

Before going national, the show began in 1975 at WTTW in Chicago, when Ebert and Siskel hosted the local show "Sneak Previews."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

--Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482