Hey folks, Harry here... I can't tell you how delightful it is to get an email from my old pal, Roger Ebert. It's been scary recently, but his medical battles aside - Roger has always been a supreme class act. That's why when I read the email he sent me tonight - I kinda laughed because... well - it seems that somewhere in the Disney realm some publicist or exec thought it wise to leak a story about him pulling the thumbs out of the show would embarass Roger. Well, seems the AP got sold a story... Here ya go...

This is my response to the Associated Press story (below) stating I withdrew the THUMBS from the show. (THUMBS are capitalized to indicate a registered trademark; do with them as your style requires.) I was not contacted by a Disney publicist or by e-mail.

Roger Ebert

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I am discussing with Disney my association with the show that Gene Siskel and I started more than 30 years ago. In addition to my personal involvement, we are discussing the continued use of our THUMBS trademarks, owned by myself and the Siskel family.

Contrary to Disney’s press release, I did not demand the removal of the THUMBS. They made a first offer on Friday which I considered offensively low. I responded with a counter-offer. They did not reply to this, and on Monday ordered the THUMBS removed from the show. This is not something I expected after an association of over 22 years. I had made it clear the THUMBS could remain during good-faith negotiations.

During my absence from the balcony, I have been excited to participate in the show in ways other than being on the set. I love the show and I love the THUMBS and I hope we will all be reunited soon.

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Film critic Roger Ebert bans thumb reviews for now

Associated Press - August 24, 2007 9:54 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Roger Ebert has turned thumbs down on thumb reviews for "At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper."

Ebert is negotiating a new contract with the syndicated TV show's distributor, Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

He's a a copyright holder on the signature "thumbs up-thumbs down" judgment that's part of each film review.

The company said in a statement released to The Associated Press tonight that Ebert has exercised his right to withhold use of the "thumbs" until a new contract is signed.

Ebert, also a film critic at the Chicago Sun-Times, has been prevented from appearing on the show for more than a year by health problems.

Ebert did not immediately respond for a request for comment made through a publicist for the show and by e-mail.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.