The Genius of Opposites

Chapter 6Destroy the Dislike

“We were often angry with one another. At other times we were very warm. I think we shared a strong sense of morality about films that offended us, either by their content or their general stupidity.”

—Television host Roger Ebert on his relationship with cohost Gene Siskel²⁷

Destroy the Dislike: When you respect each other and act like friends you can talk openly and have fun.

For many years, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were the only sources for film criticism on television. But Siskel and Ebert couldn’t stand each other. When you watched them converse and give their classic “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” about that ...