Out to dinner one Sunday in Chicago

Ebert's reviews in the Siskel-Ebert days told me whether I wanted to see a movie. His tastes were not mine, but I knew his, so it worked. Siskel not so much. Post-stroke, well, poor Roger. His best role was that brief appearance on an Early Edition.

Out to dinner one Sunday in Chicago, at the next table were Bill Curtis (then still Walter Jackobson's news partner) and Gene Siskel, with two outstanding women but, sadly, never mind the women. As we were leaving, I mock double-taked & exclaimed to my wife, "Look, honey! It's Walter Jacobson and Roger Ebert!"

I'd practiced that the whole meal and actually didn't blow the delivery. They appeared amused.

Being famous must be hell.