SISKEL ASKED TO QUIT TRIBUNE POST

Gene Siskel has been asked to step down as film critic of the Chicago Tribune, Daily Variety reported Tuesday.

Siskel and Roger Ebert, the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, recently announced they were not renewing their TV syndication contract with Tribune Entertainment and instead had signed with Walt Disney Domestic Television.

Tribune editor Jim Squires told Variety that Siskel was being removed from the critic’s slot because of the time demands that the Disney pact will make. Squires also said he was concerned because Siskel and Ebert will be reviewing films financed by either Disney or its competitors.