Ebert uses facial prosthesis on new show

CHICAGO, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. film critic Roger Ebert says he has been wearing a silicone prosthesis over the lower half of his face, which was removed during his battle with cancer.

"This device (fits) over my lower face and neck and (is) colored to match my skin," People.com reported the 68-year-old columnist as saying on his blog Wednesday.

"I will wear the prosthesis on the new television show -- that's not to fool anyone, because my appearance is widely known," he said. "It will be a pleasant reminder of the person I was for 64 years. Symbolically, it's as if my illness never happened and, hey, here I still am, on the show with these new kids ... When people see the 'Roger's Office' segment, they'll notice my voice more than my appearance."

Set to debut Friday on PBS stations, "Ebert Presents At the Movies" will star critics Ignatiy Vishnevetsky and Christy Lemire.

The show will be produced in Chicago at WTTW, where Ebert and the late Gene Siskel began taping their "Sneak Previews" review show 35 years ago.

Co-producer Ebert also will serve as host of a special segment each week.

Ebert, a longtime columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and former co-host of "Siskel and Ebert At the Movies," has battled cancer for years and can only speak via computer. A syndicated version of "At the Movies," featuring lesser-known critics, was recently canceled.