Indiana State University Newsroom

Film critic and talk radio host Richard Roeper will take the stage on Feb. 2, in conjunction with the 30th anniversary season of the University Speakers Series in Indiana State University's Tilson Auditorium.

Roeper, a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times since 1987, co-hosted "Ebert & Roeper" for eight years, replacing the late Gene Siskel. As a commentator for the Fox television affiliate in Chicago, he won three Emmys and has hosted radio shows on a number of stations in Chicago, including WLS-AM and WLUP-FM. He currently co-hosts The Roe Conn Show, which airs on WLS-AM.

Roeper continues to write his award-winning daily column for the Chicago Sun-Times. He has also written for Esquire, TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, Reader's Digest and other publications. He is the author of eight books, on topics from movies to urban legends to conspiracy theories to the Chicago White Sox. His most recent book, "Bet the House," which examines gambling in America, was published in 2010.

Roeper has been a frequent guest on the Tonight Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, The O'Reilly Factor and countless other national programs. He appeared on the first episode of the fifth season of "Entourage" reviewing the fake movie Medellin starring fictional movie star Vincent Chase. In April of 2008, he was the central figure on an episode of "Top Chef," in which the contestants served up movie themed dishes to Roeper and his friends.

A book signing and reception will follow Roeper's presentation, which will begin at 7 p.m. The program is free and open to the public.

The University Speakers Series has brought the likes of Ralph Nadar, Gerald Ford, Sister Helen Prejean, Amy Tan, Nancy Grace, Andy Rooney, Robert Ballard, Carole Simpson, Marlee Matlin, Maya Angelou, Jim Lovell, Garrison Keillor, Bob Woodward, Robert Osborne, Mitch Albom and Andrew Young to the campus of Indiana State.

More information about the 2010-11 University Speakers Series can be found at http://www.indstate.edu/speaker/  or by calling 812-237-8479.

Media contact and writer: Paula Meyer, ISU Communications & Marketing, 812-237-3783 or paula.meyer@indstate.edu