Last year, as he negotiated a new contract with Disney-ABC Domestic Television, Ebert, according to the Walt Disney-owned company, had "exercised his right to withhold use of the 'thumbs' until" he had a new contract. Ebert subsequently has said the show could continue to use the "thumbs" during negotiations and that he never withheld their use.

The show moved to a "see-it-or-skip-it" shorthand.

On Sunday, Roeper announced he was quitting the show. A day later, Ebert said that he was cutting ties with it. They both took issue with the show's new direction and Roeper hinted they could team up again.

Their concerns may be unwarranted, according to Mankiewicz.

"I think this talk of an entirely new format is a little silly, and the crux of the show is going to be two guys arguing about a movie," Mankiewicz told the AP Tuesday.

If the "thumbs" approach itself makes a comeback it won't be on the Disney show — Ebert said Monday the company can't use the trademarked approach.

Lyons, who's been doing red-carpet interviews and reviews for "E! News" and has a blog and a series on E! Online, has appeared on "Good Morning America," MTV's "Your Movie Show" and "MSNBC at the Movies."

Mankiewicz was the host of "The Young Turks" on Sirius Satellite Radio, a talk show discussing politics, film and pop culture. Before joining Turner Classic Movies, he was a reporter and anchor for WCSC-TV in Charleston, N.C., and anchored a daily news magazine at WAMI-TV Miami.

The new season begins Sept. 6.