Long live At The Movies. :'(

It is a sad day for Australian movie lovers. It is a sad day for everyone.

After 28 years hosting the iconic At The Movies together on the SBS and then the ABC — bickering about shaky cameras and character development and basically everything else — David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz have announced their retirement, with the last ever episode to be recorded on December 9.

“After 28 years reviewing films on television with Margaret, ten of them at the ABC, I feel it’s time to go,” Stratton said in an official statement. He turned 75 last week. “We’ve had a wonderful time, thanks to very supportive and encouraging audiences, throughout that period. And we’ve worked with wonderful teams, both at SBS and at the ABC, people who discovered movies alongside us, helped and assisted us, and in the process became valued friends. We couldn’t have done it without them.

“Most of all, working with Margaret, whose enthusiasm, commitment and passion has been amazing (and only occasionally irritating) has been a joy for over a quarter of a century.”

Margaret Pomeranz added, “It’s time to go from the small screen after a great innings… My gratitude goes to David who gave me credibility just by being prepared to sit by me and discuss film when I am just a film enthusiast, not the great walking encyclopedia of film that he is. He’s a grand person, a most generous, decent man, even if a little stubborn at times.”

At The Movies will not be returning next year, because nobody could replace those two ever. Except maybe Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush.