While I agree that in an actual conversation that wouldn't be a good comment to make. However, if (and I'm assuming) he meant that if we're here to talk and respect (than to piss on) the memory of Roger Ebert, then I guess in the grand sceme of things, it doesn't matter.
Of course....Maybe it's the art-bias in me; I consider just about everything art, and I don't like when people discount anything from potentially being art (even shitty fucking dumb installation art that tries to transcend what art and our boundaries for reality art or whatever the shit.... I hate it, but fine, I'll call it art...to some people >=( ... )