In 1982, Gabler paired with Jeffrey Lyons as replacement movie reviewers for the PBS show "Sneak Previews". The original hosts of "Sneak Previews", Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, had left the show for contractual reasons and Gabler and Lyons went to Chicago to produce the show. He was a writer for the "Detroit Free Press" at the time. Gabler left "Sneak Previews" in 1985 citing differences with the direction of the show. He was replaced by Michael Medved, who had had occasional appearances on "Sneak Previews" before replacing Gabler full-time.