Michelle Kwan performed to Annie Lennox's 'Primitive' during the first act and still can cast a spell better than anyone. Like many of the skaters, she had a jump issue, but she still skates with such quality and mastery of the craft of skating. One can easily imagine Kwan going into a rink, putting on some haunting music and just skating for the love it.
As expected, 'Hero' was a major letdown as it appears that all of ten minutes were spent on it. Once again, Kwan knows just what to say to have the rabidly cultish Korean audience in the palm of her hand. "...and a wonderful Olympic Champion! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO'
The star of the show was Mister Stephane Lambiel who KILLED it with Ray Charles' 'Let The Good Times Roll." I liked him as an amateur, but I ADORE what he has done thus far as a professional skater.
Lambiel landed a quad during the second act.
As expected, the crowd went nuts over Yu-Na's Bulletproof program. La Roux will have the number one song in South Korea by tomorrow morning.
The Koreans got their money's worth with Sasha. Millions around the world expect a trademark Sashasplat in every performance and she didn't disappoint! Aliso Viejo's Ice Queen was as beautiful and remote as ever.
Tessa Virtue is a lucky woman. David Pelletier is as hot as ever!
David even dropped Jamie for good measure (something many skating fans have wanted to do for a long time.)
Jeremy Abbott looked twinkalicious channeling Kurt Browning in the debut of his Viejos Aires short program. It will take time for the program to develop. Arm movements appear to be quite excessive at times and the facial expressions are a fright. The program has potential but it would be a good idea to have someone like Sandra Bezic refine it and adapt it to the ice.
Tanith showed off her acting skills. They performed 'Bleeding Love,' for the Billionth time, but no one needs to see that ever again.
Man, has the thought that MK was genuinely touched by Yuna's performance ever not crossed your mind? I have read a couple of your previous posts, but dude, what's up with all the wisecrack? You just can't swallow the possibility that Kwan the Great might have little too much respect for Yuna than you would approve because it comes to you as losing. Just try to relax and enjoy the performances. This is not a competition. Then, you might find yourself enjoying the "Hero" number more than you think.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she appreciates her, but I was just making a point that she always says the right thing. Hero was slapped together...plain and simple.
ReplyDelete"Hero" was indeed slapped together, but still pleasant like a spoonful of sugar. I would expect a better choreographed duo/group number if they were touring, as there were rumours regarding possible Kwan/Kim tour in NA and Asia.
ReplyDeleteWow, Sasha looked like hasn't been on the ice for months. Not just her jumps were tiny and "off" but her spins were slow and her overall skating looked cautious... like she had not been skating in years. Despite that, she still managed to kick Yu-na's ass artistically.
ReplyDeleteBulletproof is okay, nothing specatular. I wish Yu-na would start to explore different artistic ideas for her exhibitions, and grow as an artist. Honestly this is not that much different than SDSTM.
Lambiel is PURE WIN. Love.
Ouch for Jamie and David. Thank God for the harmless fall or else they would have done the whole routine without making eye contact once.
ReplyDeleteI liked Jeremy's new short. The arm movements are excessive, but at least they have a point — creating interesting angles and shapes — and not just flailing for flailing's sake. He definitely needs to give better face, and he should never wear a tank top again. I love his skating, but that ain't sexy.
ReplyDeleteI'm adding polls again. There is one about Abbott's new short program at the bottom of the page.
ReplyDeleteWow, Sasha looks awful. Tiniest double axels of her life and slow as heck. Amazingly crazy fall on that salchow as well. When is the last time she's actually trained?
ReplyDeleteAnd I HATE to be critical at all of Michelle, but ... regarding her "Primitive" costume and Sasha's "Hallelujah" costume, why do they look like they belong in a high school theater class production of Antigone?
ReplyDeleteSasha and MK doing Greek tragedy. :D
ReplyDeleteNo. Please tell me that Tessa and David are NOT an item.
ReplyDeleteTessa isn't a home wrecker. Jamie and David have both had their dalliances on the side. Jamie has been known to have her guys on the side (married or not) and David is far from a saint as well.
ReplyDeleteyou didn't comment on michelle's "no one". it was better than primitive imo. her charlotte at the end was great
ReplyDeleteher abs were rockin !
Love love LOVE Stephane. Wow! He looks happy and relaxed. What a difference from such a short time ago, when he was an amateur. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like Kwan's No One that much. I liked her programs last year much better.
ReplyDeleteStephane just rocked it. I really wish he'd come to the States. I liked Jeremy's program and think it has a lot of potential. He looks like he's skating well.
ReplyDeleteI wish Yuna would sometimes change her choreographer!!I'm getting bored with Wilson style.
ReplyDeleteLambiel is the greatest star for this show. Such an artist & entertainer !!
I'm frankly flabberghasted at the above comments that Yu-Na should explore more artistically and that she should change the choreographer and style! And Sasha kicking Yu-Na's ass artistically??? Puhleeeease...!
ReplyDeleteYu-Na is the most artistic skater I've ever seen, especially among the females. In this show alone, she skated Meditation from Thais and Bulletproof, two "artistically" very different programs. I believe I'm right in saying that there is no skater out there who has that kind of artistic range. And saying that Bulletproof looks too much like PDSTM is like saying Lambiel's LTGTR looks too much like his Tainted Love. Even when he's wearing the same costume, these two programs are obviously very different.
Look at the programs Yu-Na's done over the years. They're as varied and versatile as you will ever see. She's the Greatest!
Love Yu na but imo she can't touch Kwan artistically throughout the years. I also don't think she beats Sasha artistically and I'm no Sasha fan. I'm not referring to these programs because I don't really like any of the ladies programs that much this year.
ReplyDeleteStephane and Jeremy (minus that t-shirt) rock. Jeremy's short has the potential to kick butt although he could tone down the arms just a tad. I don't think Jeremy shouldn't stick to one choreographer so glad he used someone different. I'm sure he will go back to Shae again.