While these people attempt to skate around in slow circles and do one-revolution spins, I am interesting in knowing your opinions of Cup of Russia this weekend. What are your thoughts on Zawadski, Wagner, and all of the injuries in ice dance?
I'd like to hear more about the Nat'l team camp going on now, esp. how Shawn Johnson is looking. I'm sure you and a few others are privy to the gossip??
I second that about the Nat'l team camp! Also, wasn't Ivana supposed to be at this camp? Would like to know how she is doing since coming back from her injury. Come on, give us the dish!
What kills me is that Tanith Belbin, who is an excellent commentator for the skating on NBC/Universal Sports, is forced to read off of a script on this show rather than be natural and make use of her commentary ability. Everything is too over-rehearsed and contrived.
The show doesn't allow the skaters to make use of their skating ability either, although admittedly, I've never heard of some of them. They could have gotten any Novice-level and above skaters to play those parts.
And could the ice surface be any smaller? I realize newbie skaters don't have any ice coverage, but I guess I was just expecting it to look more like a skating surface, rather than a ballroom dance floor covered with ice. Blah.
It wasn't too big of a train wreck I thought. I don't know that I'll be tuning in each week though. I agree that the tiny ice surface is a major detriment and the way they had Tanith read the judge's names had better be redone next week. The over-emphasis of "Johnny. (pause) Weir." "Dick. (pause) Button." was hella annoying. I guess since the show is live they don't want to take chances with Tanith messing something up, but geez, could it sound any more unnatural?
Hope Tanith isn't counting on using this gig as a stepping stone to bigger and better things because it sure doesn't show off any commentator/co-host abilities she may have.
If any of the skaters lost their eligibility for this, I'd just feel sorry for them. During the show I did hear a shout out to USFS Basic Skills program, so I have a feeling they may have sanctioned it.
One other thing. The best part of the show was the opening, when the actual skaters skated in a group number. The lifts of Brooke and Keauna were beautiful. Then the show dragged on.
I wonder about eligibility loss too. Keauna was identified in a caption as a professional skater, and Johnny also skated, plus he is being paid to judge. Tanith was not only blah in her performance, they managed to make her look unattractive! All the makeup and hair were bad. Skating was meh, but I'm going to keep watching, cos it's skating.
Maybe only newer FS fans will like or consistently watch this mess? I'm also afraid ratings will be so poor that the networks would take it to mean audience disinterest in watching FS on tv. In reality, I think people would watch FS but just not done by D-list famewhores abetted by less accomplished skaters being passed off as champions.
I can see the plus sides of promoting FS in creative ways but this isn't the greatest means of doing it. It's turning the sport into a sideshow or a joke. Instead of educating the public by showing competitions or even developing new pro competitions, ABC resorts to cringe-worthy gimmicks.
While these people attempt to skate around in slow circles and do one-revolution spins, I am interesting in knowing your opinions of Cup of Russia this weekend. What are your thoughts on Zawadski, Wagner, and all of the injuries in ice dance?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to hear more about the Nat'l team camp going on now, esp. how Shawn Johnson is looking. I'm sure you and a few others are privy to the gossip??
ReplyDeleteI second that about the Nat'l team camp! Also, wasn't Ivana supposed to be at this camp? Would like to know how she is doing since coming back from her injury. Come on, give us the dish!
ReplyDeleteI turned this show on by accident and saw Keauna McLaughlin. I didn't even know she was skating. I feel like she's too good for this.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to your thoughts on Skating with the Stars!
ReplyDeleteWhat kills me is that Tanith Belbin, who is an excellent commentator for the skating on NBC/Universal Sports, is forced to read off of a script on this show rather than be natural and make use of her commentary ability. Everything is too over-rehearsed and contrived.
ReplyDeleteThe show doesn't allow the skaters to make use of their skating ability either, although admittedly, I've never heard of some of them. They could have gotten any Novice-level and above skaters to play those parts.
And could the ice surface be any smaller? I realize newbie skaters don't have any ice coverage, but I guess I was just expecting it to look more like a skating surface, rather than a ballroom dance floor covered with ice. Blah.
I haven't gotten to see the episode yet since I'm not in the US, but from the preview, it doesn't look too terrible....
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't too big of a train wreck I thought. I don't know that I'll be tuning in each week though. I agree that the tiny ice surface is a major detriment and the way they had Tanith read the judge's names had better be redone next week. The over-emphasis of "Johnny. (pause) Weir." "Dick. (pause) Button." was hella annoying. I guess since the show is live they don't want to take chances with Tanith messing something up, but geez, could it sound any more unnatural?
ReplyDeleteHope Tanith isn't counting on using this gig as a stepping stone to bigger and better things because it sure doesn't show off any commentator/co-host abilities she may have.
If any of the skaters lost their eligibility for this, I'd just feel sorry for them. During the show I did hear a shout out to USFS Basic Skills program, so I have a feeling they may have sanctioned it.
ReplyDeleteOne other thing. The best part of the show was the opening, when the actual skaters skated in a group number. The lifts of Brooke and Keauna were beautiful. Then the show dragged on.
I wonder about eligibility loss too. Keauna was identified in a caption as a professional skater, and Johnny also skated, plus he is being paid to judge.
ReplyDeleteTanith was not only blah in her performance, they managed to make her look unattractive! All the makeup and hair were bad. Skating was meh, but I'm going to keep watching, cos it's skating.
oh, that was awful. 100% less fun than Battle of the Blades.
ReplyDeleteMaybe only newer FS fans will like or consistently watch this mess? I'm also afraid ratings will be so poor that the networks would take it to mean audience disinterest in watching FS on tv. In reality, I think people would watch FS but just not done by D-list famewhores abetted by less accomplished skaters being passed off as champions.
ReplyDeleteI can see the plus sides of promoting FS in creative ways but this isn't the greatest means of doing it. It's turning the sport into a sideshow or a joke. Instead of educating the public by showing competitions or even developing new pro competitions, ABC resorts to cringe-worthy gimmicks.