If Michelle doesn't compete... | Golden Skate

If Michelle doesn't compete...

Arianne

On the Ice
Joined
Mar 26, 2004
I was just watching the ESPN re-broadcast of Calgary worlds. Even though Michelle wasn't competing there, ESPN still did a fluff piece on Michelle Kwan (understandably, after the Olympic disappointment). Anyway, figure skating has relied so much on Michelle's fan base and celebrity status to promote their events, and I wonder where they will be without her now if she decides not to compete. I'm sure that ESPN and other broadcasters will do their best to make sure she is involved in some way. You noticed that when Michelle couldn't compete at the Olympics, she was immediantly asked to sit in the comentators booth. She has an elegant way with words and such compassion and I wonder if she will decide to take on that kind of position. I'm sure that broadcasters such as ESPN would die to have Michelle any way they can get her. What do you think? Do you think Michelle would consider taking Peggy Fleming's place in the future? I think she would be great, although I would prefer to see her skate!
 

Skate Sandee

On the Ice
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Arianne said:
Do you think Michelle would consider taking Peggy Fleming's place in the future? I think she would be great, although I would prefer to see her skate!

Well, Michelle's had a long business relationship with ABC (ESPN's parent company), so I'm sure the thought has crossed their minds. But I doubt they'd dump Peggy whenever her contract is up unless they locked Michelle in for commentary duties. Frankly, I don't see her going in that direction. But you never know.
 
Joined
Jul 11, 2003
One never knows what MK will be doing in the future.

Figure Skating will go on without her especially in other parts of the World.

Joe
 

slutskayafan21

Match Penalty
Joined
Mar 28, 2005
At some point Peggy will probably want to spend more time at home, I just dont see her wanting to do that until she is 80 like Dick. So yeah Michelle could end up being her replacement at some point soon.
 

euterpe

Medalist
Joined
Sep 4, 2003
Peggy Fleming is just about to turn 58, hardly time for her to be assigned to a rocking chair. Why would she want to spend more time at home now, with her children all grown and out on their own?
 

attyfan

Custom Title
Medalist
Joined
Mar 1, 2004
Would she need the same kind of "training" to do the interviews as she would need for commentating (not just the background work on skating/skaters, but the voice lessons, etc.)? Maybe, Michelle will do the interviews. Won't it be a shock to have a courteous interviewer, instead of Peter C or Christine B?
 

Arianne

On the Ice
Joined
Mar 26, 2004
Joe, this was only an "I wonder" thread. I said I thought that ESPN would want to get Michelle involved because she is good for publicity. Plus, you remember how she was immediently contacted to do commentary at the Olympics after she pulled out. Her celebrity status certainly can't hurt the ratings....
 

boggartlaura

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 4, 2003
I love Michelle's skating but I think she'd be a horrible commentator so I hope she doesn't go that route.
 

Arianne

On the Ice
Joined
Mar 26, 2004
boggartlaura, why do you think she would be a horrible commentator? We've never even heard here commentate. Would you like to elaborate on your statement?
 

Tonichelle

Idita-Rock-n-Roll
Record Breaker
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
I think if she were to do that, she would have to get some training in speaking. She doesn't always ennunciate, which no one ever does unless trained, and for me it is annoying. It's not that I can't understand what she's saying, there are just some words that need to be said correctly. lol

I wouldn't doubt that ABC hasn't already though of it. NBC was willing to give her a slot, so in 4 years we may see her in teh booth (anyone'd be better than Besic)... either way we will see her on American Television next season with updates on her during several competitions (my guess - Skate America, US Nationals, and Worlds) if she isn't in the booth....

it will all depend on if she wants to try for another season...
 

Lonewolf

On the Ice
Joined
Mar 23, 2006
I hope when MK is through competing she will take on a commentary role on ABC/ESPN. In addition, I believe MK was a commentator in the movie “Ice Princess".
 

Arianne

On the Ice
Joined
Mar 26, 2004
no doubt that figure skating will go on without Michelle... I was just pointing out that they have relied on her celebrity here in the U.S. to promote the events.
 

Skate Sandee

On the Ice
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Well I agree that Michelle needs some speech work. But if Shannon Miller can become an articulate commentator (as she has for Comcast gymnastic telecasts) after years of being painfully shy, awkward and barely coherent as a teenager, Michelle can certainly learn to improve.

However, if past articles are any indication, she's still considering some type of skating, wants to finish her college degree, and has a passing interest in many different non-skating areas.

Bottom line: I'm 100% positive ABC/ESPN would leap at the chance to put her in the commentator chair. I'm less than 50% sure that MK has any interest in doing so.
 

R.D.

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
no offense but listening to her speak is like...screech screech...if she wants to commentate she needs some voice coaching lessons BIG time. However, I don't see her doing that...it looks to me from her latest interviews that she's striving to find something OUTSIDE of skating that interests her once she retires. I don't know if she wants to "go pro" or not, but I venture even she doesn't know yet.
 

SeaniBu

Record Breaker
Joined
Mar 19, 2006
I thought she was going to go to school in Denver?

All this speech talk, has me imagining the sceen from The Sound Of Music. I think it would be a hoot to see MK singing, Doe a dear, a female dear....:laugh: I don't think she is the best at enunciation, but she does have that rich throat sound that I love when Asians, or of that decent, have. I would put her voice in a sexy category. Maybe not always clear, but "easy on the ears.":love:
 

boggartlaura

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 4, 2003
Arianne said:
boggartlaura, why do you think she would be a horrible commentator? We've never even heard here commentate. Would you like to elaborate on your statement?
She speaks very slowly and most of her post-skate comments are vague. She doesn't seem good at putting her thoughtss into words.
 

Skate Sandee

On the Ice
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
boggartlaura said:
She speaks very slowly and most of her post-skate comments are vague. She doesn't seem good at putting her thoughtss into words.

Well, in fairness, she's vague about herself. She's clearly private about her life as much as she's able to be. But if it's her job that she's getting paid for, you bet she'd have something to say. While I can't see her being as cutting as Dick Button, I think she would offer up specific, but diplomatic thoughts on other skaters with a little more insight than Peggy "she-really-feels-this-music or "she-needs-to-hold-out-these-moves" Fleming.
 

R.D.

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
I dunno...can't see her saying much more than "She was good out there tonight"...:laugh: or maybe more in-depth like "I think this competition will give her more experience"...ok, I'm having too much fun here...
 
Top