Kwan to be on NBC's World Championship Broadcast Team

**R.D.** · 02-20-2009, 06:10 PM

I'm sure the MK fans will be happy.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/...at-worlds.html

Michelle Kwan will be part of NBC's broadcast team for the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles, according to Tribune sources.

The five-time world champion will be joining Bob Costas and Dick Button in giving overviews and reflections during the live telecast of the women's free skate final March 28. This will be Kwan's debut as a TV commentator.

I'm sure this is a part of maybe "prepping" her to join NBC's Olympic broadcast team next year.

**demarinis5** · 02-20-2009, 06:31 PM

Thanks for the link. I am sure she will do a fabulous job . Now if she would
skate in a special exhibition number that would be like like a cherry on top for this Kwan fan..

**Andalusia** · 02-20-2009, 06:43 PM

Oooh, I'm loving it!

Thanks for the link.

I guess this drives a nail into the coffin of MK's competitive future. I completely agree that her commentating for this Worlds might be to serve as a 'testing ground' for a stint on the 2010 Olympics.

Someone on FSU mentioned how a combo of Sasha, Michelle and Uncle Dick would be a hoot. ITA. Whenever one of the ladies does a spiral, Uncle Dickie would be so tempted to babble on about how perfect Sasha's was, but of course having Michelle there might put a cork on that, lol.

And as a Caroline fan, I'm even more disappointed now that Caroline won't be at Worlds. I'd really like to know what Michelle would dish on someone she works fairly closely with.

**R.D.** · 02-20-2009, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by demarinis5

Now if she would
skate in a special exhibition number that would be like like a cherry on top for this Kwan fan..

Wouldn't rule it out. She seems to be doing a lot of local promotional work for this event. Plus, NBC is only showing 2 hours of coverage (and thus would only require her for a short time) so skating later wouldn't be a burden or anything for her.

I'd really like to know what Michelle would dish on someone she works fairly closely with.

Well, I suppose that might be slightly uncomfortable for her, given how PC she is. I dunno, I just hope she's not like Bela Karoli (sp?) was during NBC's gymnastics coverage, bring nothing to the coverage but "THEY ARE ALL VERY very talented [skaters]."

**Andalusia** · 02-20-2009, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Wouldn't rule it out. She seems to be doing a lot of local promotional work for this event. Plus, NBC is only showing 2 hours of coverage (and thus would only require her for a short time) so skating later wouldn't be a burden or anything for her.

Well, I suppose that might be slightly uncomfortable for her. I dunno, I just hope she's not like Bela Karoli (sp?) was during NBC's gymnastics coverage, bring nothing to the coverage but "THEY ARE ALL VERY very talented [skaters]."

I found out that Staples Center is owned by that Anschutz guy whose son Michelle was dating. I wonder if that might have something to do with why MK's been so active in promoting this Worlds. She's normally quite reticent about such things. Of course, the biggest skating event outside of the Olympics coming to her hometown probably has a lot to do with it, too. Or maybe it's just a gentle hint that, yes, her competitive FS career is done and this is how she'll continue to be active in the skating world.

And in regards to Caroline, I'd actually hope that Michelle might shed some light on her technical deficiencies, rather than on anything else.

And as for Bela Karolyi - yuck.

**R.D.** · 02-20-2009, 07:10 PM

Actually, given the broadcast times I don't think there's THAT much time to be yapping, if it is indeed a live broadcast, and they plan to show the top 12 skaters. During the Nationals primetime telecast they pretty much showed straight skating with minimal talk. The only time might be during the warmups, and at the end, maybe a brief moment after the interview. This was in contrast to 2008 where they had Costas, Button, Sale and Pellitier (sp?) in the hosting booth while Hamilton/Bezic/Hammond worked the commentating booth. But there were only 10 skaters in the final group, it was a 3-hour broadcast, and there was plenty of time to yap away.

**Mathman** · 02-20-2009, 07:16 PM

Joe Biden is so lucky he got to meet Michelle. I am going to run for Vice President.

**GiuliaPlum** · 02-20-2009, 08:26 PM

wow it's a great news. It will be very fascinating to hear Michelle's soft voice while some of my idols are skating. I don't like Button very much though, and I hope he will not flatter her excessively doing annoying comparisons between past and present. And usually American commentators speak too much so you can't almost hear the music. Anyway the Italian are definitely the gold medalists as World's worst commentators, just a nightmare.

**visaliakid** · 02-20-2009, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by GiuliaPlum

wow it's a great news. It will be very fascinating to hear Michelle's soft voice while some of my idols are skating. I don't like Button very much though, and I hope he will not flatter her excessively doing annoying comparisons between past and present. And usually American commentators speak too much so you can't almost hear the music. Anyway the Italian are definitely the gold medalists as World's worst commentators, just a nightmare.

Michelle's soft voice will not be heard during the actual skating... gag me with a spoon Bezic and screecher Scott Hamilton will be doing that along with Tom Hammond. Sorry to disappoint you!

**Tinymavy15** · 02-20-2009, 10:02 PM

Wow! this is very big and surprising news. I look foward to her perspective on the new faces and the system, but I expect her to be very soft-spoken and PC.

**amateur** · 02-20-2009, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by GiuliaPlum

And usually American commentators speak too much so you can't almost hear the music. Anyway the Italian are definitely the gold medalists as World's worst commentators, just a nightmare.

I've never heard an Italian sportscast... but from what I know of Italians & their culture, I can just imagine!

**Eurofan** · 02-20-2009, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by GiuliaPlum

Anyway the Italian are definitely the gold medalists as World's worst commentators, just a nightmare.

Are the skating commentators like Paola Ferrari? I used to hate watching her on 90o Minuto - it seemed like she was always trying to say as much as possible as fast as possible.