Countdown to Sasha's Return

[R.D.]

Blah blah, never mind.

[Wicked]

I will agree that Mirai has star power, but I don't think she is the only one.

Sasha Cohen has wonderful presence and is a genuine star on the ice. I hope the US has some other ladies who can follow in her footsteps. The only one who strikes me as a possibility right now is Mirai. Who else do you see? And which programs best illustrate their talents? I'm not seeing it and I hope I'm missing something.

[prettykeys]

Ouch! That fellow doesn't mince words.

But he has a point. The motivation/agenda was never clear.

It's not a "fellow"/"he". Can't you tell?

It's got all the signs of a cattiness that comes from someone of the estrogen-dominated sex.

[R.D.]

It's got all the signs of a cattiness that comes from someone of the estrogen-dominated sex.

Yeah, I guess the Pepto-Bismol bit should have given it away. Then, I looked at the name and I couldn't tell at first glance what gender name it was.

[PolymerBob]

Sasha Cohen has wonderful presence and is a genuine star on the ice. I hope the US has some other ladies who can follow in her footsteps. The only one who strikes me as a possibility right now is Mirai. Who else do you see? And which programs best illustrate their talents? I'm not seeing it and I hope I'm missing something.

You may be missing the programs that got standing ovations at Four Continents and the World Team Trophy.

[Bennett]

Now that I see the schedule for Skate America, it becomes clear how much USFS was counting on Sasha. With no short programs on Thursday, and the ladies skating in prime time Saturday and on Siunday afternoon, it is clear that NBC television is running the show, arranging the event so as to maximize viewership.

This is also what was behind the decision to hold Skate America later in the year this season, instead of first.

They could have had three top U.S. ladies. (Alissa, Rachael and Caroline seemed liike the best bets at the time the selections were made.) By reserving a spot for Sasha and a TBA just in case Michelle came back, they are now left with a dud as far as attracting U.S. viewers.

To change the dates of SA and the date of ladies short primarily to feature Sasha in the prime time? Would the USFS believe so strongly that Sasha could have people who never watch FS but the Olympics turn on TV that they made all these arrangements at the costs of possible risks?

It actually has a negative effect on skating popularity when the star skater does not do well in the featured prime time. This happened with Miki last year or two years ago when she had a meltdown at NHK. The hype turned out to be like a funeral.

[prettykeys]

To change the dates of SA and the date of ladies short primarily to feature Sasha in the prime time? Would the USFS believe so strongly that Sasha could have people who never watch FS but the Olympics turn on TV that they made all these arrangements at the costs of possible risks?

It actually has a negative effect on skating popularity when the star skater does not do well in the featured prime time. This happened with Miki last year or two years ago when she had a meltdown at NHK. The hype turned out to be like a funeral.

Mathman's words were, "to maximize viewership."

Yes, I think they were banking on Sasha to be able to do it. Who else could?

[janetfan]

Mathman's words were, "to maximize viewership."

Yes, I think they were banking on Sasha to be able to do it. Who else could?

Actually, mathman made a point about the "tba" skater along with Sasha would have boosted ratings.

In this case, it is clear mathman meant "tba" = Michelle

He is right and having both of them back would have definitely raised interest for US skating fans and even casual viewers of figure skating.

[fairly4]

well i know i am not going to buy pepto bismol because of her.
but you should here how pg people talk about athletels or people of different race, religion creed, on the bus to/from work. you might be surprised at what they really think of people that dont fit into their way of thinking or lifestlye.

tanith-white/sasha white.

[janetfan]

well i know i am not going to buy pepto bismol because of her.
but you should here how pg people talk about athletels or people of different race, religion creed, on the bus to/from work. you might be surprised at what they really think of people that dont fit into their way of thinking or lifestlye.

tanith-white/sasha white.

Do you realize how strange your post sounds?

To not acknowledge Michelle in the equation defies all logic. ...:sheesh:

[prettykeys]

Actually, mathman made a point about the "tba" skater along with Sasha would have boosted ratings.

In this case, it is clear mathman meant "tba" = Michelle

He is right and having both of them back would have definitely raised interest for US skating fans and even casual viewers of figure skating.

I do not know what your correction to my words are.

My post was in response to Bennett, who said,

...the costs of possible risks?

It actually has a negative effect on skating popularity when the star skater does not do well in the featured prime time. This happened with Miki last year or two years ago when she had a meltdown at NHK. The hype turned out to be like a funeral.

That is, Mathman's argument was that the networks were concerned about viewership--not necessarily skating popularity in a more general sense--and that they were counting on Sasha to increase said viewership. And I agreed.

What is incorrect about all this?

The "TBA = Michelle" is more speculation than USFSA/NBC wanting to attract viewers with Sasha; and Bennett, accordingly, did not even mention Michelle.

:banging:

[R.D.]

To change the dates of SA and the date of ladies short primarily to feature Sasha in the prime time? Would the USFS believe so strongly that Sasha could have people who never watch FS but the Olympics turn on TV that they made all these arrangements at the costs of possible risks?

It actually has a negative effect on skating popularity when the star skater does not do well in the featured prime time. This happened with Miki last year or two years ago when she had a meltdown at NHK. The hype turned out to be like a funeral.

But didn't SA ALWAYS have this schedule- at least since 2007? IIRC the ladies short was always Sat. afternoon/evening and the free skate live on NBC Sunday afternoon? This is not new for this year. The only thing that's new is the mid-November date (instead of late October).

Looking back, I do think USFS would have been better off inviting the top three US skaters from Nationals (Alyssa/Rachel/Caroline). But I suppose they had to bow to the pressure and give Cohen a spot when she announced the "comeback". I wonder if they told Em Hughes in advance "be ready" just in case Cohen was to bail out. But then again, she has done this late substitute thing before- I just hope she does well for herself. It does NOT bode well for her Oly chances if she bombs...

[R.D.]

The "TBA = Michelle" is more speculation than USFSA/NBC wanting to attract viewers with Sasha; and Bennett, accordingly, did not even mention Michelle.

I don't know the economics of the USFS deal but I take it SA is really not worth all that much? Most of the promotion (and airtime) is dedicated to US Nationals. So imagine the hype of seeing "Cohen for the first time in 4 years try for an Oly spot" in prime time on NBC Saturday night. Well, it would work until she pulls out on Thursday.

[Mathman]

But didn't SA ALWAYS have this schedule- at least since 2007? IIRC the ladies short was always Sat. afternoon/evening and the free skate live on NBC Sunday afternoon? This is not new for this year.

Oh. Yes, quite so. (I had to look it up.) So NBC did not do anything special this year after all.

[janetfan]

I do not know what your correction to my words are.

What is incorrect about all this?

The "TBA = Michelle" is more speculation than USFSA/NBC wanting to attract viewers with Sasha; and Bennett, accordingly, did not even mention Michelle.

:banging:

I was making an observation about mathman's earlier post which you commented on.

Maybe I missed something but I believe mm's point was that having both "tba" and Sasha would boost ratings.

Hardly anbody from USA would believe Sasha alone would have much effect on TV viewership but having Michelle and Sasha both back would.

I don't think it is very speculative at all (o% in fact) to connect SA's "tba" with Michelle.

I know you are not a Michelle fan, and you are also not from USA. A Canadian view is as good as any but Michelle trumps Sasha in every possible way, from skating titles to endorsement deals and popularity with skating fans and the biggest area, Michelle's name recognition with the general American public.

I was only adding a comment, I was not criticizing you - but take my remarks anyway you choose to.

And perhaps mathman will clarify who he meant "tba" was being reserved for.

Geez, such a fuss over a contributing type of remark feels strange. I say enough odd and highly opinioned things at GS that I am surprisewd you would be touchy over this.

Here is what you said that I commented about in my previous post:

"Mathman's words were, "to maximize viewership."

"Yes, I think they were banking on Sasha to be able to do it. Who else could"


Sorry, but imo the heaviest banking was always on Michelle's possible comeback, not Sasha's.