What makes David Wilson so special as a choreographer?

Sandra Bezic did choreograph for a CoP skater Yuna Kim even though it was a gala, "Don't stop the music," not a competition program and competitive programs for Joannie for more than a couple of seasons IIRC.

Also, it was her who suggested a bond girl and Gershwin piece as Yuna's Olympic programs to David and he said that at the moment he was so mortified as Sandra's Gershwin program for Barbara and Paul was "untouchable" masterpiece for him and he quoted her as his "mentor and inspiration." But Sandra gave him the blessing and he created those programs for Yuna.

This info was revealed during David's interview with PJ in cbc sports around March after Olympics.

ANW said:

it's more of conflict of interest reason, Sandra Bezic has a long lasting contract with NBC as the commentator, and they don't want her to choreograph elite skaters, otherwise it will bring the question whether she can comment without bias on the skaters she worked with or skaters choreographed by others.

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Off-topic question, but does anyone else think that Universal Sports is wrong to use Belbin for ice-dance commentary? At first, the network made a thorny situation even worse by omitting any on-air acknowledgment of her conflict of interest. During her more recent appearances, it finally started slipping in a quasi-disclaimer "disguised" as a jocular mention of her relationship with White, but I still think that she's a bad choice, no matter how hard she tries to be objective. She won't have true credibility until White retires (or they break up).
[The silver lining to losing access to Universal Sports has been easy avoidance of this aggravation. ]

Wouldn't she still have a conflict of interest if they broke up (Belbin and White) because usually there's a lot of negativity toward the ex.

But Tanith is too nice and classy to cross the line:

Hope Lori and David would choreograph for Akiko!

os168 said:

Just curious how come Bezic doesn't seem to be choreographing anymore, I really like her work for Lu Chen and her seminal Butterfly Lovers! David Wilson mentioned they are great friends and they sound ideas off each other... it doesn't seem like she has choreographed anything for ages, is she retired?

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Bezic has long stated that she has no interest in choreographing competitive programs under CoP. It really does change how a choreographer works and she would have to learn the craft all over again. She does do work for shows and exhibition numbers but not competitive programs.

well if Sandra Bezic worked with Joannie, that must be long time ago before Joannie rose to the top. Sandra herself said in an interview that NBC specifically asked her not to choreograph for top skaters and that's the reason. Besides the exhibition and show numbers, I believe she worked with some novice skaters in Canada for their competitive programs in the last couple of seasons. Back to 98 Olympics Sandra was the choreographer for both Tara Lipinski and Lu Chen, and she worked for CBC as the commentator. When Lu Chen skated on the ice, Sandra Bezic kept quiet most of time, all she could say was how Lu Chen struggled with some jump techniques and she didn't mention anything about the the program and how emotional Lu Chen skated, it was very awkward, so this conflict of interest thing does have a reason here.

l'etoile said:

Sandra Bezic did choreograph for a CoP skater Yuna Kim even though it was a gala, "Don't stop the music," not a competition program and competitive programs for Joannie for more than a couple of seasons IIRC.

Also, it was her who suggested a bond girl and Gershwin piece as Yuna's Olympic programs to David and he said that at the moment he was so mortified as Sandra's Gershwin program for Barbara and Paul was "untouchable" masterpiece for him and he quoted her as his "mentor and inspiration." But Sandra gave him the blessing and he created those programs for Yuna.

This info was revealed during David's interview with PJ in cbc sports around March after Olympics.

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I don't consider it a conflict of interest for choreographers to provide network commentary, but in fairness, any who do always state at the start of the program that this is their work. Certainly Kurt has provided commentary on both Canadian and US networks regarding programs he's choreographed. It would only be a conflict of interest if they had some hand in determining the outcome of the contest but commentary is fine by me. The choreographer's name is a matter of public record for the event and the information is readily available on the ISU's website so it's not like they can hide their involvement in the programs.

Bezic was on NBC and choreographing programs. Lori Nichol has provided commentary on the CBC and I love it when she does commentary on one of her programs because she often provides interesting insights into the choice of the music and her work with the skaters.