Thought it would be fun to compare the two Memoir of a Geisha programs.
Here's their program from 2007 Nationals when Alex and Maia were 15 and 12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McxhneBBB44&feature=plcp
And here's their program from NHK (Alex is now 21, Maia is 18.) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7cklWiLb-w
You can see how much they have developed and grown over the years and it shows in the reboot of this program.
If you think about it, it's an odd story for a 12 year old to be skating to...
It's been a zillion years since I read Memoirs of a Geisha, but doesn't the training for the geishas-to-be start at a very young age? If that would make the Shibutani junior program seem any less odd ...Originally Posted by dorispulaski
Last edited by golden411; 11-26-2012 at 05:48 PM.
But Maia is not just any 12 year old. Even when she was young, she handled herself as if she was several years older.
You've seen this video before from 2006 Jr. Nationals when they won the intermediate title:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6NrB23vPx8#t=04m24s
It amazes me even when she was 11 years old how classy she handled herself in interviews.
Maia just posted a photo of her, Akiko and Mao at the NHK Trophy banquet. Everyone looks great! I love Maia's dress (my favorite color is blue, so that probably contributes to my liking of it!).
http://instagram.com/p/SghZPKS7kY/
Some did this photo montage of Maia and Alex from 2004-2012. You can see one of the photos (top center) is from their Memoirs of a Geisha dance from 2007 and their Memoirs of a Geisha from this season in the bottom right corner.
http://theicedancekingdom.tumblr.com...tani-2004-2012
This version is more clear: http://shibsibslove.tumblr.com/post/...alex-shibutani
Also you can click on one of the photos to see it larger.
Another banquet photo from NHK: the Shibutanis with Davis/White.
http://web.stagram.com/p/334245479163083345_173894845/
I love the elegant Audrey Hepburn look (and the beautiful blue) of Maia's dress too. Seems that she shares Tessa Virtue's excellent taste.
And Meryl has the essence of a classic Greek goddess.
The Shibutanis have added lots of Rostelecom and NHK photos to their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...3162265&type=1
LIVE chat with the Shibutanis, Tue Dec 11, 3:30 pm ET, via US Olympic Team page on Facebook
Not only a live chat, but it is hosted by the USOC, no less.
Facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/events/175255905954507/
And seems that the chat itself will take place at this link:
http://on.fb.me/RlomTZ
(Chats apparently are archived at that link too.)
ETA: Also, @AlexShibutani tweeted re upcoming performances:
(1) @MaiaShibutani and I will be taping a segment for the @todayshow on Wed. (10 am) at Rockefeller Center that will air on Christmas morning!
11:48 AM - 10 Dec 12
(2) And later this week, we'll be in Jamestown, NY for the @Progressive Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular. #SkateGymSpec #PandoraNBCSS
11:50 AM - 10 Dec 12
Last edited by golden411; 12-10-2012 at 06:46 PM.
Archive video from today's live chat:
http://www.livestream.com/usoc/video...m_content=usoc
http://www.livestream.com/usoc/video...edium=ui-thumb
The most interesting thing came around the 17:15 mark on the first link regarding their SD. They explained that they got feedback at Champs Camp that they were "outskating" the Mary Poppins music. They also acknowledge the fact that the Duchesnays skated to this music first and expressed how much respect they have for them.
Also Charlie trolls the chat at the 22 minute mark!
The second video is just the last minute or so of the chat.
IN video interview with the Shibutanis, which was recorded a few days ago when they were in NYC for the Today show taping:
It is viewable without an IN subscription.
8:29 in length.
Alex said that they both took an Egyptology course during the fall semester at U Mich. LOL, I have a feeling that it must be the same Egyptology course that Davis/White took, although Alex did not say so.
(Alex said that Maia and he have to find courses that work with their skating schedule -- such as being away for three consecutive weeks for their GP events -- so maybe that is why it was a good choice for all four from Team Canton.)
ETA, photos of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center:
Last edited by golden411; 12-15-2012 at 05:15 PM.
4 ice dancers in that course...that must have been an interesting crowd to speak to for the professor.
Just for fun, a little comparison of reaction to the dueling tweets from Maia and Alex promoting their new #ShibSibs YouTube video:
[Of course, not claiming that these numbers are statistically significant -- not at all!
Yesterday afternoon @AlexShibutani sent a tweet in English with the link for their new video.
NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO! Good Time - Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular. http://youtu.be/GT1e6B34Okk #PandoraNBCSS #ShibSibs
2:42 PM - 8 Jan 13
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/st...77768857124864
- As of this morning, his tweet had resulted in 77 RETWEETS and 117 FAVORITES (plus 5 replies -- not counting 2 bot replies)
Almost fourteen hours later, @MaiaShibutani sent a tweet in Japanese with the link.
皆さん、あたらしい ヴィデオをみてください。よこしくおねがいします！ http://youtu.be/GT1e6B34Okk
4:26 AM - 9 Jan 13
https://twitter.com/MaiaShibutani/st...85088341970944
- 108 RETWEETS and 87 FAVORITES (plus 5 replies)
These imperfect data suggest that the level of interest among Japanese-reading fans -- within a much shorter time period -- already is about as high as among English-reading fans.
Last edited by golden411; 01-09-2013 at 12:49 PM.
There were no Japanese skaters in the new video. Had it been "Call me maybe", the stats would be much higher :D
Lurve Maia and Alex <3
@USFigureSkating's tweets re today's media call with the Shibutanis re U.S. Championships:
@MaiaShibutani and @AlexShibutani joke about how their throws are coming along ahead of #Omaha2013 to begin the call.
Both @MaiaShibutani and @AlexShibutani speak confidently of where their programs are at now and are looking forward to #Omaha2013
Both Maia and Alex speak highly of Marina Zoueva, @MaiaShibutani adding "She's a great person."
"Our discipline keeps getting stronger." Says @AlexShibutani in reference to a question on the depth at #Omaha2013
@AlexShibutani also adds that their programs have come a long way from where they were during the Grand Prix season.
Hope some reporters soon will be posting articles fleshing out these remarks.
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