Scott Hamilton has never commentated ice dance.
In general, I still prefer Hamilton to Tanith. Don't like Tara Lipinski, but I do like NBC's Johnny Weir (don't like Ice Network's Johnny Weir that much though.)
Terry Gannon really needs to be on the A team and Tom Hammond needs to retire he adds nothing to the broadcast.
OLYMPIC ICE: Olympic Ice, a studio show available on NBCOlympics.com and NBC Sports Live Extra, will offer verified viewers a comprehensive review of all the figure skating news and highlights taking place each day during the Sochi Games. It will air at 5:30 p.m. ET on most days, from February 7-21. Russ Thaler will host the 30-minute show, and will be joined by analyst and 2002 Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Sarah Hughes.
... Gold Zone, Olympic Ice and Olympic Desk Updates will all be produced at NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn.[/I]
Besides, who will NBC get to blabber during the ice dance in Sochi? Sharapova?
I am, however, quite irritated by the decision to include Kerrigan. She never skated under IJS, and will be a new, extra wheel in a team that has already established how to make the broadcast work. Johnny, Tanith, and Terry Gannon seem to have developed a nice rapport and they're doing excellent commentary. Why mess up something that is clearly working???
I forget where I saw it, but someone said there was a quid-pro-quo between NBC and Nancy. Basically, she got trial job in exchange for exclusive interview re: Kerrigan/Harding incident.
I really don't understand why NBC decided to bring on such a huge team--now Evan is included too?
Assume you mean Evan Lysacek. What will his role be? First I am hearing about him as part of the NBC team.
However, I would prefer someone like Belbin who has actually competed in ice dance under the IJS, but understand that her relationship to White, especially at an Olympic Winter Games where he and Davis are favorites for gold, would be considered a conflict of interest. It’s unfortunate that there doesn’t seem to be a recent ice dancer, now retired from competition, who can do commentary besides Belbin. Belbin is a natural to takeover dance commentary for TV in the future. ...
I forget where I saw it, but someone said there was a quid-pro-quo between NBC and Nancy. Basically, she got trial job in exchange for exclusive interview re: Kerrigan/Harding incident.
Well, that's just awful. Bad decision, imo. I doubt it's even financially a good idea for NBC.
I do wish they had Johnny interview skaters too. I would love to see interviews with not just the US skaters, but from all over the world! Johnny actually knows personally a whole lot of skaters competing in Sochi, he even speaks Russian, and he's witty. A girl can dream, right?
"Lysacek will work as an analyst on NBC's "Today Show" for the men's and team figure skating events. He'll be involved with several of his sponsors, such as Citi with the "Every Step Of The Way" program in which he will raise funds for Figure Skating in Harlem, one of his favorite organizations."
Source: http://www.silive.com/olympics/index.ssf/2014/01/winter_olympics_2014_evan_lysa.html
As I said earlier, I don;t mind Evan's role either. It's the fact that Kerrigan is supposed to work aside Terry, Johnny, and Tara that bugs me. I like the chemistry between the three--and I really can't see what Kerrigan could add to the mix. Maybe I'll be proved wrong...
I'm glad Johnny's done interviews ready for the broadcast. I hope we'll get interviews of international skaters too, once they get to Sochi. Pretty please!!
Per Golden 411 (Did anyone see Ben Agosto's ice dance commentary for Euros for Universal Sports?
I did not -- do not have access to Universal Sports. But Agosto is as knowledgeable as Belbin (and as pleasant, etc., AFAIK).
Too late for Agosto to replace Wilson on the Sochi team, of course. But Agosto also would be a natural for future ice dance commentary, esp. if(???) Davis/White continue to compete after this season.)
Did not know Ben was doing dance commentary as well. He would also be great. Glad to hear we will be getting some new knowledgeable ice dance commentating for the future.
"Lysacek will work as an analyst on NBC's "Today Show" for the men's and team figure skating events. He'll be involved with several of his sponsors, such as Citi with the "Every Step Of The Way" program in which he will raise funds for Figure Skating in Harlem, one of his favorite organizations."
Source: http://www.silive.com/olympics/index.ssf/2014/01/winter_olympics_2014_evan_lysa.html