Most of the events that were billed as "Pro-ams" were team events. But there were some in the early nineties that did have both "just turned pros" and "up and comers" in competition.Why? Just curious since I didn't see them and find the idea odd. (How can there be a competition when one group is in tip-top shape and the other isn't?)
I couldn't disagree more. I bet you have never been to one, LOL.MORE of a show? it's always BEEN a show!
PS. OT, but I can't help myself. ... And Michelle gave arguably the finest performance of her entire career, to East of Eden. The audience couldn't believe their eyes.
Those were the days of international competitions and for the most part quite exciting.I couldn't disagree more. I bet you have never been to one, LOL.
The most exciting skating competition I ever saw, bar none, was the 2004 winter Marshalls. Lysacek, who was pretty much unknown at the time, skated first and laid down the challenge. Then came Joubert -- no! Lysacek's still in first! Weir, Griasev, Weiss -- after every skater the audience was on pins and needles waiting for the score. Evan's still on top! Yay!!
(Plushenko skated last, put on his usual exhibition, and won, but never mind that... )
This show, and I emphasize show is a break through from the days of Kwan/Cohen and who else can they get.The 2007 Junior World medalists from the U.S. -- Caroline Zhang, Mirai Nagasu, Ashley Wagner, Stephen Carriere and Keauna McLaughlin/Rockne Brubaker -- have been added to the Marshalls Showcase lineup:
http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=37949
This isn't really a surprise, is it?I see the USFS pushing their new famed kids.
Unfortunately, the '07 National senior pewter medalists have not been invited (Liang, Jeremy Abbott, Evora/Ladwig, Navarro/Bommentre). It might have been a nice bonus to include the other 2 junior national champs as well (Eliot Halverson and Emily Samuelson/Evan Bates, who might have medaled at Jr. Worlds had she not been injured during their free dance).Nice but I hope they don't leave Bebe out.
Remember this is only a two hour program and with all the commercials and fluff added, it is possible we will not see everyone skate who is in the show. Also, this will be last of cheesefests/shows that ABC/ESPN airs as their contract with USFS is over with it's conclusion. Next season.... who knows what, if any skating will be seen on U.S. television? If at all, most likely on cable.
So enjoy what you get and record it for posterity!
BTW... Grand Prix series gets it's last run on ABC/ESPN next season, then that contract with ISU ends.
Whatever rationale the USFS is using for this 'Hail to the Juniors' event, I hope they do not repeat their Nats exhibitions. I'd like to see some versatility.
It does make for an oh, it's on? I already saw it from Nats broadcast. There is no versatility in Junior skating. Sasha will do Dark Eyes? Johnny will do My Way. Seems like a same old stuff presentation.I am sure that they will. THese skater's don't have time to put togther new programs for every new event. And get new costumes. Marai only skated to her SP at nationals exebition... i guess she didn't think she would be performing. She might get something together... i hope so. As for caroline.. she odsen't need to change a thing.