Evgenia Medvedeva to train under Brian Orser

[Mista Ekko]

It's great program. I sincerely think it's the best program I've seen this season.

Please reconsider this statement

 

[Sugar Coated]

And yet we got Alexandra Trusova skating to Big Spender

I don’t have as much of a problem with the Big Spender program as I do with some of the senior exhibition programs. Probably not the wisest choice of music for a 13 year old, but I don’t think the lyrics or program are overtly sexual (yes I get what’s implied but it’s never overt and the program doesn’t push this). However Alina in a skin tight, partially see through tiger suit? That did not seem okay to me for a 15 year old. I also really wasn’t a fan of the programs where Zhenya is ripping off clothing. Could have done without that.

 

[readernick]

I don’t have as much of a problem with the Big Spender program as I do with some of the senior exhibition programs. Probably not the wisest choice of music for a 13 year old, but I don’t think the lyrics or program are overtly sexual (yes I get what’s implied but it’s never overt and the program doesn’t push this). However Alina in a skin tight, partially see through tiger suit? That did not seem okay to me for a 15 year old. I also really wasn’t a fan of the programs where Zhenya is ripping off clothing. Could have done without that.

I agree about Alina. Why do that to a beautiful 15 year old? But, I think the line “I don’t pop my cork for every man I meet” ( or something similar) is about as overt as you can get? She is 13, the song is clearly about prostitution. Why?????? Who thought “this is perfect for my 13 year old student”?

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

? She is 13, the song is clearly about prostitution. Why?????? Who thought “this is perfect for my 13 year old student”?

There was nothing about her interpretation that was even remotely suggestive. Get your mind out of the gutter!

 

[ayame]

I remember her crediting Yulia in an early interview but after she had left room the entire credit for the program and how ungrateful Yulia was. I also feel like most of zhenya’s programs were about recreating that type of success by pushing really dark topics (e.g., 9-11, clinical death) but they always came off as...extra.

Actually, makes me wonder what Zhenya actually felt about those topics. She's great at telling a story through her skating and I'm sure she realizes that's (one of) her strength(s); she too must have felt all the voiceovers and whatnot were tacky.
That said I was very happy to read the article. Seems like she want to take back creative control and I'm 100% here for that. Brian sounds supportive as well and I'm glad they're both open to technical improvement. So excited for next season

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

And you thought figure skating fans lost their minds when the season ends

https://instagram.com/p/BicuB6JhoA5/

 

[NanaPat]

On the other, it prevents cases like Radionova's Titanic program.

I'm guilty of laughing at that program, but I watched it every time it appeared, and have even sought it out on Youtube. I have to admire her commitment to it.

 

[readernick]

There was nothing about her interpretation that was even remotely suggestive. Get your mind out of the gutter!

My mind isn’t on the gutter. Perhaps, yours is? Certainly, you don’t have manners. That is what the song is about. It is not my opinion. It is a fact. Any responsible adult wants to protect children from this world. I agree the intepretation was fine. Not sexualized at all. It could have been skated to any jazzy song so why choose that one. A coach has that responsibilty. Don’t defend adults at the expense of children. That leads to abuse.

 

[teapot]

TAT really likes her. And I hope it stays that way, with how turbulent this transfer is going. And well, TAT should know what she's talking about: an Olympic favourite leaving their coach after a younger rinkmate won Olympic gold is exactly how she got Yagudin. For additional similarities, she was coaching from abroad back then so Yagudin was also leaving Russia to train with her and got a lot of flack for it.

Before Yagudin left Mishin, he never lost one single competition to a younger skater. They are not exactly the same.

 

[Manitou]

My mind isn’t on the gutter. Perhaps, yours is? Certainly, you don’t have manners. That is what the song is about. It is not my opinion. It is a fact. Any responsible adult wants to protect children from this world. I agree the intepretation was fine. Not sexualized at all. It could have been skated to any jazzy song so why choose that one. A coach has that responsibilty. Don’t defend adults at the expense of children. That leads to abuse.

Let's hope nobody got hurt or corrupted during that performance. And at the end of a day that's all that matters...

 

[el henry]

There was nothing about her interpretation that was even remotely suggestive. Get your mind out of the gutter!

I’m sorry Sam, but your mind doesn’t need to be in the gutter with this one. This is not from google, but completely from memory.....

The minute you walked into the joint (house of ill repute. ETA: technically a dance hall, but the implication in the movie is clear that men pay for women’s company)
I could tell you were a man of distinction
Real big spender
Good looking, so refined
Wouldn’t you like to know what I have on my mind?
I don’t pop my cork for every guy I see
Spend a little time with me
How about a (laughs)
I could give you some
Fun Good Times
Let me show you a good time.

It takes a very inventive and tortured interpretation not to read that for what it is. Shame on Eteri for giving it to a 15 (ETA: 13:shocked year old. At least now I’m understanding even more how she (the 15/ 13year old) had no say in it....

 

[Midnightcass]

I’m sorry Sam, but your mind doesn’t need to be in the gutter with this one. This is not from google, but completely from memory.....

The minute you asked into the joint (house of ill repute. ETA: technically a dance hall, but the implication in the movie is clear that men pay for women’s company)
I could tell you were a man of distinction
Real big spender
Good looking, so refined
Wouldn’t you like to know what I have on my mind?
I don’t pop my cork for every guy I see
Spend a little time with me
How about a (laughs)
I could give you some
Fun Good Times
Let me show you a good time.

It takes a very inventive and tortured interpretation not to read that for what it is. Shame on Eteri for giving it to a 15 year old. At least now I’m understanding even more how she had no say in it....

She (Trusova) is 13 not 15 which makes it worse. She honestly probably hadn't a single flu what tagt song meant.

 

[sweetice]

Shame on Eteri for giving it to a 15 year old.

13, and is also one of the more kid-looking girl of the bunch.
Is definitely one of the most unfitted programs of the last season. Over that, i can just think about the weird gala of Alina...

 

[50 Words for Snow]

That was an eloquent, professional, and well-rounded statement, Zhenya! I am so proud of you for taking the high road. I'm so excited for you! You are setting out on such a wonderful and mysterious adventure, betting entirely on yourself. You are so brave, knowing that you would take a lot of flak for this but doing what you felt was best for your career anyway. Welcome to North America, and good luck and good health always!

 

[sross43]

I did not see this coming (honestly I thought we'd never see Evgenia compete after the Olympics) but I'm happy for her. I wonder what changed over at Eteri's rink that at least two of her more talented skaters are jumping ship.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I’m sorry Sam, but your mind doesn’t need to be in the gutter with this one. This is not from google, but completely from memory.....

The minute you walked into the joint (house of ill repute. ETA: technically a dance hall, but the implication in the movie is clear that men pay for women’s company)
I could tell you were a man of distinction
Real big spender
Good looking, so refined
Wouldn’t you like to know what I have on my mind?
I don’t pop my cork for every guy I see
Spend a little time with me
How about a (laughs)
I could give you some
Fun Good Times
Let me show you a good time.

It takes a very inventive and tortured interpretation not to read that for what it is. Shame on Eteri for giving it to a 15 (ETA: 13:shocked year old. At least now I’m understanding even more how she (the 15/ 13year old) had no say in it....

Well I’m just saying based on her interpretation I saw nothing inappropriate. Agree it’s not the best idea to take this music on at that age but nothing she did implied prostitution as was being suggested. When I look at her I see my little cousin and think innocent 13yr old date to a candy store with a young boy. That type of big spending. Like some apple juice Champaign or something

This is off topic anyway but I just find it misleading to suggest that Sasha was interpreting the music and lyrics literally. It’s a catchy tune like Mack the Knife where I think the era is what is being interpretated more so though the original and literal intent. Mack the knife was based on a serial killer after all :think:

 

[squall1111]

That was an eloquent, professional, and well-rounded statement, Zhenya! I am so proud of you for taking the high road. I'm so excited for you! You are setting out on such a wonderful and mysterious adventure, betting entirely on yourself. You are so brave, knowing that you would take a lot of flak for this but doing what you felt was best for your career anyway. Welcome to North America, and good luck and good health always!

May she be the one who starts a trend in Russian ladies skating to take huge leaps for longer careers. I hope in time other russian ladies may consider venturing out someday for maturity. Especially some Eteri girls later on.

 

[el henry]

Well I’m just saying based on her interpretation I saw nothing inappropriate. Agree it’s not the best idea to take this music on at that age but nothing she did implied prostitution as was being suggested. When I look at her I see my little cousin and think innocent 13yr old date to a candy store with a young boy. That type of big spending. Like some apple juice Champaign or something

This is off topic anyway but I just find it misleading to suggest that Sasha was interpreting the music and lyrics literally. It’s a catchy tune like Mack the Knife where I think the era is what is being interpretated more so though the original and literal intent. Mack the knife was based on a serial killer after all :think:

I agree that Trusova did not nothing to interpret the lyrics in the way they were intended (I've only seen the program once or twice, but I can't imagine it changed over the season).

It's very difficult for me in today's world not to feel protective over a young girl given over-sexualized lyrics for a skating program. And it's not just Trusova, Starr Andrews' Fever also made me wince, and she's older. And of course, everyone's favorite, Candyman, and they weren't even under-age....

But in any event, since I veered OT, for programs I would like to see, I will join the growing chorus of folks who *cannot wait* to see what Zhenya does when away from Averbukh's influence. I am hoping I will be impressed!

 

[AshWagsFan]

The icenetwork article was very good, Orser and Zhenya seem to be happy with this. I like that Evgenia is open to change, which IMO she needed after losing to Zagitova... best of luck!

 

[cohen-esque]

Well I’m just saying based on her interpretation I saw nothing inappropriate. Agree it’s not the best idea to take this music on at that age but nothing she did implied prostitution as was being suggested. When I look at her I see my little cousin and think innocent 13yr old date to a candy store with a young boy. That type of big spending. Like some apple juice Champaign or something

This is off topic anyway but I just find it misleading to suggest that Sasha was interpreting the music and lyrics literally. It’s a catchy tune like Mack the Knife where I think the era is what is being interpretated more so though the original and literal intent. Mack the knife was based on a serial killer after all :think:

Having rewatched this just now because of this thread, I can’t agree that there’s nothing inappropriate about it: the lyrics go “spend a little time with me” and she touches the inside of her thighs with both hands and then blows a kiss off them, for god’s sake.

That is the only blatantly literal allusion to the subject, thankfully, but I’m not even sure that’s better in the general sense of interpretarion and composition. If you’re using lyrics, I really think you have to bring a higher level of literalness to your interpretation than just using the music behind it— in which case a smiley, energetic routine would be just fine, if uninspired. When you add the lyrics and don’t address them, you’re just skating right through ignoring your music.

There’s nothing particularly special or unique about her program that it couldn’t work skating to something else. They could’ve and I think should’ve avoided the whole thing and just given her a catchy, fun music without the prostitution lyrics, while keeping 99% of the choreography the exact same.

Edit: also, this conversation is totally topic: