Your favorite and least favorite figure skating commentators

[Joekaz]

To each their own. I personally think Tara and Johnny make figure skating sound like a "quasi" sport. Their demeanour and dress kind of makes a mockery to the sport. As for Tara's skating she had a lot of joy and energy - is that artistry I am not sure.

To be fair, skating is the very definition of a quasi sport, at least the way the ISU and the national federations often judge it. Lol

 

[el henry]

Tara Lipinski has commented on artistry.

She comments on jumps, for sure, and talks too much, for sure, but at least nowadays, for Jason, she gives very favorable commentary on his artistry. And has on other men's skaters. (Less favorable, but then again, not as much to praise as with Jason ).

I was never a huge fan of Tara's skating, but that is unrelated to her commentary.

 

[Angie Grams]

Tara Lipinski has commented on artistry.

She comments on jumps, for sure, and talks too much, for sure, but at least nowadays, for Jason, she gives very favorable commentary on his artistry. And has on other men's skaters. (Less favorable, but then again, not as much to praise as with Jason ).

I was never a huge fan of Tara's skating, but that is unrelated to her commentary.

I watch and listen to her at skating competitions very frequently. There are long gaps of dead silence between her jumps commentary. IMO, her skating was all about jumps, and offered very little (if any) grace, flow, beauty, finesse, etc. She probably does not know how to comment on such areas, as it was never part of her own skating style.

 

[el henry]

I watch and listen to her at skating competitions very frequently. There are long gaps of dead silence between her jumps commentary. IMO, her skating was all about jumps, and offered very little (if any) grace, flow, beauty, finesse, etc. She probably does not know how to comment on such areas, as it was never part of her own skating style.

It sounds as though you have not listened to her recent commentary on Jason (Skate Canada)? She definitely commented on such areas. And it was actually not bad and related to his skates.

ETA: And I for one am glad she, and any commentator, stops talking *during* the skate.

 

[lariko]

I cannot listen to Tara Lipinski! All she can comment upon is jumps! She says nothing about the skater's grace and style and artistic merit. This is very annoying, though not surprising because when she skated, all she brought were jumps, absolutely no grace and artistry at all.

Maybe she leaves it to the audience to decide, seeing that tastes differ, and one person’s artistic is another person’s… well, not. I really don’t need a commentator telling me who is artistic and who isn’t. I’ll make up my own darn mind.

 

[Joekaz]

Maybe she leaves it to the audience to decide, seeing that tastes differ, and one person’s artistic is another person’s… well, not. I really don’t need a commentator telling me who is artistic and who isn’t. I’ll make up my own darn mind.

Artistry when used in the skating context does not mean their style, or if you like it or not. It generally means the aspects of skating having to do with overall body control, grace, coordination of movement, arm control, posture, and carriage, along with musicality and rhythm. This part of skating is at least as important as what the skater is doing with their feet and lower body. While it is subjective, in reality the technical aspects are just as subjective if you look at the criteria and how they are judged in competition.

 

[lariko]

Artistry when used in the skating context does not mean their style, or if you like it or not. It generally means the aspects of skating having to do with overall body control, grace, coordination of movement, arm control, posture, and carriage, along with musicality and rhythm. This part of skating is at least as important as what the skater is doing with their feet and lower body. While it is subjective, in reality the technical aspects are just as subjective if you look at the criteria and how they are judged in competition.

And i had never seen anyone to have problem talking about how program is emotional and how skater X connects to music or how it’s pretty or energetic. If commentator tries to force their views on people (no matter how correct they are), saying this hand positioning is artistic and what not, one skater is graceful and another isn’t, it would just make people frustrated if they don’t like it. We all think we can glean artistic merit—and we do. It’s essential quality of art and humans.

Judges already represent an affront to our own ideas in the artistic part often enough, no need to add a commentator on top of it.

Think Tara is annoying now? Wait till she starts Tara-splaining how Skater X is the best artist, whether you, unwashed masses, know it or not, because that’s what high art demands… oh, boy.

On the other hand, how many could at a glance distinguish between the jumps that are not 3A? About the only thing I would find commentary useful on would be on the step sequence levels, and exactly zero commentators explain step sequences.

 

[Joekaz]

And i had never seen anyone to have problem talking about how program is emotional and how skater X connects to music or how it’s pretty or energetic. If commentator tries to force their views on people (no matter how correct they are), saying this hand positioning is artistic and what not, one skater is graceful and another isn’t, it would just make people frustrated if they don’t like it. We all think we can glean artistic merit—and we do. It’s essential quality of art and humans.

Judges already represent an affront to our own ideas in the artistic part often enough, no need to add a commentator on top of it.

Think Tara is annoying now? Wait till she starts Tara-splaining how Skater X is the best artist, whether you, unwashed masses, know it or not, because that’s what high art demands… oh, boy.

On the other hand, how many could at a glance distinguish between the jumps that are not 3A? About the only thing I would find commentary useful on would be on the step sequence levels, and exactly zero commentators explain step sequences.

You seem to be making a point for no announcers at all, which many indeed prefer, but is a different question. The point here I think, is that having an announcer comment on technical aspects without talking about the artistic/presentation aspects of the skater can give a false impression to the viewer of the quality of the overall performance. Especially since their commentaty on what is and isn't rotated or their opinion on what GOE is warranted is highly subjective as well. As an example, I have actually seen Johnny doing a good job of informing viewers that while Kaori Sakamoto had very impressive jumps, she had issues with her upper body carriage and lack of grace that should negatively impact her total score. Im sure many Kaori fans didn't like that, but it was a legitimate comment for him to make.

 

[Angie Grams]

It sounds as though you have not listened to her recent commentary on Jason (Skate Canada)? She definitely commented on such areas. And it was actually not bad and related to his skates.

ETA: And I for one am glad she, and any commentator, stops talking *during* the skate.

I have not watched that particular show, but I just watched a broadcast from a Japan competition. Not a single word about artstry. All jumps and tech talk. And I, too, do not want non-stop commentary, but what is offered should, imo, be balanced. Tara seems to present herself as the ultimate word in technical knowledge, and honestly, it comes accross as borderline arrogant.

 

[lariko]

You seem to be making a point for no announcers at all, which many indeed prefer, but is a different question. The point here I think, is that having an announcer comment on technical aspects without talking about the artistic/presentation aspects of the skater can give a false impression to the viewer of the quality of the overall performance. Especially since their commentaty on what is and isn't rotated or their opinion on what GOE is warranted is highly subjective as well. As an example, I have actually seen Johnny doing a good job of informing viewers that while Kaori Sakamoto had very impressive jumps, she had issues with her upper body carriage and lack of grace that should negatively impact her total score. Im sure many Kaori fans didn't like that, but it was a legitimate comment for him to make.

No, my point is not to worry about the viewers not being able to appreciate the artistic qualities of skating. At best, commentary on artistic merits reinforces someone in their already formed opinion. If it is used as ammo against someone who loves Sakomoto in some flame war because, look, even the commentator said so, it mush be true she is not artistic.

Humans are wired to make like/dislike descision very, very fast. And stick to it. Nezhinski could raise from his grave and tell me Sakomoto is not artistic, and I would tell him to go and Rest In Peace, my opinion is more correct, lol. And if I managed to assemble a 10,000 member panel that voted Brown to be not artistic, I doubt it moved elhenry’s opinion that he is a pinnacle of perfection by one millionth’s of a hair-width.

So, TLDR, in my view, there is zero value added in commenting on artistry. Each individual viewer knows best, it’s as simple as that.

 

[Angie Grams]

And i had never seen anyone to have problem talking about how program is emotional and how skater X connects to music or how it’s pretty or energetic. If commentator tries to force their views on people (no matter how correct they are), saying this hand positioning is artistic and what not, one skater is graceful and another isn’t, it would just make people frustrated if they don’t like it. We all think we can glean artistic merit—and we do. It’s essential quality of art and humans.

Judges already represent an affront to our own ideas in the artistic part often enough, no need to add a commentator on top of it.

Think Tara is annoying now? Wait till she starts Tara-splaining how Skater X is the best artist, whether you, unwashed masses, know it or not, because that’s what high art demands… oh, boy.

On the other hand, how many could at a glance distinguish between the jumps that are not 3A? About the only thing I would find commentary useful on would be on the step sequence levels, and exactly zero commentators explain step sequences.

Artistry is something a viewer can feel when he or she is watching. It is a huge component of the presentation, imo, and Tara basically ignores it. I think, as I said above, that artistry was simply not a part of Tara's skating and she, therefore, does not think it matters. She's all about jumping, and that's what she talks about, which is why I find her commentary lacking, not to mention that she presents herself as the ultimate authority on jumps, which I find annoying. She could jump well, but there were and are skaters with better skills. JMO

 

[Angie Grams]

No, my point is not to worry about the viewers not being able to appreciate the artistic qualities of skating. .............

So, TLDR, in my view, there is zero value added in commenting on artistry. Each individual viewer knows best, it’s as simple as that.

I disagree. If it is of value to go on ad nauseam about why a skater fell during a jump, then it is of equal value to comment on artistry.

 

[lariko]

Artistry is something a viewer can feel when he or she is watching. It is a huge component of the presentation, imo, and Tara basically ignores it. I think, as I said above, that artistry was simply not a part of Tara's skating and she, therefore, does not think it matters. She's all about jumping, and that's what she talks about, which is why I find her commentary lacking, not to mention that she presents herself as the ultimate authority on jumps, which I find annoying. She could jump well, but there were and are skaters with better skills. JMO

Go you. Invent a travel machine and go see Tara live and feel bad about her competitors. Whatever. But tbh, if you have so little respect for her, why would you even care about her opinion on artistry?

As for everyone else who watches, again, they have their own opinions and stuff. If they want Tara’s, social media is all the rage nowadays.

Like, if I want to know Barton’s opinion on something, i twit or email Barton. If he decides to answer he does.

There is no reason to overburden the commentary with what we can all see for ourselves.

 

[lariko]

I disagree. If it is of value to go on ad nauseam about why a skater fell during a jump, then it is of equal value to comment on artistry.

Because there are things everyone’s is qualified to make a call on, like artistry, and there are things money specialists understand, as in why the skater fell. Or, for that matter, which jump they did if there is no scoring window. If you know those things, good for you. So 100% viewers can make up their mind on which young athlete is their artistic fav. About 10% can tell a 3F from 3Lo (with a downright surprising percentage of global population blissfully unaware that Lo can also be called a Rittberger) and even fewer can actually tell how the skater transferred weight, where their body was, etc to explain fall or pop.

 

[TontoK]

As long as we're griping about random stuff, I'd like to make my pitch for banning the color orange.

I've always disliked orange. It's unattractive, and nothing rhymes with orange.

All in all, it's a useless color. We should NOT ban the fruit, however, although I am open to suggestion as to how it can be renamed.

 

[lariko]

As long as we're griping about random stuff, I'd like to make my pitch for banning the color orange.

I've always disliked orange. It's unattractive, and nothing rhymes with orange.

All in all, it's a useless color. We should NOT ban the fruit, however, although I am open to suggestion as to how it can be renamed.

Ah, you prefer the Russian (German, really) way. Fruit and colour are disassociated linguistically there. But then, the fruit’s name is connected to apple, which makes apple to oranges comparison less striking.

 

[NaVi]

Figure skating programs are to too proscribed by the system that it's absurd to talk about "artistry" with regards to them. You can't talk about artistry until you stop counting every individual spin revolution, start allowing the steps and spins to be more split up so that the cadence of the programs are not all the same, and gamify jump passes more so that they actually surprise the audience. For this reason, I also find proposals raising the PCS mark or having a seperate PCS panel to also be absurd. It's the over measuring and not improper measuring that's the problem.

I like Johnny and Tara and Terry individually, but I'm not a fan of 3 person commentary booths for figure skating(edit: I will say that I thought they did well together at the 2018 Olympics). There's too much jockeying to get a word in to justify getting yourself paid. Their utterances can have a "punchy" vibe to it. If you're going to comment on the more artistic side then you need more space to be detailed. And another issue is that if you're going to be negative it can sound like you're either being catty. It can also turn off the audience who wonders why they spent time watching a bad performance.

 

[TontoK]

Ah, you prefer the Russian (German, really) way. Fruit and colour are disassociated linguistically there. But then, the fruit’s name is connected to apple, which makes apple to oranges comparison less striking.

See, now that's interesting.

I'm open to borrowing from the Russians to rename the fruit. I was going to go with something like "Florida Fruit," but I think I like your idea better.

We can always compare "apples to grapefruit."

PS. My Frency is rusty from disuse, but I think I remember that potatoes are named using the name for apple in that language. There is precedent for an "apple crossover."

 

[lariko]

See, now that's interesting.

I'm open to borrowing from the Russians to rename the fruit. I was going to go with something like "Florida Fruit," but I think I like your idea better.

We can always compare "apples to grapefruit."

PS. My Frency is rusty from disuse, but I think I remember that potatoes are named using the name for apple in that language. There is precedent for an "apple crossover."

Yup, it is. in Italian (and Russian), it’s tomatoes that are connected to apple. To think of, Russians just compare more things to apples than just oranges.

In German, orange is Apfelisine, which in Russian becomes Apel’sin.

 

[Joekaz]

Because there are things everyone’s is qualified to make a call on, like artistry, and there are things money specialists understand, as in why the skater fell. Or, for that matter, which jump they did if there is no scoring window. If you know those things, good for you. So 100% viewers can make up their mind on which young athlete is their artistic fav. About 10% can tell a 3F from 3Lo (with a downright surprising percentage of global population blissfully unaware that Lo can also be called a Rittberger) and even fewer can actually tell how the skater transferred weight, where their body was, etc to explain fall or pop.

I find it strange that you think its ok for an "expert" to voice their opinion on a skaters jump technique, but not their opinion on a skaters stiff upper body and arm movements and not being on rhythm to the music hurting their artistic presentation. Both are equally valid opinions to voice to viewers who may not be knowledgeable about either.