anyone else watching GP finals on CBC?

[ks777]

Ladies LP starts now

 

[Mathman]

Thanks for the heads up.

Carolina needs more engaging music.

Who are the commentators?

ETA: Yukari.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

ETA: Yukari.

Agree but the Japan Fed is not letting her go to Worlds or 4CC because of their Nats. C'est la vie.

 

[ks777]

Thanks for the heads up.

Carolina needs more engaging music.

Who are the commentators?

ETA: Yukari.

Kurt Browning and Tracy Wilson.

 

[ks777]

Kurt didn't like Mao's LP. He doesn't like the repetitive music and choreography. I feel the same way about Mao's LP.

 

[Mathman]

During the replay of Yuna Kim's performance they showed Brian Orser leaping up and down behind the boards. Kurt said, "Look at the height on Brian's jumps!"

Yuna speaks pretty good English. Not much of an accent at all.

 

[bekalc]

Kurt didn't like Mao's LP. He doesn't like the repetitive music and choreography. I feel the same way about Mao's LP.

I 100% agree with Kurt on this one.

 

[fumie_fumie]

so what did Kurt and Tracy say about Joannie, though?

 

[ks777]

so what did Kurt and Tracy say about Joannie, though?

Sorry I wasn't really paying attention when Joannie was getting interviewed..

 

[lmarie086]

Kurt didn't like Mao's LP. He doesn't like the repetitive music and choreography. I feel the same way about Mao's LP.

I 100% agree with Kurt on this one.

I thought I was the only one who wasn't a fan of Mao's LP. I've never been a big fan of the piece and I'm just not seeing what is so spectacular about the choreography either. If she hits all the jumps that would be what makes her unbeatable, but I don't find the actual program itself to be all that amazing.

 

[amateur]

I see Mao's LP as designed not so much as to be a masterpiece in its own right, but to push her and expand her expression (the relentless music kinda helping to "drum it in"), toward hopefully better things, a broader palette, next season - and to me that is not a bad thing at all. Kinda like when Joannie did that Jimi Hendrix SP, in a deliberate effort to become "looser" in her style; it ended up not all that well-received, and the style was not revisited, but it was still a calculated move toward the type of skating we're now starting to see from her. I actually like when skaters take this approach for a season (not that I actually know Tarasova's - or anyone else's - plan, hahaha)

Mao still seems to be thinking through this program most of the time (...who wouldn't!), but I thought the opening of this performance was VERY fierce and well-expressed, through to (and including) the first 3A combo - I think I let out a "WoW" for the overall effect of the opening... after that the expression dropped off... I think she'll continue to grow into this one, even if not fully. But its a building season. Not every program can be a masterpiece.

About Joannie: Kurt & Tracy gave her praise for a solid performance aside from the lutz errors, which it really was - I don't think there was a single weak area of that performance other than the lutzes. Kurt said something about it being deceptively calm/low-key... talking about her assuredness I believe. Kurt is vocal, though, about her needing to agressively pursue the tech content (3-3's), he does not let her off with "almost" having it. They gave her due praise without overhyping her this time out.

Carolina - I like her, but I wished she'd kept swan lake! I'd been skeptical, but in her SC performance I was pleasantly surprised with what she'd done with it and was looking forward to that program developing. Am I the only one? This performance was not bad though, and worthy of the bronze given Joannie's dismal SP

Yuna - looked so relieved after all that was over! Did look slightly disappointed, but relief seemed the stronger emotion.

Yukari - Lovely program & expression really (first I've seen it), I think second best (& close) after Joannie... what a shame about Japanese Nats... (though I can't be displeased about the resurgence of Fumie...)

 

[abaka]

I thought I was the only one who wasn't a fan of Mao's LP. I've never been a big fan of the piece and I'm just not seeing what is so spectacular about the choreography either. If she hits all the jumps that would be what makes her unbeatable, but I don't find the actual program itself to be all that amazing.

Rafael Arutunian may no longer be her coach, but it seems he has the reputation of damaging his skaters' choreography... permanently?

 

[Okami]

I hardly think that a few people not linking the music and choreography equals the choreography not being good. If this was the case, we would have to consider all figure skating performances in the history of the sport as craptastic, as there is no program that is universally loved by everyone.

Personally, I love Mao's LP and the music choice. It's different, it's intense, it's like a mix of ice dance and singles skating. It can be hardly said that this program is not being well received - Kurt might not be a fan of TAT's choreo, but Vasya and Chris and Nicky (among others) loved the program, and considered other performances to not be as developed choreographically (and many fans agree). It's all a matter of personal taste. :thumbsup:

ETA: Having just watched the CBC broadcast, I must say I'm not very fond of the commentary. By saying that Mao attempted 2 3A and landed one at NHK Brenda (or was it Tracy?) made it sound as if Mao fell on the other one, which was not the case. Then they actually make a mistake and say that "Masquerade" is the first Mao's program that was choreographed by Tatiana Tarasova. In reality, it's the third one to be choreoghraphed by TAT - after "Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra" and "Tango".
Finally, maybe if the commentators spent less time chatting , they would realize how the every step, every arm gesture, every change of positions is choreographed to the music. And I was just baffled hearing that Mao's skating looked more mechanical than usual - IMHO she had much more expression than in her last two LPs (perhaps except for the Skate Canada 2007 LP).

Maybe it's me, but I felt like the commentators were miffed that Mao had a program choreographed by TAT instead of using Canadian Lori for all programs. Personally I welcome the variety and I think that all 4 programs (including two Gala numbers) are great and bringing out different sides of Mao's skating (lyrical SP, powerful LP, cute/funny "sing...", and elegant/showmanship-py "Tango").

 

[Star85]

I see Mao's LP as designed not so much as to be a masterpiece in its own right, but to push her and expand her expression (the relentless music kinda helping to "drum it in"), toward hopefully better things, a broader palette, next season - and to me that is not a bad thing at all. Kinda like when Joannie did that Jimi Hendrix SP, in a deliberate effort to become "looser" in her style; it ended up not all that well-received, and the style was not revisited, but it was still a calculated move toward the type of skating we're now starting to see from her. I actually like when skaters take this approach for a season (not that I actually know Tarasova's - or anyone else's - plan, hahaha)

Mao still seems to be thinking through this program most of the time (...who wouldn't!), but I thought the opening of this performance was VERY fierce and well-expressed, through to (and including) the first 3A combo - I think I let out a "WoW" for the overall effect of the opening... after that the expression dropped off... I think she'll continue to grow into this one, even if not fully. But its a building season. Not every program can be a masterpiece.

Mainly because I didn't care much for the music, I didn't like Mao's Masquerade LP as much as any of her other programs so far, but it has grown on me. I enjoy any program that Mao does, and I appreciate the difficulty of this program. I actually like her exhibition the best of all of her programs this season though.

Thanks for bringing up some points I hadn't thought of before, Amateur. I have no problem with Mao making this a building season, and doing a program that will help her improve. As far as expanding her expression though, I don't think she could have been putting much more expression in her skating than she was before. Her skating touched me emotionally, and not many skaters can do that. With this new program however, she seems to have LESS expression than ever. That does say something though: this program is challenging her. I think it's great she's pushing herself though. She's great, but no skater is perfect, and therefore, they can always find something to improve on.

 

[Tigger]

Going to make a suggestion and then talk GPF. I know it's neat to be able to post in a different colour every now and then, but w/our white background, a pastel makes it very hard to read and also is headache inducing. Just something to keep in mind.

We had company come in during Ladies and haven't had a chance yet to check the DVD. Pairs I found very lackluster, w/the exception of the Chinese who did the Tango LP and I'm too tired and feeling too icky to figure out which one of the two that was. Drawing a blank on their names, but was impressed w/their program.

Dance, the highlight were the DelSchloes. I really love their FD this year. It's so clean and lyriical, but still w/their own highlight moves. Very much fell in love w/it.

Men...Take notice World. Jeremy Abbott is indeed the real thing. WOW!!

Don't forget the Gala will be at some point after Midnight tonight on the CBC. Check local listings!!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Kurt didn't like Mao's LP. He doesn't like the repetitive music and choreography. I feel the same way about Mao's LP.

Can you blame him? That tired old waltz. What was TT's idea behind all that repetitive music? It begs to be a production number or a dance number, not a solo. TT could also have used Bolero another non change of rhythm piece.

 

[amateur]

I found the commentators to be chattier than usual during this broadcast (though they are usually quite chatty anyway by European standards - not by American standards though )
Is it perhaps because the commentary wasn't live in the arena?
I found Tracy in particular seemed to over-compensate by injecting entusiasm with her voice, in a way that was slightly grating (I don't usually get this from her).
And Brenda was bringing in too much back story during performances. 3 commentators is too many!

 

[astimegoesby]

During the replay of Yuna Kim's performance they showed Brian Orser leaping up and down behind the boards. Kurt said, "Look at the height on Brian's jumps!"

That was definitely one of the highlights for me, too--and if you watch carefully, you can see Brian leap in the air behind the boards while Yu-Na landed at least one of her jumps during the regular broadcast of her LP. :agree:

Pairs I found very lackluster, w/the exception of the Chinese who did the Tango LP and I'm too tired and feeling too icky to figure out which one of the two that was. Drawing a blank on their names, but was impressed w/their program.

That was Pang and Tong, and I was also very impressed with how much their expression and choreography has improved with this program. I just hope we'll be able to see a clean performance of it before the end of the season.

I was also impressed with both Patrick and Joannie. True, this wasn't the best competition for either one of them, but I was especially impressed with how both of them were able to fight back and land most of their jumps after their earlier mistakes. And for Joannie, skating the third-best LP after Yu-Na and Mao is definitely nothing to be ashamed of!

But I also have to agree with Kurt and Tracy about Mao's "Masquerade Waltz" LP. It seemed to me like the program was choreographed to get the two 3-axels, the other jumps, and other COP-friendly elements out of the way with not much else in between. It wasn't until Mao's final footwork sequence that I truly felt she was expressing herself to the music and not just going from jump to jump and element to element. BTW, did anyone else have Krylova and Ovsyannikov's 1997 Worlds FD going through their heads while watching Mao's LP?

This was also the most aggressive (for lack of a better word!) audience I've ever seen in terms of throwing flowers, stuffed animals, etc. on the ice...especially after Patrick and Yu-Na's LPs. Good thing Yu-Na was the final skate--I can't imagine how long the next competitor would've had to wait for all of her flowers, stuffed animals, etc. to be cleaned off the ice!

BTW, CBC will rebroadcast the gala next Saturday afternoon for those of us who missed it last night--all my CBC station had scheduled in that time slot was hockey-related programming.

 

[siberia82]

BTW, CBC will rebroadcast the gala next Saturday afternoon for those of us who missed it last night--all my CBC station had scheduled in that time slot was hockey-related programming.

Actually, the GPF Gala is scheduled for 12:30AM tonight (or should I say Monday morning?), so you didn't miss anything.

 

[bekalc]

Maybe it's me, but I felt like the commentators were miffed that Mao had a program choreographed by TAT instead of using Canadian Lori for all programs. Personally I welcome the variety and I think that all 4 programs (including two Gala numbers) are great and bringing out different sides of Mao's skating (lyrical SP, powerful LP, cute/funny "sing...", and elegant/showmanship-py "Tango").

That's frankly ridiculous... Maybe they just don't like that program.

Kurt is a big fan of Mao Asada, called her one of his favorite skaters for several years now. Was predicting she'd win worlds over Yu-na last year. He absolutely adores Mao's skating.

Why would he be upset that Mao isn't having Lori choregraph her programs. What does Kurt benefit by having Mao work with Lori. Kurt's a choregapher himself you know...

I think their criticisms are right on about this program, and other commentators have said similar things. The Eurosport commentators said they didn't like Mao's long either.....Do they hate Tarasova too? The Eursport commentators?

Frankly I think the music works better for a short. It's less repetitive.