I will agree that Mirai has star power, but I don't think she is the only one.
It's not a "fellow"/"he". Can't you tell?Ouch! That fellow doesn't mince words.
But he has a point. The motivation/agenda was never clear.
It's got all the signs of a cattiness that comes from someone of the estrogen-dominated sex.
Sasha Cohen has wonderful presence and is a genuine star on the ice. I hope the US has some other ladies who can follow in her footsteps. The only one who strikes me as a possibility right now is Mirai. Who else do you see? And which programs best illustrate their talents? I'm not seeing it and I hope I'm missing something.
Now that I see the schedule for Skate America, it becomes clear how much USFS was counting on Sasha. With no short programs on Thursday, and the ladies skating in prime time Saturday and on Siunday afternoon, it is clear that NBC television is running the show, arranging the event so as to maximize viewership.
This is also what was behind the decision to hold Skate America later in the year this season, instead of first.
They could have had three top U.S. ladies. (Alissa, Rachael and Caroline seemed liike the best bets at the time the selections were made.) By reserving a spot for Sasha and a TBA just in case Michelle came back, they are now left with a dud as far as attracting U.S. viewers.
Mathman's words were, "to maximize viewership."To change the dates of SA and the date of ladies short primarily to feature Sasha in the prime time? Would the USFS believe so strongly that Sasha could have people who never watch FS but the Olympics turn on TV that they made all these arrangements at the costs of possible risks?
It actually has a negative effect on skating popularity when the star skater does not do well in the featured prime time. This happened with Miki last year or two years ago when she had a meltdown at NHK. The hype turned out to be like a funeral.
Mathman's words were, "to maximize viewership."
Yes, I think they were banking on Sasha to be able to do it. Who else could?
well i know i am not going to buy pepto bismol because of her.
but you should here how pg people talk about athletels or people of different race, religion creed, on the bus to/from work. you might be surprised at what they really think of people that dont fit into their way of thinking or lifestlye.
tanith-white/sasha white.
I do not know what your correction to my words are.Actually, mathman made a point about the "tba" skater along with Sasha would have boosted ratings.
In this case, it is clear mathman meant "tba" = Michelle
He is right and having both of them back would have definitely raised interest for US skating fans and even casual viewers of figure skating.
That is, Mathman's argument was that the networks were concerned about viewership--not necessarily skating popularity in a more general sense--and that they were counting on Sasha to increase said viewership. And I agreed.Bennett said:...the costs of possible risks?
It actually has a negative effect on skating popularity when the star skater does not do well in the featured prime time. This happened with Miki last year or two years ago when she had a meltdown at NHK. The hype turned out to be like a funeral.
To change the dates of SA and the date of ladies short primarily to feature Sasha in the prime time? Would the USFS believe so strongly that Sasha could have people who never watch FS but the Olympics turn on TV that they made all these arrangements at the costs of possible risks?
It actually has a negative effect on skating popularity when the star skater does not do well in the featured prime time. This happened with Miki last year or two years ago when she had a meltdown at NHK. The hype turned out to be like a funeral.
The "TBA = Michelle" is more speculation than USFSA/NBC wanting to attract viewers with Sasha; and Bennett, accordingly, did not even mention Michelle.
But didn't SA ALWAYS have this schedule- at least since 2007? IIRC the ladies short was always Sat. afternoon/evening and the free skate live on NBC Sunday afternoon? This is not new for this year.
I do not know what your correction to my words are.
What is incorrect about all this?
The "TBA = Michelle" is more speculation than USFSA/NBC wanting to attract viewers with Sasha; and Bennett, accordingly, did not even mention Michelle.
:banging:
My interpretation and angle is that they were banking on Sasha, and possibly hoping for Michelle.Maybe I missed something but I believe mm's point was that having both "tba" and Sasha would boost ratings.
Hardly anbody from USA would believe Sasha alone would have much effect on TV viewership but having Michelle and Sasha both back would.
I don't think it is very speculative at all (o% in fact) to connect SA's "tba" with Michelle.
I know you are not a Michelle fan, and you are also not from USA. A Canadian view is as good as any but Michelle trumps Sasha in every possible way, from skating titles to endorsement deals and popularity with skating fans and the biggest area, Michelle's name recognition with the general American public.
Sorry, but imo the heaviest banking was always on Michelle's possible comeback, not Sasha's.
My interpretation and angle is that they were banking on Sasha, and possibly hoping for Michelle.
It doesn't matter that Michelle > Sasha (I agree with it, in terms of both popularity and skater), there was always less certainty with Michelle's return compared to Sasha's announcement in May(?), despite Sasha's questionable ability in or commitment to returning.
And believe it or not, I actually had a Michelle SP (Rachmaninoff 1998) somehow Favourited in my YouTube list without remembering the program or when I did it. So do away with the need to lecture me about Michelle's greatness.
Okay. I was surprised to read your original post. But they are not doing anything special then.Oh. Yes, quite so. (I had to look it up.) So NBC did not do anything special this year after all.
I feel like I have to be extremely literal and state everything in order to make myself clear, which annoys me.But after Michelle's comments at '09 Worlds there was a great degree of speculation over whether she would return. Her apearance at Yun'a summer show only fueled that speculation.
There were announcemnets from US Skating that a deadline would be given to Michelle regarding the timing of her announcement about whether she would return to compete again or not.
That is how I remember it, and if mm cares to join in I believe he alone can say who he believed the "tba" for Skate America was created for.
Knowing mathman he will probably say it was reserved for Dorothy Hamill's comeback
I feel like I have to be extremely literal and state everything in order to make myself clear, which annoys me.
I know that Mathman said he believes the TBA was meant for Michelle (I can read.)
In case that isn't clear, I will say it another way. It is obvious to me that Mathman said he thinks SA's TBA spot was in hopes of Michelle showing up.
Secondly, in my mind, Michelle's announcement in early August that she would retire did not fuel speculation that she would compete in 2010 Oly's; it dampened it (or rather, in my case, eliminated it) and her participation in the Ice Show with YuNa a few weeks after did not affect this impression of mine. I also do not believe it changed most people's ideas of Michelle returning to competition.
Third, R.D.'s pointing out the previous SA primetime scheduling of Ladies' Figure Skating may have disproved the original notion that they made a huge setup for Sasha's appearance. No biggie. Bennett's skepticism is now realism.