Replay Lounge 2025 GP de France

[Skating91]

I usually don't mind Chris or Ted or Mark, but nothing would make me happier than having Belinda Noonan as a GP commentator. Or Worlds. Or Europeans. Or anything really. Just let me hear her thoughts for a change.

As for the event, highlights for me are:
- Adam and his traditional redemption arc in FS - the relief I felt, when he safely landed his first three jump passes in the free, has made the program that much more enjoyable and memorable for me (I'm starting to wonder if he is truly one of my favorite skaters or if I am just addicted to the rollercoaster of emotions he is giving us)
- Lukas! I enjoyed both of his programs, he is a solid skater and I like that he usually has a clear concept in mind, which makes his programs intentional, with integrity
- Japanese ladies - Rion's free may be my favorite at the end of the season, Ami did amazingly well, Kaori is still a queen for me
- Nika Egadze and his short to georgian waltz - that was really interesting to see him skate with emotions, like for once he connected with the music. That was not on my bingo list.

Shame about Kao, I hope he and his team can figure out what went wrong and do something to bounce back from it.

I'm also very VERY disappointed to see that we, in fact, did not get rid of that new introduction. I know i'm probably in the minority here, but I hate it so much, I find it awkward on so mamy levels and highly unnecessary. I was hoping it was just a thing of last year, because they wanted to test it before Boston worlds and then it will just disappear, but I guess it's here to stay (and i'm very grumpy about it)

I also hated Chris drooling over Ilia (nothing wrong with being a fanboy, just don't force me to participate please and thank you) and questionable camera-work (I really didn't need to see so many kids or people eating, talking, filming or chilling on the audience, I wanted to watch skaters warning up).

Not much controversy or bad vibes from this event, so that's a good start of GP Series.

Chris is the ultimate hype man, it sounds like an AI or soundboard commentator. "The quality!" It becomes a little too much. I've always like Simon Reed and Nicky Slater. I haven't watched Eurosport this season but Simon Reed was commentating with an American woman last season maybe for World's and I enjoyed that combo. Simon has passion for skating, great broadcasting voice, and will say whether he liked or disliked a program (no malice just layman analysis) while giving the opportunity for the colour commentator to analyse and explain what was going on.

Chris is just a hype man. It's too much. Plus when he is on his own he doesn't really offer any insights.

I really like Hanretty in the JGP, he's a little bit of a hype man I like his enthusiasm for the most part, but offers really interesting insights into what is going on, explains what is going on with spins or step sequences for examples.

 

[Weathergal]

Chris is the ultimate hype man, it sounds like an AI or soundboard commentator. "The quality!" It becomes a little too much. I've always like Simon Reed and Nicky Slater. I haven't watched Eurosport this season but Simon Reed was commentating with an American woman last season maybe for World's and I enjoyed that combo. Simon has passion for skating, great broadcasting voice, and will say whether he liked or disliked a program (no malice just layman analysis) while giving the opportunity for the colour commentator to analyse and explain what was going on.

Chris is just a hype man. It's too much. Plus when he is on his own he doesn't really offer any insights.

I really like Hanretty in the JGP, he's a little bit of a hype man I like his enthusiasm for the most part, but offers really interesting insights into what is going on, explains what is going on with spins or step sequences for examples.

That was Chris Howarth for Worlds. He commentated with Kirstin Moore-Towers, who's Canadian.

 

[lariko]

I don't want to be a bad person but I pray Chris is removed somehow somewhere anywhere far away from my ears... I just cannot take his commentary anymore.

Mark and Ted will be taking some events, fortunately. It will give those of us who need it a break from Chris.

 

[lariko]

...with Kirstin Moore-Towers, who's Canadian.

The best commentator in Internationals in my view (though I still have a soft spot for Ted and prefer him in Juniors).

 

[paulusfr]

The musicality of Isabeau’s new programs leaves much to be desired.

I have to admit, I really liked Pavlova/Sviatchenko’s new SP - they look completely different. I can’t say the same about their free skate though.

I was going to write another rant about the GOEs on the Japanese pair’s elements, but honestly, I’m just tired of it at this point

 

[Arigato]

Adam doing so well in his FS to my favourite Tirol Concerto by Philip Glass nearly broke me - too much happiness could be bad for you too, you know
Could anyone direct me to a no commentary video please?
I don't want to be a bad person but I pray Chris is removed somehow somewhere anywhere far away from my ears... I just cannot take his commentary anymore.
As someone in other thread said he is a king of platitudes. As to his little phrases ... I will scream if/when I hear 'that was a cracker ' one more time.
Regardless of my personal opinion, do we not deserve a variety of commentators? A different perspective on skating?

Chris Howarth comments from Adam's program:

"Beautiful quad lutz to start, the jump that let him down in the short." (Not a platitude, the lutz didn't work well in the short and it was the best quad lutz he has done in ages. 3.29 GOE)

"The first of two quad toes and it was a beauty." (Not a platitude, it was indeed a beauty 3.39 GOE)

"Oh, yes, what a start to this program for Adam, quad toe triple toe." (Not a platitude, it was a great start for Adam. Should he lie or what?)

I disagreed with Chris when he said he never saw Adam skate better. Adam skated the skate of his life when he made history at Montreal. That Free Skate took him from 19th place to the podium. 206.90 and PCS of 92.07. This current performance didn't come close to Montreal. But I'm not going to say Chris sucks for liking Adam's skating. That would be absurd. As for Belinda, well, I already know she commented about Adam's deep edges on the ice, but that doesn't mean I would throw out Howarth for Belinda simply because she commented on his edge work and Howarth didn't.

What is another option here, Tara and Johnny? I'd fire a gunshot in the air just to get those two jokers to shut up, they're so bad.

 

[Karoltyna]

I also hated Chris drooling over Ilia (nothing wrong with being a fanboy, just don't force me to participate please and thank you) and questionable camera-work (I really didn't need to see so many kids or people eating, talking, filming or chilling on the audience, I wanted to watch skaters warning up).

Forgive Chris, he is supposed to hype Ilia, ISU feels the need for new omnious skating hero who will make FS great again and desiganted Ilia for the role. Sure, why not, he has lots of qualities and wins golds everywhere and I guess with appropriate approach it is possible. But whoever is PR consultant for ISU, they aren't earning their pay because as you wrote, it seems more like fanboying and is awkward.

 

[discodisco]

Mark Hanretty is the best commentator I've ever heard. Yes, others over the years have definitely had their strong points - Barb Underhill was probably the most passionate, for example - but I haven't ever heard a commentator provide as much insight as Mark. He's one of the few who can really comment on dance. He talks about more than just the jumps, explaining how sometimes moves that look the simplest are incredibly complex, he gushes over Edge quality and speed and the complexity of choreography and certain moves. I think he's really good with Ted, and if I had to choose one commentator from any era, I would choose him without question. I think Noonan is good as well, very knowledgeable.

 

[NanaPat]

I'm also very VERY disappointed to see that we, in fact, did not get rid of that new introduction. I know i'm probably in the minority here, but I hate it so much, I find it awkward on so mamy levels and highly unnecessary. I was hoping it was just a thing of last year, because they wanted to test it before Boston worlds and then it will just disappear, but I guess it's here to stay (and i'm very grumpy about it)

Me too. At least they didn't have too far to walk this time.

I much preferred it when they all lined up along the length of the rink and were introduced as the spotlight moved on to them. But I wouldn't want to go back to the days when they all vied to get through the door first, with some skaters notorious for body-checking their opponents to get more warm-up time.

 

[Arigato]

Forgive Chris, he is supposed to hype Ilia

I thought that was Ari Zakarian's job.

 

[TontoK]

Forgive Chris, he is supposed to hype Ilia, ISU feels the need for new omnious skating hero who will make FS great again and desiganted Ilia for the role. Sure, why not, he has lots of qualities and wins golds everywhere and I guess with appropriate approach it is possible. But whoever is PR consultant for ISU, they aren't earning their pay because as you wrote, it seems more like fanboying and is awkward.

Well, it's not like a lot of men have been auditioning for that role.

For the past several years, we get flashes of brilliance from other men, and then they fizzle. It's been a series of botched short programs and free skate meltdowns. You write as though Ilia's barely sneaking past his competitors through some nefarious means like ISU collusion, when in reality, he's just delivering his content on his feet most of the time.

 

[Karoltyna]

Well, it's not like a lot of men have been auditioning for that role.

For the past several years, we get flashes of brilliance from other men, and then they fizzle. It's been a series of botched short programs and free skate meltdowns. You write as though Ilia's barely sneaking past his competitors through some nefarious means like ISU collusion, when in reality, he's just delivering his content on his feet most of the time.

I agree, there is no other man to hype - but hyping him for qualities he is still developing isn't doing him any good.

 

[Karoltyna]

I thought that was Ari Zakarian's job.

It should be...

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Did anyone see the GP France gala? I started to watch, but I only saw a couple of skater performances. I didn't get a chance to go back and finish watching before the viewing expiration date, which sucks. Were there any exhibition performances that stood out? What did the top ice dancers do for their gala programs?

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

What did the top ice dancers do for their gala programs?

Lilah and Lewis did Rocky AGAIN...zzzzz...Reed/Ambrulevicius did "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns 'n' Roses, and I can't remember FBC...
We had several backflips in the gala. Deanna did hers, Adam and Ilia did theirs.

 

[Karoltyna]

Lilah and Lewis did Rocky AGAIN...zzzzz...Reed/Ambrulevicius did "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns 'n' Roses, and I can't remember FBC...
We had several backflips in the gala. Deanna did hers, Adam and Ilia did theirs.

I also can't remember FBC - to the point I'm not sure if they were there. Italians weren't - no wonder... Overall this gala wasn't very memorable - I remenber only Adam and Ilia. I must say I don't like Deanna's and Maxime's gala program, it looks not very polished.

 

[viennaskater]

Mark Hanretty is the best commentator I've ever heard. Yes, others over the years have definitely had their strong points - Barb Underhill was probably the most passionate, for example - but I haven't ever heard a commentator provide as much insight as Mark. He's one of the few who can really comment on dance. He talks about more than just the jumps, explaining how sometimes moves that look the simplest are incredibly complex, he gushes over Edge quality and speed and the complexity of choreography and certain moves. I think he's really good with Ted, and if I had to choose one commentator from any era, I would choose him without question. I think Noonan is good as well, very knowledgeable

I used to like him but after a while his Scottish accent starts to grate. And I can't stand the way he keeps repeating the same phrases 'showcase' and 'Olympic cycle'. And informing us what the skater is currently studying and if their grandparents are in the audience. NOT RELEVANT!

Give me Chris any day. Ideally, Chris with Simon Reed, they were a perfect combination.

 

[viennaskater]

One thing which annoyed me slightly was the camerawork here. It didn't happen quite enough to be really serious, but the stupid camera would sometime do a close-up of the upper body/ies of the skater(s) then fade out to a full body shot. What does that achieve? You have to show the entire bodies ALL THE TIME to see exactly what is going on.

Time and again I think that the cameraperson has little idea about figure skating.

And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP with the zoom-outs. I don't want to have to strain my eyes to see little figures on the ice far away, I am at home, not in the nose-bleed seats.

I hope everyone agrees with this. Camera people, please take note!

 

[lariko]

Did anyone see the GP France gala? I started to watch, but I only saw a couple of skater performances. I didn't get a chance to go back and finish watching before the viewing expiration date, which sucks. Were there any exhibition performances that stood out? What did the top ice dancers do for their gala programs?

Most of them were old stuff. Ilia's was my favorite, since it was new and fun. From repeats, Egadze and Levito were good. Overall, second half was better than the first, imo.

Also, all of Chris's commentary always come across as insincere, because he specifically can't create an impression that he gives two figues about figure skating and just pulls from a selection of a dozen things he says about everyone. Russians now have the best commentators for now, sitting Kolyada, Scherbakova and Kudaberdieva so far all of who gives commentary during replays with a great command of the subject, warmth and cultured voices. I had never heard anyone explain things about dance in more details so far. No more toxicity, bias or sad inability to express themselves like from some previous commentators they had had in the past. Makes Chris even more unbearable particularly because the internationals push commentary during skating in seniors so you can't skip him.

 

[Mathematician]

Honestly, I'd put her ahead of Glenn right now.

Oh yea for sure, if she can show this level again to prove it wasn't a lucky start. But, I don't know if Glenn is the favourite either. Maybe you meant a favourite for the podium, in which case I agree.