A&E special on MK and Katt Witt

[mpal2]

Appparently, A&E is going to have a Michelle Kwan biography on October 13. Here's the link with more details. I'll have to keep an eye out for it. There's also one for Kat Witt on Oct 6.

http://p216.ezboard.com/fmichellekwanforummkfanchat.showMessage?topicID=22943.topic

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Thanks much, mpal2 - I hope the bios are not too sugary.

Joe

 

[Linny]

sugary

The A&E Biographies are rarely sugary. Sometimes the person being profiled is sugary... Linny

 

[BronzeisGolden]

I agree, the A&E biographies are generally pretty balanced. I imagine we'll be seeing a bit about Witt's "provocative" side. And, I'm certain they'll at least mention how Witt was followed and watched by the government (especially the bit about documenting her sexual encounters). The one on Michelle...hmmm....I'm sure they'll primarily take that "elusive Olympic gold medal" angle.

 

[Glacierskater]

what time will these gems air?

 

[mpal2]

Glacier,

I looked up the A&E website and so far I have only found listings for September. I'll have to keep checking closer to October.

http://www.aetv.com/


Just did a little more browsing on the site and found a little note that listings are shown 2 weeks in advance. We'll have to check back at the end of September.

 

[KwanFan1212]

That sounds awesome. Now all I have to do is get cable before then, LOL

 

[Antilles]

The biographies on A&E only tend to get sugary when the subject is a US President. other than that, they are usually quite good. Michelle seems a little young to me for a life story though.

 

[mzheng]

Thanks. Mpal.

Could some Admin bump this thread to the top to rmind us when the day come?

 

[anya_angie]

I loved the Scott Hamilton and Oksana biographies, I thought they were well done. And theyy updated Scott's to announce his marriage and son.

I love the Biography show. The Anastasia one was very good I thought, but it went into so little about her actual life. It only lasted perhaps 20-25 minutes, then it talked about the myth and the movies and Anna Anderson, etc. Oh, and the photograph that people use to compare "Anna's" (Francezka) ears to Anastasia's, was not Anastasia's photograph at all, but Maria. Somehow documentaries on the last family always manage to get at least one photograph wrong.

But I digress.

I look forward to both biographies, and as with all the others on skaters that were done, I'll tape them both.

 

[pennyfromheaven]

These should be fun to watch! I wish they would have more skating biographies on TV. I hope there is a reminder just before they are scheduled.

 

[Ice Princess]

Thank you for the info! I'll try & check those out!

 

[Fossi]

If it takes this long for Witt and Kwan biography, how long before one for Sarah?

 

[Bubbles]

Just read that the Biography show on Katarina Witt will air October 6th and the show on Michelle Kwan on October 13th.

 

[heyang]

I'll probably be saving it to DVD. I can make copies - just cover the cost of DVD and mailing.

 

[Eeyora]

I can't wait for the Michelle Kwan Biography. It should be interesting to see which skaters will be interviewed. Katarina Witt's should be fascinating to hear. Especially because I still feel there is a lot more we don't know about her past before the 84 Olympics,

 

[Skate Sandee]

If it takes this long for Witt and Kwan biography, how long before one for Sarah?

I'd say never, not unless she does something else newsworthy. She didn't have that long a career in skating (as compared to Witt and Kwan). And outside of the Olympic Gold, she didn't have any other notable triumphs, or dramatic turbulence. Highs and lows make good stories. Sarah might get an ESPN Sportscentury bio done at some point, but again I don't think there's enough material for it. That's the price you pay for growing up in a normal family and never rocking the boat.

Hell, I don't think they should be doing one on Michelle until after 2006. I agreed with the ESPN Sportscentury biography on her, but A&E is not a sportscentric show. It transcends those boundaries. She's had some great ups and downs that makes her worthy of an A&E bio, but I just think they might be jumping the gun a little too soon with a biography this year.

 

[chuckm]

Sarah in fact has won only two championships: Skate Canada 2001 and Olympics 2002. She never won a US, Junior World, Grand Prix or World championship, and stood on a World podium just twice (silver at Junior Worlds 1999 and bronze at Worlds 2001).

After winning the OGM, she competed at Crest, Hallmark, US Nationals 2003, Worlds 2003, and the USFSA Spring cheesefest. In those events she placed 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 6th and 8th, respectively.

Aside from winning the OGM, Sarah's skating career doesn't begin to compare to Kwan's and Witt's, and away from the ice her life doesn't have the angst and drama of a Baiul or Gordeeva.

 

[SkateFan4Life]

I can't wait for the Michelle Kwan Biography. It should be interesting to see which skaters will be interviewed. Katarina Witt's should be fascinating to hear. Especially because I still feel there is a lot more we don't know about her past before the 84 Olympics,

They surely will detail Witt's background as a East German athlete. The whole GDR scene - government-subsized training, "privileges" (car, apartments, etc), her coach Frau Muller, and perhaps her poltical associations when she lived in Communist East Germany. The press may have exaggerated this, but she was portrayed several times as a "socialist skater", one who adhered to the drumbeat of her communist government. Before the Berlin Wall collapsed, Witt rarely was seen outside of the skating rinks at major championships. She lived a sheltered life of skating, skating, skating. The work ethic that, perhaps, was stressed by the GDR, certainly did her no harm.

I've heard Kat refer to the United States as "her second home", and she has spoken of her great affection for America and for the many friends she has made in this country.

I guess the bio will include her "Playboy" spread. I look forward to seeing her story.

As for Michelle Kwan, I guess the story will concentrate on her dominance at US Nationals, all those World titles/medals, and her "failure" at (yet) winning Olympic gold. Frankly, aside from her skating achievements, which are tremendous, I don't think there's much else to talk about.