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- Mar 19, 2006
Article where Mark Lund making controversial comments on Weir, Lysacek
- Thread starter slutskayafan21
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- Dec 16, 2006
Again, I ask, does anyone know exactly what his SKATING credentials are? I don't see anything that leads me to believe he had ever been "someone" on the national scene.
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- Mar 19, 2006
ˆApparently true, at least not on skates anyway.
But I don't feel that if he has or hasn't that would qualify him one way or another. Some Judges don't and never have. Some of the posters here have never skated and their opinions are pretty darn worthy IMO and Others Opinion as well. So I don't know for sure about him ever hitting a sheet of ice, but would have to imagine that is he had competitive accomplishments they would be listed.
But I don't feel that if he has or hasn't that would qualify him one way or another. Some Judges don't and never have. Some of the posters here have never skated and their opinions are pretty darn worthy IMO and Others Opinion as well. So I don't know for sure about him ever hitting a sheet of ice, but would have to imagine that is he had competitive accomplishments they would be listed.
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- Dec 16, 2006
ˆApparently true, at least not on skates anyway.
LoL It's been well-noted that he was a skater at one time, though not one of any notoriety (at least, not until now). UGH this man embarasses me.
I'd rather listen to you, Sean, Doris, Red, Mathman, Joe, and Jonny (and everyone else on this board!) than that man and Nancy Kerrigan any day.
I sent an e-mail to the Jerry Solomon outfit that produced this show -- this is a copy of the reply -- I emphasized what (to me) is the important part.
To Interested Parties:
We understand that Mark Lund's comments on Reflections Off the Ice: Countdown to the National Skating Championships have caused quite a reaction. Anyone that knows Mark knows that he is not mean-spirited nor prone to personal attacks. In fact, as a former skater himself, founder of International Figure Skating Magazine and a regular commentator on the world of skating, Mark has a history of promoting and protecting the sport and its participants.
If Mark's comments regarding Johnny Weir have offended anybody we sincerely apologize. Nancy made this known publicly on CN8's "Your Morning" show on Thursday, January 11. In case there is any doubt, we all think very highly of Johnny and had actually hoped he would join us on the show to help us preview the Nationals (he was not available). Johnny Weir is and has been a great and entertaining US Champion and we wish him all the best in the upcoming US Nationals.
Finally, we want to thank you for taking the time to let us know your feelings. It is our intent to report on figure skating and promote the sport through a variety of means. We have no interest in deliberately causing controversy or raising issues that are not in the best interests of the sport. We agree that in this instance, Mark's comments may have crossed the line. We hope you accept this apology in the spirit that it is given and hope you will enjoy future shows that try to bring you behind the scenes and on the ice.
Sincerely,
Jerry Solomon, Executive Producer, on behalf of Nancy Kerrigan and the cast and crew of Nancy Kerrigan's World of Skating.
To Interested Parties:
We understand that Mark Lund's comments on Reflections Off the Ice: Countdown to the National Skating Championships have caused quite a reaction. Anyone that knows Mark knows that he is not mean-spirited nor prone to personal attacks. In fact, as a former skater himself, founder of International Figure Skating Magazine and a regular commentator on the world of skating, Mark has a history of promoting and protecting the sport and its participants.
If Mark's comments regarding Johnny Weir have offended anybody we sincerely apologize. Nancy made this known publicly on CN8's "Your Morning" show on Thursday, January 11. In case there is any doubt, we all think very highly of Johnny and had actually hoped he would join us on the show to help us preview the Nationals (he was not available). Johnny Weir is and has been a great and entertaining US Champion and we wish him all the best in the upcoming US Nationals.
Finally, we want to thank you for taking the time to let us know your feelings. It is our intent to report on figure skating and promote the sport through a variety of means. We have no interest in deliberately causing controversy or raising issues that are not in the best interests of the sport. We agree that in this instance, Mark's comments may have crossed the line. We hope you accept this apology in the spirit that it is given and hope you will enjoy future shows that try to bring you behind the scenes and on the ice.
Sincerely,
Jerry Solomon, Executive Producer, on behalf of Nancy Kerrigan and the cast and crew of Nancy Kerrigan's World of Skating.
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- Jun 27, 2003
any good tv producer would....
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- Jul 11, 2003
ONCE AGAIN. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THIS SHOW IS ALL ABOUT?
I would also like to know if it is in a weekly spot, so I can tune it in and make a more honest opinion of Lund and Kerrigan.
Also I get the feeling that few people on the Board have actually seen this show and they are rushing to judgement on hearsay anyway. Correct me please, if you did see the show and are able to anwer the above paragraph. It would also be nice if you can say that Kerrigan sits alone with guest Lund in front of her, and no one else is in this scenario. Is this correct? Then I presume they chat about many things. Is this correct?
Joe
I would also like to know if it is in a weekly spot, so I can tune it in and make a more honest opinion of Lund and Kerrigan.
Also I get the feeling that few people on the Board have actually seen this show and they are rushing to judgement on hearsay anyway. Correct me please, if you did see the show and are able to anwer the above paragraph. It would also be nice if you can say that Kerrigan sits alone with guest Lund in front of her, and no one else is in this scenario. Is this correct? Then I presume they chat about many things. Is this correct?
Joe
The show is part of the Nancy Kerrigan series "Nancy Kerrigan's World of Figure Skating" which is syndicated to different stations across the country and produced by Nancy Kerrigan's husband Jerry Solomon. The episode in question was subtitled "Reflections Off The Ice, Countdown to Nationals" and featured Nancy Kerrigan, Mark Lund and another man whose name escapes me. I happened to be channel hopping last Sunday and caught the show. The three were seated in a living room setting and discussing the competitiors for the upcoming Nationals and their predictions to win. Each had a chance to talk and they showed clips of the competitors who were expected to finish in the top three in each area. When they got to the men's competition, they showed a short clip of Johnny skating in practice for Marshalls' and the 2004 Nationals and then they returned to the studio where Mark Lund proceded to rip Johnny Weir apart, not due to his skating this season, but due to his refusal to come out of the closet, his choice of costumes etc. Nancy Kerrigan sat there and nodded her head in agreement and said that more people in America could connect to Evan Lysacek because he was a nice kid and not out there like Johnny. Then all three agreed that Johnny's Swan was a mistake. Not once did Nancy Kerrigan try to stop Mr Lund or make any positive remarks about Johnny Weir, she simply went along with what was being said or gave that impression by her silence. By the way, not one other skater mentioned in the program was subjected to the insults and remarks directed towards Johnny Weir, the other skaters were discussed simply for their skating ability, Johnny Weir's skating wasn't even mentioned, just his personal life.
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- Jun 27, 2003
In Nancy's defense she's just a 'dumb athlete' (taking from Dick Button when talking about TV work) and not a trained journalist. She may not have known how to proceed. Like Joe said those of us who don't get to see the program are relying on opinions of others who were able to view. We're having to go with transcripts and not much more.
If all Nancy said was that Evan was more personable to the average Joe audience I can't see why that would be an awful statement. Johnny's even admitted he has a hard time relating to the audience. The Swan program - that's her opinion. She's doing an opinion piece type of tv journalism, it's to be expected. I didn't really get into the Camille program either. *Shrugs* I'm drawn more to the 'in your face' Evan than i am to the quite and introspective Johnny.
They don't have a Kwan vs someone controversy, so they're building up Johnny and Evan. They're having to carry the interest this year, so they're going to get hit hard... Johnny's just the easier of the two because of how he's portrayed himself in the press in teh past.
If all Nancy said was that Evan was more personable to the average Joe audience I can't see why that would be an awful statement. Johnny's even admitted he has a hard time relating to the audience. The Swan program - that's her opinion. She's doing an opinion piece type of tv journalism, it's to be expected. I didn't really get into the Camille program either. *Shrugs* I'm drawn more to the 'in your face' Evan than i am to the quite and introspective Johnny.
They don't have a Kwan vs someone controversy, so they're building up Johnny and Evan. They're having to carry the interest this year, so they're going to get hit hard... Johnny's just the easier of the two because of how he's portrayed himself in the press in teh past.
You can watch the segment online - it's all over YouTube. Here is the link so you can judge for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL5dvXNO8Hg
To get to the nitty-gritty, probably the single most offensive line(although decidedly there were so many to choose from...) was Lund's statement that "Weir isn't representative of any community I want to be a part of". After that, listen closely to Tilley's diss of Michelle Kwan as they go to commercial.
I'd like to note that Kerrigan and husband/producer Solomon shelled out just about zero production bucks on this. Having worked on a skating documentary this past year, I know what it costs to get better footage (Nat's, World's,Olympics) and you can see that they used mainly the lousiest low-budget video they could get. An amateurish production from a crew that should title themselves: Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest.
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- Jun 27, 2003
Being on dial up I don't use youtube unless I get some time to hang out at the university and use the wireless... so I'll have to pass till next week...
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- Jul 28, 2003
Okay after viewing the segment on Youtube, I see what all the flack here is about. It seems to me that Kerrigan, Lund and the other fellow (didn't catch his name) are all pulling for Evan L. to win the US men's national title. This was sort of a Johhny Weir "bash" via the tv. Shame on Nancy! There is no guarantee which skater will win the Nationals. Now I am hoping that Johnny will have the skate of his life and retain his title. No one deserves this type of treatment.
Talk about figure skating drama. The media is turning the skating world into a soap opera.
Talk about figure skating drama. The media is turning the skating world into a soap opera.
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- Jul 11, 2003
Thank you momjudi for the scenario and thank you Zanzibar for the youtube link.
I now have an idea of what went on that show and I hope to see the whole show some time. I really do not enjoy speaking or commenting on hearsay which I believe most of these preceding posts were doing.
Apparently Kerrigan and husband have a discussion show on TV about figure skating. That to me, is a plus. With a sport spiralling (pun intended) down the tubes, any open discussion on figure skating is a welcome entity especially if it is directed at the public.
The piece that I saw from the link I watched was a very nice montage of Johnny Weir at his skating best while later I saw a much shorter piece and not the best of Evan Lysacek.
Mark Lund, an apparent gay man objected to Johnny's off ice behaviour. If you understand gay life you will know that gays come in all shapes and sizes and are employed in all the jobs you can think of. Therefore Lund who is probably an openly gay man in a respectable position who frowns on stereotype gays which much of mainstream America does. Mainstream America does not see the football players, the wrestlers, the boxers, the boy bands, etc. as well as the Wall Street brokers, the doctors, the lawyers, the teachers etc.; including, let's face it, the clergy.
Yes, I understood where Lund was coming from but I still think he was wrong to carry on about it on that progam. I believe that program is about skating and not much else except doing charitable works, marriages, births, etc However, I do not know what the program's aims are, so if I ever get to see one, I'll comment again.
As for Nancy, the host, she had to behave as a host. Lund was a guest. I don't think getting guests to Massachusettes, if that is where it is taped, is easy. She did say Johnny is a good skater and she thinks Evan will win. That's an opinion and she is entitled to that. What she thinks of Johnny, personally, she did not comment except to say that American mainstream wants the 'macho' style in skating. There was no comment about his non skating life.
Nancy is new to interviewing, to hosting, to moderating. all things she must learn and she will in due course, I believe. On the job training with a good director should do it.
Now, since you did not like the host/guest comments on the show and you wrote your disdain for such comments, let's hope the show remains on the air. I for one, would like to see such a show on various comments of figure skating.
If we lose this show, will there be another?
Joe
I now have an idea of what went on that show and I hope to see the whole show some time. I really do not enjoy speaking or commenting on hearsay which I believe most of these preceding posts were doing.
Apparently Kerrigan and husband have a discussion show on TV about figure skating. That to me, is a plus. With a sport spiralling (pun intended) down the tubes, any open discussion on figure skating is a welcome entity especially if it is directed at the public.
The piece that I saw from the link I watched was a very nice montage of Johnny Weir at his skating best while later I saw a much shorter piece and not the best of Evan Lysacek.
Mark Lund, an apparent gay man objected to Johnny's off ice behaviour. If you understand gay life you will know that gays come in all shapes and sizes and are employed in all the jobs you can think of. Therefore Lund who is probably an openly gay man in a respectable position who frowns on stereotype gays which much of mainstream America does. Mainstream America does not see the football players, the wrestlers, the boxers, the boy bands, etc. as well as the Wall Street brokers, the doctors, the lawyers, the teachers etc.; including, let's face it, the clergy.
Yes, I understood where Lund was coming from but I still think he was wrong to carry on about it on that progam. I believe that program is about skating and not much else except doing charitable works, marriages, births, etc However, I do not know what the program's aims are, so if I ever get to see one, I'll comment again.
As for Nancy, the host, she had to behave as a host. Lund was a guest. I don't think getting guests to Massachusettes, if that is where it is taped, is easy. She did say Johnny is a good skater and she thinks Evan will win. That's an opinion and she is entitled to that. What she thinks of Johnny, personally, she did not comment except to say that American mainstream wants the 'macho' style in skating. There was no comment about his non skating life.
Nancy is new to interviewing, to hosting, to moderating. all things she must learn and she will in due course, I believe. On the job training with a good director should do it.
Now, since you did not like the host/guest comments on the show and you wrote your disdain for such comments, let's hope the show remains on the air. I for one, would like to see such a show on various comments of figure skating.
If we lose this show, will there be another?
Joe
Looks like this show will be aired on CN8 this evening as well as streamed on the web: http://www.cn8.tv/
Sun., Jan. 14 7:00pm Countdown to the National Skating Championship
Sun., Jan. 14 8:00pm Road to Glory: Top Moments in Olympic Fig Skating
Info on "Nancy Kerrigan's World of Skating" program:
http://www.cn8.tv/channel/article.asp?lArticleID=5447&lChannelID=660&subhead=worldofskating
Link to upcoming show schedule:
http://www.cn8.tv/channel/article.asp?lArticleID=5454 &lChannelID=660&subhead=figskate
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- Mar 4, 2004
Mark Lund... yawn! His book is one of the few that I gave to the library after reading and I usually hold onto figure skating books. It was a lackluster effort in my estimation. He had a few interesting comments by Ilia Kulik regarding celebrity in US vs Russia, but that is really all I remember about it.
Somehow, I think Evan doesn't care too much about his estimation and Johnny will be little wounded by his lack of it! Johnny's QAs are far more informative than that book was. I think Lund was just trying to garner self-publicity via controversy. No skater has to tell me everything about his/her private life! I think most fans feel this way.
Somehow, I think Evan doesn't care too much about his estimation and Johnny will be little wounded by his lack of it! Johnny's QAs are far more informative than that book was. I think Lund was just trying to garner self-publicity via controversy. No skater has to tell me everything about his/her private life! I think most fans feel this way.
Sorry Joe. Don't agree with you. Kerrigan has plenty of media experience, and after her huge gaffe at Disney, she more than other skaters is keenly aware of how saying negative things on air can backfire against you.
In addition, her husband was her agent. As a pro agent he certainly knows all about making sure that his wife is prepped on how to moderate a tv show that HIS company is producing. Again - this show was NOT filmed live. If Kerrigan in ANY WAY did not want Lund's comments to air, she could have easily re-shot the sement right then and there OR had his comments edited out. I'm sorry that you are worried that any criticism, justified or other, of the show might result in it being dropped as you want a skating show to watch. Rather than give those three clowns another chance, I'd rather watch anything else- or nothing at all. I see where your coming from - that you'd hate to see a show about the sport we all love being cancelled - but since the very offending episode that's causing the trouble is airing YET AGAIN TONIGHT...it doesn't look like that's happening.
In addition, her husband was her agent. As a pro agent he certainly knows all about making sure that his wife is prepped on how to moderate a tv show that HIS company is producing. Again - this show was NOT filmed live. If Kerrigan in ANY WAY did not want Lund's comments to air, she could have easily re-shot the sement right then and there OR had his comments edited out. I'm sorry that you are worried that any criticism, justified or other, of the show might result in it being dropped as you want a skating show to watch. Rather than give those three clowns another chance, I'd rather watch anything else- or nothing at all. I see where your coming from - that you'd hate to see a show about the sport we all love being cancelled - but since the very offending episode that's causing the trouble is airing YET AGAIN TONIGHT...it doesn't look like that's happening.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Zanzibar - I disagree with you, but more importantly.... do you want to do away with this show? That's what I am more concerned about than this one shot interview with a man who has other issues than skating.
As for Kerrigan, she needs formal training in journalism. One earns a degree in journalism, just as one earns a degree in political science, art history, economics, etc.
From your flippant remarks, I am not familiar with this program. Is Mark Lund a permanent member of the 'trio' or was he a guest?
Joe
As for Kerrigan, she needs formal training in journalism. One earns a degree in journalism, just as one earns a degree in political science, art history, economics, etc.
From your flippant remarks, I am not familiar with this program. Is Mark Lund a permanent member of the 'trio' or was he a guest?
Joe
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