...or Caro Costner. Or, Shizuka Arakawa. Or, Rino Matsuike. Or...
If count only those that really count as beautiful spirals... No, he must have meant it literally!
It would make a great discussion topic btw.
Favorite Dick Button Commentary Moments
- Thread starter moonvine
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If count only those that really count as beautiful spirals... No, he must have meant it literally!
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- Oct 9, 2011
I love that 1st video. The finizzle out of the schi-nizzle at the beginning LOLOL. Button tells it like it is.- YouTube
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I immediately thought of this video, which is full of classics (including "absolutely unnecessary and uncalled for")
Edit: and its counterpart, The Dick Button Seal Of Approval
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- Nov 3, 2012
Every word he says in both of Michelle Kwan's programs at 1998 Nationals. This is an example of commentary that doesn't distract but adds to the viewing experience.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Also Mr. Button's commentary to Michelle's LP at 2003 Worlds. "Heart on her sleeve! I love it! I love it!"
Unfortunately the You Tube of this performance with Button's commentary is muted last time I checked.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
One of my favorites came when someone objected to Mr. Button's comments with the salvo, "That's just your opinion." Button's response: "That's what they pay me for, to give my opinion.
Thanks for the memories. Mary Carillo was an outstanding and entertaining commentator, too.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
I am sure that he ment it literally in the sense of "worth" referring to the overall artistic and athletic merit of the program, Not in the sense of "gets more points in the IJS scale of values."...or Caro Costner. Or, Shizuka Arakawa. Or, Rino Matsuike. Or...
If count only those that really count as beautiful spirals... No, he must have meant it literally!
It would make a great discussion topic btw.
The performance that got me into skating was Johnny Weir's great 2004 Nationals LP, and I remember Dick going at the end, "A catchfoot with wonderful, wonderful style in it! Oh! Oh brother!"
Little did Dick know that he would come to hate catchfoots in a few years, lol.
Little did Dick know that he would come to hate catchfoots in a few years, lol.
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2007
Mary Carillo is fun no matter what they give her. She commentated the equestrian events one Olympics (not sure which) and I'll never forgot it. "Horsies!"
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- Mar 14, 2007
"That ugly catchfoot" lol
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- Mar 14, 2007
Yeah, to be fair to Dick, this was a spin rather than the catchfoot spirals that he detested. Johnny's spin position was actually not that good, but his performance was so great, Dick was just excited!!
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- Mar 14, 2007
I loved it when he got excited.
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- Apr 23, 2018
He also said (when the 100 point barrier went down) "that also means zero to me, because I'm not very much in favour of the counting of points in the judging system" - somehow, I suspect were he a commentator today nearly every skater in all disciplines (and yes, in all countries including Russia) and the judges would be scorched by his criticismsWhen did he make the "I don't give a rusty hoot" comment?
I loved the "Olympic Ice" feature, too!
(ps - to be fair he did like the skate that did it, though)
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- Joined
- Feb 1, 2007
Was this the one where he said Johnny's skating was "liquid gold" or that he was "graceful as a gazelle"? He had such a way with words!
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
For all of his many contributions to the sport, I dismiss Scott Hamilton as a commentator for exactly the reasons you cite about Chris. I don't suppose he commentates nowadays. Good.
Dick Button taught us what made a good spin, a good landing position out of a jump, the importance of flow across the ice.
And he wasn't afraid to point out counterexamples.
And while he highlighted American skaters for his audience, he wasn't nationalistic. He loved the Protopopovs, Rodnina and Zaitsev, Torville and Dean, Kurt Browning, John Curry and Toller Cranston, Oksana Baiul, Midori Ito... and many other non-Americans too numerous to list. He set a good example.
Having grown up with his commentary, I knew he'd seen a lot of great champions, and it took a lot to impress him. A skater couldn't deliver a mediocre performance and expect raves. He often highlighted very good elements from skaters who were not at the top of the heap competitively, and it helped me learn to pinpoint skaters who had quality and might rise.
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2020
Ha, ha, that was in reference to Yuzuru's record-breaking Parisienne Walkways Olympic routine from Sochi 2014. But to be fair let's bring up the full quote (not to give a false impression that by dismissing the number of points, he dismissed the skate or the skater which I know was not your intention anywayHe also said (when the 100 point barrier went down) "that also means zero to me, because I'm not very much in favour of the counting of points in the judging system" - somehow, I suspect were he a commentator today nearly every skater in all disciplines (and yes, in all countries including Russia) and the judges would be scorched by his criticisms
(ps - to be fair he did like the skate that did it, though)
):"If you're talking about the fact that he broke 100 points, that also means zero to me, because I'm not very much in favour of the counting of points in the judging system but I will tell you that he was simply breathtaking. He was wonderful with his jumps, and he was wonderful with his spins, and the program was intriguing, and even this doughnut spin, it's called doughnut because of the circle at the top, and he didn't drop his back and his free leg to pick that up. It was a very, very, very beautiful performance, and he deserved every one of those points he could possibly get. Brilliant skating, brilliant skating. "
After which the interview goes on...
Haha, I don't think it was this performance. He's definitely called Johnny a gazelle during one of his performances though!
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2007
All of this
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2007
Ha, ha, that was in reference to Yuzuru's record-breaking Parisienne Walkways Olympic routine from Sochi 2014. But to be fair let's bring up the full quote (not to give a false impression that by dismissing the number of points, he dismissed the skate or the skater which I know was not your intention anyway
"If you're talking about the fact that he broke 100 points, that also means zero to me, because I'm not very much in favour of the counting of points in the judging system but I will tell you that he was simply breathtaking. He was wonderful with his jumps, and he was wonderful with his spins, and the program was intriguing, and even this doughnut spin, it's called doughnut because of the circle at the top, and he didn't drop his back and his free leg to pick that up. It was a very, very, very beautiful performance, and he deserved every one of those points he could possibly get. Brilliant skating, brilliant skating. "
After which the interview goes on...
I'm not in favor of the counting of points either, Uncle Dick.
