I was looking through one of my old bookcases and found my 28 year old VHS tape of "Magic Memories on Ice". This is a tape of *competitive* programs, not show programs.
From the box, the description of the tape, how *competitive* skating was "sold" in 1990:
"Start with the grace, form and sheer beauty of dancing. Add the skill challenge and excitement of sport. And combine all that with the suspense tension and pressure of international competition. That’s what modern figure skating is all about.
....
The elegantly graceful John Curry, the fluid artistry of Robin Cousins, along with the showmanship of Scott Hamilton, all this capped with the 'Battle of the Brians'.
Relive the incomparable beauty of magic memories on ice."
ETA: I have left some out, but no where, not once, anywhere in any description, does it say "Thrill to the jumps of thus and such" or "Watch the X number triple program of so and so"
I'm not going to convince anyone who feels differently, but that was indeed how figure skating was marketed back in the day, why I became a fan and why I continued watching. And as far as I can tell, when we left this for the sheer boredom of jump da jump jump jump, figure skating's popularity diminished.
Agree or disagree, but don't kid yourself as to how it's "always" been.
From the box, the description of the tape, how *competitive* skating was "sold" in 1990:
"Start with the grace, form and sheer beauty of dancing. Add the skill challenge and excitement of sport. And combine all that with the suspense tension and pressure of international competition. That’s what modern figure skating is all about.
....
The elegantly graceful John Curry, the fluid artistry of Robin Cousins, along with the showmanship of Scott Hamilton, all this capped with the 'Battle of the Brians'.
Relive the incomparable beauty of magic memories on ice."
ETA: I have left some out, but no where, not once, anywhere in any description, does it say "Thrill to the jumps of thus and such" or "Watch the X number triple program of so and so"
I'm not going to convince anyone who feels differently, but that was indeed how figure skating was marketed back in the day, why I became a fan and why I continued watching. And as far as I can tell, when we left this for the sheer boredom of jump da jump jump jump, figure skating's popularity diminished.
Agree or disagree, but don't kid yourself as to how it's "always" been.