Judging and Commentating wishes

[Rosaleen]

Haven't seen anyone else yet, but did bumb into Peter Carruthers earlier today, so I know he's part of the team that's here.

 

[Hikaru]

IMO, Sussie and Paul are the best commentators when CoP is all about, because they get into the technicallity of what makes a certain element have a higher level, etc. That will be good for the audience to know, I think. Dick and Peggy are like the icons, but their comments usually goes on the line of "how pretty is this", how a skater need "more swan in Swan Lake" (whatever that means) or how Sasha breaks her spell when she has a fall (what is it with Peggy and spells? This is not Hogwarts, you know!). What I mean to say is that I like Dick and Peggy, they are my comic relief, but when it comes to know more about the elements of figure skating, I'd rather listen Sussie and Paul. Maybe they could mix the teams, to have the explanation of the elements and comic relief at the same time.

 

[LegalGirl82]

My wishes:

Fair judging (no pre-judging).

Respectful commentating, kept to a minimum during the actual skating (keep the babbling for in between); no inane questions during interviews ("What do you think happened with the triple flip?"); minimum fluff pieces.

Last, but certainly not least. Dick will more than likely do what I refer to as his obligatory in a different country, outside in the cold with a landmark behind him comments. He will want to wear his fur hat. Would Peggy please replace it with a nice fleece or knitted one?

 

[mememe]

I hope Peggy's surprise guest is Kristi or Oksana or Todd Eldredge, or Matt Savoie. Hopefully it will not be Brian Boitano, the cast of Ice Princess, Christine Brennan, Irina's mom, or Meno and Sand.

Well, different strokes for different folks -- I'd LOVE for her "surprise guest" to be Brian Boitano -- I might actually watch the entire broadcast, rather than what I'm likely to do, which is tape it and then fastforward through most of it because it's not all that interesting. Unfortunately, it's not likely to be him, being that Boitano was at the Ice Princess premiere on Sunday in Hollywood. Of course, he COULD hop a plane today and get there in time, but I doubt it. Eldredge is unlikely, too, being that he's touring with Stars on Ice and I doubt could get time off to do it.

I would like to see commentators keep talk to a minimum, but use the time they do talk to give good information, like what level a spin is, or why this or that move could add points or difficulty or whatever to a move or an overall program. I'm sick of inane comments that do nothing to inform ("Oh, her costume's pretty" or "He likes sushi" or some such drivel that drowns out the music and doesn't do anything to inform). I have no problem with a commentator telling people what a move is and why it's high quality or not good quality, but the senseless stuff is really distracting and, I think, shows a lack of respect for the skater. Fluff information is fine in fluff pieces (and I have no problem with a certain number of fluff pieces to help you get to know a skater or give you an idea of what they are like off the ice, what they've overcome to get there, etc., but I do object to the same information on the same skaters over and over and over again), but not during the competition. Stick to "just the facts, ma'am" -- after all, you were supposedly hired (at least the "color commentators") because you know something about skating that the casual -- and sometimes not-so-casual -- fans don't know, so USE that knowledge to inform us.