Jump hype or soap opera: what can make the general public of the U.S. fall in love with figure skating again?

[TallyT]

I seriously doubt there will be another Answer, particularly in Men's, under CoP. Let's talk Robin Cousins, Brian Boitano, Orser, John Curry, Browning... I'd watch any of them before I'd watch Chen or Yags.

To be fair, given most of these aren't American, it does open up the CoP ranks worldwide - if Brian Orser is considered an Answer, what about Patrick Chan? And the British pre-CoP are, then at least two or three Japanese CoP stars really do have a claim to be (and in his time Plushenko, no matter what people think of him now). None of which bears on the specifically American dearth of interest. I know you were speaking of your own personal tastes (and god knows I admittedly sometimes think and probably come off as "why can't everyone just be like meeeeeeeee?" not that I am saying that's what you did).

So how many American men were really big stars between say Scott Hamilton and CoP?

 

[Mathman]

So how many American men were really big stars between say Scott Hamilton and CoP?

Brian Boitano was a medium star -- at least many people in the US had heard of him in his day.Todd Eldredge had fine qualities, but did not get much press,

Scott Hamilton was best known as a promoter, entrepreneur and impresario. As a professional performer he relied mostly on comedy-type routines that showcased his upbeat personality.

I don't know that the U.S. has ever had anyone who enjoyed widespread renown as an athlete. Nathan Chen got as much serious respect for his athletic accomplishments as any U.S. man, even Dick Button, I would say.

For pre-CoP figure skating stars we would have to look at the ladies -- Peggy Fleming, Janet Lynn, Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan to close out the era. Men's figure skating was hardly even a niche.

 

[TontoK]

This is as good a place as any to post my general view of the innovations at the WC.

I like the electronic boards. I like the use of technology to show the skaters' social accounts. I like the dramatic ice walk-ons. I like the little recorded messages for the crowd. I even like the "hot seat" where the current leader sits while the others await their scores.

All these things seem like they're designed to ramp up the drama, showcase the athletes, and help them connect to the crowds.

I don't know if this is ISU driven, or if it's the product of the organizing committee, but I send whomever a Well Done!

 

[saine]

This is as good a place as any to post my general view of the innovations at the WC.

I like the electronic boards. I like the use of technology to show the skaters' social accounts. I like the dramatic ice walk-ons. I like the little recorded messages for the crowd. I even like the "hot seat" where the current leader sits while the others await their scores.

All these things seem like they're designed to ramp up the drama, showcase the athletes, and help them connect to the crowds.

I don't know if this is ISU driven, or if it's the product of the organizing committee, but I send whomever a Well Done!

I think it's ISU driven. I remember part of the presentation at Congress was talking about bringing in LED boards for the kiss and cry.

 

[TallyT]

Okay folks, a US woman - and a really sweet and appealing one at that - has now won Worlds. Let's see how that affects this argument (in which this happening was suggested as a help if not a remedy) over the coming months...

 

[Kris135]

Okay folks, a US woman - and a really sweet and appealing one at that - has now won Worlds. Let's see how that affects this argument (in which this happening was suggested as a help if not a remedy) over the coming months...

And tomorrow night we have another sweet and appealing guy who hopefully will his second world title. If the skaters carry this wave into Milian I think that will do wonders for skating popularity in the United States. I think that full arenas are coming.

 

[TallyT]

And tomorrow night we have another sweet and appealing guy who hopefully will his second world title. If the skaters carry this wave into Milian I think that will do wonders for skating popularity in the United States. I think that full arenas are coming.

Nah, he's a man - and as Nathan Chen showed when winning an individual and team gold medal at the Olympics showed, they have much less to attract the public (especially when they are not breaking a 19-year-old drought or winning anything new, and they insist on putting out statements like that dumb one last week.) Madison/Chock are also in line for gold, and that won't do it either. I think there is a good chance that if Alysa and Amber can get some publicity, do well next year and one of them take a medal in Milan... it may help. But that's a long way off, and meanwhile... SoI can't sell tickets.

After all, please note that skating is indeed going extremely viral right now. Also note that the skating that is going extremely viral has nothing to do with Worlds.

 

[Arriba627]

don't know if this is ISU driven, or if it's the product of the organizing committee, but I send whomever a Well Done!

Agree 100%. Love the messages to the audience. Ashley's.question of "What did it feel like out there?" didn't always work, but it was great to hear the skaters' voices! I loved Shun Sato's answer of "I was nervous." Overall a very good job of connecting with the audience.

 

[Alex Fedorov]

In any case, it is better not to hold international competitions in the USA for now (except for Skate America, of course). The work of the judging panel for men and women so delighted me that I am ready to sign a petition to award each of the judges a Congressional Medal of Honor.

 

[moonvine]

And a new cottage industry is born! For 500 hundred bucks I get you you Moonvine to sit in your box! (Mathman, $1.98.)

lol. It was at Greensboro and they had a terrible time understanding why Alysa beat Mariah even though Mariah had a “moment.” They were excited to run my stuffie to the ice. And suites come with private bathrooms.

In San Jose they put all the disabled seating people in a suite.

And in Detroit I paid for suite with Marai. Detroit’s suites are by far the nicest.

So my record of suites is pretty good.

 

[moonvine]

Apparently the ISU believes what is important is flash. Not substance. LED boards (was anyone else worried about what would happen if/when a skater slams into them?)
Skater introductions running out onto the ice. Leaders chair by the K&C. Instagrams displayed for all skaters so they can build their brands.

 

[moonvine]

Taea and Johnny were great on the Kentucky Derby. They wore such outlandish hats that they put the Kentucky thoroughbred cotillion ladies to shame.

They always make some million dollar mint julep or something. I turn it on to watch the race, not 6 hours of pre show.

 

[moonvine]

Soccer, for starters
Probably the most popular sport globally, completely irrelevant in US, and not caring one inch about it.,..

My ex was a big time soccer fan. It’s much easier to watch soccer games than skating. In fact soccer was my sisters favorite sport. There’s an indoor and outdoor team here.

 

[moonvine]

2014 and 2018. Hmmm.

In my country, sport pieces do matter. One of the reasons Shawn White gathered up such an immense following for snowboarding was his journey that was constantly being chronicled on film. Also, NBC Universal canceling The Olympic Channel in 2022 was a big mistake in my country. It was great for drawing attention to all sports, including skating. You can't promote what you cannot see.

That was a big loss. I agree.

 

[moonvine]

I can't speak for anyone else. but this is a big part of it for me. It's too hard to watch anymore. I can't watch during the daytime, so even this Worlds I simply can't watch a good half of it. I used to have Peacock, but midskating season this year they decided I had to pay for it. I will probably pay for the skating months next year, but then if it changes I'm out of the loop again.

My second issue is CoP, which I hated when it started and I hate it now. I think the programs are boring and all the same. Lately I've been watching more old stuff than new stuff. When I want to see some good skating I put on Michelle doing East of Eden or Fields of Gold. Of Katya and Sergey winning that first Gold Medal. Or Shen and Zhou winning the World Gold in DC to Turandot. Or Klimova/Ponamarenko doing Toccata & Fugue... Some of those I saw live, some not. Skating just isn't like that anymore.

I used to go to events fairly frequently, but now they are all in the west or midwest. I was thinking of going to Kansas City, but I would have to fly and I think I'll pass on that for awhile. Not to mention the fact that the decisions as to where the events will be are so close to the event, I've made other plans. Where's Skate America this year? I don't know, as far as I know it hasn't been announced but I've already made vacation plans. I remember ordering Nationals tickets for Philadelphia two years in advance. So that's put a crimp in my style. They've made it too difficult.

I hope Skate America is in Allen again. My friend said they were waiting until after Worlds to announce it. So we will see.

 

[moonvine]

This is as good a place as any to post my general view of the innovations at the WC.

I like the electronic boards. I like the use of technology to show the skaters' social accounts. I like the dramatic ice walk-ons. I like the little recorded messages for the crowd. I even like the "hot seat" where the current leader sits while the others await their scores.

All these things seem like they're designed to ramp up the drama, showcase the athletes, and help them connect to the crowds.

I don't know if this is ISU driven, or if it's the product of the organizing committee, but I send whomever a Well Done!

I don’t like the hot seat. I like the interplay between athletes in the three seats.

I posted a whole article on this.

 

[moonvine]

Agree 100%. Love the messages to the audience. Ashley's.question of "What did it feel like out there?" didn't always work, but it was great to hear the skaters' voices! I loved Shun Sato's answer of "I was nervous." Overall a very good job of connecting with the audience.

I heard most of the messages were silly. But I didn’t see any of them and they only told us what Jason’s was.

 

[TallyT]

I heard most of the messages were silly.

Well, it was a silly question, but harmless. And hey, it's better than those games the voiceovers in some GPs had everyone 'playing' during the zamboni... But I think trying some cute, even silly bits of business (and stuff like the LEDs, attempts at razzledazzle etc) at Boston was a good idea because due to a confluence of good and bad it was bound to have an unusually big and empathetic audience which may (under the same old same old) not be there next year unless the ISU can ride the wave of good will. It's worth it.

Doesn't solve USFS's problems, even the three WCs won't do that.

 

[Arriba627]

I heard most of the messages were silly. But I didn’t see any of them and they only told us what Jason’s was.

The Jumbotron messages were all different. Silly? I don't know. Some were as simple as "Thank you Boston", " I hope you enjoy my skate", from a Canadian "Let's go Canada!", " Make some noise". I liked it and appreciated their efforts to do some new things.

 

[Kris135]

I hope Skate America is in Allen again. My friend said they were waiting until after Worlds to announce it. So we will see.

Could put they put Skate America anywhere else please. I mean it has been there for two years so time for a change. After Worlds do you think get a full size arena now that would actually be in a city center for a change of pace.