Marshall's News

[Eldredgefan2001]

The USFSA site says that this is a new innovative idea...What? This is not new, nor is it innovative. I remember CBS doing a show like this with the professionals (when they were coming up with all of those skating competitions, after Tonya/Nancy). The audience had voting devices near their seats, and people could call in to cast their vote. When the totals were added, they had a winner. This also reminds me of Improv-Ice. The fans called in to pick who they felt skated the best improvisation. I think that the USFSA could have come up with something better than letting the fans vote for the winner. :scratch:

 

[Bijoux]

oh brother

time for the harding posse to have another knee whacked.

 

[heyang]

EldredgefAn2001,

I remember that pro competition, too. I think it was Skates of GOld type compeititon. I just remember that Scott Hamilton won because of the entertainment factor of his program, while skaters like Boitano, Browning and Petrenko had beautiful routines with high technical content. I think Kristi won the ladies' portion.

This definitely won't improve the perception of skating as a sport. What other sport allows the public to select the winner?

 

[Excidra2001]

$20 bucks on Michelle victory. Sorry Sasha, Michelle has the bigger fan-base at the moment.

 

[nymkfan51]

I agree with RD ... don't understand all the negativity. shrug

I don't think the concept is such a bad idea, but I do think this would have fit much better for the spring cheesefest.

And non-Kwan fans, cheer up ... if she wins, you can say it was fixed.

 

[Doggygirl]

The folks at ABC...

...obviously read this thread.

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10681



DG

 

[R.D.]

If figure skating wants to be taken seriously as a sport, this is not the way to do it.

That's a valid point as well. I never thought of it that way...in sports, the audience NEVER determines the winner, even in exhibition games.

But for SKATING, who knows- it's either boom or bust at this point, it seems. I think that the USFS is in danger of going completely to cable coverage, so they're trying to get more viewers by doing this. And if it does, why should the fans complain?

BTW- I also agree that this should have been done at the spring event instead, in primetime since there will have been an increase (or not?) in skating interest due to the Olympics. ESPECIALLY if we have an American OGM winner.

 

[R.D.]

$20 bucks on Michelle victory. Sorry Sasha, Michelle has the bigger fan-base at the moment.

$50 on a Michelle victory

(Anyone wish to bid higher? Y'all know you want to...you know who's going to win )

 

[Doggygirl]

In the spirit of things....

.....meaning "let the voters decide".....

I set up a poll in the voting booth.

DG

 

[Piel]

Sorry it took me so long to put my two cents in. I've been on the phone with Verizon having 50 new phone lines installed . So what I am hearing is that people are complaiing because a cheesefest got cheesier?

 

[Doggygirl]

Sorry it took me so long to put my two cents in. I've been on the phone with Verizon having 50 new phone lines installed . So what I am hearing is that people are complaiing because a cheesefest got cheesier?

I'm only going to watch it if Simon, Randy and Paula are doing the commentary. Otherwise, I'm boycotting!!

DG

 

[attyfan]

I'm only going to watch it if Simon, Randy and Paula are doing the commentary. Otherwise, I'm boycotting!!

DG

I was hoping that you, Mathman and Rgirl would be doing the commentary.

 

[Doggygirl]

I was hoping that you, Mathman and Rgirl would be doing the commentary.

I'm flattered, but if we're nominating GS commentators, I think Spirit, Piel, MM and Rgirl would be my picks. OOPS!! WAIT!!! We can only have three. I guess we better set up some phone lines for voting on that.

DG

 

[Eeyora]

Honestly It may be the right time for publicity but a bad time for skaters. It is too close or even during the Grand Prix. Most of the people on MKF would advise Michelle to sit this one out. It I would hate to see her risk her hip. Plus it is only for publicity. She already established herself as a top name in the sport years ago. I also have a feeling it would be in Johnny's best interest to sit this one out as well. I live an 1 1/2 outside Boston and wanted tickets for my Christmas present. However the prices may be too high. Plus TD Banknorth would have been a lot more convient.

 

[Mathman]

I was hoping that you, Mathman and Rgirl would be doing the commentary.

I can't speak for Doggygirl and Rgirl, but I would make a great commentator. I can hear myself now, at the ladies' warm-up...

Oh! Oh! Oh! Look how pretty Michelle looks today!

No, wait, I mean Sasha! Sasha, Sasha, over here!!

Look, there's Alissa! What a sweetheart!!!

Bebe, Bebe, can I have your autograph?!!!

What a doll -- it's Emily! Red is your color! Don't ever change clothes! Love the hair!!

Kimmie!!!!! 6.0! 6.0! Oh no, I mean, 198.32! 198.32!

 

[swannanoa54]

I think it's a dumb idea. I probably wouldn't think it was so dumb if it was in the spring, but if I was Kwan, Cohen or any of the others, I'd say thanks but no thanks. Why skate in something where you aren't going to get COP feedback before the Olympics? If you're Cohen or Kwan and you've been injured, I'm really sure skating in this is the smart thing to do. Not. Sorry, just think it's dumb. Reality television meets figure skating. Lawdy Miss Clawdy, what will they come up with next? Boxing on ice skates? Geez!

Anyhow, I'll watch. But I'm votin' for Alissa no matter what.

 

[Doggygirl]

I can't speak for Doggygirl and Rgirl, but I would make a great commentator. I can hear myself now, at the ladies' warm-up...

Oh! Oh! Oh! Look how pretty Michelle looks today!

No, wait, I mean Sasha! Sasha, Sasha, over here!!

Look, there's Alissa! What a sweetheart!!!

Bebe, Bebe, can I have your autograph?!!!

What a doll -- it's Emily! Red is your color! Don't ever change clothes! Love the hair!!

Kimmie!!!!! 6.0! 6.0! Oh no, I mean, 198.32! 198.32!

OK - you can be the gushy commentator ala Paula. Who wants to be the jerk commentator ala Simon?

 

[Mathman]

I think it's a dumb idea. I probably wouldn't think it was so dumb if it was in the spring, but if I was Kwan, Cohen or any of the others, I'd say thanks but no thanks.

Am I the only one who has had the thought that maybe it was these skaters, and especially Michelle, who insisted on the meaningless format? Maybe they don't want a serious competition at that time.

Remember all the complaining we did on this board about how ill-timed it was? Maybe Michelle thinks so, too.

On the other hand, an exhibition type skate -- a couple of spirals, throw in a double Axel, smile, and call it a day -- just make sure you don't injure anything -- well, why not, if it will drum up some publicity for the Olympics.

Will we see Michelle's and Sasha's last years' COI numbers?

 

[millie]

Over on USSF, they have the list of skaters that are scheduled to skate:
Michelle, Sasha, Alissa and Emily
Weir, Goebel, Lysacek and Weiss.
They must be all recovered from their injuries.

 

[R.D.]

Over on USSF, they have the list of skaters that are scheduled to skate:
Michelle, Sasha, Alissa and Emily
Weir, Goebel, Lysacek and Weiss.
They must be all recovered from their injuries.

Being SCHEDULED, IIRC, is different from being CONFIRMED. I wouldn't be totally shocked to hear of withdrawals later on, esp. from certain skaters.