Papadakis publishes book; Cizeron challenges claims | Page 10 | Golden Skate

Papadakis publishes book; Cizeron challenges claims

It's unfortunate, but I think that NBC made the right call- no matter what she did or said, it would seem as if she was biased.

(Personally, I don't think she has been a very good commentator, but that is neither here nor there).
 
... As for Papadakis and Cizeron, as I have said before we have got to stop somehow expecting elite sports people to all be decent people. It appears neither is particularly admirable (he always sounded like a right piece of work), and being surprised - just as some were when Aymoz's less admirable side peeked out, or those of quite a number of US skaters or Japanese or whoever, wherever - when we find out physical prowess does not equal 'niceness' is silly.
Umm, we are all fallible human beings. It's when you really get to know a person, in all their quirks and human failings, while also acknowledging and admitting your own that you realize there are no perfect human beings and even fewer happy endings. 🙁 The sadness today in the social media era is that despite the benefits of sm technology, the drawbacks are not communicating on a human face-to-face level. Plus, the animosities that have grown from people 'taking sides,' and never wanting to, much less learning how to, find common ground.

Years ago, I met a number of skaters at backstage gatherings after a couple of skating events. Humans all, some nicer than others. A few extremely nice. Several tired and hungry, and not particularly in the mood to socialize with adoring fans. Skaters are human, so many of them appreciate when they are spoken to on a human level, not as some kind of idol. But it's also human nature to be kinda starstruck upon seeing a skater or v.i.p. you admire. It's nice when they smile and connect in an appreciative way. We are all human, and things work better when we all recognize our humanity and shed our egos. BTW, I am very opinionated about figure skating, fallible, but fairminded.
 
Why shouldnt he react to it and not defend himself?
I wasn't saying that he didn't have a right to defend himself just that it was his making such a vociferous offensive that first drew my attention to the matter. One thing I find unfortunate is that while the book seems to deal with many experiences in the life of Papadakis, Cizeron's reaction and the subsequent media coverage makes it seem as if she wrote it as some type of "hit piece" on him. While he is certainly going to be a significant part of her story, it certainly isn't meant to be all about him.
 
I don't believe Gabby's book changes anything except for her. FB/C already came into this season with extremely poor personal reputations. The ppl who already didn't like them will continue to do so, the ppl who already didn't care if their fav skaters were also terrible ppl will continue to do so, and the judges whose job it is to not care whether the best skaters are also terrible ppl will continue to do so. I believe Gabby, and I also don't believe any of this will affect FB/C outcome at the Olympics.
I know this sounds dumb but exactly what did FB/C do that they have extreme personal reputations. That made understanding some of Gabby's claims hard to understand. It was Laurence's partner that allegedly committed sexual assault. i don't believe he was convicted and I am not sure how it reflect's on Laurence? Does a mother turn away and hate her murderer child? That being said Gabby needs to do what is best for Gabby though there may be consequences that go beyond her.
 
I wasn't saying that he didn't have a right to defend himself just that it was his making such a vociferous offensive that first drew my attention to the matter. One thing I find unfortunate is that while the book seems to deal with many experiences in the life of Papadakis, Cizeron's reaction and the subsequent media coverage makes it seem as if she wrote it as some type of "hit piece" on him. While he is certainly going to be a significant part of her story, it certainly isn't meant to be all about him.
Yes, but unfortunately, the parts about Cizeron are going to be the most read, gossiped about, repeated, and publicized due to P/C's former high-profile athletic accomplishments as groundbreaking ice dance champions. Whether or not Cizeron & Fournier-Beaudry had partnered before or after the publishers made the pub date decision, publishers are always going to market a product with the intent to make the most sales. Thus, the Winter Olympics time period would always have been their choice.

Cizeron ends up making a comeback with FB and they create a huge impact together with the high possibility of rivaling the favored U.S. team for Olympic gold in ice dance. Perfect set of circumstances for the book publisher. Maybe not so perfect for how people might view Papadakis' overall intentions for writing the book. It just did not look good for her to be commentating ice dance at the Olympics with NBC at the same time this book is published. Even if Cizeron had not made a comeback for the Olympics, the publication of the revelations in this book during the 2026 Olympics would still have scuttled Papadakis' chances of being in the commentating booth. Didn't she realize that?

In any case, I can't fathom why NBC or any broadcaster thinks they should hire past champions as on-air commentators when they lack commentating experience. Jean-Luc Baker never won Worlds*, but he's an excellent figure skating commentator, as proven during his extensive practice session work, both alone and with others, including Jackie Wong and Tarah Kayne! [*Baker & Hawayek were, of course, good enough to win Worlds, but in their era's packed field, it was never in the cards.]

Did Papadakis work with a named ghostwriter?
 
Did Papadakis work with a named ghostwriter?
As far as I have been able to determine, no. But the publishing house is a big conglomerate that puts out lots of odds and ends of this sort. I wouldn't be surprised if they have behind-the-scenes in house editors who work with the non-professional celebrity or niche authors on projects like this.
 
I know this sounds dumb but exactly what did FB/C do that they have extreme personal reputations. That made understanding some of Gabby's claims hard to understand. It was Laurence's partner that allegedly committed sexual assault. i don't believe he was convicted and I am not sure how it reflect's on Laurence? Does a mother turn away and hate her murderer child? That being said Gabby needs to do what is best for Gabby though there may be consequences that go beyond her.
Laurence Fournier Beaudry must feel like "out of the frying pan, into the fire", wondering if there's someone she can skate with who can stay out of the sensational headlines.
 
Well, maybe they both should read one of those, stop and think, and ask themselves why some people feel a necessity to bring such banners to an ice skating competition? And what their own role was in this all? Thinking does not hurt and is not banned, not yet...
Just a view from the rink in Sheffield at another angle.

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Understandable. A commentator who is being sued by someone they are commentating on- there would be rightful questions about impartiality. And then that would become the story- not ideal when Americans have a shot at an Olympic title.

As an aside, I'm quite surprised that someone like Tanith Belbin or Ben Agosto didn't get that gig in the first place.
 
Understandable. A commentator who is being sued by someone they are commentating on- there would be rightful questions about impartiality. And then that would become the story- not ideal when Americans have a shot at an Olympic title.

As an aside, I'm quite surprised that someone like Tanith Belbin or Ben Agosto didn't get that gig in the first place.
Tanith's too busy with her coaching/choreographer roles for her skating school with Charlie White and Greg Zuerlein.
 
They could still ask her though. Buttjen again, skaters she coaches are reserves for the Olympics and there could be an issue if a team does withdraw.

But Agosto would be a good choice.
In replacing her, I like Ben, but I'm pretty sure he's busy with his ice dance school out in CO. I think Jean-Luc would be a good choice.
Technically though, I'd like to see 2 former ice dancers as the commentary for ice dance competition. Not Johnny or Tara b/c they are clueless.
 
In replacing her, I like Ben, but I'm pretty sure he's busy with his ice dance school out in CO. I think Jean-Luc would be a good choice.
Technically though, I'd like to see 2 former ice dancers as the commentary for ice dance competition. Not Johnny or Tara b/c they are clueless.
Is there some reason we can’t have Mark Hanratty, who is well qualified to comment for ice dance?
 
Y'all are missing the obvious choice. Jean-Luc Baker.

If you've seen him on the Peacock practice rink coverage, then you know I'm right.

Edit: More to the point of NBC dumping Gabby. I am so conflicted about this. I think they had no choice ethically, but I also think it has a trace of "we need to distance ourselves from this problematic woman who refuses to accept her lot in life."
 
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