The state of U.S. Figure Skating

[dorispulaski]

I think everyone expects the Shibs to continue past 2014, in which case the Argentine is likely to come up sometime, if the SD format is kept. However, it is entirely possible that the Argentine format will not be kept.

Certainly, the Shibs Tango FD was the worst I have seen from them.

 

[Spun Silver]

I wonder if they could do a teacher-student type of tango one day, something like the movie Shall We Dance? It would be challenging to portray a student while maintaining difficulty... but perhaps not impossible with a gifted choreographer.

 

[Olympia]

Ooh, Spun, that's a great idea. I haven't yet seen the Japanese movie, but in the American version, Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere managed to be steamy but not go over the line in terms of chemistry. (At least, so I inferred, since Richard Gere had Susan Sarandon back at home, cast as his wife, in the movie.)

I remember that the Duchesnays did a West Side Story free dance in which they had to say they were skating as Anita and her brother Bernardo...well, it worked, and why not? They also did some non-romantic dances, notably Missing, which was a political statement that could have depicted any man and woman. I don't know whether the musical limitations nowadays (music choice has to be closer to dance-related these days, doesn't it?) might make it harder to find stuff for a brother and sister to do, but I'm sure someone will get ingenious.

 

[dorispulaski]

And of course, Savage Rites, the brother and sister in the Jungle in 1988.

But they preceded that with a Spanish Dance FD in the 1986/1987 season
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEJ7pecrAss

And a Charleston OSP (1989) with Isabelle as Ms. Josephine Baker, and Paul as a Stage Door Johnny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr4BLtPE8og

And Reflections, which the judges didn't like, but which I adored. (that's the dance they scraped for WSS)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qaqag3LTHM

There was a street dance samba OSP (which is sort of everyone for themselves, as in the Shibs SD this year.
The Lonely Goatherd Polka OSP 1990
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVXFZgo9YHs

And Missing 1 & 2 in subsequent years FD's. everyman & everywoman disappeared by the administration.

And they did an Eleanor Rigby FD. 1989, I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QhhRDHOri4

Most challenging for a brother/sister team, a Blues OSP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7yix2zBk_Q
There's finally a good video of it!!

Although they were always controversial, no one went on about brother/sister ick factors.

 

[gkelly]

And a Charleston OSP (1989) with Isabelle as Ms. Josephine Baker, and Paul as a Stage Door Johnny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr4BLtPE8og

Oh, was that the concept? I didn't know the story behind it.

And Reflections, which the judges didn't like, but which I adored. (that's the dance they scraped for WSS)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qaqag3LTHM

Actually, it's the dance they scrapped for Missing II (1991 Euros to 1991 Worlds, which they won).

I think it's true that some judges didn't like it, but second place with both skaters falling at the end and a strong team right behind in third place is a pretty good result considering.

Although they were always controversial, no one went on about brother/sister ick factors.

Yup!
That's the team that got me excited about ice dance in the first place.

 

[Tonichelle]

I think everyone expects the Shibs to continue past 2014, in which case the Argentine is likely to come up sometime, if the SD format is kept. However, it is entirely possible that the Argentine format will not be kept.

Certainly, the Shibs Tango FD was the worst I have seen from them.

Worst from them, though, is still better than a lot of others....

 

[Serious Business]

Nah, the Shibs are committed athletes and will try everything to break down stereotypical barriers.that is where they earn my respect

I certainly don't believe that the tango or the inability to perform romantic dances would keep the Shibs from succeeding, just explaining why the origins of the tango were being discussed.

 

[cornell08]

If D/W can perform a tango without an iota of romantic sensuality, I'm sure the Shibs can as well