What do audiences want to know about the IJS?

[leil]

when i started watching figure sakting, they used to have fluff that explained the jumps and spins. that's the reason why i can tell that a triple axel is happening. then the fluffs changed to lets get to know the skaters. then sometimes there's no fluff. i think they could use the fluff segments and explain the changes ...

 

[Blades of Passion]

Peggy Fleming was much the same.

Peggy Flemming was a nearly useless commentator.

Dick Button was a great one at times, although mired by his American bias. He certainly did appreciate Plushenko, btw, gushing over him at 2004 Worlds. His evaluation of Plushenko's 2006 program was quite accurate - "He has body language and great jumps with cat-like quality. He's one of those people that has passion, attack, and ferocity. I can never take my eyes off him because I never know what he's going to do. He always keeps me riveted, even when he has no program. It was once said about Fred Astaire, "he can bamboozle you with his hands", and that's what Plushenko is doing here." In general he described Plushenko as a great skater in search of a better choreographer.

I'm not sure where this chatter about him not pointing out technical details comes from. He talked about spins more than any other commentator and he talked very much about the quality of jumps, right down to minor details of wobbly edges on landings. Edge quality in general he talked about rather frequently and he did point out the flutz of his beloved Sasha Cohen from time to time.

On the Grand Prix threads on this board Mrs. P kindly provided a summary of scores that I think is perfect for this purpose. Total points for jumps. Total points for spins and steps. Total Program Component scores.

I think this is just the right amount of information to help the public understand the scoring and enjoy the competition.

Like the announcers could say, in the case of a close fight between two competitors, “Here are how the scores came down: Skater A scored 40.23 on jumps compared to 37.39 for skater B. Skater B was penalized because she did not get full revolution on her triple loop.

“In non-jump elements, Skater B had all level fours on her spins and was able to make up ground, 18.76 to 16.11.

This would definitely help but it still doesn't solve the lack of judge accountability and added suspense as the scores come up. People want to see the scores of each individual judge and I think each judge's total scores for technical elements and PCS should be displayed to the audience before the final total and placement is announced. The numbers would still be relatively meaningless to most viewers but at least people would get to see the varying opinions of the panel (with which to align their own viewpoints) and there would be some semblance of "ohhh, those numbers are close, how it's going to turn out?!?"

 

[Tonichelle]

when i started watching figure sakting, they used to have fluff that explained the jumps and spins. that's the reason why i can tell that a triple axel is happening. then the fluffs changed to lets get to know the skaters. then sometimes there's no fluff. i think they could use the fluff segments and explain the changes ...

most fans on here griped at the time that the fluff took away from actual skating... too much fluff in a two hour period meant less skates in a competition was shown. I agree fluff really helps people learn and understand the technical...