Skating with Celebrities

[swanflake]

That's true, Topher. Even if they had taken Dominque Moceanu's vault score, the two Russians left to go on floor (Roza Galiyeva, and I think the other one was Dina Kochetkova, IIRC) really weren't realistically capable of the scores needed to overtake the Americans. Roza Galiyeva didn't even have a 10.0 start value on floor in the All-Around two days later because she and her coaches didn't know how to read the Code of Points, and she repeated an element she couldn't receive bonus for.

[magazinewhore]

Has this already started? This sounds simply too good to be true.

[swanflake]

I don't know how they sorted the contract disputes out, but Scott Hamilton will be at the Olympics doing commentary. NBC announced the figure skating commentators today:

Tom Hammond: Guy who sits in the middle and says the names
Scott Hamilton: Men & Ladies
Dick Button: Pairs
Sandra Bezic: Men, Ladies, Pairs, Dance
Tracy Wilson: Dance
Andrea Joyce: Backstage reporting

I wish Uncle Dick was doing the commentary for everything, but oh well. At least we'll get to see him in the pairs. Sandra Bezic is really haughty and Tracy Wilson is far too biased towards her countrymen, but at least Rosalynn Sumners won't be there.

[Brookie]

Yah, I like Dick Button too - who'd he piss off to get relegated to only pairs? I like Scotty too though. I usually end up watching skating on Canadian stations; they seem to be a little less biased (if that's possible), and they typically show all the skaters, not just the folks from their country (which US TV always does).

SwanFlake - do you think Michelle Kwan will get the exception she asked for (or am I behind in my sports news?)?

[proper stranger]

God, I cannot stand Sandra Bezic. And she's commentating on every. event. Andrea Joyce is kind of a nitwit, but at least we won't have to listen to Al Trautwig. Really happy that Uncle Dick got in there somewhere.

I love that Fox is officially promoting "Skating with Celebrities" as a "train wreck"[/color].

Brookie--Not to step on SwanFlake's authoritah, but there may be a decision on the Michelle question after the Nationals (which take place on Saturday). I believe, however, that the USFSA (US Figure Skating Association) has until Jan. 30 to announce the final team. I hope they do put Michelle on the team.

[swanflake]

They can't leave Michelle off the team. This is Michelle Kwan. She's a legend. How many times have people counted her out and thought she was too old, that she wouldn't keep up with the young ones, and everytime she came back taking us to a new level of heaven with her skating. Tara Lipinski's hip gave out, Sarah Hughes gained too much weight, but Michelle has stayed at the top for over a decade. Her competitive spirit has been proven countless times, and you can't say the same for Kimmie Meissner, Alissa Czisny, Emily Hughes, Beatrisa Liang, or anyone else who would get the spot for Turin if Michelle couldn't go. All three of the girls I just mentioned had at least one wipeout this season in competition. No matter what happens at Nationals this week, nobody can prove themselves a tougher competitor than Michelle.

Plus, the fact that Coca Cola, Visa, and NBC have already put millions into marketing Michelle's image won't hurt her chances for making the team either.

And Sandra Bezic is such a snob. A few years ago in a magazine she made some quote like "I just can't get excited for any eligible skaters these days". Then what the Hell are you doing commentating at the Olympics if it bores you so much?

Edit: Also, we've gotten some confirmations that Michelle's free skate music will be "Prelude in C Sharp Minor, Op. 3" by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Here's a link to where you can download a really shoddy recording of the music. People are guessing she'll probably have some changes made in the editing of the music, primarily because it's too short in length.

[Brookie]

proper stranger - Thanks for the update. It would be nice to have Michelle on the team, but ONLY if she promises to turn pro after these Olympics. It's time to turn the amateur competition over to the younger crowd.

[carrier76]

Why does everyone call Dick Button "Uncle Dick"? This is going on over at TWOP as well.

[swanflake]

I don't know where it got started, but it's his nickname at all the skating boards.

Dick Button drinking games are the best. Everytime he says "I really have to take my hat off to her" take a drink. When he says "that will/will not stand him in good stead" take a drink. When he calls a move "first rate" take a drink. Everytime he compares a skater to some 1950s Broadway actress no one has ever heard of, take a drink.

[dwanollah]

You LIKE Dick Button, Brookie?! My mom and I have a blast screaming at him. Any time he uses any variation of "Neat, neat, neat!" I want to throw him down and paint "I'M A TARD" in Magic Marker on his bald head.

JOHN FUCKING CURRY WAS NOT "NEAT" YOU NUMBSKULL!