Skating with Celebrities

[Deleted]

speciousreasoning said:

Do any of the Canadians on this board remember Barbara Martini when she was commentating for the CBC? Everything was terrible, everyone (but the Canadians) sucked. It was hysterical. I wish she were doing commentary for this thing. Just because she was a frightful beeyotch.
I saw clips of Kurt Browning on ET or one of those entertainment shows. Man I had a heck of a crush on him at one point. Even though he's bald now, he's still looking pretty good. He's married with kids now right?

I do remember Martini & Underhill very well. They were stars for Canada and really wonderful to watch together.

The way I remember it is that Barbara always spoke the truth in her commentating. I liked her very much. And let's not forget, she WAS commentating on CBC. Canadian broadcasting so of course she's going to be most supportive of the Canadians. If we knew then what we know now about behind the scenes judging, we'd have understood her a lot more I bet. Back in the 70s, the Russians won everything. Even when they didn't deserve it. It was awful. So I appreciated Barbara's commentary, for that alone, but also for supporting Canadians in sport.

[memememe76]

I think the "bitch" was Paul Martini. Paul is very critical. Barbara is very much not critical.

[speciousreasoning]

I totally don't remember which one was worse - Paul or Barbara. But it was hysterical to watch them completely rip apart every single Non Canadian skater. I guess being fairly critical to all skaters regardless of citizenship wasn't in the contract. But it is figure skating - fair criticism isn't exactly a part of the sport, now is it?

This show is the single greatest piece of trainwreck television I've ever seen. Even better than Joe Millionaire (or whatever the hell that thing was called). Fox may screw up in lots of other TV shows, but their bastardization of reality shows from other networks is truly hilarious to see. What I wouldn't give to have been in the show development meeting for this thing.

[thingee]

caribou said:

The judges are biased against Lloyd and Kristi GOING INTO THIS THING. Why? Two reasons - Lloyd's history of disdain for judges (which I actually admired. he was often right.) AND ... wait for it.... he's Canadian. A Canadian figure skating star competing with all other American figure skating stars? No way will they let him win this thing.

Major flaw with this theory: Kurt Browning is Canadian as well (not to mention my fantasy boyfriend when I was 15!) This isn't the Olympics; I doubt that nationality will play into the results at all. It's trainwreck reality TV, so whoever makes for the best story will likely end up winning.

If the judges take issue with Lloyd, it is probably because he's a dick. Remember, the skating community is a small one and these people have known each other for years.

Re Martini and Underhill: I loved them as commentators, especially Barb U. She was snarky as hell except, as others mentioned, when it came to the home team. Hilarious!

[Deleted]

thingee said:

caribou said:

The judges are biased against Lloyd and Kristi GOING INTO THIS THING. Why? Two reasons - Lloyd's history of disdain for judges (which I actually admired. he was often right.) AND ... wait for it.... he's Canadian. A Canadian figure skating star competing with all other American figure skating stars? No way will they let him win this thing.

Major flaw with this theory: Kurt Browning is Canadian as well (not to mention my fantasy boyfriend when I was 15!) This isn't the Olympics; I doubt that nationality will play into the results at all. It's trainwreck reality TV, so whoever makes for the best story will likely end up winning.

If the judges take issue with Lloyd, it is probably because he's a dick. Remember, the skating community is a small one and these people have known each other for years.

Re Martini and Underhill: I loved them as commentators, especially Barb U. She was snarky as hell except, as others mentioned, when it came to the home team. Hilarious!

LOL Mea Culpa Mea Culpa!

I loved that Martini and Underhill both supported Canadians, with or without snark. I miss Barbara. Anybody know what she's doing now?

[topher]

Swan, thanks for analysis.

[Benni]

I also miss Martini and Underhill. Wouldn't it be fun to have a Canadian version of Skating with Celebrities with them as the Commentator. We could have:

Brent Butt and Josee Chinard

Mike Meyers and Elizabeth Manning (They could drive each other crazy)

Elvis Costello and Alanis Morrisette

Back to the Fox Show. I really felt sorry for Kurt Browning. I thought Debbie Gibson was a really poor skater for skating for 1 month. She was the worst I thought. And I really thought they were hard on Eisler but maybe he should just keep his mouth shut. And I really liked Todd Bridges until he said "What you talking about Judges"
I think putting Jillian Barberie and John Zimmerman together was an unfare pairing. I protest. Kurt should have had Jillian Barberie. I am going to email FOX right now.

[Deleted]

Are you sure you mean Elvis Costello? Maybe Elvis Stojko?

Although Elvis C. and Alanis would by hysterical as well.

[swanflake]

benni said:

:

Brent Butt and Josee Chinard

Mike Meyers and Elizabeth Manning (They could drive each other crazy)

Elvis Costello and Alanis Morrisette

Haha, I think the names you're thinking of are Josee Chouinard, Elizabeth Manley (I don't like her, and she's too chunky to be skating with a bare midriff), and Elvis Stojko.

[zacandmax]

Yes, thank you for the recap Swan, I didn't realize this show came on at the same time as "Lost", so I didn't watch it.