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This is the perfect description of Nathan's shirt, which is an odd choice for an Elton John number.

Yay for Chock and Bates! I was so excited that they won. While the very petty part of me would have loved to have seen h/B's bitch faces when C/B's scores were announced, I was also happy to not have to see them after they performed. While I was worried that C/B might get lost in the mix in Montreal, the change in coaches has made a huge difference in them. Gadbois has certainly done them a world of good both in terms of skating skills and in material. I've been impressed that they moved away from the face clutching, romantic programs they did with their previous coach (and that their current training mates P/C and certainly H/D tend to go with) and instead go with programs that have more personality. I loved their Elvis free dance last year, and this year's free dance has served them very well. I'm befuddled by H/D's choices. How did anyone think that those programs were top-tier material? Do H/D select the programs/music, and no one stops them? The Marilyn Monroe number is a hot mess (I will never be able to get behind "My Heart Belongs to Daddy"), and even with the improvements, I find the A Star is Born free dance disjointed (I also don't care for the music). I tried watching H/D's free as objectively as possible (difficult since I loathe their smug, entitled personalities so very much). They are fast skaters and can certainly fill the rink, but the attempts at "passion" come off as messy to me. While they might want to be the next V/M, they lack the chemistry, talent, and precision/discipline of that pair.

I'm glad to see Kayne and O'Shea have a decent free skate this year after seeing them (and especially her) seem so crushed last year. However, the program would benefit from different music and styling. The music and cuts were awful. Whoever thought that skating to Anne Hathaway's sobbing on the Les Mis soundtrack shouldn't be allowed to pick music.

Just when I thought H/D couldn't be any more entitled or worse sports, they plumb new depths. This is in sharp contrast to Bradie's and Amber's reaction when Alysa fumbled her jump in the short not to mention C/B's utter shock when they beat H/D at 4CCs last year. Here's to C/B having an awesome free dance and winning Nationals.

Even though Alysa won, the night belonged to Mariah Bell. I'm hoping that she can keep it up for 4 CCs and Worlds. Even if she can't beat the Russians, I'd much rather watch Mariah skate. Her programs are especially well designed and well suited for her this year. Thank goodness she's going with Adam Rippon and Shae-Lynn Bourne for choreography now. They really seem to get her and what works for her.

I'm watching the Grand Prix free dance On Demand, and I agree with both the issue of the music and the sloppiness of the elements. I dislike both programs this year, though I think that "Let's Be Bad" could have had potential if it weren't paired with "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." Perhaps another Smash song might have worked here. I'm definitely not a specialist when it comes to looking at the technical aspect of skating, but I felt like H/D's numbers were filled with indiscriminate flailing. As I watched their free dance, I had the feeling that they (and the commentators) were focusing more on "passion/chemistry" at the expense of sound technical skills. They want to be the second coming of V/M. However, they don't appear to have V/M's solid skating skills. I'd also argue that H/D's passion seems very forced, which makes them an ersatz V/M (who I also found convoluted, but not to the extent of H/D).

Beyond my general dislike of H/D, I loathe their rhythm dance. Whoever thought that "My Hearts Belongs to Daddy" was a winner for ice dance is clueless or hates Hubbell and Donohue as much (or more) than I do. That said, as a musical theatre nerd, I have enjoyed the theme of the rhythm dance this season. Musicals + figure skating = me living my best life.

I'm watching the dance competition from Skate Canada this evening, and add me to the list of people who were thrilled that Piper and Paul beat H/D! I loved Piper and Paul's free dance; it was so understated and heartfelt, which made it a great contrast to H/D's overwrought performance.

I love C/B's FD this season, too! It is well composed, and they seem to be having a ball when they skate it. Also, it is a refreshing break from the face clutching, "smoldering" routines that we get from H/D and (to a somewhat lesser extent) P/C. I also think that C/B have improved a great deal over the course of a year. The Olympic Channel was airing highlights from the ice dance competition from PyongChang tonight, and I watched C/B's FD. Their routine this year was considerably more complex, and I think their skating skills are much stronger now than they were in 2018.

In terms of personality and attitude, Hubbell and Donahue are perfectly matched. They seem equally unpleasant and petulant.

I wish Valentina's vocals were up to those of Brandon Victor Dixon's. You can tell he's really holding himself back during "I'll Cover You."

When I saw Donahue make that comment last night, I thought, "After you've beaten V/M on a consistent basis and won an Olympic gold, then maybe you can talk." I think H/D want to be the next V/M. The routines, attempts at chemistry (which seem very forced and over the top IMO), and attitudes seem to indicate that H/D have decided to emulate V/M's playbook.

I was very impressed when Chock and Bates attended the team event. They seemed genuinely happy and supportive, and it was the second time they were at the Olympics and not competing in the team event (Meryl and Charlie skated twice in 2014, which was a good move, since they were the main reason the US ended up with a team medal that year). It was a gracious gesture (and a marked contrast to Hubbell and Donahue). I believe that Evan was also elected team captain of the 2018 figure skating team of the US, which speaks to his relationship with the other skaters.

Chock and Bates had a very fun routine, and the pieces of music went together very well. It is so much better than their "Imagine" routine last year. They also seemed to have a blast with it. I look forward to seeing it at Worlds. As for H/B's Romeo and Juliet, I was so relieved that Madison couldn't do her forced "come hither" face that I almost (but not entirely) forgave it for having all of that dialogue.

Manta/Johnson were delightful, and you can tell they were enjoying themselves and really connecting with the music. Madison Chock's glare and Evan's sad clapping still crack me up.

"Look at meeeeeee" Madison is a perfect nickname for Hubbell. I remember rolling my eyes at Chock and Bates when NBC showed Evan's tepid clapping after the Shib Sibs won nationals for the first time. However, that was solid sportsmanship compared to H/D's reactions when another couple scores better than they do. I'm bummed for the Parsons (he fell on a twizzle), and I wonder if there is something wrong with the ice (or if Detroit is just cursed when it comes to figure skating events in general). I loved their "Bohemian Rhapsody" number.

The commentators said that Chris was injured earlier this season when they were in Germany and that he would need surgery. I hope he recovers, but this makes me wonder why they didn't just pull out of nationals given their coaching issues and the injury. Re: Meno and Sand - I wonder if this is just until Chris and Alexa find another coach since things with Aliona didn't work.

I just saw the Knierims' long program, and it was awful. There were issues throughout their skate (jumps and lifts). They had some significant problems on both of their lifts (they got out of one early and couldn't even get into the second one). It reminded me a bit of Kerrigan's 1993 Worlds skate, where she made mistake after mistake and never seemed to be fully present.

Souris - I agree 100% with your entire post! I despise H&D, particularly in their last two seasons. Hubble's "sexy" expressions are just painful to watch. They seem to be trying very hard to be V&M 2.0. However, as someone rightly pointed out in the Olympics forum, Tessa and Scott 's chemistry didn't seem forced (I say this as someone who was not a huge fan of them). Hubble in particular seems to be trying so hard.

I just tuned in to the coverage of the pairs' free skate this afternoon, and I can't help but wonder what happened to the Knierims. Did they completely implode in the short? Seventh place is very low, particularly since the US is not known for depth in pairs.

I really like Mariah Bell. Her skating is lovely, and she has had some great music choices over the years (her Celine Dion program this year is one of my favorites). She reminds me of a less consistent but much more versatile version of Nancy Kerrigan. She has Nancy's classic style without all of the recycled choreography (I am/was a big Nancy fan, but I fully recognize her limitations :).

For people who are fans of Tessa and Scott, they have a new edition of their book coming out in October. Shelf Awareness is giving 10 signed copies of the book. Go to http://apps.shelf-awareness.com/signup/382 to enter the drawing.

This was a great evening, and I so enjoyed chatting with all of you!

Given the utter humanity of the people from The Band's Visit, I'm excited for their win.

I think SpongeBob might be in trouble; its box office has been all over the place, but the summer might be good for it with families traveling to the city. Once On This Island, which wasn't doing great at the box office, might have gotten the boost it needed to stay open longer.