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OriginalCyn

By OriginalCyn
in Sports

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Avaleigh

Avaleigh

4 hours ago, Notabug said:

I think the discipline of skating seems to lend itself to the sorts of skills that lead to academic success.  There are so many skaters with advanced degrees.  Paul Wylie got an MBA from Harvard.  He was accepted into law school there, but changed his mind and did the MBA instead.  Debi Thomas went to Stanford for undergrad and went to med school at Northwestern.  She was a practicing orthopedic surgeon for a while.  Unfortunately, she has struggled with bipolar disorder and I don't think she has practiced in a number of years.

Years ago, when I heard the update about Debi, it made me feel so sad. I hope things are better for her now. 

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ChicksDigScars
ChicksDigScars

“I wish the Shibutanis were [in Milan] because last year I gave them my medal,” Donohue said, “and I don’t plan on doing that this year.” Uhhh..what? Yeah, and they gave you their National title

absnow54
absnow54

I get that figure skating is a jumping sport right now, and Alyssa Lui is the best chance for competing with the Russians, but damn, Mariah Bell’s free skate is the reason I find this sport so compell

Jeddah
Jeddah

I do love the Shibs, but it still would have been an obnoxious thing to say about any team, not just them. It implies that they didn’t earn their medal. That they didn’t work for it. That their two cl

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annzeepark914

annzeepark914

(edited)

I am so disgusted by this decision. Was really looking forward to seeing three deserving, winning teams, who competed clean, be rewarded & recognized. The Russians all were tainted by this drug scandal. I'm so tired of them always being allowed to compete, allowances always being made for them  Even now, they're representing other countries since Russia isn't allowed to participate.

 

Edited by annzeepark914
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Avaleigh

Avaleigh

2 hours ago, annzeepark914 said:

I am so disgusted by this decision. Was really looking forward to seeing three deserving, winning teams, who competed clean, be rewarded & recognized. The Russians all were tainted by this drug scandal. I'm so tired of them always being allowed to compete, allowances always being made for them  Even now, they're representing other countries since Russia isn't allowed to participate.

 

What's also annoying to me is the Russians don't even want the bronze. They're wallowing in denial and think they're big victims in all of this. They think they deserve the gold and think their team was so strong that if they'd subbed Shcherbakova or Trusova that the end result of them getting gold would have been the same. 

To me, they should have been completely disqualified. The wrong message is repeatedly being sent by allowing them to have the bronze. Kamila is the one who got caught, but there's every reason to think that she wasn't the only Russian skater participating in this state sponsored doping. Russia continues to get away with this stuff again and again, and there have been little to no consequences for what they've done. Even when they aren't competing under their flag, they're still up to the same shenanigans even after they were caught *again*. What else is it going to take?

Even now, they aren't being kept from competing because of their cheating. They're being kept out because of Ukraine. Which is fine, I don't have an issue with that apart from wishing that this was *in addition* to being banned for all the years they've been cheating. They see themselves as victims who are being kept out for political reasons and I wish that they could also know that even if the war hadn't happened that they'd still be banned because they don't play by the rules. It's very frustrating that they think they're the ones who are being treated unfairly. 

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CeeBeeGee

CeeBeeGee

15 hours ago, Avaleigh said:

Kamila is the one who got caught, but there's every reason to think that she wasn't the only Russian skater participating in this state sponsored doping.

I mean, of course she wasn't the only one. At this point, I'm suspicious about every one of their athletes. And I agree about the victim complex. Just eff off, Russia. No one is missing you these Games. We're all glad we don't have to witness a starving, lied-to teenager melt down spectacularly because she didn't get the gold.

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MaryMitch

MaryMitch

(edited)

Looks like the ceremony will be Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. ET on Peacock and USA Network

https://www.usfigureskating.org/news/article/2022-olympic-team-event-medal-ceremony

 

More info here:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2024/08/06/us-figure-skaters-olympics-gold-medals-eiffel-tower/74686261007/

Edited by MaryMitch
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annzeepark914

annzeepark914

On 9/18/2024 at 8:17 PM, honeywest said:

Tatiana Tarasova on Russia’s exclusion from the Olympic medals ceremony: “It’s unfair, uncultured, and dishonorable. The Olympic Committee should treat everyone equally, especially us.”

Doesn't this beat all?  After all their repeated cheating (summer & winter O's), Russia should be permanently banned from the Olympics. I'm sick of them being catered to (their athletes being allowed to represent other countries). Clean up your act, Russia, or just get stuffed.

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Avaleigh

Avaleigh

19 hours ago, CeeBeeGee said:

Alysa Liu won the gold medal at the Budapest Trophy! What a great start to a comeback!

I haven't seen her programs yet for this season. She's definitely going to be a highlight on the Grand Prix. 

I can't wait to find out everyone's new music this season. I'm also curious to know how everyone especially younger skaters are navigating the new changes in terms of music rules.

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annzeepark914

annzeepark914

On 10/12/2024 at 12:19 AM, Maelstrom said:

TV schedule for those of us dinosaurs who refuse to get Peacock

https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/sports/2024/9/27/television-schedule.aspx

Fellow dinosaur here. Sheesh...I just can't see paying NBC to see skating competitions. Glad that we get to see parts of them on E! & USA.

Oh, that vocals would become disallowed. I might be able to watch women's (without having to endure whispery, anemic sounding ballads). One more gripe (& I sound like Dick Button): the arms constantly flying up in women's & also lately in ice dance. Whatever happened to Lori Nichols? She knew how to artistically use arms & hands.

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Maelstrom

Maelstrom

Yeah, I have Thoughts on NBC/Peacock's business model, but I'll spare you all my tirade. I intend to watch as much as I can on tv for as long as I can.

I don't know which is worse - the whispery anemic ballads, the classic rock songs I still have stuck in my head after working decades of retail, or umpteenth use of Moulin Rouge/Phantom/__insert overplayed warhorse song here__. Thank goodness for the mute button!

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peachmangosteen

peachmangosteen

14 hours ago, Avaleigh said:

I can't wait to find out everyone's new music this season. I'm also curious to know how everyone especially younger skaters are navigating the new changes in terms of music rules.

So, what are the new rules?

If they disallow words in the music I'll probably watch less. I think more of them need to be using more current and/or well-known songs tbh if anyone wants figure skating to become somewhat popular again.

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Avaleigh

Avaleigh

(edited)
11 hours ago, peachmangosteen said:

So, what are the new rules?

If they disallow words in the music I'll probably watch less. I think more of them need to be using more current and/or well-known songs tbh if anyone wants figure skating to become somewhat popular again.

Someone else will be able to do a much better job than I will regarding the new rules for this season. In a nutshell though, it's about everyone covering their asses regarding any future lawsuits wrt music after what happened with Alexa and Brandon.

Quote

For a song to be fully licensed through U.S. Figure Skating's blanket licenses, the song must be 100% covered between ASCAP, BMI, or a combination of the two. 

So basically skaters have to choose a song from the Songview database. I have zero idea of how extensive this database is, but I suspect it isn't going to do anything to aid the issue with skaters opting for warhorse music or any other safe/not particularly imaginative choices. I could be way off base, maybe we'll all be pleasantly surprised, but right now my cynicism is getting the better of me. 

The other new thing, and please someone correct me if I'm wrong, is the issue of video sharing. Basically, all competitions no matter how minor have had professional videographers so that skaters can get copies of their performances. With the new rule, the videographers will only be able to share performances that contain no music. Considering how skating is struggling to gain new viewers, this seems like a counterproductive change to make when we take into account how many people used to share videos with family, friends, schools, etc. 

Where I'm unclear about the music rule is with something like Sectionals. I've been enjoying being able to tune into Sectionals via Peacock and now I'm curious how that's going to work. Will they just have the music for the livestream and then mute everything for the 48 hours the events remain accessible? (I can't remember how long they stayed up last season.)

For somebody like Starr Andrews who got early exposure for her Whip My Hair program, it seems unfair for young and emerging skaters to be restricted in this way. Maybe there could be some sort of compromise that addresses videos that go viral, but for the average young skater who is only going to be seen by a handful of people, this seems like an over reach that isn't going to really help anyone.

Edited by Avaleigh
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ML89

ML89

(edited)
37 minutes ago, Avaleigh said:

So basically skaters have to choose a song from the Songview database. I have zero idea of how extensive this database is, but I suspect it isn't going to do anything to aid the issue with skaters otping for warhorse music or any other safe/not particularly imaginative choices. I could be way off base, maybe we'll all be pleasantly surprised, but right now my cynicism is getting the better of me. 

The other new thing, and please someone correct me if I'm wrong, is the issue of video sharing. Basically, all competitions no matter how minor have had professional videographers so that skaters can get copies of their performances. With the new rule, the videographers will only be able to share performances that contain no music. Considering how skating is struggling to gain new viewers, this seems like a counterproductive change to make when we take into account how many people used to share videos with family, friends, schools, etc. 

I read the long article about it and I have some familiarity with copyright and it still confused the hell out of me. So skating can't use songs but gymnastics can? Do these bands who sue realize that skaters skating to their music leads to more exposure? The band suing Knierem/Frasier was particularily hilarious because "House of the Rising Sun" was allegedly an old ballad/folk song/blues song when the Animals remade it and they were covering that version. So you got some damages, good job.

Music copyright is so messed up anyway because its roots go back to sheet music then performance on top of that and it's all a confusing tangle of owners and copyright that still manages to shaft most artists.

I love the idea of music with vocals but if I hear "Rain in Your Black Eyes" or that Muse song again? The problem is something gets popular (Moulin Rouge), then everyone does it. I will go on record as loving Donna Summer's version of "MacArthur Park" and I can't wait to see Liu's full program to it. I don't know if she had the song before it was used in Beetlejuice 2 and it's a happy coincidence.

 

 

 

Edited by ML89
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Maelstrom

Maelstrom

(edited)
10 hours ago, peachmangosteen said:

if anyone wants figure skating to become somewhat popular again.

2 hours ago, Avaleigh said:

Considering how skating is struggling to gain new viewers

The number one thing that would help figure skating gain viewers in the US is if NBC loosens their damn stranglehold on it. It's impossible to find it on the schedule, and trying to force people to pay extra for Peacock is a surefire way to drive viewers further away. I only keep at it every year because I'm stubborn and dance is nowhere to be found on US tv, so skating is the next best thing in my book. It would also help if the USFed would promote the sport more in a general way rather than focusing on the latest Chosen Star! who's the best thing since sliced bread. If they'd cultivate a love of and appreciation for the sport, rather than just pushing the current quad king or ice princess, it would go a long way toward increasing the audience. One of the things that keeps me watching every year, despite the increasing difficulty of finding it on tv, is how cool it is to watch skaters grow and evolve over time, going from that young kid with a lot of promise to a big new talent to a seasoned veteran. It's pretty awesome.

(And I hope it's clear that my frustrations aren't directed toward any posters here but instead at NBC and the USFed and the other morons in charge of things). 🙂

Edited by Maelstrom
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Avaleigh

Avaleigh

(edited)
3 hours ago, Maelstrom said:

The number one thing that would help figure skating gain viewers in the US is if NBC loosens their damn stranglehold on it.

I agree with you that NBC does a terrible job. I thought that ABC was great when they were doing the Grand Prix events and nationals way back when. Also, it isn't just skating. I don't think NBC has done a great job covering gymnastics either. 

The problem though, as I see it, is that I can't necessarily see Disney/ESPN, CBS/Paramount, or Fox Sports doing a better job. No matter who has it, skating is so niche that it would probably be on a streaming service the way it currently is with Peacock. Sure, they'd do a highlight reel on their network with a bunch of talking and filler instead of showing more skaters, but I'm not convinced that the coverage would necessarily be better. 

That being said, I do agree that something needs to change and I 100% agree with your point that USFS needs to step up and has needed to do better promotion for the sport for years now. 

3 hours ago, Maelstrom said:

One of the things that keeps me watching every year, despite the increasing difficulty of finding it on tv, is how cool it is to watch skaters grow and evolve over time, going from that young kid with a lot of promise to a big new talent to a seasoned veteran. It's pretty awesome.

I know there have been failed attempts in the past to have a competitive skating show, but I wonder if any sort of reality series could help? Not necessarily a competitive show, but an ice diaries sort of thing like how MTV (I think?) did years ago. Getting audiences exposed to some up and coming junior and senior skaters, so that they feel like they know them when they go out to compete could be interesting. Maybe look at skaters from three different clubs, one from each sectional, and get to know them as they navigate a season? If done well, it could be a fun way to introduce a new group of viewers to skating. 

I don't know how the ratings have been for shows like Johnny's or the dance one on IAM, but I'm assuming they weren't great, just like those failed competitive shows. 

OTOH Torvill and Dean's Dancing on Ice has been on for 14 seasons, so maybe it just depends on the quality of the show?

Obviously social media is the main way to generate interest in young people and I think the current group of skaters are doing a great job of using it more. I just wonder if there aren't some other ways to heighten interest that aren't really being explored. 

Edited by Avaleigh
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redpencil

redpencil

6 hours ago, Avaleigh said:

So basically skaters have to choose a song from the Songview database. I have zero idea of how extensive this database is, but I suspect it isn't going to do anything to aid the issue with skaters opting for warhorse music or any other safe/not particularly imaginative choices. I could be way off base, maybe we'll all be pleasantly surprised, but right now my cynicism is getting the better of me. 

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure they can still use other music, they just have to secure their own rights. USFS just got blanket clearance for certain songs, so all but the top skaters are probably better if using something that falls under that blanket clearance rather than trying to clear it themselves.

 

2 hours ago, Avaleigh said:

The problem though, as I see it, is that I can't necessarily see Disney/ESPN, CBS/Paramount, or Fox Sports doing a better job. No matter who has it, skating is so niche that it would probably be on a streaming service the way it currently is with Peacock. Sure, they'd do a highlight reel on their network with a bunch of talking and filler instead of showing more skaters, but I'm not convinced that the coverage would necessarily be better. 

I completely agree with this. It would be mostly on a streaming service no matter who had the rights in this day and age. Even major sports are increasingly on streaming. Frankly, NBC may be better equipped than some other companies based on having some non-sports cable channels they can use that don't already have to worry about other sports they have rights to. Disney/ABC/ESPN for example would absolutely put most of it on ESPN+.

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