tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583562784288599702.post3132675429389579723..comments2023-12-20T21:11:11.524-08:00Comments on State of the Skate: "Skating with the Stars" Week 5: It's a Wrap... Forever?Kelli Lawrencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009713326652591943noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583562784288599702.post-60803316289291228582010-12-27T03:56:16.823-08:002010-12-27T03:56:16.823-08:00Thanks for the detailed assessment, Tracey!Thanks for the detailed assessment, Tracey!Kelli Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06009713326652591943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583562784288599702.post-22273467397307195572010-12-26T16:58:34.634-08:002010-12-26T16:58:34.634-08:00Battle of the Blades is light years ahead of SWTS,...Battle of the Blades is light years ahead of SWTS, beyond the hockey/reality tv soulmate theory (which is a good one, but far from the whole story)<br /><br />1. The biggest thing is that enough of the professional figure skaters are big names (Jamie Sale, Katia Gordeeva, Shae Lynn Bourne, Isabelle Brasseur). Even the lesser knowns like Kyoko Ina (who is a lovely skater btw), Violetta Afanasieva, Anabelle Langlois, and Tuffy Sweeney have a niche audience that knows who they are, and are marketed well to the audience for their achievements. <br /><br />2. Moreover, Canada is fortunate to have professional female pairs/dance skaters who are still active (and to attract very effective and awesome outsiders!). The US has the market more cornered on singles skaters. What makes Battle of the Blades work is the females' ability to provide guidance in addition to the coaching staff (also some big names in the biz such as David Pelletier and Pete Dack). <br /><br />3. Charity Work. The audience sees a bigger purpose beyond the entertainment value of the show (the skating was very good too!), as many of the skaters and hockey players have a vested interest in the charity they are skating (and working their butts off!) for.<br /><br />4. The Human Aspect. Especially this season, Battle of the Blades really tapped into the people behind the public athlete. It was very moving, especially in the post finale retrospective.<br /><br />5. The Guest Judges. Toller Cranston, Christopher Dean, Marie-France Dubreil, Don Cherry. Smart, smart move to keep the show fresh and attract various generations of skating and hockey fans. <br /><br />6. Sandra Bezic is my female Dick Button. :D Minus the bow tie, of course!<br /><br />I can't say enough good things about it. If CBC puts out a DVD, buy it! :)<br /><br /> - TracersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583562784288599702.post-70558899793009021682010-12-25T22:02:13.902-08:002010-12-25T22:02:13.902-08:00I agree, it would be nice to see them try to tweak...I agree, it would be nice to see them try to tweak it & keep it. <br /><br />I'm not particularly hopeful, but stranger things have happened!Kelli Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06009713326652591943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1583562784288599702.post-18450250449541729482010-12-25T11:33:33.509-08:002010-12-25T11:33:33.509-08:00Five weeks was not enough time. Johnny Weir and Di...Five weeks was not enough time. Johnny Weir and Dick Buttons were very entertaining; bring those two back! Give it a chance! Add another "Pro" skater to judge, and replace the host.With a few more adjustments, it might succeed. I rather enjoyed the show. So sick of the usual singing and dancing...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com