Skating's Next Star – Hosted by Kristi Yamaguchi

[jrubinMLFS]

Twelve Professional Skaters, that just missed stardom come together to battle it over six episodes both on and off the ice to see who will become Skating’s Next Star. The show is hosted by Olympic Gold Medalist, Kristi Yamaguchi. The Judges are Olympic Silver Medalist Elvis Stojko, Double Olympic Gold Medalist Oksana Grishuk and World Bronze Medalist, Rudy Galindo.

The show Created and Produced by Major League Figure Skating, premiers in the United States on March 20, 2006 on WE: Women’s Entertainment.

The Major League Figure Skating Website is: http://www.MLFSkating.com to get to the show’s website scroll down and click on the “Skating’s Next Star /WE“ Logo

[2boysmom]

Thanks for posting. I had heard about the show but didn't know when it was airing or on what network. I appreciate the head's up!

[thumbyskates]

Is this station available in Canada at all?

[jazzpants]

Is this station available in Canada at all?I think it's just a US cable TV channel. It used to be the "Romance Classics" channel but it's now the "Women's Entertainment" (or WE) channel. Boy! Talk about "57 channels and nothing on..." (For those who don't know, it's a Springsteen song... and it's now more like "500 channels and nothing on...") :twisted: :lol:

I'm looking forward to this and I want to take the opportunity to totally embarrass my wonderful holiday coach at NYC :twisted: , who's one of the contestants on this show and say....

GO EMANUELE!!! Show those young'ums what a 37 year old can do!!! :bow: :bow: :bow:

ETA: Link to the show: http://skatingsnextstar.we.tv/

[2boysmom]

Wow, was Rudy Galindo making up for every mean judge he ever dealt with. He seemed very rude at times. I didn't think too many of the skaters did a wonderful job but to only have a minute and then face elimination. They were probably very nervous. There were several that I liked quite a bit. Not sure if I will watch again or not.

[Skittl1321]

I've been anxiously awaiting this show, and honestly it was a bit disappointing. The format was rather- boring. I really hope that the pace of the program picks up in the future.

The skaters were all alright- but they all (except the girl with the velvet top leotard and shrug) seemed a bit out of practice. I expect to see a big difference in that by the end of the season.

I hope it was editing- but the judges comments were just unhelpful. The one guy who had great spins and good jumps was told "your performance was lacking" Well it's true he didn't perform, but if I was told that without any mention of my elements I would have thought it meant the entire performance, and all the elements were bad.

I didn't think Rudy was too mean- but someone has to be the "mean" judge. Oksana chimed in about the girl needing to loose weight- and both of them were laughing at that one guy- which I thought was just terrible.

I'll keep watching, but I really hope it gets more interesting.

[Mel On Ice]

Rudy and Oksana's reaction to the guy who bombed really disappointed me. They're professionals who have been through this before and they were just cruel. There's a way to get your point across, contribute constructive criticism while leaving one with their dignity.

Maybe it was the staging of the event or the fact I've seen way too much competitive skating lately, but some of the skaters they were putting down puzzled me, as they showed the technical ability, and promise of "star" quality. I wasn't as impressed with dazzling but sloppy.

[jazzpants]

Some of Rudy's comments bothers me b/c it makes him come off as a horse's @$$...and I know for a fact that I've met Rudy a few times and he was very nice and very gracious (and at times, hilariously funny.) Given this is a "reality show" setting, it leads me to believe that Rudy was assigned to be the "mean judge" for entertainment purposes. (After all, this is "Women's Entertainment.")

I feel for Chris. He unfortunately had the "bad skate from hell" where nothing was right. And I'm touched that the group seems to be very supportive of each other.

This is the first time I've seen Emanuele skate (as opposed to "coach skate" demonstrating crossovers and MITF) so this is kinda new for me. (Hey! I'm used to him being my coach and friend.) He definitely has that "West Side Story" thing going on in his skating. Just love it! I think he's gonna be in it for a while. (Of course, I'm also going by those clips at the beginning, sorta gives away how far he's gonna go. ;) ) But I have to cheer for the guy not just b/c of the coach thing, but for the "he's the old guy" thing!!!

Out of the others: Sergey (Wear something other than jeans!!!), Jess, and Ashley definitely got my attention!

[garyc254]

I watched about 10 minutes then changed channels.

VERY BORING

`

[manleywoman]

Rudy was beyond rude and awful. He mistreated poor Chris.

jrubinMLFS: please tell the Powers That Be at MLFS that Rudy really offended many of us, because I know I'm not the only one. To laugh at someone while they are trying their best? How horrible.

The show is a good idea, and I'm happy to see skaters that couldn't quite make the "big time" get a shot at some stardom and $$$, but the production ont he show looks pretty lame so far. I'll give it a few more episodes to see how it progresses before I make a final judgement.

[loveskating]

I thought the show was a joke till I saw the Russian girl's spins -- only world class element I saw -- and I thought it was perceptive when Rudy said she looked like Kerrigan and Witte!

I was going to flip the remote till I saw her.

I hope this reaches people, though -- I'd love to see something reach people and bring them to skating.

[Amneris]

Incredibly boring. Kristi really has no personality, at least none that showed. I don't think I'll be watching again.

[seanibu]

Kristy is nice and all, but I feel like Scott just pushed her into this gig. 2cents.

[jazzpants]

I thought the show was a joke till I saw the Russian girl's spins -- only world class element I saw -- and I thought it was perceptive when Rudy said she looked like Kerrigan and Witt!Am I mixing her up with someone else, or am I remembering that he really didn't think Natalia would be a "skating star?" (TV or movie star, yes, but not a "skating star.") (I was thinking WTF!?!?!?! Is he seeing the same skater I am?) 8O

All I have to say is... thank God for VCR's and TiVos! I think I'll just fast forward thru a lot of the stuff from now on and just see the skating.

I see in the Episode Guide that the next challenge is on spins and I think Natalia is gonna basically tell Rudy "UP YOURS!!!" thru her GORGEOUS spins next week!!!

It would be interesting to see how Emanuele pulls himself out of being eliminated next week on the spin challenge, since his sit-change-sit spin on the first episode got stuck in the rinse cycle. :twisted:

[flying~camel]

I just watched the 1st episode last night and ended up turning it off right after the Russian girl skated.

Not only did I find it boring, but I was 8O at some of the judges remarks, mainly Rudy Galindo.

I find the judges commentary during the skating to be really distracting, too.

I'll probably give it another try, but, unless it gets more interesting, I won't watch it again.

[atomikai]

I've seen it once, and the judges totally annoyed me. But the skaters aren't that bad at all.

[Mercedeslove]

Does WE replay this at anytime?

[jazzpants]

Does WE replay this at anytime?Might want to check the www.we.tv (http://www.we.tv) website but my understanding from the website and my cable box is that there will be a repeat of the first episode at 6pm...right before the new second episode at 7pm on Monday. (Of course, this is just if you're on Pacific standard time.) ;)

[Mercedeslove]

darn it! I skate mondays and I have no way to tape it. That blows.

[jazzpants]

darn it! I skate mondays and I have no way to tape it. That blows.I also see Tuesday afternoon for the 1st show too. :twisted: (But that looks like Tuesday's the very last time they're play Show #1.)

I'm retaping show #1 b/c my first taping cuts off the last 5 minutes, so it never shows who won. (Ironically right at the point where Em gets told by Kristi that he's coming back...) :lol:

[2boysmom]

I thought the judges seemed much nicer in this episode. I think the right people were eliminated for the most part. I think the final choice could be a hard one. I have several favorites.

[morganm]

I don't get the WE channel. WHo has been eliminated?

[manleywoman]

I thought the judges seemed much nicer in this episode. I think the right people were eliminated for the most part.
nicer, but judging people on their looks? frankly it seems all Rudy was interested in was how "hot" the contestants were. He kept saying it over and over, and then the preview for another episode he does the same.

Blegh. I'm done with it.

[jazzpants]

I don't get the WE channel. WHo has been eliminated?Answer's on their website (http://skatingsnextstar.we.tv).

[jazzpants]

I can't believe I'm still watching this crappy show... :roll: But I gotta cheer for Emanuele... especially after seeing him this week landing the CW axel (he's a CCW skater.) :bow: (Ditto to Ashley and Dusty too! :bow: )

So sad that Ashley got voted off! She was definitely one of my favorites!!! :cry:

Dusty is such a BRAT!!! I think he's the reality show "bee-yotch" character. I can't say that he is really that way since I don't know him but that's what the editing is showing...

But then I remember this is a TV reality show (i.e. there is a script!!!) So here's how I think things may play out....

I see a rivalry brewing between Em and Dusty. Following the usual reality show script, Sergey and Jessica will be booted off in the next show. (Hey if the hubby goes, the wife goes with him!!!) This leaves Em and Dusty to take their rivalry full blast on the guy's side! (Em didn't look too happy after he hears that Eric got booted off for his "less than star-like manner." And I sense tension brewing on the part of Emanuele towards Dusty...so I think they might play that out.) Of course, the bee-yotch never wins in the end! Should be fun to watch how Em's gonna kick Dusty's @$$ and leave him in the dust!!! :P The fun part is watching who wins on the women's part... and whether the gal winner and the guy winner are gonna go against each other and who wins on this one.

[2boysmom]

I was surprised that Ashley was voted off. I liked all the girls and it would be a hard decision but she definitely woulnd't be my first choice. Dusty so needs to go. I think he had the attitude not Eric. Oh well. I really don't know why I am still watching.

[jazzpants]

I was surprised that Ashley was voted off. I liked all the girls and it would be a hard decision but she definitely woulnd't be my first choice. Dusty so needs to go. I think he had the attitude not Eric. Oh well. I really don't know why I am still watching.Hmmmm? I was watching the clip or next week's and it shows a promo clip where there are 6 skaters left with a pairs lift with Sergey and Jessica. The previous week, when they were showing that there were only 8 skaters left, they should Em and Kristin T. doing a pair spin. There are 6 skaters left. Funny thing... next week they're doing SOLO programs. The guys with fencing swords, the women with ribbons.

Hmmmm? My deductive reasoning tells me Dusty and Natalia are going next week, not Sergey and Jessica!!!

[jazzpants]

AUUUUUUUUGH!!! Should have stuck to my original guess! This is REALITY TV!!!! :frus:

(And even more interesting question... is anyone actually STILL watching this show???) LOL!!! :P :lol:

I think someone caught on to me and snuck in a small TRAP!!! It really did looked like Sergey and Jessica in the clip... but I'm guess either that's really Dusty and Natalia or they pulled a trap on me.

Yes, Sergey and Jessica are gone!!! The 'ol story of husband goes and the wife goes with him. (Boring!!!) Funny, not much said from the husband regarding his wife. Who knows. Maybe it's a WE thing and they wanted things from a women's perspective. Maybe it's a Russian male thing or maybe it's just his English.

Well, at least I can honestly say that I look forward to Emanuele beating the crap out of Dusty next week!!! http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/images/smilies/Revenge%20on%20Annoying%20Fan.gif

Dusty (re: Emanuele): "He is a DIVO!!!"
Me: Yeah, and your problem is... :P

Yes, in his skating, he's a DIVO!!! But hey! If you've got it... But nah, the attitude only comes in his skating. The guy is a sweetheart off ice!!! All his students love him and if he has an attitude problem, why does all the other skaters love the guy? (But who knows... the camera and the editing may have painted Dusty as the bad guy too... should be interesting to see what he says about all this when it's said and done.)

Man, the jump challenge was a SPLATFEST!!! They either didn't compete the rotation and came out funny or it was on their butts. And given that I knew of Em having knee problems beforehand... it was no surprise that he didn't land that triple sal on his jump. (Still LOVE that entry into the jump though.... it was unique and just powerful!!!)

Natalia's extension on that free leg is just GORGEOUS... And I WANT THAT DRESS of her in the jump challenge!!! (Well, not the sleeve part but everything else is just GORGEOUS!!!) But man, I did NOT think she should win the challenge. I think that Jessica should have won the challenge.

My favorite comment this week is regarding next week's show...

Elvis: "Two words... cold shower!!!"
(Now if he had said "Get a room already!!!" THAT would be interesting...)

And speaking of Elvis... I like that prize... time to spend with Elvis!!! (Not Rudy, as the website says...) No groping! No sexual harassment comments. No improper behaviour on Elvis part. JUST TALKING!!!! Both Pasha and Rudy are both on the prowl again on Em's part, though at least Rudy this time was more critical of Em. Just too shameless!!! :roll:

So predictable!!! :roll: I think in the end it's gonna be Natalia for the women and Em for the guys. (Who got the prizes in the challenges sorta gave me the tipoff who they've crowned on the whole thing...) And no surprise either. They both got "the look."

[blue111moon]

Are there two prizes or only one? I had the impression that there was to be only one winner. (Side note: just what is "a contract with MLFS" worth?)

The prop contest was interesting, although I thought all the guys looked alike and I wasn't that impressed with Natalia's skating, although she handled the ribbon well. The jump competition was dismal - I've seen better skating from Juveniles and Intermediates. When"skating's next star" can't land the easiest triple, it's just sad.

As for the "judges", Rudi's totally inane commentary has destroyed what respect I had for him before this; he's voting with his gonads. Oksana is too bland and superficial. Elvis seems to be trying to be constructive and focus on the skating but even he gets pulled into the "hot/not hot" camp too often. And Kristy sounds embarrassed by the whole process.

I though Skating with Celebrities was cheesy but at least the participants looked as if they were having fun with the process. The Next Star folks look either bored or grim.

[jazzpants]

Are there two prizes or only one? I had the impression that there was to be only one winner. (Side note: just what is "a contract with MLFS" worth?) I think there's only one prize, since there is a show #6. (And yes, I am curious, Jon. What does a contract with MLFS consists of?)

The prop contest was interesting, although I thought all the guys looked alike and I wasn't that impressed with Natalia's skating, although she handled the ribbon well. The jump competition was dismal - I've seen better skating from Juveniles and Intermediates. When"skating's next star" can't land the easiest triple, it's just sad.Well, keep in mind that some of these skaters haven't competed or trained in many years due to lack of time to prepare for this show and partly due to whatever myriad of injuries/life choices that made them decide to retire from competitive skating in the first place. (Em hasn't competed in like 13 years and has bad knees --you'll see a short 3 second clip with Em and the ice pack in this episode. Sergey is like 10 years. Dusty is 3 years though.) I really doubt given that they would even be doing doubles even.

Also keep in mind Em's comment on the last show about "hurry up and wait" and their feet are cramping in their boots. It's possible that they were warmed up but by the time they got around to actually filming and skating their program that they were already cold and stiff again...and of course, their feet are cramping from being in the boots b/c they were told to wait to get on ice "at a moment's notice." (I've actually been in that situation. Needless to say, it's humbled me about skaters in ice shows...)

[blue111moon]

I'm not blaming the skaters; I think it's the producer's fault. When you title a show "Skating's Next Star" shouldn't you cast skaters who can actually skate? And, like it or not, jumping is part of skating. And so far the skating they've show has been pretty mediocre. Evidently, Mr. Rubin's definition of "star quality" is very different from mine.

It's too bad, really, because this could have been an interesting concept.

[LauraLa]

When I first heard about this show, I thought it was going to be "developmental" in the way that "American Idol" is: each skater would get a chance to work with really good coaches and choreographers in an intense and challenging environment that would finally give people who were held back by lack of money, lack of coaching, age, or whatever, a chance to really see what they could make of themselves.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

This show is vaguely abusive in the way that "America's Next Top Model" is: contestants are plunked down in stupid "challenges" with little peparation time and no training from anyone who could really help them, and then are voted out on a pretty much arbitrary and quite vague basis.

If this is the best that "Major League Figure Skating" can do for its skaters, then it should go back to the minor leagues.

[Mel On Ice]

I'm still po'ed at Kristi's comment that Eric didn't have a "star" attitude off ice. BS Yama, Dusty is a jerk and Eric was a true team player. This show sucks.

[Mel On Ice]

BUT I will tune in again next week, with the promise of pairs. I just realized this was the first time I've seen Rudy and Kristi together since they broke up as a pairs team. Will we see them on ice in skates together?

please, please, please let that redeem this ghastly show.

[jazzpants]

I'm still po'ed at Kristi's comment that Eric didn't have a "star" attitude off ice. BS Yama, Dusty is a jerk and Eric was a true team player. This show sucks.Mel... it's a "reality TV show." (Translation: Everything is fixed...) :twisted:

BUT I will tune in again next week, with the promise of pairs. I just realized this was the first time I've seen Rudy and Kristi together since they broke up as a pairs team. Will we see them on ice in skates together?

please, please, please let that redeem this ghastly show.Given that Kristi just had her second baby about a couple of months before the taping of the show... I doubt it. But here, here!!! I would love to see THAT again!!! :)

[crazyaboutelvis]

I'd love to see Kristi and Rudy skate.I never got to see them preform as pairs.8-)

[Mel On Ice]

Mel... it's a "reality TV show." (Translation: Everything is fixed...) :twisted:

if it is fixed, Kristi needs a better script writer. Saying Eric's attitude sucked in comparison to the Dusty shenanigans is unbelievable.

Go Em, may the better man win.

[TimDavidSkate]

I think Dusty needs a lot of development in the pro ranks. Eman already have the spunk for the job, a couple of adjustments accordingly from the judges would really improve him.

[jazzpants]

I think Dusty needs a lot of development in the pro ranks. Eman already have the spunk for the job, a couple of adjustments accordingly from the judges would really improve him.Yup, but keep in mind, this is a TV reality show!!! :halo: (But FWIW, I still think that Em's gonna win it for the guys. I just hope that my guess is right.)

[2boysmom]

Okay, so finally the show gave me a little bit of a surprise by eliminating both men. I think it was a good decision. The ladies did skate much better than the men. I am glad to see Dusty gone. I liked Em, too bad he coudln't have landed his jumps. He certainly had nice presence on the ice. His pair routine wiht ?(her name just went right out of me head)was so good. They both played off of each other very well. I didn't think that Dusty and Natalia skated as a pair.

[jazzpants]

To Dusty:

Na-na-na-nah!
Na-na-na-nah!
HEY HEY HEY... GOODBYE!!! (And good riddance!!!)

Very sad to see Emanuele leave though!!! He probably his time was up when he fell on that triple sal. Love the subtle nipple squeeze when he was showing off his new shirt saying "Oksana, this one's for you!" He had great connection with Kristen in the pairs program. There was NO CHEMISTRY between Dusty and Natalia!!! :roll:

But yeah, sadly I agree with the decision this time! He took a nasty spill...and that sealed his fate! :cry: (Glad to hear that he had a good time though.)

Okay, I'm done with this show now! Em's out and so am I!!! I'll find out from you guys who won... :P :twisted:

(ETA: On second thought... maybe not! I'm gonna watch the finale b/c the two finalists will put together a production number with all the skaters that were eliminated.) :D

[Mel On Ice]

by far, this was the worst skating show of the year, and pretty close to EVER (that title remains with Fox's "Skating's Most Shocking Secrets" with its reenactments of Lisa Erwin praying to the porcelain god and Bowman buying drugs in a shadowy stairwell).

Hooray to Kristin for winning, it got the winner right, although it took a rather questionable route to get there.