Kurt's program was a disappointment

[JAAZZ]

His exhibition at the Sear's Open was a lot of clowning around with a few jumps thrown in. The music was a stilted classical piece that was played one note at a time. He made jerky movements to each note. We were hoping he would skate again. Red Deer came to see him and Red Deer was disappointed.

[Lee]

Not all of Red Deer was disappointed -- at least not according to the standing ovation he got at the end of the program. He did the Raggy program from a few years back...very well. His control and command of his blades is phenomenal and popping double axels, triple toes and sals out of nowhere just amazes me every time out.

But then, I don't get disappointed by Kurt very often...:)

[Tigger]

Thanks Lee!! Gee....Standing Ovation. I guess all of Red Deer wasn't *that* disappointed. I wish Raggy would get the credit it deserves for being the difficult skating number that it is. It isn't *just* Kurt clowning around out there. I also wish more of today's skaters would take some notes from Mr. Browning as to what jumps out of footwork *really* look like. Thanks again Lee!!

[Teenes]

Thanks for the info about what Kurt skated to! I'm sorry you were disappointed JAAZZ...a lot of people see Raggy as one of Kurt's best programs, but a lot of other people don't enjoy Kurt's clown persona. Maybe you'll like his program tomorrow afternoon better...Kurt has a tendency to do different styles at the same event.

I do have to admit to being a little amused at your original description of the program though - I was sitting there racking my brain to see if I could figure out what program it could possibly be, until I read Lee's post =). It's interesting to see things from different perspectives.

[Koala]

Oh I like that program-can't wait to see it again on tv tonight!h

[Lee]

Koala -- short programs are on this AFTERNOON. Check your listings, but out here, they're scheduled for 2 - 5 pm on CTV.

[JAAZZ]

Lee, in Red Deer, Kurt could stand on his head for five minutes and he would get a standing ovation. I absolutely adore Kurt and that is why I went last night. Everyone I talked to during the intermissions seemed to think he would skate a second number. No one I talked to was satisfied with that program.:roll:

[jp1andOnly]

i love that program. It is very intricate and the choice of music and how the actions fit together is a masterpiece. I mean, as a musician I would have never picked this music for a program. But when you add together the theme..it is brilliant

[Teenes]

Kurt *is* skating a second number..this afternoon. One number a day. Sounds a lot like what the competitors are doing, eh?

One reason for disappointment could be that Kurt debuted Rag-GIDON-Time at the Canadian Open several years back, so it's not exactly a new program at this event. I realize that's not what you meant, and it doesn't change the fact that you were disappointed by that program, regardless of its history or overall perception. Have you ever seen that program before, JAAZZ? I'm getting the impression you haven't. I'm just wondering b/c Kurt's performed it a lot over the years, at Canadian Open, Stars on Ice, various competitions, at the Nottingham Gala for the Queen this past summer...curious how you could have missed it before now? (Also curious how you could claim to speak for Red Deer?)

Oh well, hope you enjoy his second program today, and the rest of the competition....

[Koala]

Lee-Thanks, boyfriend is taping the skating as we went out but I just got home and Kurt was on just as I turned on the tv!! Hope you are having a great time with Sulin :)

[jcspkbfan]

As a huge Kurt fan myself, it wasn't easy for me to refrain from reading this thread until actually seeing the program for myself, but now that I have, I must admit I was a little disappointed myself (albeit for a completely different reason than the person who originally started this thread!) I kind of expected Kurt to perform one of his new programs from this season during last night's exhibition--Kurt's traditionally unveiled one of his new SOI solos as his interpretive program when he used to compete at Canadian Open, so I was a little disappointed he decided not to do the same thing last night.

I certainly didn't find anything to complain about Kurt's actual performance, though (I especially got a kick out of seeing him play around the judges' table and throwing around those "6.0" cards before the program began!) Actually, for a few seconds, I thought Kurt was going to skate the entire program without music! ;) BTW, I don't consider Raggy to be one of my all-time favorite Kurt programs, either (mainly due to a combination of my dislike of the music--or lack thereof--and my general dislike of clowns), but I do appreciate the difficulty of this number and I thought Kurt skated the rest of the program as well as he's ever done it. I also agree most of the spectators didn't sound too upset. :)

I'm also grateful Kurt was able to skate at this event at all considering what happened the last time he was scheduled to perform an exhibition at an ISU-sponsored competition in his home province. ;)

I wonder what Kurt will pull out of his sleeve for tonight's exhibition (and if CTV will show it; I'll be pleasantly surprised if they do since they only have a two-hour broadcast tonight and they've been known to chack some of the interpretive free skates before). He likely won't be doing Raggy again, but if he does skate a newer number tonight and CTV decides not to show it, then I'll be very disappointed!

[TRAxel]

Originally posted by JAAZZ
His exhibition at the Sear's Open was a lot of clowning around with a few jumps thrown in. The music was a stilted classical piece that was played one note at a time. He made jerky movements to each note. We were hoping he would skate again. Red Deer came to see him and Red Deer was disappointed.

:roll: :roll: :roll: WHATever :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Tigger]

You know....That was one heck of an entertaining disappointment. :) I'd certainly think they'll show Kurt tonight. This is a Sears Cdn Open w/out many big Cdn names in it. In fact, Jamie and David are the only big Cdn names in the actual competition. So, even though it's an exhibition, they'll probally show Kurt's second number tonight. They've got to get those ratings somehow.

[jcspkbfan]

Here's a transcript of the interview Kurt did with Debbi Wilkes just before last night's exhibition performance:

http://astimegoesby.topcities.com/02codwkb.htm

The interview does contain a spoiler about Kurt's exhibition program choice for fans outside Canada who have to wait a little longer to see it (but then again, so does this entire thread!), but it also includes an explanation from Kurt as to why he chose to skate the program he did last night, which is why I decided to post the link here. :)

BTW, I certainly hope you're right about CTV showing Kurt's second number, Tigger! I guess we'll find out in about an hour or so...

[Tigger]

I'm sorry, but....Why warn people there's a spoiler in that article if they've read this far down the thread. If they have, then they've already been spoiled and know Kurt did Raggy last night. Sorry, but it just seems weird to me. Then again....That's just me....

[jcspkbfan]

I just clicked on SRC (the French channel) and they're showing Kurt's second exhibition right now!! Yes, it is a brand-new number and it looks completely different from Raggy (it's a Christmas-themed program, from what I can tell). :D :D :D

Here's hoping CTV will also show it since a lot of people probably wouldn't think of tuning in to SRC to see it (since SRC completely chacked Kurt's first exhibition and all...)

BTW, I figure most people who read this thread have either seen the program already or don't care about being "spoiled," but I just thought "better safe than sorry!" :)

[Tigger]

CTV did show My Favourite Things. No big surprise since w/only Jamie and David and no Elvis....They were hurting for a big name Cdn name to boost the ratings for the Open broadcasts. I'm sure everyone will be thrilled to see it. It's really a great vehicle for Kurt, especially w/the footwork. I can't even begin to understand how difficult that is to do. I'd be on my face in a heartbeat if I tried it. Those going to the two Christmas shows Kurt will be performing in the next two weeks are in for a real treat.

[jcspkbfan]

Yup, you were right, Tigger...and I was certainly thrilled to see this new exhibition number! I thought it was kind of a cross between Kurt's Red Hat solo number (except he manoeuvres/throws around a "brown paper package tied up with string" instead of a red hat!) and some of the other light-hearted holiday-themed programs Kurt has done recently (Skating, Christmas Is Almost Here) with a few extra added tricks thrown in.

Debbi Wilkes said Kurt just made this number up a week ago and didn't get a chance to warm up before taking the ice, but I never would have been able to tell from tonight's performance! I agree there's a good chance this number will make an appearance at the upcoming Holiday Festival On Ice and Newmarket shows.

I hope those of you disappointed with Raggy will be a little less disappointed with tonight's performance...and that both of Kurt's exhibitions will be included in the upcoming TNT broadcast south of the border! :)

[memememe76]

Here's hoping CTV will also show it since a lot of people probably wouldn't think of tuning in to SRC to see it (since SRC completely chacked Kurt's first exhibition and all...)

SRC is finally showing the technical programs over here in the west coast, and they are showing Kurt's clown program.

[singerskates]

Originally posted by JAAZZ
His exhibition at the Sear's Open was a lot of clowning around with a few jumps thrown in. The music was a stilted classical piece that was played one note at a time. He made jerky movements to each note. We were hoping he would skate again. Red Deer came to see him and Red Deer was disappointed.

JAAZZ, do you figure skate yourself? If not, you'd not know how hard it is to do the steps that Kurt does in his program. And to clown around on the ice and make it like you're going to fall and not fall is not easy. It takes extra strength and control to get that close and not fall. What might look easy isn't. It's just that Kurt is so good at doing what he does that it looks easy. Until you've actually tried to figure skate yourself, you can't even begin to know how difficult the steps, moves, jumps and spins are.

[lBrokenAnkle]

It is not the end of the world if someone dares to be disappointed by one Kurt Browning program. I think he is brilliant myself, but I can certainly see why not everyone likes the clown number, difficult though it may be. Kurt is not above criticism and I am sure he would be the first to agree to it. I hope TNT shows his second exhibition myself, I have see the clown one plenty of times.

Laura

[JAAZZ]

I have taken several years of figure skating lessons, but what does that have to do with whether or not I enjoyed his program? Does one have to play the piano or be a singer in order to enjoy a concert? I fully realize that the program he did was extremely difficult but it was not what I was hoping for. Also, the twenty or so people I have discussed the program with did not it enjoy it either. After the backlash I received from this board I decided to ask some of my coworkers and family what they thought of the program. ALL were disappointed, and some even found the program annoying. I have seen Kurt skate live at least five times so I know what he is capable of. I consider him to be the best skater of all time. I never did like the red hat program and wasn't crazy about the program last night either. I guess I'm not a prop person!!

[Suzylisa]

Did Kurt do My Favorite Things for 2nd exhibition? I like that Sound of Music song. I love Raggy the clown number esp. one he did at Fox competition where he handed out stuff to judges. I loved Christmas is almost here & Skating (which reminded me of Scott's version w Kristi in SOI tour I saw) When does this Holiday Festival on ice air in USA? I've tried finding it various ways but no luck yet & what channel would it air on? (regular or cable) Who's in it?

[Teenes]

Holiday Festival on Ice is airing in syndication in the US, on either NBC or ABC affiliates, depending on the area. It's airing primarily between Dec. 21-29, so the best way to find it in your area is to check in your local TV listings for it during that period of time. www.tvguide.com or tv.yahoo.com are good sites...they typically have about 2 weeks worth hof information, so you may be able to find it now.

As for who's in Holiday Festival on Ice:
http://www.kurtfiles.com/events/hfoi02.php

[jcspkbfan]

Yes, Suzylisa, that was exactly the song Kurt skated to during his second exhibition. It wasn't the exact same version used in the Sound of Music (Frank Sinatra performed the version Kurt used), but it was still a good rendition of the song, IMO! If you liked Skating and Christmas Is Almost Here, chances are you'll probably like this program, too. :)

Kurt's antics with the judges at the beginning of his Raggy performance were also similar to the way he interacted with them at 1999 Grand Slam--except instead of handing out fruit, Kurt handed out scorecards (and one judge received a small bouquet of flowers!)

I don't know when Holiday Festival On Ice will air in the States, but for the past few years, it's been shown in syndication in the U.S. around Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, so you might want to check your local listings then.

JAAZZ, I'm sorry you weren't crazy about either of Kurt's programs last weekend, but you're certainly entitled to your opinion. I know even my favorite skaters have occasionally performed numbers I didn't personally care for (coughkurt's1994rocketeerprogramcough!), and I hope the next time you see Kurt skate, you'll be a little less disappointed!

[JAAZZ]

Wasn't that his first pro competition? Yes, it made me cringe, too.

[Teenes]

I forgot to add that yes, you are definitely entitled to your own opinion and reactions, JAAZZ. There have definitely been programs of Kurt's in the past that I've been less than crazy about (can't think of any I out and out disliked, but I can't think of many programs by any skater I disliked), so I can definitely understand that. I'm very sorry you were disappointed in what you saw, but I do hope you enjoyed the rest of the competition =).

[singerskates]

Originally posted by JAAZZ
I have taken several years of figure skating lessons, but what does that have to do with whether or not I enjoyed his program? Does one have to play the piano or be a singer in order to enjoy a concert? I fully realize that the program he did was extremely difficult but it was not what I was hoping for. Also, the twenty or so people I have discussed the program with did not it enjoy it either. After the backlash I received from this board I decided to ask some of my coworkers and family what they thought of the program. ALL were disappointed, and some even found the program annoying. I have seen Kurt skate live at least five times so I know what he is capable of. I consider him to be the best skater of all time. I never did like the red hat program and wasn't crazy about the program last night either. I guess I'm not a prop person!!

OK, well that was honest. Thanks JAAZZ

[Gail]

I certainly wasn't disappointed with Kurt's performances - then again, I never am. What I was disappointed in was the lack of pros in this competition. I enjoyed this event so much more when it was a pro only event.

[Tigger]

Actually, it was Tony Bennett's version of My Favourite Things that Kurt used on Saturday afternoon. Tony has a very distinctive tone to his singing and has a little bit higher range than Sinatra. That's how I can usually tell them apart and it was Tony's singing Kurt skated to. Just thought I'd mention that.

[Teenes]

I will follow Tigger's response with my typical music clip:

Tony Bennett - My Favorite Things (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002AT2/qid=1039488442/sr=1-30/ref=sr_1_30/102-3033152-4388927?v=glance&s=music)

Thanks Tigger!

[Tigger]

You're welcome Teenes!! :)