Thoughts on the Brian Boitano special?

[Alexa]

I think I have liked his past specials that focused on the holidays a bit more. I did like that Brian had some variety in his show, but all of the pieces did not quite fit together. As for having the speed skater there (Apollo), that was kind of cool, but he looked kind of out of place because there was not a whole lot for him to do, and they did not use him much at all.

I also thought that the guy that they had that has been in ice shows for many years (can't remember his name) did not really do a lot of original work. I think it was neat they had him there, but I expected more from him--even if he cannot really do the jumps, I would have thought he could do more footwork elements or spinning, etc.

I did like seeing Josef again...we don't get to see him skate much now that they have limited the pro comps so much. That was a welcome addition to the show.

Anyway--I rank it okay, but not the best.

[Skatingsarah]

I saw the tail end of the special. So I was kinda lost.. Who is the older man that was skating with brian as a duo and as a solo?? I thought it was oka, I really dont see how it was a Holiday Special also. I suppose they can re-run and re-run it then:?? I also didnt get a good look at the third man that was freeskating....There was Josef, brian and...?:oops:?...

Overall I couldnt believe that Brian was still that talented! Wow a huge triple lutz with his hand over his head!! :o What I really noticed is the extreme speed he has in everything! And not telegraphing any of it. All of a sudden theres a double axel or a HUGE death drop! Good job Brian!
-Sarah

[Skatewind]

I liked it better than most of the pro specials I've seen this year. I really liked the under the sea group program they performed. I liked the costumes, the music, the whole look of it.

[Oracle]

The older gentleman that you are discussing is Richard Dwyer, the 1949 US Jr. men's champion. I'm not certain what his exact age is but imagine that he is in his late 60's. Other than the Protopopovs I can't think of any other skaters still appearing on the ice in their 60/70's? I enjoyed seeing him as he was a mainstay in the old ice shows. He's from a different era with a different style of skating.

[Mel On Ice]

I thought it was one of the best "Skating Spectaculars" of the lot.

I was surprised to realize how much I missed seeing Nancy Kerrigan skate - she looked better than ever.

Don't know why 10-years-ago En Vogue was trotted out for this... Kristi and Nancy nostalgic for '92? Possibly, it was a pretty great year for the both of them.

Seeing Jason Dungen partnered with Yuka has confirmed in my mind that I liked Ina & Dungen better than Ina & Zimmerman. I just think Jason is an excellent pairs skater.

Nonstop Metabolife commercials made me feel fat.

If I had to choose between a travelling SOI and travelling BBSS, I'd choose the Skating Spectacular this year.

[Meredith]

Richard Dwyer was the highlight of the show for me. I had never heard of him before and was pleased Boitano not only included him in the cast but gave us some type of profile of him.

This may not have been much of a holiday special, but it was it was certainly interesting in terms of skating history, that history we don't often hear about.

[Alexeiskate]

I was relieved when Richard Dwyer finally started doing axels and spread eagles and some turn on the ice to show that he did have some skating skills. For Richard's first routine, he spent like 3/4 of the routine just doing back crossovers around the ladies wearing elaborate costumes. My first thought was, "he got paid for doing that! I could have done what he was doing". Did anyone find it hilarious when the ladies did swizzles under the elaborate gowns in order to move forward? Since you couldn't see the feet at all under the long gown, it looked like there was a squid moving under the dress.

[Mel On Ice]

Oh! and I loved seeing synchro as part of the show!

[Mazurka Girl]

Originally posted by Mel On Ice
If I had to choose between a travelling SOI and travelling BBSS, I'd choose the Skating Spectacular this year.
I saw SOI last weekend & was not impressed with their show this year plus where I attended it looked like the arena was only half full. I would have much rather seen Brian Boitano's show live too. :)

[purplecat]

I'm so mad at NBC. When their sports update came on an hour after the show started I was sure they were going to show the special in its entirety, but NO! Arrgh! Here in L.A. I know it was SO important that the repeat The Other Half show started on time...heaven forbid we start that repeat talk show in progress! I believe there have been six Boitano spectacular shows and I believe at least four of them have been cut into! If I were Brian I would have a talk with NBC before hand and say "look, don't cut my special again please"! I hope ESPN will repeat this in the fall like they have done in past years, so I can see the whole show.

As to the show itself...I felt some things worked and some things didn't. But I totally love that Brian tries out different things and you have to admit that this show doesn't look like every other skating special out there. I loved Team Del Sol...they were great! And I had to ask my mom if she saw Richard Dwyer in person...she saw ice shows back in the '50's and after a bit, she remembered and said she definitely had. How cool! :)

[Pupiczech]

Richard Dwyer, in his profile, said he had been skating for 52 years. So that should put him around 60 years old(?). I remember seeing him in the old Ice Capades shows in the late 50's.

The Apollo Ohno guest appearance was really, well, what can I say, lame. Crossover crossover, hydroblader around a turn. I mean, what more could he do?

I think Brian's skating is just awesome now. When I met him a couple of years ago at COI I told him I thought he did great for an old guy. Spreadeagle into a triple Tano-Lutz! (And I love Brian Orser's back flip into a triple toe). I remember reading or hearing a few years ago that he had said when he lost the triple Axel he would quit competing. I'm glad he has not quit skating.

[skipaway]

I thought Ohno was embarrassing to say the least. Skate a few fast circles and disappear.


I thought Dwyer was outstanding. He looked sooooo happy to be skating, getting applause and just back in the limelight again. His smile was beaming. I didn't care that I too could have done the same maneuvers on the ice, he just oozed happiness that someone remembered him and invited him to such an auspicious event.

Loved the sea costumes too. Why don't some of the top ladies contact that designer and see what can be done to fix their fashion statements.


skipaway

[Alexa]

Alexeiskate--what you said about Richard was exactly what I was thinking. When he first started skating he did not do much at all, I too was relieved when he started doing a bit more later.

[chris rech]

hey i need a tape of brian b show that he did the other day, my Nbc
staition did not show it , they decided to show a talk show instead i was mad , so if anyone tape the show please email me or send me and im
at www.flcl218@aol.com i will pay money if needed im- flcl218

thankyou:

[chris rech]

My email address is flcl218@aol.com

[Sing_Alto]

I really enjoyed the show except for the fact that football cut into it again! (I hate NBC!) I also didn't think Apolo fit into the show, but fortunately it was very brief. The highlights for me were the synchronized team, Brian skating with Richard Dwyer (who's 64, by the way! Amazing!), and Brian's "Girl From Ipanema" (Nice to have a copy of this number sans Rosalynn yammering through it). All in all it was very well though out and better than your average skating show, imho. By the way, it wasn't meant to be a "Holiday" show, per se. Brian dropped "Holiday" from the title after the first one in 1997.

[dbell]

Pluses - I was thrilled to see Jumpin' Joe again. Missed that tuck axle (is that what it's called? :oops: ). Nice to see Nancy out there too. Brian has kept up the skills and always tries something different.

Minuses - Well, I saw the Ice Capades last year and it was true Cheez Whiz on ice. I have no wish to remember that show. I hope the older shows Brian remembers were better. That said, it was nice that Brian remembered a favorite from years ago. It shows he is a fan and student of the sport. :)

Apollo - he skated laps. Now, if he had skated laps while the skaters were doing their programs, then I would have been impressed. ;)

[speedy]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[meli]

I'm actually impressed with someone who's 64 and can still jump like that. I wonder if Blades knows him?

[loveskating]

I loved the precision number...and the gold costumes. It was delightful!

Josef's Russian split is awfully good...I had forgotten he has a great Russian split jump.


I guess overall I felt they didn't have or want to spend the money it would take to make it a real spectacle...it sort of did not live up to its expectations?

[Artemis]

I only watched bits of it (was doing housework at the same time), but while I thought it was ambitious and a refreshing change for Brian to try to put together something a little different, it lacked cohesiveness and looked more experimental than a complete show. It's never a good sign when you have to have someone (i.e., Brian), explaining why he's included what he's included.

And I thought one of the worst things was to have Metabolife as the headliner sponsor. Sheesh, aren't there enough problems with body image in skating?

But mostly I think I was just too saturated with skating shows to really get into it.