SOI and pro skating next season??

[jcspkbfan]

This post about what SOI and the pro skating circuit will look like next season has attracted quite a bit of discussion on the Skatefans list:

http://www.frogsonice.com/gateway/skatefans/msg03562.html

I wonder how people here feel about these changes??

[IgglesII]

Heh...Lucinda's gonna end up getting her job back yet, just because there's no one else to sign.

[Schmeck]

Thanks for the link, jcspkbfan.

So, if Sandra is focusing on Todd, Alexei, and pairs, doesn't that just seem like Tara is getting bumped down a notch? Who else is already in SOI for this next season? Any ice dancers?

Schmeck

[icenut84]

What about Kristi? Is she not going to be skating in SOI any more?

[Debbie S]

[quote:8fd4cd3acb]So, if Sandra is focusing on Todd, Alexei, and pairs, doesn't that just seem like Tara is getting bumped down a notch? Who else is already in SOI for this next season? Any ice dancers?
[/quote:8fd4cd3acb]

So far, I've read that B/S, S/P, Meno/Sand, and Kry/Ovs are signed. I would assume Kurt's staying too - has 1 more year. I read the part about the new focus with interest and all I can say is that it's a welcome development. I think/hope Sandra B. realized that building the show around Tara for the past four years didn't really work. Personally, this new idea sounds more like the SOI of pre-1998 days when themes focused on multiple skaters or the whole cast, as opposed to being designed to promote one or a few. I've felt that SOI numbers over the past 4 years were somewhat vain and self-serving (w/the exception of Scott H's farewell numbers and the Old Friends piece of 2 or 3 years ago). It sounds like SOI is going back to its roots. (and let's hope they find better music than they did this year!)

[Catherine M]

[quote:c0825abf8c="icenut84"]What about Kristi? Is she not going to be skating in SOI any more?[/quote:c0825abf8c]

This past tour was her last.

I saw this great program on Kristi on Lifetime, Television for Women a couple of weeks ago and her main reason for leaving SOI is that now being married and having a strong marriage was more important than touring, so she decided to leave.

Catherine

[Ardena]

Where did you read that Kyrlova & Ovsiannikov have re-signed?

[quote:54c411e1e5="Debbie S"]So far, I've read that B/S, S/P, Meno/Sand, and Kry/Ovs are signed. I would assume Kurt's staying too - has 1 more year. I read the part about the new focus with interest and all I can say is that it's a welcome development. I think/hope Sandra B. realized that building the show around Tara for the past four years didn't really work. Personally, this new idea sounds more like the SOI of pre-1998 days when themes focused on multiple skaters or the whole cast, as opposed to being designed to promote one or a few. I've felt that SOI numbers over the past 4 years were somewhat vain and self-serving (w/the exception of Scott H's farewell numbers and the Old Friends piece of 2 or 3 years ago). It sounds like SOI is going back to its roots. (and let's hope they find better music than they did this year!)[/quote:54c411e1e5]

[Debbie S]

Well, I haven't read anything one way or the other,. but since I haven't heard about another dance team being signed (or approached) and since Mary's report on TEN yesterday was pretty matter-of-fact about there being a dance team in the show (along w/3 pairs), I'm assuming K/O will be there (maybe it was premature). Was their contract last year only for a year?

[Ardena]

I hope so - their contract WAS only for a year, but I am crossing my fingers that they get another one.

[quote:c9826d1528="Debbie S"]Well, I haven't read anything one way or the other,. but since I haven't heard about another dance team being signed (or approached) and since Mary's report on TEN yesterday was pretty matter-of-fact about there being a dance team in the show (along w/3 pairs), I'm assuming K/O will be there (maybe it was premature). Was their contract last year only for a year?[/quote:c9826d1528]

[kara]

Thanks for the info.! It sounds like the makings of a great show.

One request: please bring back Lucinda!! She has the wow factor with her spins that draws in people who aren't really fans...she brings something to the ice that no one else does. I can even imagine little kids at the show deciding they'd like to try skating so they can spin like she does...that's all good for skating. She also has nice presentation and can fill in the ladies gap. Also, I've never seen her and I'd love to. :D I think keeping around a "name" like Kat would be beneficial, too...and I've never seen her, either. Hehe.

[AxelAnnie22]

[quote:0f4038df7a]I think/hope Sandra B. realized that building
the show around Tara for the past four years didn't really work. [/quote:0f4038df7a]

[color=olive:0f4038df7a]I am not quite sure what you meant by your comment. It was always Scott's show, never Tara's. I think a few things have happened in the last few years that are not helping SOI
1. The demise of pro skating. There are really no fresh and exciting pros out there to generate excitement.
2. Scott's retirement (to say nothing of Roz and Paul)
3. Tara's injury.

Put all that together, and one could be down in the dumps![/color:0f4038df7a]

[jcspkbfan]

Well, since I'm the one who started this topic, I guess it's only fair for me to put in my $0.02:

First of all, I think the "Power and Strength" theme for SOI next year sounds very[/b:2ed2e9561c] promising and I think it's only fair that the men and pairs get their turn in the spotlight next year since the ladies got their chance this year (of course, SOI probably didn't have a lot of choice in this matter seeing as how they only have one woman confirmed for next year's cast so far!)

Yup, Kurt will be back on the US tour for at least one more year (and it sounds like he will have a larger role in the "Power and Strength" them than the original post on Skatefans indicates!), but Kristi won't be (although I'm sure SOI would take her back with open arms if she ever changes her mind, considering the drought of women they now have on tour!)

This is the first I've heard of K&O rejoining SOI for one more year, but I wonder if any more women will join the cast. I'd personally rather see Yuka or Lucinda return (sorry, not a big Katarina fan!), but I know Katarina would be a more recognizable name to the general public and sell more tickets (especially among male fans--LOL!) Maria might be another possibility--she's skated with STN and Canadian SOI in the past and I actually wonder why she wasn't on the Canadian SOI tour this year (that tour didn't exactly have a lot of female solo skaters, either, so they probably could have used her!)

I'm also really looking forward to seeing SOI come up with some really interesting pairs group choreography again--something they haven't been able to do much of with only one pair in the cast during the past few years.

I think the possible seniors tour circuit sounds like a good idea on paper, but I wonder how many skaters would actually be interested in participating in something like this now? I'm especially not sure how many of today's pro skaters would be attracted to this kind of format if they have to compete with ISU-style short programs with eight required elements. :wink:

I'm not too heartbroken over the loss of Masters since I don't get TNT, had to wait about six months for CBC to broadcast it in Canada, and had already seen most of the programs about six times by then anyway. :wink:

But I will be upset (to put it mildly) if the competition formerly known as World Pros suddenly becomes a pro-am again...sigh, didn't they learn anything from the first time they tried that?? :roll:

[Debbie S]

Well you're right, AxelAnnie - all those things have probably contributed to lower ticket sales than in years past. The level of talent and star presence has dropped off a bit. But speaking as someone who's attended SOI since (Dec) 1994 (skipping 1995 b/c they didn't come to my city), I've definitely noticed a shift in the quality of group numbers and show themes.

I don't have my old programs w/me right now, b/c I'm at work, but one number that comes to mind is the clown number from Tara's first season (which on some levels was cute, but did fall somewhat flat - at least in my city - maybe too long?) which was designed b/c (as stated by Bezic and Co. in an interview) it lent itself to featuring a 16-year-old. I'm not sure any previous SOI numbers were conceived b/c of one skater's presence or specific needs - it's always been about at least several skaters and their styles/talents - remember the Bach piece that Katia, Paul, and T/D did?

Also, there were the creepy pseudo-romantic duets w/Tara and Kurt, the opening numbers for a few years where Tara was the centerpiece as the new star (I realize Ilia's not as well-known, but he's hardly chopped liver), the horrendous "Gold rap" routine this year (at this point, I'll add that I felt very sorry for Kristi that she had to put up w/such ickiness her final year in SOI - exception being her pairs number w/Denis), and just the ever-increasing adult-themed numbers.

I know people at FSW and other boards debated this last fall and there were differing opinions on the subject, but I do think SOI has at times made its audience uncomfortable, to say the least. On one hand, it's great skating and presents ideas not found at other shows; on the other hand, it can make people grimace. One of my co-workers attended this year's show w/her husband, 12-year-old daughter, and 6-year-old son - and you can imagine the questions she got from her son during the men-in-fishnets number.

I do think Tara's injury has affected her audience appeal b/c her skating doesn't seem that exciting to many people any more - particularly since she built her amateur career around her tech abilities. At the same time, Kristi has kept up her tech capabilities but , IMO, hasn't been used nearly enough. It's seemed that Bezic and Co. have been pushing the "changing of the guard" and "new star on the scene" to the point where it seems contrived - the audience can clearly see that Kristi has more to offer in both tech and pres (just overall versatility and fan appeal). And b/c of her injuries, Tara hasn't really assumed the star role (b/c of her show performances and showing in pro comps - and I imagine the lack of pro comps also hurts SOI and star development in general b/c they don't get as much exposure on TV).

Maybe now that the focus seems to coming off of her, she'll become the kind of show skater she needs to be to carry a show. And I think that by building the show around an ensemble makes much more sense b/c it creates more of an overall star feeling and allows the audience more chances to develop an admiration for/connect with a favorite skater or skaters (more choice and exposure).

[Schmeck]

I think Kristi might come back in a few years, ala Kat, only because of the way she worded her good-bye speech at Portland, ME SOI. Don't remember it word for word, but it wasn't a 'goodbye forever' sounding speech at all, more of a 'see you later' sound to it.

Schmeck

[Allie Katz]

[quote:ee7e6587aa="Schmeck"]So, if Sandra is focusing on Todd...[/quote:ee7e6587aa]

What is there to focus on? His skating is SO BORING. (Although I must admit all his falls on quad jumps are very entertaining!)

Why hasn't anyone mentioned Ilia Kulik? Please don't tell me he's not coming back!! Ilia is an incredibly creative skater who can land quads and has an Olympic Gold Medal and an unbelievably firm little butt!!

Please do NOT tell me that they are bumping Ilia off the tour in favor of Turd. I would not be very happy to hear that.

[AxelAnnie22]

[color=blue:09e37ea909]Hi Debbie - your comments are well taken.

I thought this year's SOI was weird for a lot of reasons. (And, I too, have been every year for a long time). I thought the Indian number was uncomfortable to watch. I never understood the business with the dressing tables, etc. And I, for the life of me couldn't figure out the business with Lucinda Ruh and the boa. What was that?

It seemed to me that the entire show was in search of a theme. And the one they were trying to do was just weird. One of the things I have always loved about SOI (in contrast to COI - which we also see each year - I am lucky I leave near San Francisco/Oakland, and both shows are always here) is that it does have a theme, and ensemble numbers that are about something. IMO, both Kurt and Ilia in pushing the envelope with the "modernity" of their skating (kind of like modern dance) have added to the oddness of the whole thing. You have to really know skating to appreciate what they are doing.

I agree with you that I would love to see more of Kristi.

I loved the Clown number with Tara that first year, as well as everything else. I thought the entire show was wonderful.

I still think it goes back to Scott. He was that show, and until someone else steps into his shoes, it may continue to founder. Scott added cohesion and direction, as well as the biggest Star Power in skating. Big shoes to fill.[/color:09e37ea909]

[loveskating]

If sales are down for SOI it probably has more to do with the state of the economy and 9/11 than anything else. About 50% of the population has NO disposable income at all...not to mention the fact they have no time. After working constantly since 1986 and running the kids all over the place, the moms are TIRED, totally exhausted.

Personally, however, if Ilia Kulik is not skating with SOI, I aint going. He is the best, most creative skater out there, and his jumps just, well, not trying to sound mean, but they are so pure and light and correct that they just make everyone else's look like gorilla jumps...and its just plain WRONG not to give him his due.

If Ilia didn't want to skate with SOI, that's different.

I don't see how SOI was built around anyone, really?

I think SOI in 99 was the best...they did a mini opera with a Nemorino type character being dumb who turned out to be really smart all the way through, it worked on many levels, for the kids, for the adults...but its hard to come up with that kind of complexity all the time.

They need Lucinda...hope they keep her.

[osteria]

[quote:ea09ed929f="Allie Katz"][quote:ea09ed929f="Schmeck"]So, if Sandra is focusing on Todd...[/quote:ea09ed929f]

Please do NOT tell me that they are bumping Ilia off the tour in favor of Turd. I would not be very happy to hear that.[/quote:ea09ed929f]


They are bumping Ilia off the tour in favor of Yags.

[Allie Katz]

[quote:f253537317="osteria"]They are bumping Ilia off the tour in favor of Yags.[/quote:f253537317]

Gee, here's a thought: Keep both Ilia and Yags and dump Turd. Then, and only then, will I buy a ticket.



Old sig line: Real men land quads.
New sig line: Real men land quads and win Olympic medals.

[b:f253537317][color=red:f253537317][i:f253537317]This poster definitely bought a one-way ticket out of here. Please feel free if you see others choosing this route, let the moderators know. -adrianchew-[/i:f253537317][/color:f253537317][/b:f253537317]

[LilRedRidingHood]

Thank you, Adrian.

I knew it wouldn't take you long! 2 posts!

Thanks again!

[SandraD]

[color=green:7f8163c1cb]Thank you, Adrian! I am really pleased that this board is being monitored so well. By doing so, this forum is a wonderful place to visit and to feel comfortable in expressing ones opinions. :D [/color:7f8163c1cb]

Sandra

[Oracle]

My thanks to you, too,Adrian. It's what makes your board(s) so special.

[Patty]

The link in the first post is no longer available, I guess. Was this the post/ thread at SkateFans :?:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SkateFans/message/93843

[annie02]

Yes, Patty that was the post/thread on skatefans.

[leap of faith]

One thing I miss is the ending numbers which were on one artist...the Carpernter covers was NOT the same. I'd like to see an R.E.M. one or U2.

1993- Queen
1995- Rolling Stones
1996- Beatles

they were awesome. Also helped along with the cast that was doing them (going on the CSOI perspective) I know the Stones was flirty but it worked because you had no skater soo much younger than everyone else.
Kurt was paired with Kristi and it worked so well.

The 3 pairs doing little ensembles was great. Anyone else remember the little pieces H&L and B&P did together? I loved those.

With 3 pairs this year it sounds like we're getting back to that. Now I just have to get back to TO...

[Beth2000]

why doesn't SOI re-sign Katia? I really enjoyed watching her skate with SOI.

I am glad to hear that SOI isn't focusing in on one skater. Whoever said it is correct when Scott Hamilton was skating in SOI he was the show. He carried it. I do miss him :( I also miss Roz and Paul Wylie.

[Amy L]

Katia doesn't want to go back. She said that she's financially stable enough to stay at home with her kids, so that's what she's going to do.

[Terri C]

How about a finale with music from the group Chicago? They have a GREAT variety of hit songs that are very skateable!

[flippet]

Ooh...a finale with Peter Gabriel music......now THAT I'd pay to see! :D

Sure hope Sandra's reading this thread. ;)

[trixie]

I love the Chicago medley idea...didn't they use Colour My World one year, with painting the shirts ?...anyway...in response to a few of the comments here :

I don't think Sandra wanted to build the show around Tara- I am sure that was an executive decision made by someone who signs Sandra's cheques. Sandra was well aware of tara's limitations and was adverse to over using her when the serious injury surfaced.

I have been to Stars on Ice, or the show Scott produced prior to that since 1989. I stopped going in 1998, for reasons I have previously discussed elsewhere. I did regret missing Roz and Scott's final shows, but in a word, I felt too much of the show was in poor taste and silly. This saddened me.

I do have hopes for the future and I feel that Ms.Bezic has gotten the message from reading so many fan responses. The comments from SOI is that this is adult entertainment. That has proved to be problematic for them. It reduces the potential audience and has turned off so many ticket buyers.

It seems this year the theme will not be sexual. I hope so. Millions of little kids want to go see their heroes. Not Cabaret.

I remember thinking, last time I went how so many skaters wanted to get away from Ice Capades and the clown element. Well, I felt truly sorry for the skaters in some of the numbers.

I took avery strong stand on this. I have not been for 4 years. I have been to some other wonderful shows, such as the Josee show and others, however. I would love to go back to SOI some day.

[Josef]

I still think that a Jimi Hendrix theme would be perfect for SOI. Open to "Purple Haze", close to a medley of songs that showcase specific skaters.. I can just picture Jamie and David flirting to "Foxy Lady" right now! :)

[dbell]

I'm not a prude, but last year's show was too over the top, 'wink, wink vulgar' for me. My son is 6 and would love to go to the show (and I have presale tickets for the April show in Trenton), but I'm hesitating about taking him.

Since when did pro figure skating turn into the Can Can? I remember the old shows being more entertaining and less risque. Kurt's show from last year and Skate the Nation prove that you don't have to be pushing the envelope to be inventive.

PS - Adrian thank you for the ban! :D

[Blue Ridge]

Oh, yes, please Jimi Hendrix :P , not Chicago :(

Does anyone know anything about the schedule and ticket sales for SOI?

[loveskating]

A backflip on "Execuse me while I touch the sky" would be nice... or a huge triple axel or a flying sitspin, a la Yags, Boitano or Kulik.

Me, I see a problem between rocking and flowing...even with speed.

I've always wanted to see a knowledgeable, very respectful show based on the blues though...but they'd probably leave out Robert Johnson and Buddy Guy.

I saw a skating show -- I think on Bravo -- based entirely on C&W, but I found it lacking, even disrespectful at times...all the great C&W artists were left out...no Jimmy Rodgers, no Bob Wills (there is NO way anyone could do a skating show based on C&W and leave out "A Maiden's Prayer"), no Roy Acuff ("Were You There When that Great Ship Went Down" and "Wabash Cannonball"), no Carter Family ("Will the Circle Be Unbroken"), no Johnney Cash (so much), no Eddy Arnold, no Jim Reeves, no PATSY CLINE... and most of all, no "Amazing Grace" or "Tennessee Waltz", no Woodie Guthrie, and Arlo's "Native Son" would have been awesome.

Lacked authenticity, to say the least...leaving out every one of these artists would be like leaving out Elvis when doing a theme based on Rock N'Roll.

[Blue Ridge]

wow, loveskating, who wouldve thought someone from Brooklyn would be so into the great classic country music! :P Jimmy Rodgers, Bob Wills, all right! :D Although I can't quite see that as skating music. :?

[dbell]

Loveskating - consider the history of theme skating shows. I saw a Rock & Roll Skating show a few years ago that featured only 1 true 'rock' song 'Walking on the Sun' skated to by Brian Williams (great barrel rolls!). The rest were all bland, middle of the road songs that wouldn't pass for rock or even popular anywhere outside of the rink.

Face it - for most people, Country is either some hick in a hat or Shaina Twain (and that's coming from a big country fan!). :roll: