CBC Figure Skating Commentary
Ex-skaters like myself can easily understand what Barb Underhill and Paul Martini are on about on the CBC coverage of Worlds. But, I feel for less educated skating fans who don’t understand the difference between a toe loop and a lutz.
I don’t understand why commentators don’t explain the differences between jumps and clarify which ones are the most difficult. This is a key piece of information.
Similarly, I feel they’ve never properly explained the new scoring system. For the recreational viewer (as opposed to the hard-core fan like myself), it’s difficult to know whether a footwork sequence is a Level 3 or Level 4.
The commentators should clarify so that spectators can get a better idea of why skaters are placed as they are.If the commentators would make more of an effort to educate the audience there would be less confusion as to the final placements and therefore less of a feeling that the judging is as random as it was in the 6.0 system.
November 7th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I think the skating commenatators do not realize that %90 of the viewing public are not figure skaters and are not interested in hearing the constant critique and conversations interupting the pleasure of watching and listening to the music of these attractive performances. Seems like these people are afraid of a little SILENCE during the competions. Give us a break ! A few comments on their skating ability, yes. A few comments on technicalities, yes. But save your indepth critiques for students of the sport.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:32 am
Re: ISU Worlds 2011
Once again, the judges for the free dance competition were not doing their jobs. The slow motion replay clearly showed that the US team were out of sync on their twizzles, and nothing was said about that by our Canadian commentators. They actually said “good for them”, meaning the U.S. team on winning gold. It raises distrust all over again, and I cannot help but wonder if our Canadian pair was cheated out of the gold medal, or were there flaws that the average viewer would overlook? Nothing was clarified by our commentators. I am quickly losing interest in this sport. And by the way, do not expect a Canadian fan to congratulate a U.S. team, whether or not they are close friends to our top dance team.
May 7th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Thanks for your comment. I agree that the commentators were not helpful in pointing out the differences between the two top pairs in the dance event. Both teams were wonderful, but in my opinion the difference was polish. While the Canadians skated a very difficult dance, there were places where the unison and elements were a bit rough. It was the first time out for the program this season and it showed in places. For instance the back flip at the end of the dance was a squeaker. Alternatively, Davis and White’s program had an end-of-season polish to it. The elements were fast and clean, the pair never had to reach for one another and the levels were all very high. I agree, it would have been helpful for the commentators to point out some of the imperfections in Virtue and Moir’s program (despite being minor). Perhaps their “homer” bias silenced any criticism?