Skating with the Stars…will it succeed?
November 27th, 2010Skating with the Stars debuted in the states for a second time last Monday. The first time, with a different name on Fox, crashed and burned in 2006. So why go for a second run?
For those of you that don’t know, Skating with the Stars is very popular
overseas. England has successfully run this show since 2006 with Torvill and Dean (Dancing on Ice). It was so popular in Russia that they ran two versions during the same time on competing networks. So apparently the BBC thought they had a successful format that would succeed this time in the U.S. on ABC.
In my opinion, no matter what the format, I do not believe this show can be successful in America. Why is that? Think about this: Something entertaining in one location can be considered awful in another. I have skated routines that make people bust out laughing, but when performed in another country, it was received with a lukewarm reception. My fellow French comedian skater has a routine that tanked in the states, but in France, the audience laughed so hard they had tears in their eyes.
A good business plan must consider if the demographics will buy what they are selling. Just because something works in one location, doesn’t mean it will in another. Ask yourself, why is soccer so popular everywhere except in the U.S.? Or why football is only popular in America?
I think things like ballet and figure skating is embraced overseas in a way that the U.S. does not. Plushenko is treated like a hero in Russia. America does not come close to treating their skating champions like that, not since Michelle Kwan.
I am not saying anything negative about the skaters, stars, or the judges of this show. I think a Skating with the Stars, regardless of the format, does not have a big enough interest in our society. (Now if they had A-list celebrities and let Wayne Gretzky take slap shots at them while they attempt to finish their programs, THEN we would have a top rated program that Americans would tune in to watch!)
What are your thoughts? Do you like the show? Do you think it will
make another season?
6 Responses
I must agree with you Dan. Skating is not nearly as popular any more in the USA as it is in other countries. Why? We no longer have the stars that people want to take the time to watch on TV or pay the money to see on the tours. Just take a look at the empty seats on the shows that have recently been on TV. This lack of support was glaring with the death of an excellent tour like Champions on Ice that had the best skaters in the world in it. To make it worse for Skating with the Stars, the time slot is so late many folks are in bed by the time it comes on. They do not stay up to see it as it does not have the appeal of Dancing with the Stars. Again, how right you are.
Dan & Jim, I agree with both of you! I miss the days of old when you turned the tv on and you not only had Amateur skating on but Pro skating as well. I loved watching the Professionals skating. I laughed if it was Dan skating to “Mrs. Doubtfire” or Scott with “Double Bogey Blues”..or on the serious side, it might be Jozef skating to “Heaven Can Wait” or Kurt’s, “What a Wonderful World”. One of the problems, I see with “Skating With The Stars” is, folks don’t “know” the skaters, they don’t recognize the names!! As well as the folks I have talked to, don’t know who the partners are to even pick someone to follow!! My thoughts are they need skaters that folks know their names and recognize their faces as well as the celebrity they will be paired with to make it work. Just my opinion though!! Maybe it will get better as the show progresses but I’m not so sure!
Hope you both had a great Thanksgiving! I also hope you have a very happy and safe holiday season!!
deb
My thoughts on the disaster show of Skating with the Stars is that while it’s not an “A” list of celebrities – there was NO energy that night! It was such a contrast to Dancing with the Stars where the flow was at a comfortable pace (no major breaks) & applause was heartfelt. Until they can gain some rhythm between the host (what was up with his eyes!), Tanith & the judges it will be awkward.
Secondly, the judges have to say a critique – not butter up the contestants! Weir & Button were ok – but the 3rd “famous choreographer” was horrid!
Americans will only tune if they they agree / disagree with the judges & want to see “their” skater win. This show is doomed to only 1 season if the cadence of the doesn’t get iron out quick! I think the next show will seal the deal … if it runs better & seems less awkward there’s a fighting chance it might get a 2nd cast of “stars” – hopefully they can raise the bar & get some household names!
There are only 2 that I know on the show, Sean Young and her partner Denis. I think you have the A-List correct. Even just a few A-List. Dick Buttons is wonderful/well known. I have never heard of the woman judge, and well Johnny Weir I really liked until he went around Bad Mouthing Evan (Johnny is gree with Envy and unclassy). I am not going to watch the show, I made it last week till after Sean Young skated, and that was it. And I love Ice Skating! This is all IMHO of course, and not meant to antagonize anyone.
The only part I liked was the opening featuring the REAL skaters. There’s nothing intriguing or even that likable about the “celebrities” they picked that would make me want to watch them skate. If I want to see beginner level skating, I can watch that at any rink. I am so used to watching actual skating on NBC all weekend (whether it be the Grand Prix or the shows), that I can’t get used to this format. It is so awkward watching the judges (one of whom has no skating background at all) attempting to critique beginner skating. I’m sure all the celebs are trying their best, but skating is not something you can learn well in a “crash course”. On top of this, so much of the show seems scripted, and everything from the script to the costumes to the hair seems over the top. I like seeing the real skaters, but I just don’t like this show very much.
I’m torn between caring for the skaters and all their hard work and the show itself. I am not crazy about the host, never even caught his name although Tanith has done some excellent commentary.
The two qualified judges, Johnny and Dick have been insightful and Johnny has been exceptionally thorough explaining why he marks the way he does.
Unfortunately, I think the show is doomed. It was painful to watch and slow. Skating is difficult, ask one who tried and decided falling hurt too much to continue. I don’t think the lay person can appreciate how technical the programs are for beginners and how well the contestants are progressing.
I was flipping to other channels during commercials and if I wasn’t such a rabid fan I would have never returned for the second half. There was drama with Brooke’s accident and Brandon’s puking but I’ve seen that all before at competitions. I guess I’m to close to skating to want to invest in something that is a below average show.