Liveblogging the men's short

[oyceter]

On a more serious note: via sanguinity, An Indigenous Olympics is a good look at the branding of the Vancouver Olympics and the problematics thereof.

Warning: the following commentary will have way too many exclamation points and allcaps and squee.

First off, yay for Shen and Zhao! Their short program was absolutely gorgeous, and I feel a little bad that their long wasn't quite as awesome (she slipped on a lift, of all things!). Still, I thought it was a well-deserved medal, and I loved Pang and Tong's long program as well. I'm also really glad to see Savchenko and Szolkowy didn't mess up terribly given the rest of their season, and I hope they come back at Worlds!

And! Amazingly, there have not been snide comments about the new scoring system, and I really like that one of the commentators noted that the style in lots of the elements make a difference, not just the jumps (re: Plushenko, heh). And no Dick Button! He spouts off with Bob Costas, but at least I can fast forward through that. I'm also so glad Scott Hamilton is commentating; he's so enthusiastic about all the skaters that it's hard not to get caught up with him. And it feels like he's honestly cheering everyone on.

Also, since I'm going on about skating, have a look at one of my favorite long programs of this year! Ryan Bradley's long to chamber music. I definitely can see why he didn't make the team, but the program is just so much fun.

Florent Amodio (France) - Oh, I like him! I haven't seen him that much on the international circuit this year, but I loved that program and the way he delivered it. Will definitely be keeping an eye on him now.

Viktor Pfeifer (Austria) - Sadly, I do not remember much of this, except the jumps and the overall presentation wasn't nearly as polished as Amodio's.

Vaughn Chipeur (Canada) - Kind of meh, though I'm always glad to see more rock in figure skating.

Yevgeny Plushenko (Russia) - Dude! The bragging in the special interest clip! Love the little footwork bit at the end of one of his jumps (quad?). Both of his footwork passes felt a bit slow, which makes me sad, because one of my favorite thing about the men's competition is that so many people have great footwork sequences.

Daisuke Takahashi (Japan) - OMG the outfit! I love it in all its sparkly gorgeousness, matador-esque jacket and all! (Woe, why didn't they show Denis Ten's short?!) OMG he cut his hair and shaved off his soul patch! I love this guy because he always puts on such a show. And now he's doing a rock and roll veresion of ... something! OMG his jumps! I just hope he keeps this up! In the Grand Prix, I think he got tired at the end of his long and started making a lot of mistakes. Oh man, I love his footwork sequences SO MUCH. OMG THAT WAS AWESOME! AWESOME! All the mugging at the camera! All the dancing! The footwork! And only 0.6 behind Plushenko OMG AWESOME!

Stephane Lambiel (Switzerland) - What are you wearing, Stephane Lambiel? I mean, I guess it might be better than your multicolored tiger-striped thing from 2006. Maybe? It helps that he's very cute. I remember one exhibition skate he did in a black turtleneck and jeans, and the peeks of stomach was super cute. Dude, I can't believe he hung on to that quad. It doesn't look like he's going to fall apart on this one, whew. Oh, I'd forgotten how gorgeous his spins are. And good footwork! This is what Plushenko's program was missing. Man, his spins are so fast and so centered! Good for him!

Oda Nobunaga (Japan) - He looks so grown up now! I remember when he was this cute boy skating to Nutcracker! That was a good program and a good performance, but I just don't love him the way I love Takahashi.

Brian Joubert (France) - Amazingly, that outfit is pretty good for Brian Joubert. Although every time he puts in choreography, I giggle, because he's really just not a choreography guy. Dude! He totally failed on that jump! Like, it looked like he just fell out of it and didn't even complete half the rotations. Man. I'm not a Joubert fan, but I feel bad for the guy. He hasn't had a good season since he came down sick a few years ago.

Takahiko Kozuka (Japan) - His sit spins are so low! And that was a great spin to end the program on. Like Nobunaga, good program and good performance.

Samuel Contesti (Italy) - Oh, the overalls. This is a fun short, if I remember right. His footwork feels kind of slow, especially compared with the music.

Patrick Chan (Canada) - Oh, I hope you do well, considering your season! Oh no, step out! Still, I just love watching him skate. And oh, I love his footwork sequences. Oh no! Did he just make a mistake on his FOOTWORK?! Aiiieee! Hrm.... Not awesome, but not as badly messed up as some of his programs this season, and I do love his style.

Johnny Weir (USA) - Bwahaha, I love this program and the pink laces so! Nice, it looks like he's on tonight. And the step up to the boards and that nod at the audience! That is my favorite part of the program. Except possible his finger kiss. Or his vamping at the judges. OMG he kissed everyone goodbye at the end! I'm glad he did that well. I don't think he's up there with the best of the men, but damn, that's fun to watch. OMG someone gave him a black heart pillow with pink laces!

Kevin van der Perren (Belgium) - It's always so nervewracking watching van der Perren because he can choke so badly. Not as good as some of the other guys, but I am glad he didn't mess up! (Also, I feel if one is going to skate to Night on Bald Mountain, one should go all the way in the costume and not just have some random bones here and there.)

Tomas Verner (Czech Republic) - He's another one it's so nervewracking to watch, and this program is tons of fun when he pulls it off, but he can fall apart so badly too! Oh no, he popped one and now maybe everything is going to slip.... And yes.... man, he can be so painful to watch! I'm glad he hung on to his next two though.

Evan Lysacek (USA) - One of my favs! I feel his costumes this year aren't as nice (I loved his Carmen one two years ago), though I'm glad he changed his long program costume from the semi-transparent one during Nationals. His feather-y black one for the short totally makes him look like the raven dancers in Princess Tutu! I love how intense he always is, and I love how he always throws everything into his programs. Whoo! Standing ovation! (And oh, your feathers, bwahahah!) OMG SECOND PLACE WITH ONLY .55 BEHIND PLUSHENKO!!!!!!! NICE!!!!! I can't believe how close it is, and with two more skaters to come!!!!!

Jeremy Abbott (USA) - Dude! He popped a jump! I admire his skating, but I never love it the way I do with Takahashi and Lysacek. Oh no, another one popped! Man, I think he gave it away unless everyone completely messes up in the long. One of the reasons I like Evan Lysacek so much is because he always manages to pull out his best performances when it really counts, whereas I think Abbott may have peaked at Nationals. Oh, 69 some, ouch....

Michal Brezina (Czech Republic) - Oooh, I've never seen him before, or if I have, I forgot. Hee, swing music! Never mind, I have seen this. Nice triple axel! Okay, that was cute.

But OMG! Top three men separated by less than a point! Less than a point! And ooo, Denis Ten is in 10th, not bad for a 16 year old. But there's not that much of a spread among the top five, and it's all up to the long now! I know Plushenko's in first, but his program really didn't get to me the way Takahashi or Lysacek or even Lambiel's did; Plushenko's felt a bit more workman like. Still, the long is going to be awesome to watch if they keep this up!

Man! Less than a point!

Comments

[deadsoul820.livejournal.com]

Ditto to almost everything you said. Well, except for Takahashi's costume, but I'm entrenched in the less bling the better camp.

Lysacek's feathers were because the music was The Firebird. My favorite program of his was this year's Worlds long to An American in Paris.

I'm really pleased with the judging this year - it's got much less than the usual Olympic WTF-ery.

I was so disappointed for Tomas Verner. When he's on, it's joyous experience for all involved.

A great evening's skating and I'm pumped for the longs

[oyceter]

I am usually not for the bling either, but his is just so over-the-top! It makes me laugh fondly.

Yeah, the feathers make sense with Firebird and all, but the ones at the wrists are still so funny looking! And he looks so much more raven or crow than firebird, all long black limbs and angles. I thought his long last year was to Rhapsody in Blue?

I'm so sad for Verner! Sigh. I really like that short when he's on too...

[deadsoul820.livejournal.com]

Re Rhapsody, d'oh, you're totally right! Did you see the piece about Evan on the NBC news that night? He said he purposefully emphasizes his height (6'5" on his skates!) and long limbs. To which I say, phwoar!

[oyceter]

I did! I think that's super cool, and it makes him look really different when he's skating.

[thistleingrey]

:D

I keep not managing to watch any actual coverage. This post is much better than skimming the updated results on the official website....

[oyceter]

Always glad to entertain!

It is probably a good thing you are missing actual coverage... it has eaten up so much of my life these past few days!

[starlady]

I really enjoyed Johnny Weir's deconstructed asymmetrical black and pink tassel bodice. Also, I really enjoyed that he was clearly enjoying himself, and that his program didn't have any of the mistakes so many other people made. It is ON for the men's free skate. If all three of them skate their best it will be quite a show.

I like Scott Cunningham a lot too, except for that he makes those inarticulate grunts every so often and sometimes I can't tell whether he's grunting in approval or disappointment.

Actually, I was chatting with a friend of mine while we both watched the broadcast, and we wound up wondering about the gender breakdown of audiences for figure skating. Since you are clearly an expert and a fan, I will ask you--do you have any idea who watches men's and/or who watches women's? Or where to poke into that?

[oyceter]

I'm so glad Johnny Weir didn't mess up! I am not really rooting for him as a winner, but he is so entertaining to watch! (And what is all this about his rooming with Tanith Belbin?!)

You know, I have no idea about the gender breakdown (and ahaha, definitely not an expert, though very much a fan!). I suspect it is largely female, or at least that the advertisers think it is largely female, and given timing and how much is shown and etc., I think the networks at least still think more people watch women's than anything else (even though the men's field the past few years has been way more exciting). I've been reading Culture on Ice for cultural analysis of figure skating, though so far that's been more the programs and judging and the overall media image rather than audience stats. Still, the last chapter (which I haven't read yet) is on the fans, so it might have something? It's also a few years old though....

[starlady]

Yeah, I don't think Weir can win, but he's great to watch. And given the "controversy" over his comments about not being willing to have skating change to attract a wider audience (read: more men?), I'd think that the fan analysis chapter in that book probably still generally holds up.

[lady_ganesh]

I can't wait for the long form, seriously. And I love Scott Hamilton so much!

[littlebutfierce]

I am SO EXCITED that I've been able to watch the skating so far (*cough* not live, though--I checked the schedule for the men's long before reading this post & the comments in case it already happened & there might be spoilers lurking!). I was soooooo bummed about the Zhangs' mediocre performance, & that NBC (whose shitty broadcasts we've been reduced to watching) didn't even show their long program! But YAY Shen & Zhao & Pang & Tong!! Also, I was extremely dubious about the sad clown outfits of Savchenko & Szlokowy, but they managed to pull it off.

Anyway--we just watched the men's short, though we didn't get to see everyone (curse you NBC). I wish we'd gotten to see Kevin van der Perren! It's true, he is an extreme choker. Johnny Weir's outfit was the GAYEST FIGURE SKATING COSTUME EVER (& hey, I've seen Rudy Galindo do Champions on Ice multiple times--so that's saying something). Love it! Love his mugging for the crowd.

But. Daisuke Takahashi! He is SO good! He does "funky" (well--compared to lots of ice skaters) so well--there were a couple of skaters who tried that sort of thing & just looked horrible. He's got the whole package, yay! I don't care about the freakin' quad, his performance was so much more amazing than Plushenko's. The thing about Plushenko is that he just... waves his arms around so randomly & gracelessly! If I had to pick one side of the fake artist/athlete divide I'd tend to go for athlete, I think, but not if they all perform like Plushenko. AUGH. (Also I want to force him to get a different haircut!) Yeah, yeah, quad, but, ugh, give me someone w/good jumps AND artistry & I don't care about the quad!

And Stephane Lambiel? Has clearly gone to the Yevgeny Plushenko School of Arm-Waving Dance. His skating was otherwise good, & his costume was so ridiculous I loved it, but... yeah. He's not a favorite. Though he's way cuter than he used to be, much to my chagrin.

I found Evan Lysacek to be not as compelling as I expected him to be. I like him a lot, & generally enjoy his skating, but... I dunno. Him getting all emo was cute though!

I never heard of Takahiko Kozuka before, but he is clearly one to watch. Wow! The whole Japanese men's team is really strong (though I <3 Daisuke the best). It is totally weird to see Nobunaga Oda grown up (though he looks much younger than he actually is). Bad hair!

Thank you for putting this post behind a cut, btw! I had the pairs spoiled for me on LJ/DW, sniff.

[oyceter]

Eeeee! I'm so glad you got to watch bits! I so know what you mean by spoilers! I got spoiled for the pairs medals twice about ten minutes apart, grrrrr. Now I am refusing to check Twitter or DW/LJ or the official sites the whole day of the medal competitions.

I, haha, am kind of fond of the sad clown outfits. I think it is the eyebrows! They look so cute, esp. Aliona Savchenko's expression. I do hope they do well at Worlds and keep skating, though who knows....

Bwahaha, I love your description of Plushenko's footwork. I was a really big fan of his in 2006 (even though I felt his Olympic performance wasn't as good as some he gave at in the Grand Prix), but I think men's skating has changed in the past four years, and the whole focus on the quad he and Joubert have have really been detrimental to the other stuff in their program. And I'm usually one to go with the athletic over artistic side, but the quad is just one part of the athletic! All the footwork going up and down and etc. makes my quads burn just watching!

I'm also sad Lambiel's program for the Olympics isn't as good as some of his in the past... I think he had this awesome one a few years ago that was to flamenco music, and I really loved the choreography of that one. I heard someone online or somewhere call his outfit "Count Chocula" SO TRUE! Ditto for Evan Lysacek... I don't mind his programs this year, but I think I liked some of his others more (Carmen, Rhapsody in Blue).

OMG the Japanese men! I hadn't seen Kozuka before this season too, and wow! And I am so psyched Takahashi is baaaaack!!!!! I am super worried he is not trained enough and the long program will get the better of his stamina, but I so hope he does well because his short was AWESOMESAUCE. I love the music he picks and the way his choreography goes with it!

[littlebutfierce]

Yes, the whole "to quad or not to quad" thing drives me nuts. I really hate that so much of skating has become "whoever doesn't fall ends up on the podium." (although obviously you can still fall & end up there too, ha)

Friday morning when I left for work I went to say goodbye to Phredd, who gave me his usual drowsy "have a good day" stuff & then I said, "oyceter said that some people are calling Stephane Lambiel's costume Count Chocula!!!!" & got a suddenly v. wide-awake guffaw in response. Hehehe.