Jeremy Abbott's programs this season

[Sylvia]

Since there seems to be a lot of positive reaction to Abbott's new programs this season, I thought a new thread might be worth starting now. Feel free to gush away and/or to offer constructive comments on how they could be improved in your opinion(s). Yes, less snapping of the suspenders in the SP for starters!

Reposting the link to an article about Abbott's programs and music from early July: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

[Ziggy]

Both are amazing.

Rich, detailed choreography, very much in character of the music. And he presents them beautifully.

What Jeremy needs to work on is his timing (it's often off).

I thought he lacked speed in the CoC SP and I am wondering whether the fact he's doing so much footwork between the elements isn't causing the program to be a bit slow. He's no Chan and he can't generate speed that easily.

I wish he projected more. He's doing all the right things but it just usually seems a little muted. He needs to attack his programs more and connect with the judges and the audience better. Sometimes it's a little deer in the headlights, which is a shame considering how good his programs are.

[NinjaTurtles]

I love his LP; for me, it's one of the most richly artistic and void inducing programs i've wathed in a while. Makes me feel slightly guilty for give my dog the stuff Smuckers strawberry Abbott gave me me during Stars On Ice one year

[jlai]

Well, constructive criticism first:

Jeremy absolutely needs to tack a 3 toe onto either that popped axel or the double axel near the end. Also when he missed that 3 lutz/3t/2 he should also make an effort to do a 3 sal-3t combo out of the last jump combination.

I thought he used to be more COP-jump savvy, so it's time to get the COP bit trained.

On the plus side:
The spin and footwork level look on par with what he attempted previous GP seasons. The programs are all good. I think the construction of the long program is better than his previous two, cause there're bits of quick poses and two foot glides where he can catch a quick breath (though not long breaks ala Amodio's program, LOL)

And of course, i love Muse. I hope the introspective program will help him focus on his own skating and stop worrying about what other skaters before him were doing (even if they bring down the house).

[shine]

His SP has so much character that it really doesn't feel like watching competitive skating with him anymore.

His LP is a program which one can literally get lost in and forget the passage of time. The way he's pushing himself artistically as a competitive skater is truly unbelievable.

[aftershocks]

He's trying to get into character re the suspenders and hand-clapping, fingersnapping, and I don't think he's overdoing it too much, but yes no more is needed. He opens with holding the suspenders which is fine, and he closes with holding them which brings the program full circle. The little bit of touching suspenders within the program is okay, IMO.

Lots of good, constructive criticism. I am wondering whether the positioning of Abbott's second 3-axel might need to be rethought. Also, it appears to me that he needs a lot more speed going into the quad, but do the opening strains of the music fit with going as fast as needed to launch into that quadcentric jump? Can Abbott recall what he was doing that worked when he was landing the quad very well a few seasons ago? I only ask b/c apparently it helps your rep if you have one, not that I care. A beautiful triple there in this beautiful program should be more than enough. But that's the present state of fs -- quadcentric.

ETA: I love the variation of the ending spin with his free arm and hand slowly moving down to cover his face, while he maintains speed on the spin. Everybody's seeming to go for full body black with a few sparkles, but this simple and understated costume is good for this program. Jeremy said he feels really comfortable with this program, and it shows. Keep working it, Jeremy!

[MR-FAN]

His LP simply left me speechless. The most emotionally charged and captivating program in the past couple of year EASILY for me. It is just stunning, and barely anyone can skate a program like this but him. Just brilliant choreography and execution. I am soooo freaking spoiled with both his and Chan's and Takahashi's LPs. Combined with Kostner and Suzuki's SPs, this is the best season I can remember in terms of brilliant programs. and We haven't even seen Mao's SP yet. COP is finally sinking in and the skaters can be COP friendly AND artistically unique.

but Abbott's LP is just... for the ages. the best he's EVER had. and this is from someone who, while a huge fan of his, absolutely hated both his programs last season.

[Sylvia]

Phil Hersh tweeted:

Watched Jeremy Abbott's Cup of China LP again. Can't decide whether it's understated brilliantly to fit minimalist music or whether there is no there, there.

[aftershocks]

^^ Yes, Mr. Fan, last season Jeremy's programs were maybe too introspective. That seems to be Jeremy's personality but it didn't work as well for him last season. Although I thought he did some amazing things with both programs last season, they just didn't fully resonate, and his hands were way too busy in the sp, especially in its initial performances. This season, happily, he switches up by having a fun, carefree sp warming him up and getting in the mood. And then, a more introspective, yet engaging, elegant, and triumphant free program, that he describes as "airy and calm ... a program where I can breathe and get into the ice, and feel the music."

Hersh, I can't decide whether you're a "brilliant fs journalist, or if there's really no there, there." Or, maybe I can decide.

[kwanette]

His LP simply left me speechless.
but Abbott's LP is just... for the ages.

Me, too. I've rewatched it about 5 times and each time I am mesmerized. It is so gorgeously, understated. Just draws me in.

[Ziggy]

Dear Hersh, there is definitely not much there, under your thick skull so stfu.

How can he say something like that?

Abbott's FS is full of upper body movement, performed pretty much all the time. There could be more actual skating movements in it and the layout could be more complex but still it's way way better constructed than the vast majority of programs this season.

I am really glad that the judges went with both programs, giving him highest PCS at CoC.

And Abbott also deserves a lot of respect for showing two programs that are very different in mood and style and totally delivering in both.

P.S. Why do people keep saying LP when it's FS (or FP if anything)?

[Polymer Bob]

Jeremy is USA TODAY's Olympic Athlete of the Week.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olymp...-07/51111718/1

[centerpt1]

P.S. Why do people keep saying LP when it's FS (or FP if anything)?

Because most Free Skates feel very Looooooong, and anything but Free?

I enjoyed Jeremy's Free, because it actuallly looked free, powerful, light,new, and unencumbered. It was the total opposite of the overblown, lumbering skate to a warhorse movie theme.

[aftershocks]

^^


BTW, Hersh, I think the Eurosport commentators are a lot more brilliant than you in regard to figure skating. Not only is the there, there in Jeremy's FS performance ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0rvI_tBPAw sp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=radyY9alArk fp

Eurosport commentators on Jeremy after his free skate:

"What a masterpiece that program is. I loved it. The transitions in and out of the jumps -- just to die for. And it makes the jumps so much more difficult. The entry into that triple flip was beautiful."

"It was a terrific performance."

"The amount of energy, effort and time that went into that program -- phenomenal. I loved it -- really, really loved it. I could watch this guy skate all day."

"Yeah, and he looks a good guy too, so you wish the best for him."

[MR-FAN]

and anything but Free?

Yep. You just have 13 required elements instead of 7

[Allskate]

Thanks so much for the links! I was so bummed I missed the competition. I can't wait to see these programs on a bigger screen. I loooove the long program. LOTS of there there.

And it looks like his spins have improved, too.

[aftershocks]

Here's a link to universalsports clip of Jeremy's fp without commentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTJ62MB4szA

Plus you should be able to click on the full screen feature in lower right hand corner for your viewing pleasure.

[Ziggy]

Between YouTube and fsvids.net, everything is easily available online nowadays.

[IceAlisa]

His LP is x infinity.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I can't stop gushing about these two routines, especially the LP. It's truly a work of art. Phil Hersh acts like he knows about musicality and art, but his comment about Abbott surely shows what a pleb he is.