The Skating Lesson

[MAXSwagg]

My god that interview made Dave seem like an awful human being. This section in particular made Dave seem like such an attention seeker:

I just... Considering that he was showing them off and making private conversations so blatantly public... How does anyone share anything with him any more? How is he friends with anyone? Is he faking some of those text conversations with skaters?

I do agree with Goebel that we need someone who talks about things that are swept under the table in the name of squeaky clean images, but that's not what anyone has an issue with. It's how he says it - it goes beyond being blunt into being nasty or sharing things publicly that were obviously not meant to be public. And it's fine to spill some things that aren't public (barring medical topics and other similar issues like they did with Gracie), but you shouldn't do it for the sake of getting attention and you should handle the issue delicately, not with nasty and unprofessional language like Dave tends to. Heck, half the time he pretends stuff "slips out" or "whispers" things as if to emphasize that he shouldn't be saying it.

I agree. I mean, aren’t you supposed to like “be nice” to your sources?

 

[FSfan107]

TSL did a recap of the Team Event with Kimmie Meissner!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrM6TBFJkog&feature=youtu.be&a=

 

[caseyedwards]

I agree. I mean, aren’t you supposed to like “be nice” to your sources?

Lots of times sources just want to talk to bitch about other people and don’t care you treat them as long as they can vent about people they don’t like.

 

[manhn]

I very much enjoy Kimmie. Such a winning personality.

 

[Amantide]

“It’s refreshing to have that really frank, really honest, unfiltered viewpoint. It’s something that’s so rare, especially in figure skating, where everyone tries to brush everything that’s not pretty and perfect under a rug. Where perhaps a more blunt delivery would be a good thing.”

“But we’re not trying to pull out the rug and expose anyone. It’s just about honest reaction. When you watch something like NBC commentary, they’re going to tell you about someone’s family or their favorite food. And it’s vapid to me. But TSL’s commentary and approach, it models critical thinking... And Dave makes it fun.”

I am all about being frank, really honest, and above all "critical thinking". By all means, be blunt as well. One of the reasons I do love to listen to Russians is because they have that tendency.
I don't mind fun remarks like "her hair looks like a fundamentalist Mormon" either. If you get butthurt for that, you have a very thin skin. And in that case, you are in the wrong field my dear.

I do not also agree with Polina, when she says:

“Instead of talking about my abilities and what I have put out there as an athlete, they’d rather talk about how long my arms are or how they don’t like my dress or how they don’t like my hair or my music.”

Arms, costume, hair and music are part of presentation as well, therefore FS. Those are things that one should discuss.
I also do imagine that this isn't an easy job, and he probably get shits for even the slightest criticism (see the incident with that skater about the music). Many of these people are vain, narcissistic and with a big ego. I mean you have to be a bit, in order to do this sport. So, yeah, I get there are some crazy antics going on behind the scenes.

However, I do agree with Polina, when she says that TSL " has become less technically oriented and increasingly gossipy in recent years." I do find Dave indeed, “catty,” “snide,” and “toxic.” , and much more interested and excited about the gossipy part, rather than the technical and artistic aspect of the sport in general, and skaters in particular.

Also, I do not like his tendency to uplift or downplay the skaters, based on his moods or personal relationships at the time. That certainly isn't what I call honest opinion or critical thinking. That is actually intentional missinformation and bashing.

There is a different between being blunt - saying smth strong/unfiltered which might hurt someone - and trying to actually insult and hurt someone with intention. It may be a fine line, but for me it is an obvious one and something that Dave should know very well, since he's been doing this for many years now.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

TSL's unfiltered approach reminds me of Oliver Stone's movie, Talk Radio. In it, a shock - jock (styled on Howard Stern), constantly riles up his late - night fan base in the name of ratings.

From memory, he is shot dead by an angry listener at the end of the movie.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

My god that interview made Dave seem like an awful human being. This section in particular made Dave seem like such an attention seeker:

I just... Considering that he was showing them off and making private conversations so blatantly public... How does anyone share anything with him any more? How is he friends with anyone? Is he faking some of those text conversations with skaters?

I do agree with Goebel that we need someone who talks about things that are swept under the table in the name of squeaky clean images, but that's not what anyone has an issue with. It's how he says it - it goes beyond being blunt into being nasty or sharing things publicly that were obviously not meant to be public. And it's fine to spill some things that aren't public (barring medical topics and other similar issues like they did with Gracie), but you shouldn't do it for the sake of getting attention and you should handle the issue delicately, not with nasty and unprofessional language like Dave tends to. Heck, half the time he pretends stuff "slips out" or "whispers" things as if to emphasize that he shouldn't be saying it.

I loved how David implied that Johnny and Tara made themselves more important than the skaters they were critiquing. How hypocritical is that!

I wonder if TSL are given official press credentials any more?

 

[muffinplus]

I loved how David implied that Johnny and Tara made themselves more important than the skaters they were critiquing. How hypocritical is that!

LOL!!! Pot meet kettle?

Lease comes across as pretentious / narcissistic most of the time. Am I far off?

 

[Anyasnake]

I stopped watching their recaps for a while now, however them tweeting that Meagan should do the Olys Pairs recap and her responding "Omg please", may have me changing my mind for just that one recap if that happens. For sure.

 

[Amantide]

He sounds like a pretentious narcissist? Am I far off?

Nope. You went straight shooting to the heart.

I stopped watching their recaps for a while now, however them tweeting that Meagan should do the Olys Pairs recap and her responding "Omg please", may have me changing my mind for just that one recap if that happens. For sure.

Awwww, and time for Dave to kiss som asses. How adorabow.

 

[Sylvia]

Deadspin article: https://deadspin.com/the-most-controversial-voice-in-figure-skating-cant-sto-1822879133

 

[el henry]

Deadspin article: https://deadspin.com/the-most-controversial-voice-in-figure-skating-cant-sto-1822879133

Thx for the article link.

OMG, is the author one of those TSL sycophants with the “Preach Dave preach, you are telling it like it is, and if they don’t like you it’s cause you speak truth to power baby”. Yeah gossip, hot takes, snark and cattiness is truth to power. Those commenters are worse than Dave himself, and the author sounds like one.

I don’t give Dave clicks or watch anymore unless some one tells me about a train wreck incident. But his exaggerated sense of his importance to the sport? Like wow. I mean a catty diva show has its place, fine and dandy, but only if you are aware that is what you are doing.

Self-awareness is a wonderful thing.

 

[VGThuy]

LOL @ “critical thinking”.

 

[muffinplus]

LOL @ “critical thinking”.

The overinflated ego and sense of self-importance...

 

[Maximillian]

LOL @ “critical thinking”.

I know, right?

 

[Willin]

@VIETgrlTerifa Especially because apparently Dave thought Ashley had on a black ankle wrap to draw attention to her injury. Because you totally want to use a skin-colored wrap (generally not waterproof) that will allow all that pus-filled fluid leaking from your wound to soak through the bandage and get all over the inside of your skate.

 

[Cleo1782]

Thx for the article link.

OMG, is the author one of those TSL sycophants with the “Preach Dave preach, you are telling it like it is, and if they don’t like you it’s cause you speak truth to power baby”. Yeah gossip, hot takes, snark and cattiness is truth to power. Those commenters are worse than Dave himself, and the author sounds like one.

I don’t give Dave clicks or watch anymore unless some one tells me about a train wreck incident. But his exaggerated sense of his importance to the sport? Like wow. I mean a catty diva show has its place, fine and dandy, but only if you are aware that is what you are doing.

Self-awareness is a wonderful thing.

Tbh, I don't think the reporter was overly praising him at all. I think she made him seem insecure and snarky. Some people like him some don't.
Sometimes Dave does speak the truth. I can vouch for the pair skater yelling at him at the bar about her music. I saw it and was like. Although people were just quieting her down, no one 'dragged' her out.

 

[DimaToe]

So whether he’s right or wrong. Dave and CO. Let their PERSONAL opinions be public. TSL is far from the meanest/evilest/rudest/whatever else is bad, to be around in figure skating, yet FSU loves to label it as a low level, uninformed, and bad platform when FSU and I’m pretty sure those more deeply involved in skating say or do things a 100x worst, the only difference being that more people get to know or seem to take notice of what TSL says. The fact that this thread is 700+ pages should be enough proof of FSU just being haters U.S. audiences are more drawn to skating because of personalities like Dave Lease or Adam Rippon these days rather than Bradie landing clean triples or U.S. ice dance being ridiculously deep. That’s just the reality of it.

 

[thvu]

U.S. audiences are more drawn to skating because of personalities like Dave Lease or Adam Rippon these days rather than Bradie landing clean triples or U.S. ice dance being ridiculously deep. That’s just the reality of it.

I object to your equivocation of Dave Lease and Adam Rippon. One works hard and expresses opinions based on a long career in sport and personal struggle. The other expresses opinions for attention and dopamine, and expects people to kiss his ring. Not at all the same.

 

[DimaToe]

I object to your equivocation of Dave Lease and Adam Rippon. One works hard and expresses opinions based on a long career in sport and personal struggle. The other expresses opinions for attention and dopamine, and expects people to kiss his ring. Not at all the same.

I’m not disagreeing with what you say, but you’ve been one of those who keeps on talking about TSL even though you’re not a fan. You’re just making it even bigger

 

[triple_toe]

I feel like this entire damn thread is people bitching about Dave Lease and people bitching about people bitching about Dave Lease.

 

[MIsty Blades/Skate Mom]

Good idea. I will look that up online. Working moms always need a new way to cook!

I make lasagna in my crockpot all the time!

 

[el henry]

What would a thread about TSL be, now that Jenny is gone, if not people bitching about Dave?

I have no, zero, nada problem with "Bitchy Divas Dish about Skating". Could be fun, maybe a few bits of good gossip? If I'm in the mood, why not?

But telling me it's some sort of serious critique of skating? Reading from your social media followers that the only reason that any fool might object is that they are afraid of the withering, righteous commentary of their fearless leader?

Child, look at my avatar. I am a fan of the Eagles. I know from withering commentary. My people throw snowballs at Santa and full beer cans at opposing fans. I'm not "afraid" of anything, except calling the "Bitchy Divas Dish" serious commentary.

There, extended the thread count!

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I would be very sad and worried if the likes of TSL was all fans had access to regarding the sport's analysis and promotion.

Fortunately, having to own the skating equivalent of Perez Hilton isn't the case.

 

[judiz]

I met Dave years ago during his Aunt Joyce days, I was there when he was first introduced to Johnny after a show at the Ice Vault. We had this long conversation in the lobby about our favorite and least favorite skaters. I remember him as quite a Johnny fan back then.

 

[overedge]

Tbh, I don't think the reporter was overly praising him at all. I think she made him seem insecure and snarky.

I don't think she had to try too hard. His quotes in the article speak for themselves, in more ways than one.

 

[overedge]

So whether he’s right or wrong. Dave and CO. Let their PERSONAL opinions be public. TSL is far from the meanest/evilest/rudest/whatever else is bad, to be around in figure skating, yet FSU loves to label it as a low level, uninformed, and bad platform when FSU and I’m pretty sure those more deeply involved in skating say or do things a 100x worst, the only difference being that more people get to know or seem to take notice of what TSL says. The fact that this thread is 700+ pages should be enough proof of FSU just being haters

The "people on FSU say things that are way worse than TSL" is a bogus argument. There is no parallel between TSL and FSU. Last time I checked, FSU was not applying for media credentials to cover events as journalists, or doing podcast interviews or commentary.

And yes, when someone presents themselves as a reliable source of skating news, but uses that as a platform to spread unsubstantiated gossip and misinformation, and tries to make the story about themselves rather than about the news they are supposedly covering, IMO there's very good reasons to be a "hater".

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

The "people on FSU say things that are way worse than TSL" is a bogus argument. There is no parallel between TSL and FSU. Last time I checked, FSU was not applying for media credentials to cover events as journalists, or doing podcast interviews or commentary.

Don't think it doesn't get back to competition organisers either, what TSL are saying.

I remember them blowing a gasket when they were refused a media credential for the 2016 World Championships in Boston (and that was when Kirk was still on board, and their behaviour wasn't a tenth as bad as it is now).

(If I was promoting an event, the last person I would want on board is Logan Paul.)

 

[StasiyaGalustyanLove]

I met Dave years ago during his Aunt Joyce days, I was there when he was first introduced to Johnny after a show at the Ice Vault. We had this long conversation in the lobby about our favorite and least favorite skaters. I remember him as quite a Johnny fan back then.

Did "Dave" used to be named "Joyce"? I am so confused! The eyebrows were confusing enough but this is more then I can handle!

Maybe the reporting from the Dead Spin web site will help answer my questions. I will try to read it tonight!

 

[Laura4]

I very much enjoy Kimmie. Such a winning personality.

I thought she was great and so pleasant to listen to, unlike a certain female guest he has on from time to time. Heck, I thought she was even better than Jennifer Kirk.