Yup, I will watch Gordeeva. Others, I will skip, and it’s not based on nationality.
The person I most wish would return and take the crown is Shae-Lynn Bourne!
Big ol' word to that.
As if an all Canadian cast would be soooo awful. Why not have Russian ladies compete at our Nationals?
I LOVE JAMIE SALE.
I guess no one has great taste all the time, mahn.
I really enjoyed her as a competitive skater, but BOTB really illustrated how limited she is as a performer, skater, etc. A lot of skaters recycle moves, themes, etc., for BOTB, but I recall she and one of her partners pretty much re-did a previous pro program of hers, so I'm happy to add intellectually lazy to that list. And she was a shit judge, to boot.
CBC has a mandate to cast Canadian on tv shows. We have had good success with those shows doing well internationally, Kim’s Convenience, Schitt’s Creek. I don’t understand why we need non Canadian skaters, as if the actual Canadians are a bunch of crappy skaters.
I think your point about CBC's mandate to cast Canadians, and the number of non-Canadian skaters we see on BOTB, tells a tale of skater availability & interest. BOTB was lucky to get some big names early on (Isabelle Brasseur, Barb Underhill) but they haven't exactly remained with the show. And when I say availability, I include CBC's increasingly dwindling paycheck for participants.
So to your second point: no, of course Canadians aren't a bunch of crappy skaters, but there aren't enough quality Canadian skaters available and willing to do the show. So CBC gifts us with super engaging performers like Jodeyne Higgins, Anabelle Langlois & an out of shape Jessica Dube. But even meh skaters don't return as their lives move on when BOTB goes on hiatus for years with no guaranteed return.
Looking at the list of international skaters BOTB has hosted, I'd choose almost all of these women over a return of some pretty boring Canadian pairs ladies. Maybe even Kyoko Ina, who wasn't known to be a "performer", and who had a partner that... wasn't a natural.
I'd see your point more if CBC hired US skaters of a more Caydee Denney, Rena Inoue, Marissa Castelli level. Definitely our boring skaters should take precedence over boring international skaters.
I guess it adds 'diversity', especially with big names like Gordeeva.
Though I'd be fine with an all Canadian cast.
White Russian or American skaters = diversity? Jesus, take the wheel.
Kyoko Ina, Amanda Evora and Vanessa James are diversity.
Skaters like Gordeeva, Belbin and Berezhnaya are ratings draws-- Elena was competing against David Pelletier, so CBC had an intriguing angle right off the hop.
Whoever they include regarding the male figure skaters will need to be tall and strong enough to lift a hockey player.
Very true about Dylan & Asher's respective sizes, but I'd love Asher to be included after being so vocal (and brave) speaking up against Skate Canada. Amanda Kessell was dwarfed by Eric Radford, and he's more lithe than bulging. So, here's hoping there's another petite-ish hockey player for him! (Speaking of Amanda Kessell, she was the most famous hockey player last season, imho, so about that "Canadians only" brouhaha)
I'll also point out David Pelletier is 5'10" and he skated wonderfully with Tessa Bonhomme at 5'7". I'm pretty sure David or Tessa even mentioned her 140 pound weight during their season (in passing). The women hockey players aren't showing up to BOTB overweight and out of shape the way too many retired NHLers do. When Tessa, Amanda & Natalie are being lifted, they're strong & athletic enough to do their part.
P) I wasn't a fan of Johnny's until she gave me a good reason to be one. And also confirm a her generally ignorant attitude for a lot of people. 
