"On Edge" - Olympic Channel's docuseries featuring 6 teams from Ice Academy of Montreal

[deegee]

I don't find what Madi said as problematic or offensive as some people seem to think, she was voicing the issues she has with the judging and it was a good example of a controversial (at least for some) judging decision and a case where even commentators were surprised by the positive GOE (I specifically remember Asher Hill during one of the shows he's doing with Dylan saying that he loves P/C but it bothered him to see a positive GOE for that element). If anything I think Gabi's comments to Madi on the podium were more insensitive than what Madi said during the episode.
Either way, I don't expect any of them to address it unless they will be asked to comment on it specifically, none of them will want negative media attention this close to the games, it goes against the purpose of On Edge to begin with.

it seems that most of the responses here had to do with madi's misunderstanding of the rules (and aparently asher misunderstands in the same way, unfortunately).

 

[Debbie S]

But I'd think it more likely OC pitched it to IAM than the other way around.

I suspect it was IAM's agent/mgmt (Markey Int'l Arts, which also represents P/C, H/D, S/D, maybe also F-B/S) that pitched it to OC. But as you said, we don't know.

 

[Spikefan]

The series is trying to get the casual ice dance viewer and maybe some that have never paid attention involved and interested. Nothing makes people more interested than controversy and competition (at least here in the US). IAM can only work with the teams they have so it’s a way to drum up drama. I’m sure Madi has those feelings but it’s not that serious. I’ve actually enjoyed how candid she is, great reality show star.

 

[aka_gerbil]

I think Romain Haguenauer’s husband is involved with the project for whatever that amounts to.

 

[Debbie S]

I think Romain Haguenauer’s husband is involved with the project for whatever that amounts to.

He's also involved with the Markey group. Not sure in what capacity but he does seem to work for them in some way.

 

[DE93]

It's the Olympic Channel's project - supposed to be similar to the one they did for the gymnasts leading up to the Summer Olympics.

 

[angi]

it seems that most of the responses here had to do with madi's misunderstanding of the rules (and aparently asher misunderstands in the same way, unfortunately).

Perhaps, but I think we can agree that the rules are often interpreted differently by judges depending on who they are judging across all four disciplines, and I don't think any of them misunderstood the rules when they think that pretty much any other team would have received negative GOEs for that type of error even if the starting point of the quality would have been high. There definitely shouldn't have been a one-point deduction, however, the awarded GOEs are often questionable and open to interpretation (you can often see the same element getting anything from -2 to +2 or +1 to +4, there's a reason for that) and for some skaters, the interpretation is lenient more than for others.

 

[deegee]

Perhaps, but I think we can agree that the rules are often interpreted differently by judges depending on who they are judging across all four disciplines, and I don't think any of them misunderstood the rules when they think that pretty much any other team would have received negative GOEs for that type of error even if the starting point of the quality would have been high. There definitely shouldn't have been a one-point deduction, however, the awarded GOEs are often questionable and open to interpretation (you can often see the same element getting anything from -2 to +2 or +1 to +4, there's a reason for that) and for some skaters, the interpretation is lenient more than for others.

the mistake by gabi in that event didn't warrant negative goe's, as has been explained to you by a couple different posters quoting the rule book to you already.

 

[bcash]

I don't find what Madi said as problematic or offensive as some people seem to think, she was voicing the issues she has with the judging and it was a good example of a controversial (at least for some) judging decision and a case where even commentators were surprised by the positive GOE (I specifically remember Asher Hill during one of the shows he's doing with Dylan saying that he loves P/C but it bothered him to see a positive GOE for that element). If anything I think Gabi's comments to Madi on the podium were more insensitive than what Madi said during the episode.
Either way, I don't expect any of them to address it unless they will be asked to comment on it specifically, none of them will want negative media attention this close to the games, it goes against the purpose of On Edge to begin with.

Who knows whether or in what context Gabbi said it. We only heard it from Madison. Also Madison and Zach’s work sparring is annoying and embarrassing. I don’t know if they played it up for the camera.

I just wish these series didn’t feel dumbed-down. I know the general public doesn’t know much about ID but then how many of them will be clicking on the option to watch a web series about ID anyway?

And I felt a little .. amused by the totally conventional feminine/masculine structuring in the last episode. Girls doing nails and boys forging knives? I know Madison likes makeup and Sorensen likes making his own knives, but still, they could have used more imagination. What about having a straight male skater have the conversation with Guillaume about his coming out, for example?

 

[mtnskater]

What I enjoy the most about the series is learning what good friends many of these rivals are. The close friendship of Madison Hubbell and Gabi P. is really a nice surprise. Another surprise is that Lilah Fear does not have a British accent but sounds more American. Like most people, I wish the episodes were longer. They go by in a flash and I’m left wanting more.

 

[MacMadame]

What I enjoy the most about the series is learning what good friends many of these rivals are. The close friendship of Madison Hubbell and Gabi P. is really a nice surprise. Another surprise is that Lilah Fear does not have a British accent but sounds more American. Like most people, I wish the episodes were longer. They go by in a flash and I’m left wanting more.

That's probably because she was born in Connecticut.

 

[sap5]

Who knows whether or in what context Gabbi said it. We only heard it from Madison. Also Madison and Zach’s work sparring is annoying and embarrassing. I don’t know if they played it up for the camera.

I just wish these series didn’t feel dumbed-down. I know the general public doesn’t know much about ID but then how many of them will be clicking on the option to watch a web series about ID anyway?

And I felt a little .. amused by the totally conventional feminine/masculine structuring in the last episode. Girls doing nails and boys forging knives? I know Madison likes makeup and Sorensen likes making his own knives, but still, they could have used more imagination. What about having a straight male skater have the conversation with Guillaume about his coming out, for example?

Honestly, I'm just glad to see a "reality" skating show that isn't completely unwatchable. After "Tessa & Scott," the bar was so low it was underground. Everything in On Edge seems like a huge step up.

 

[Judy]

Honestly, I'm just glad to see a "reality" skating show that isn't completely unwatchable. After "Tessa & Scott," the bar was so low it was underground. Everything in On Edge seems like a huge step up.

I liked Tessa and Scott.

I have absolutely no issue with dance teams saying omg (it really isn’t omg stuff) things about other teams. People need to recognize the reality lol.

 

[VGThuy]

I wish someone in Montreal would blow smoke (Marlboro Reds) in someone else's face just for added drama.

 

[sap5]

I wish someone in Montreal would blow smoke (Marlboro Reds) in someone else's face just for added drama.

I suppose this is blasphemy, but I'm tired of people characterizing figure skating as full of drama and bitchiness, as Rosie DiManno would put it. It's a real sport with real athletes who have real emotions. I don't want to go back to fluff pieces with Maia Usova and Pasha Grishuk in a bar, etc.

Maybe this belongs in unpopular opinions!

 

[Judy]

I suppose this is blasphemy, but I'm tired of people characterizing figure skating as full of drama and bitchiness, as Rosie DiManno would put it. It's a real sport with real athletes who have real emotions. I don't want to go back to fluff pieces with Maia Usova and Pasha Grishuk in a bar, etc.

Maybe this belongs in unpopular opinions!

Omg I was thinking of the same thing. Definitely do not want to go back to the Pasha over the top drama days. I think that ice dancing has changed so much since then though. Rightfully so. It was nuts back then .. I hated it.

 

[VGThuy]

I don't know, Oksana's dramatics didn't make her less of an athlete. She was incredible on the ice. The way she moved and was able to bend and rise with all the twisting and turning that was non-stop throughout their programs...it's quite amazing. Many sports have their divas and drama, including Hockey, Football, Soccer, Basketball, etc.

Also, Rosie DiManno was responsible for half that drama with her yellow journalism.

 

[sap5]

I don't know, Oksana's dramatics didn't make her less of an athlete. She was incredible on the ice. The way she moved and was able to bend and rise with all the twisting and turning that was non-stop throughout their programs...it's quite amazing. Many sports have their divas and drama, including Hockey, Football, Soccer, Basketball, etc.

Also, Rosie DiManno was responsible for half that drama with her yellow journalism.

Oksana was an amazing athlete. I’m irritated at the way the media treated skating like a telenovela instead of a real sport, and don’t want to go back to that.

 

[Cilla52]

I do like S/K pattern this year. It has nice flowing and deep edge, and I like their skating, except maybe their twizzles, which are still.. Impressive ? They are very good on the technical, to my eyes at H/D's level.
On the other hand, P/C and the top american teams have memorable program, at least two that I can mention (ofc including RD). I can't do that for S/K. I'm more reminded of S/B, but that is probably due to preference. Also with Nikita's back injury, I don't think a podium is that obvious for the russians.

Am I the only one that feels S/K didn't leave any great program on their era ? What programs pops in your head when you think of this quad in dance ?

This season I dont think S/K has gold medal worthy programs or overall skating. Their RD seems made for the icecapdes and their FD has very little originality, especially the last third of the program. Check out the European FD and you will notice they borrowed a few of P/C moves.

 

[Sylvia]

IAM's press release today (Jan. 24, 2022) in English & French - In Ice Dance, Montréal sends 22 athletes and 5 coaches to the XXIV Olympic Winter Games: https://c409274a-1a22-42c9-a5fb-d10...d/c40927_d3691e3a5ad6494a89ead5f60582cb60.pdf

The 22 Ice Dancers from the Ice Academy of Montréal competing at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, who live and train in Montréal are:

ARM Tina Garabedian & Simon Proulx Sénécal
CAN Laurence Fournier Beaudry & Nikolaj Sørensen | Marjorie Lajoie & Zachary Lagha
CHN Wang Shiyue & Liu Xinyu
ESP Olivia Smart & Adriàn Dìaz
FRA Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron
GBR Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson
JPN Misato Komatsubara & Tim Koleto
USA Madison Chock & Evan Bates | Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue | Kaitlin Hawayek & Jean-Luc Baker

‘On Edge’, the 12 part docuseries, is currently available to view on The Olympic Channel.
Episode 1 - Meet this Big, Competitive Ice Dance Family
Episode 2 - A Mountain of Problems to Solve
Episode 3 - Big Last-Minute Changes
Episode 4 - Last Touches Before the Start of the Season
Episode 5 - Competition Season Officially Begins
Episode 6 - A Great Start to the Season
Episode 7 - From Helsinki to Vegas
Episode 8 - The Top Teams Face Off in Torino
Episode 9 - Wrapping Up the Grand-Prix Season
Episode 10 - Training Tensions and Hobbies
Episode 11 (released tomorrow 25/01)
Episode 12 (released on TUE 31/01)

 

[dancing_on_ice]

Olivia Smart did an awesome interview with TSL this week where she talked a lot about the filming process for On Edge. Some of the more interesting notes directly relating to the documentary series:

• After Madi H's comments in episode 9 about P/C's scores, she and Gabi needed to have a conversation to check in with everything. There wasn't any tension between them, it was more that a lot of people were talking about her remarks so they wanted to check in with each other to make sure it was all ok.
• Everyone can feel the "Olympic vibe" in the rink. Especially between C/B and H/D, who stop to watch the other team in run-throughs, and there's a lot of intensity between the two teams, since they both want to beat each other. No bad vibes, just intense vibes.
• The ice dancers never really got used to the cameras being there. The directors would often encourage them to talk about certain topics in front of the camera. Every scene outside the rink has a camera brought in to film it, so a lot of those scenes came off as awkward (eg. F-B/S and C/B dinner scene, even though the two teams are best friends)
• The ice dancers don't get to see the episodes before they're released.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeD-tIzvOpU&ab_channel=TheSkatingLesson

 

[Karen-W]

I'm loving how Madi H is doing everyone's nails (or so it seems) prior to leaving for Beijing. So far, I've seen thank yous from Madi C and Marjorie Lajoie on IG. Maybe Madi and Gabi's touch-base check-in was during a nails appointment and we'll see it on one of the last two episodes!

 

[dancing_on_ice]

Second to last episode of On Edge was posted today, covering Spanish Nationals with a side scene of Madi and Evan going to a Christmas market. There hasn't really been an overarching plot to On Edge, but the Spanish Ice Dance Drama is probably the closest thing to an overarching narrative that they have.

There is a lot to cover for episode 12, so I hope it's slightly longer (maybe 15 minutes instead of 10).

• Euros (Smart/Diaz finally securing the Olympic spot, briefly mention why P/C withdrew)
• US Championships (H/D were designated as the top team earlier in this show, but now C/B beat them)
• General Olympic preparation

 

[Judy]

IAM's press release today (Jan. 24, 2022) in English & French - In Ice Dance, Montréal sends 22 athletes and 5 coaches to the XXIV Olympic Winter Games: https://c409274a-1a22-42c9-a5fb-d10...d/c40927_d3691e3a5ad6494a89ead5f60582cb60.pdf

The 22 Ice Dancers from the Ice Academy of Montréal competing at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, who live and train in Montréal are:

ARM Tina Garabedian & Simon Proulx Sénécal
CAN Laurence Fournier Beaudry & Nikolaj Sørensen | Marjorie Lajoie & Zachary Lagha
CHN Wang Shiyue & Liu Xinyu
ESP Olivia Smart & Adriàn Dìaz
FRA Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron
GBR Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson
JPN Misato Komatsubara & Tim Koleto
USA Madison Chock & Evan Bates | Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue | Kaitlin Hawayek & Jean-Luc Baker

‘On Edge’, the 12 part docuseries, is currently available to view on The Olympic Channel.
Episode 1 - Meet this Big, Competitive Ice Dance Family
Episode 2 - A Mountain of Problems to Solve
Episode 3 - Big Last-Minute Changes
Episode 4 - Last Touches Before the Start of the Season
Episode 5 - Competition Season Officially Begins
Episode 6 - A Great Start to the Season
Episode 7 - From Helsinki to Vegas
Episode 8 - The Top Teams Face Off in Torino
Episode 9 - Wrapping Up the Grand-Prix Season
Episode 10 - Training Tensions and Hobbies
Episode 11 (released tomorrow 25/01)
Episode 12 (released on TUE 31/01)

22 athletes wow. Congratulations to all of them but D&L are doing great things.

 

[allezfred]

22 athletes wow. Congratulations to all of them but D&L are doing great things.

Dubreuil, Lauzon AND Haguenauer are doing great things.

 

[Judy]

Dubreuil, Lauzon AND Haguenauer are doing great things.

Yes .. there is just enormous responsibility on creating and running the place along with putting the right people in place. I have nothing against Haguenauer whatsoever. Everything is obviously working.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Yayyyyy. I did not know there was a thread for this!!! I could not find it. I am in love with this!!

I just watched the first three episodes, how many will there be?

They edited this stuff quickly!!!!!!! I mean in episode three Lilah and Guillaume are talking about that Russian judge/official/whatever about his sexuality.

I also loved when Madison and Zachary and Gabrielle and Guillaume went out to dinner after Grand Prix Torino

I’m glad we got to see some Marie France, I feel like I never see her anymore

And Susan Hubble traveling with a sewing machine, bless her!!!!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Holy crap this thread been starting back in November? I just stumbled across these episodes on the Olympic channel today. Has the whole thing dropped already? I only see three episodes on the Olympic channel

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

IAM's press release today (Jan. 24, 2022) in English & French - In Ice Dance, Montréal sends 22 athletes and 5 coaches to the XXIV Olympic Winter Games: https://c409274a-1a22-42c9-a5fb-d10...d/c40927_d3691e3a5ad6494a89ead5f60582cb60.pdf

The 22 Ice Dancers from the Ice Academy of Montréal competing at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, who live and train in Montréal are:

ARM Tina Garabedian & Simon Proulx Sénécal
CAN Laurence Fournier Beaudry & Nikolaj Sørensen | Marjorie Lajoie & Zachary Lagha
CHN Wang Shiyue & Liu Xinyu
ESP Olivia Smart & Adriàn Dìaz
FRA Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron
GBR Lilah Fear & Lewis Gibson
JPN Misato Komatsubara & Tim Koleto
USA Madison Chock & Evan Bates | Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue | Kaitlin Hawayek & Jean-Luc Baker

‘On Edge’, the 12 part docuseries, is currently available to view on The Olympic Channel.
Episode 1 - Meet this Big, Competitive Ice Dance Family
Episode 2 - A Mountain of Problems to Solve
Episode 3 - Big Last-Minute Changes
Episode 4 - Last Touches Before the Start of the Season
Episode 5 - Competition Season Officially Begins
Episode 6 - A Great Start to the Season
Episode 7 - From Helsinki to Vegas
Episode 8 - The Top Teams Face Off in Torino
Episode 9 - Wrapping Up the Grand-Prix Season
Episode 10 - Training Tensions and Hobbies
Episode 11 (released tomorrow 25/01)
Episode 12 (released on TUE 31/01)

I guess from what you posted I watched episodes 6 7 and 8 on Olympic channel today

 

[Alilou]

I guess from what you posted I watched episodes 6 7 and 8 on Olympic channel today

They're all here ANL:

https://olympics.com/en/original-series/episode/meet-the-big-competitive-family-on-edge