Inappropriate commentary

[tony]

I see your examples are girls/women body in nature or sexual abuse accusations, is that the purpose of your inquiry/desire of information?

Or are you also interested in other examples such as political affiliations, or comments on drug or alcohol use (unsubstituted usage) or speculation of partnership for citizenship only or comments on a skater's sexual orientation, etc

All of which could be deemed inappropriate too. Plus the requests for ALL seems a bit unreasonable and really seeking specific information.

Said poster listed three things they were looking for from commentators and some posters are just going completely around this. By commentary, I'm going by things that have said on the air during broadcast skating events/shows-- especially since it says 'from any network'. I don't know that commentators in the English language or any language really are speaking about political affiliations and/or unsubstantiated use of drugs but I don't speak Russian and don't have access to most of those broadcasts anyways.

And again, they said they were looking for all instances but didn't demand anything. If people can't help with any examples they can think of, then okay?

 

[Orm Irian]

the requests for ALL seems a bit unreasonable and really seeking specific information.

Unreasonable and unfeasible. There are far too many instances of this stuff for a handful of commenters on a message board to be able to compile a comprehensive annotated list on demand!

 

[paskatefan]

While I like Johnny Weir & his skating over all, I was disappointed in him when he went on & on complaining about Bradie Tennell's "Cinderella" program costume & the program itself.(circa 2017/2018). It was Bradie's choice & desire to skate to that music. Enough already, Johnny!

 

[once_upon]

Are comments like referring to someone's sexuality because of costuming inappropriate? Such as "he didn't leave much in the closet" as an Australian commenter supposed said ( that was a quick Internet search, not something I heard)

Or comments regarding a skaters attributes when wearing a tight sleek costume? Didn't someone say doesn't leave much to the imagine the does it

Haven't commentators made comments alike about speed related to weight?

 

[Miezekatze]

Good luck rewatching ALL the competitions Tarasova had ever commented.

Or all of German Eurosport

 

[serialbather]

pondering what Katia Gordeeva would be like as a singles skater when poor old Sergei was right there…

 

[Miezekatze]

Said poster listed three things they were looking for from commentators and some posters are just going completely around this. By commentary, I'm going by things that have said on the air during broadcast skating events/shows-- especially since it says 'from any network'. I don't know that commentators in the English language or any language really are speaking about political affiliations and/or unsubstantiated use of drugs but I don't speak Russian and don't have access to most of those broadcasts anyways.

And again, they said they were looking for all instances but didn't demand anything. If people can't help with any examples they can think of, then okay?

I still think a bit of context would be helpful. Does the poster want to write an article or compile a video about sexism/body shaming... in figure skating? For what content, for which outlet, with which goal? Only examples in English or in other languages too?

The way it is right now it's quite a broad demand.

Also there's millions of skating videos on Youtube with original commentary, I guess just watching a lot of old stuff would give tons of examples (but take time, which the poster obviously is trying to avoid), but it's unlikely that many people will remember specific examples with EXACT quotes and if you only have a vague memory, there's a big risk you'll get something mixed up (the commentator, the skater, the wording), which is a bit risky when you don't know what the thread starter will do with the information (for example I know Hendryk Schamberger in German once made a weird body shaming comment about some female skaters thighs, but I don't remember, when, which skater and how the exact words were, so it's not really helpful and that's the most detailed example I could come up with on top of my head. Plus he was usually the sane and reasonable commentator of German Eurosport, while his partner pretty much ALWAYS made idiotic comments on everything, so it also would be weird to have him as a example and not the other commentator - I think the reason that stayed in memory more was cause it was untypical for him).

 

[Alilou]

@ElleW22 now would probably be a good time for you to answer some of the questions that have been asked about your intent and purpose so we have some context. It would also be a good time for you to thank those commenters who have given examples. Your silence is puzzling at best. Perhaps it's not wise of you to reveal too much at this point (is your request for legal reasons?), but a comment letting us know you're still here, and an outline as to why you're seeking this information (ALL? Really?), would surely be appreciated.

 

[skateboy]

Scott Hamilton fat shamed Tonya Harding (a year or two pre-whack) on air, talking about how much "extra weight" she was carrying. https://youtu.be/d0HnEE1LN4M?si=ZoEIDcem7DNzXq0N

 

[ElleW22]

Didn't Dick Button call Angela Nikodinov a "fridge break"?

I'm sorry, but if you're getting paid to be a commentator, you don't get fridge breaks, let alone call a skater one.

Any idea when this was? Year? Event?

 

[ElleW22]

I see your examples are girls/women body in nature or sexual abuse accusations, is that the purpose of your inquiry/desire of information?

Or are you also interested in other examples such as political affiliations, or comments on drug or alcohol use (unsubstituted usage) or speculation of partnership for citizenship only or comments on a skater's sexual orientation, etc

All of which could be deemed inappropriate too. Plus the requests for ALL seems a bit unreasonable and really seeking specific information.

Yes I am open to examples of political affiliations, or drug/alcohol use. Really anything not skating related, that should not be discussed. And i'm clearly not expecting to get ALL the examples that exist

 

[ElleW22]

Unreasonable and unfeasible. There are far too many instances of this stuff for a handful of commenters on a message board to be able to compile a comprehensive annotated list on demand!

Not demanding anything, just looking for some help. Also not looking for anyone to do the research on it, but i know many people remember examples off the top of their head and can hopefully share them.

 

[ElleW22]

@ElleW22 now would probably be a good time for you to answer some of the questions that have been asked about your intent and purpose so we have some context. It would also be a good time for you to thank those commenters who have given examples. Your silence is puzzling at best. Perhaps it's not wise of you to reveal too much at this point (is your request for legal reasons?), but a comment letting us know you're still here, and an outline as to why you're seeking this information (ALL? Really?), would surely be appreciated.

Thanks for your note. I am trying my best to navigate this thread and apologize if I am not responding fast enough. I am doing research for academic purposes. I appreciate everyone's help.

 

[Cachoo]

I liked an opinion piece that was shared on fs-gossips by Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva about what skaters everywhere often experience. If it isn’t available on video would anecdotal info from skaters help? Maybe not but just a thought.

 

[Alilou]

Thanks for your note. I am trying my best to navigate this thread and apologize if I am not responding fast enough. I am doing research for academic purposes. I appreciate everyone's help.

Thank you for this. I understand how snowed under one can get doing academic research, so don't worry about being fast enough; just checking in fairly regularly would be helpful since you're new to the board.

 

[ElleW22]

I liked an opinion piece that was shared on fs-gossips by Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva about what skaters everywhere often experience. If it isn’t available on video would anecdotal info from skaters help? Maybe not but just a thought.

thanks. I'll try to find that. looking for actual quotes over anecdotal.

 

[Alilou]

In this article there's a quote from Dick Button about Sarah Cohen's appearance, and his fridge break comment about Angela Nikodinov

https://www.npr.org/2010/02/16/123410358/dick-button-a-cutting-edge-behind-the-olympic-mic

 

[Skaterbob]

2000 US Nationals.

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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

Sorry I missed that I was at the fridge.

But seriously Angela's skating/programs were a snooze and we saw what happened by next fall. She was a different skater and much improved/engaged and become one of my favorite skaters of the era. Dick wasn't being malicious by saying what he said.

Kirk Browning's statements about MK in 93 on the other hand was utterly bizarre. Peter Carruthers saying something like that in the fall of 1999 or 2000 about Maria Butyrskaya I somewhat understood.

 

[jenny12]

Honestly, probably anything Dick said in the 70s. But also when he called Sokolova a "cupcake" and when he called Gregor Filipowski "the urchin down the street."

 

[skateboy]

Honestly, probably anything Dick said in the 70s. But also when he called Sokolova a "cupcake" and when he called Gregor Filipowski "the urchin down the street."

Uncle Dick could be a shady queen when he wanted to.

 

[Willin]

Good luck rewatching ALL the competitions Tarasova had ever commented.

And a significant number of the ones Philippe Candeloro has. Hope OP speaks French!

Or all of German Eurosport

I would love to be able to understand Russian commentary. The drama of it all!

I could see French and German being interesting in their own way.

 

[TAHbKA]

Just a search on 'Aleksandr Zhulin, overweight'
It's hard to say whether Trusova will be able to come back to her previous level. I think the programme's choreography is rather empty - there are too many crossovers. Not to offend anyone, but she will have a hard time landing her quads as long as she has an extra weight. Should she lose a couple of kilos it will be much easier for her to skate. It's a hard moment - the girls are so unpredictable. I think she has a will power thus she'll be back. I'd like to hope so


I certainly prefer Sinitsina since Ilinykh had one technical problem I was unable to beat. Her butt was sticking out. Even when she was doing any elements like a backward spiral she would go back with her behind. Elena is crazily charismatic. Artistry wise Viktoria is always showing the same emotion while Ilinykh has a variety. But recently I do not like her emotion. Guess because of her extra weight.

 

[bardtoob]

Honestly, probably anything Dick said in the 70s.

I am shocked that maybe 50+ years ago, when women still couldn't apply for a credit card under their own name, a now dead after living 95 years Uncle Dick said something sexist by 2025 standards

 

[smurfy]

re - Weight issue
It is not just the commentators. I have been to many comps and chatted with lots of fans over the years, and some have said not so nice things about a skaters weight, more frequently than I ever expected.. I use as a litmus test whether I will chat further with someone.
One time at a Skate America, I was there on my own and took my seat for the first event. The woman next to me was overweight - where I could not sit center in my seat and was leaning(and I am not thin, but do I go into my neighbors space) the other way. She seemed nice enough and we were chatting (and wondering about how uncomfortable I was going to be for the weekend.. Within 5 minutes she was commenting about a skaters weight in a rude way. When I had to go to the bathroom, I stopped at the ticket booth and said my seat is uncomfortable due to the large woman next to me. Since I was on my own - one seat, I got a comparable seat elsewhere for the rest of the comp.

 

[bardtoob]

.

 

[jenny12]

I am shocked that maybe 50+ years ago, when women still couldn't apply for a credit card under their own name, a now dead after living 95 years Uncle Dick said something sexist by 2025 standards

My post was partially jokey, but I think it's fine to point out inappropriateness no matter when it happened.

 

[bardtoob]

.

My post was partially jokey, but I think it's fine to point out inappropriateness no matter when it happened.

I'm shocked that your post was "partially jokey".

 

[kwanfan1818]

When I went to Malmo for 2003 Euros, there were some very heavy older and elderly British women behind me along with two old-ish men in their group. They ragged on everyone, but were important enough that the British coaches and I think officials came up to talk to them, and the women talked (loudly) as if they were influential in British skating, making snide comments about everything, with the men laughing at everything they said.

One of them was opening a candy bar during the warm-up that Jenna McCorkell was on, and another of them said that the she should be quieter opening up her candy bar, because Jenna would hear it and smell it from the ice. As the men cackled.

Some of the heaviest people in the arena have no problem ragging on skaters' weights.

 

[Private Citizen]

Some of the heaviest people in the arena have no problem ragging on skaters' weights.

Some of it is probably taking out their own trauma on others: shaming others the way they have been shamed.

For ex-skaters, some of it may be "I had to starve myself at that age so X should, too."

 

[bladesofgorey]

Ok see, here's why I had an issue with this question- in essence it's just an invitation to regurgitate every cruel and hurtful remark made about a skater- which is only going to hurt them all over again if they stumble on this thread (or hurt them for the first time if they were blessedly unaware previously).