I was also at the San Jose show, and in regards to Gracie, I don't think anyone is trying to be mean or hurtful. A certain degree of physical fitness is necessary in order to successfully perform the elements required to compete at the highest levels. That is just the reality of it. Skating, especially at the elite level, is an incredibly physically demanding sport in terms of it what it requires in order to execute elements and maintain stamina. She does not have that degree of fitness right now. Yes it is the off-season, but almost all of the skaters in the show are current competitors and will be competing next season and they're all in fighting shape right now. Even the other skaters who haven't been competing and aren't going to be are fit. Weight is part of it, but it's not the only part. I don't think she's physically capable right now of doing an sp much less an lp. I felt sad for her and I hope that she is able to find what makes her happy and brings her peace, whether that's somehow regaining a love for skating or finding a passion for one of the many other things this great big world has to offer.
As for the show as a whole, I definitely felt like I got my money's worth and enjoyed the evening. My favorites were Nathan Chen--who is already formidable, but I'm hoping will stick around through 2022 to fully develop overall--and Hubbell/Donohue. They are wonderful dancers and their skating is divine. I know this was just a show, but I was very impressed with the technical aspects of their skating--power, effortless stroking, very fluid and graceful, deep edges, carriage, etc. Their performance quality is more introverted than extroverted, but they certainly drew me in.
As others have commented, the arena wasn't even close to full. I think it's more complex of an issue than the programs should be different, etc. Skating on the whole isn't as popular in the US as it once was or currently is elsewhere. IMO, Stars on Ice is kind of an end point when it comes to interest in the sport. It's not the starting point. It's the skating fans that go to SOI, not the general public going to SOI and then becoming fans. I have thought for a long time that USFS tries to put the cart before the horse sometimes and make or force certain skaters into stars instead of just letting things happen naturally (such as in gymnastics where the girls become stars based on accomplishment and not because tptb picked out certain girls to make them into stars). I think growing the skating fan population rests more on USFS than SOI, but the full conversation is probably best left for a different thread.
That said, I wonder if the day of week and time of day is contributing to low attendance. Most of the people at the show seemed to be people who brought kids and older people who are probably retired. As things stand currently, increasing attendance from those pools is probably the best bet. A show that starts at 7:30 and with intermission runs until almost 10 is a pretty late night for younger kids and some seniors who are inclined to go to bed at an earlier time. With the Friday shows, you also factor in, at least with families with kids, they've worked all week, school, everyone's tired, and who wants to scramble with wrapping up the day and the week, and dinner, and probably traffic (It took me an hour to drive the last 15 miles to the arena)? If these shows were weekend afternoons, I think that would help entice more people to come.
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