Ashely Wagner will be in South Korea for the Olympics

[aml78]

Not surprised at this turn of events. In fact, I was beginning to suspect it when she ended up on the Today show, pulled out of 4CC, and continued to do what seems like numerous photoshoots and media appearances. She loves that spotlight, doesn't she...she'll do anything to stay in it...

What about Wagner's 1st alternate status though? If she's in Korea, I assume she wouldn't be able to use official training facilities as a non-athlete....or will she?

It’s called preparing for the next phase of her life and making sure she rides the momentum to her next opportunity. If she’s made the decision that she wants this to be her life course when she retires then she is smart to jump at these opportunities and is not being a media whore like you imply.

 

[jenniferlyon]

@jenniferlyon, I visited your blog and noticed that you are an author. I, like many others think that Ashley should be in the media. I've seen other people who think that Adam, Jason, Tara & Johnny should be on a TV show. Why don't you pitch your soap opera, "The Strong and the Sequined" to icenetwork or Logo and have all of the people I've mentioned to appear on your soap? Because it's gonna be kind of campy, the acting doesn't have to be that good. It will be a nice artistic outlet for retired skaters, skating vloggers, coaches and you.

I would probably have to update the story or create something new, since the original version of "The Strong & the Sequined" came out between 1997 and 2006. But it would be a fun project.

 

[Rock2]

I don't think USA has the optimum profile of broadcasting personalities at the moment. So, Ashley should be given a go to see if she fits in someplace.

I had always thought Tara was articulate and well-spoken even at 14/15 and had her pegged back then for commentary, so I was shocked to discover I find her irritating. Like, always. And her voice is slightly too nasal for me and just not....warm.
Johnny, too doesn't do anything for me although I find that he has matured well to handle commentary with professionalism.

On the digital side I also find Tonia K's voice irritating although her commentary isn't horrible.
I thought Ryan Bradley was charming and unique at first but that wore off quickly. I just can't anymore.

The people I have enjoyed the most are Tanith, Charlie, Coughlin and Weiss but I think only Tanith is in the business in a more committed way, possibly due to schedules.

Room for better talent. I say give everyone a try, including Ashley!

 

[cmk]

@Sylvia They're allowed to do that? I thought you were disqualified if you were caught practicing somewhere else once official practices started you were disqualified. Is this only for the lead up to the start of the team event?

They rented a rink for Michelle in Lillehammer in case she had to compete.

 

[olympic]

^Gracie, Ashley and Polina practiced in Graz, Austria just before the commencement of the Ladies event in Sochi '14

 

[Cachoo]

Since Kwan retired I think of Ashley as the face of US Ladies figure skating. If this is an opportunity to move on to new experiences in her life then I say go for it. This cloud has a fantastic silver lining for her.

 

[MIsty Blades/Skate Mom]

I love Ryan Bradley's commentary. But then I always thought he was kinda cute. I agree with Rock2 - I also like his other choices. I do like Tonia Kwiatkowski as well. I think Ashley could do a nice job.

I don't think USA has the optimum profile of broadcasting personalities at the moment.
I thought Ryan Bradley was charming and unique at first but that wore off quickly. I just can't anymore.

The people I have enjoyed the most are Tanith, Charlie, Coughlin and Weiss but I think only Tanith is in the business in a more committed way, possibly due to schedules.

Room for better talent. I say give everyone a try, including Ashley!

 

[Eeyora1]

Ashley was on Access Hollywood yesterday and they seemed to love her. I think she’d be a great correspondent for any media outlet. I also think she’s going as well in support of Adam.

 

[Japanfan]

I had always thought Tara was articulate and well-spoken even at 14/15 and had her pegged back then for commentary, so I was shocked to discover I find her irritating. Like, always. And her voice is slightly too nasal for me and just not....warm.

I too don't care for her voice.

Johnny, too doesn't do anything for me although I find that he has matured well to handle commentary with professionalism.

IMO his outrageous outfits and hairdo's are distracting and make it hard to focus on what he's actually saying - a shame, because he does have interesting observations and interests.

I get that he's building his brand or persona, but I just don't think it really works to his advantage.

 

[Eeyora1]

I don't think USA has the optimum profile of broadcasting personalities at the moment. So, Ashley should be given a go to see if she fits in someplace.

I had always thought Tara was articulate and well-spoken even at 14/15 and had her pegged back then for commentary, so I was shocked to discover I find her irritating. Like, always. And her voice is slightly too nasal for me and just not....warm.
Johnny, too doesn't do anything for me although I find that he has matured well to handle commentary with professionalism.

On the digital side I also find Tonia K's voice irritating although her commentary isn't horrible.
I thought Ryan Bradley was charming and unique at first but that wore off quickly. I just can't anymore.

The people I have enjoyed the most are Tanith, Charlie, Coughlin and Weiss but I think only Tanith is in the business in a more committed way, possibly due to schedules.

Room for better talent. I say give everyone a try, including Ashley!

I agree with you spot on about Tara. I always thought she’d make a perfect commentator. However she’s getting more and more irritating. It’s getting less and less about the skaters but more about the Johnny and Tara show.

 

[Coco]

I think the tension between her and Johnny makes her a bit more ... I don't know, but I think she's a very good commentator. They both have insightful things to say. Hope they get their issues sorted.

 

[skatingguy]

^are Johnny and Tara more mainstream than TSL?

Yes, they're on network television.

 

[skateboy]

Since Kwan retired I think of Ashley as the face of US Ladies figure skating.

I've thought of Ashley as the mouth of US ladies' figure skating...

That said, I think she might make a very good commentator.

 

[berthesghost]

Yes, they're on network television.

not at all what I meant.
To me, dick and Peggy are more "mainstream" style of commenting, Johnny and Tara are more "TSL" style.

 

[berthesghost]

I've thought of Ashley as the mouth of US ladies' figure skating...

YMMV but I found her sass a welcome relief in the era of Mirai and Gracie's emo over-sharing. And then there's Karen's book. There's a certain honesty in bradie's "I have nothing interesting to say" style.

 

[RD]

The issue with Lipinski IMO isn't her voice so much as what she says and when she says it. I think she has much potential, which she showed when starting out - I thought she was very good at relating the scoring system and translating it to the viewer (along with her personal experience). So I think she definitely has the skill set to be an outstanding commentator. The problem is that (again IMO) NBC isn't utilizing her skills appropriately on their broadcasts. Instead, they pair her with Johnny Weir (it's about ME) and Terry Gannon, direct her to talk at times when perhaps it would be better to be silent, and tell her to talk about things not related to the skater/skating going on in front of them. That is on the producers and directors of the coverage. And TBH, I think this is a systemic issue throughout NBC Olympics in general but that's another topic.

Ashley was on Access Hollywood yesterday and they seemed to love her. I think she’d be a great correspondent for any media outlet.

This is where I think Wagner would fit in very well.

 

[morgan rye]

Ashley making lemons into lemonade...........love it and good luck to her.

 

[Rock2]

Ashley making lemons into lemonade...........love it and good luck to her.

Using that analogy you could argue that she was swimming in lemonade already for quite awhile, spending the last two years cultivating her personna than setting herself up for skating excellence. In effect she turned plan B into plan A.

 

[Rock2]

IMO his outrageous outfits and hairdo's are distracting and make it hard to focus on what he's actually saying - a shame, because he does have interesting observations and interests.

I get that he's building his brand or persona, but I just don't think it really works to his advantage.

You know....I wasn't going to go there as I wanted to check myself since I tend to believe people should live their truth.
But, I agree with this. It's distracting to the point of him almost being a caricature. Or, he got lost on his way to an audition for Beetlejuice2 or something....

 

[screech]

When I first saw the thread title, I saw "Ashley Wagner will skate for South Korea in the Olympics"

 

[mattiecat13]

The issue with Lipinski IMO isn't her voice so much as what she says and when she says it. I think she has much potential, which she showed when starting out - I thought she was very good at relating the scoring system and translating it to the viewer (along with her personal experience). So I think she definitely has the skill set to be an outstanding commentator. The problem is that (again IMO) NBC isn't utilizing her skills appropriately on their broadcasts. Instead, they pair her with Johnny Weir (it's about ME) and Terry Gannon, direct her to talk at times when perhaps it would be better to be silent, and tell her to talk about things not related to the skater/skating going on in front of them. That is on the producers and directors of the coverage. And TBH, I think this is a systemic issue throughout NBC Olympics in general but that's another topic.

My issue with Tara is that she talks way too much. And I wish Terry would ask Johnny more about his experiences competing since he competed in two Olympics and for a lot more years than Tara. However I’ll take those minor annoyances compared to the huge annoyance of listening to Scott and Sandra.

 

[Lacey]

Tara would be fine if someone gave her guidance about SHUTTING UP.

I listened to a lot of the commentary of Tanith this week/end at Europeans. She was refreshingly quiet, and then very succinct when she had a summary to make.

But I do not think she would mesh with Johnny.

I loved Coughlin when he did Pairs commentary a few years ago, haven't heard him since, is he on a "B" Channel. Can he do Men's also?

Can Charlie White do Men's? And how does/would the husband/wife thing work with him and Tanith?

Oh wait, this is about Ashley...I would need to see a tryout to see how she does. She certainly is pretty, so she's got that part down.

How about Ashley as the Bachelorette, and then move her into Access Hollywood or what's the competing show, Entertainment Tonight?

 

[Sylvia]

I loved [John] Coughlin when he did Pairs commentary a few years ago, haven't heard him since, is he on a "B" Channel. Can he do Men's also?

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ork-incl-free-in-content.102747/#post-5221726

 

[BittyBug]

But I do not think she would mesh with Johnny.

Why not? They were besties at one point and even roomed together in Vancouver. Around that same time IceNetwork had a mock show in which Johnny interviewed Tanith Belbin, Brooke Castille and I think Meryl Davis about fashion and there was good chemistry between all of them.

 

[aftershocks]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...plans-south-korea-one-way-another/1049961001/

Ashley is articulate and honest, as always:

“No matter what happens with my career from here on out, I am proof that you don’t have to be the most talented, you don’t have to be the most graceful, you don’t have to be the most supported, but if you have the most heart, you can make anything happen.”

 

[Marco]

I think I prefer Ashley and Adam over Tara and Johnny.

 

[Lacey]

Why not? They were besties at one point and even roomed together in Vancouver. Around that same time IceNetwork had a mock show in which Johnny interviewed Tanith Belbin, Brooke Castille and I think Meryl Davis about fashion and there was good chemistry between all of them.

I think I prefer Ashley and Adam over Tara and Johnny.

Never knew that, @BittyBug, and good to know that they were all friends. But, as with @Marco's post, does it make sense to say I can't see how how they would break up one team to create another.

Skating is such a perfect fit for all of them, Tara, Johnny and Ashley. I wonder if it would work to exchange Ashley for Andrea Joyce, I couid see that.

Ashley doing some television work independent of skating, might perhaps work also.

 

[RD]

I wonder if it would work to exchange Ashley for Andrea Joyce, I couid see that.

That’s something I could support (at least initially)...never liked the latter much...

 

[Frau Muller]

Noooooooo to Ashley replacing Andrea!!! That would put Ashley backstage among the competitors. I’m ok with this happening any year in the future, after Ashley retires. Absolutely not this year. She can be the Milkbone Lounge interviewer in future years, when no longer a competitor.

 

[Coco]

Noooooooo to Ashley replacing Andrea!!! That would put Ashley backstage among the competitors. I’m ok with this happening any year in the future, after Ashley retires. Absolutely not this year. She can be the Milkbone Lounge interviewer in future years, when no longer a competitor.

For once, I agree with you.