Netflix Ice Dancing Documentary (C/B, G/P, F-B/C)

[Habs]

I was annoyed that it wasn’t made clear that the Brits or Italians could easily medal. With five out of six North American skaters, they made it seem as if France was the only Euro team that could medal. The only time other teams were mentioned was in the foreign-partner segment.

Adam was very funny. I don’t listen to podcasts but I’d listen to him if it weren’t for Ashley, whom I just can’t stand.

I don’t like Ashley either, but I enjoy the podcast. Adam is a gem. Ashley is pretty honest about what she does and doesn’t know, and she’s funny too. I don’t find that she disrupts my enjoyment of listening.

 

[Allskate]

Adam was very funny. I don’t listen to podcasts but I’d listen to him if it weren’t for Ashley, whom I just can’t stand.

Adam is doing work in Milan without Ashley. It's not commentary. He's going to be at the NBC Sports Desk and doing special segments on things like costumes.

I know they discuss ice dance on The Runthrough, but Adam doesn't pretend to be an ice dance expert. Why was he on a show about ice dance? For the humor?

 

[PRlady]

Adam is doing work in Milan without Ashley. It's not commentary. He's going to be at the NBC Sports Desk and doing special segments on things like costumes.

I know they discuss ice dance on The Runthrough, but Adam doesn't pretend to be an ice dance expert. Why was he on a show about ice dance? For the humor?

He was a source of general skating knowledge, like the competition calendar, but he had funny and insightful things to say in a human interest way. He was kind of the voice of us.

 

[Allskate]

He was a source of general skating knowledge, like the competition calendar, but he had funny and insightful things to say in a human interest way. He was kind of the voice of us.

If you enjoy the way he talks about skating, you should give "The Runthrough" a try. If you're thinking of the Ashley of ten years ago or the Ashley you hear on commentary, that's pretty different. IMO, they all have pretty biased views, but she's probably the most open about hers and actually the least opinionated. That's largely because she doesn't care as much about skating and doesn't do as much with the podcast. She's surprisingly self-deprecating. Almost too much.

IMO, the most annoying thing about the podcast is that they can be all over the place. But, they have gotten better, and their upcoming episodes should be a little more structured. They are doing previews of each Olympic event, and I think they taped them before Adam left for Milan. I think they said that each episode would drop a few day before each event.

You also could check out the "lore" episodes where they did deep dives into skating history for each discipline. Ashley does very little talking in those. (Again, there is a bias to these and it's a little weird having Adam research things that we are old enough to remember - and perhaps remember differently - but they definitely are interesting and entertaining.) They did them during the last off season, and there are enough hours to fill a cross-country road trip.

 

[honey]

If you enjoy the way he talks about skating, you should give "The Runthrough" a try. If you're thinking of the Ashley of ten years ago or the Ashley you hear on commentary, that's pretty different. IMO, they all have pretty biased views, but she's probably the most open about hers and actually the least opinionated. That's largely because she doesn't care as much about skating and doesn't do as much with the podcast. She's surprisingly self-deprecating. Almost too much.

IMO, the most annoying thing about the podcast is that they can be all over the place. But, they have gotten better, and their upcoming episodes should be a little more structured. They are doing previews of each Olympic event, and I think they taped them before Adam left for Milan. I think they said that each episode would drop a few day before each event.

You also could check out the "lore" episodes where they did deep dives into skating history for each discipline. Ashley does very little talking in those. (Again, there is a bias to these and it's a little weird having Adam research things that we are old enough to remember - and perhaps remember differently - but they definitely are interesting and entertaining.) They did them during the last off season, and there are enough hours to fill a cross-country road trip.

100% recommend the lore episodes as well. The dance lore part 1 is something I have gone back and listening to many times because it is so legitimately funny. They brought in someone who actually knows the characters in ice dance, and she paints a particularly hilarious picture of all the 90s drama.

And truly, Ashely is totally fine on the podcast. She is extremely aware of her shortcomings as a skater and would be the first to talk about her flutz, her unders or her two foots. I think she’s pretty fair in her takes as well on current skating.

But back to this series, I’m not finished yet, but I’ve enjoyed why I’ve watched. I don’t think I’m learning anything new, but it’s enjoyable. I do wonder if a four year fan off the street would find it interesting though.

 

[marbri]

I was annoyed that it wasn’t made clear that the Brits or Italians could easily medal. With five out of six North American skaters, they made it seem as if France was the only Euro team that could medal. The only time other teams were mentioned was in the foreign-partner segment.

Adam was very funny. I don’t listen to podcasts but I’d listen to him if it weren’t for Ashley, whom I just can’t stand.

I think, after watching the whole series now, it makes sense why it was structured as it was. At the time decisions were being made G/P were the main rivals to C/B as they had finished second in the previous worlds and beat C/B in the FD section. From 2023 to 2025 G/F were on a downward path and G/P were moving upwards.

It's possible the original storyboard had a third episode with another/other team/s in mind or it was just going to be a US vs CAN thing. Either way it all changed with the formation of FB/C.

Realistically, at the time, it looked like one of those three teams would win gold. Looking at the numbers of the previous worlds it would have been harder to make a case F/G ( and to a lesser degree G/F) were in any way challenging C/B for gold. And I do think this thing was made for with Chock /Bates in mind first and foremost. ( and thank god the supporting cast was included because how dull are Chock/Bates in this )

Obviously the judges and the feds, after seeing how good FB/C actually were and how quick her citizenship came through, dumped G/P out of the conversation thus leaving skating fans who follow the sport questioning why weren't F/G and G/F included

 

[skatfan]

Was watching @thvu and @tony and apparently the original pitch was to have 5-6 episodes going through the Olympics but I guess Netflix only greenlit the first three. What a strange decision - to end at the end of the Grand Prix?

 

[tony]

Was watching @thvu and @tony and apparently the original pitch was to have 5-6 episodes going through the Olympics but I guess Netflix only greenlit the first three. What a strange decision - to end at the end of the Grand Prix?

That’s what I heard at Skate America, that it was going to wrap up with an episode on the Olympics. Maybe those episodes need to still be confirmed pending these three or maybe they just scrapped it. But I think it ended kinda abruptly as is.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

The director of the series was on The Runthrough today and she was sad it was only three episodes, so it doesn’t sound like we’re getting any more.

 

[honey]

Bummer that there are only going to be 3.

I saw someone else mention this on Twitter today, but I was also surprised I didn’t get fed this in my suggested shows when I logged in yesterday to Netflix. I had to search for it. If ever there was someone who you would suggest this to based on past views, it would be me. And it was no where on the main page.

You have to think this all seems like a bit of an afterthought for Netflix.

 

[skategal]

Bummer that there are only going to be 3.

I saw someone else mention this on Twitter today, but I was also surprised I didn’t get fed this in my suggested shows when I logged in yesterday to Netflix. I had to search for it. If ever there was someone who you would suggest this to based on past views, it would be me. And it was no where on the main page.

You have to think this all seems like a bit of an afterthought for Netflix.

It was fed to me under "Suggested watches for you"

Netflix has me figured out.

I did watch the series they did on tennis and the one on Simone Biles so maybe that's why?

 

[honey]

It was fed to me under "Suggested watches for you"

Netflix has me figured out.

I did watch the series they did on tennis and the one on Simone Biles so maybe that's why?

As have I, which is why I was so confused that it wasn’t the first thing I saw.

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting here:

The Skating Session - S2E20 - Glitter & Gold Netflix Ice Dancing Documentary Review
https://youtu.be/IHdXNU3F9nc
Some late-night recording sharing our thoughts about the documentary ...

The director of the series was on The Runthrough today and she was sad it was only three episodes, so it doesn’t sound like we’re getting any more.

Glitter and Gold with No Olympic Gold Medalists (The Runthrough / Feb. 2, 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcE4J28klnM

The stories you didn’t see on the ice. We sit down and talk with Katie Walsh, the producer of Netflix’s new figure skating documentary "Glitter and Gold", diving into the decision making process throughout the documentary. How did they decide to follow these three teams? How did they decide what to even focus on? Where do we go from here!?

 

[viennese]

I think, after watching the whole series now, it makes sense why it was structured as it was. At the time decisions were being made G/P were the main rivals to C/B as they had finished second in the previous worlds and beat C/B in the FD section. From 2023 to 2025 G/F were on a downward path and G/P were moving upwards.

It's possible the original storyboard had a third episode with another/other team/s in mind or it was just going to be a US vs CAN thing. Either way it all changed with the formation of FB/C.

Realistically, at the time, it looked like one of those three teams would win gold. Looking at the numbers of the previous worlds it would have been harder to make a case F/G ( and to a lesser degree G/F) were in any way challenging C/B for gold. And I do think this thing was made for with Chock /Bates in mind first and foremost. ( and thank god the supporting cast was included because how dull are Chock/Bates in this )

Obviously the judges and the feds, after seeing how good FB/C actually were and how quick her citizenship came through, dumped G/P out of the conversation thus leaving skating fans who follow the sport questioning why weren't F/G and G/F included

I am sure that's right, that the documentary makers had originally planned to focus on a third top team - the young upstarts (Fear/Gibson) or the home country favorites (Guignard/Fabbri), until the surprise/scandal of FB/C happened.

I have so many thoughts on the three episodes.

My gut reaction right now is: The color coded, ever changing training schedule of the Montreal teams would make me wild with anxiety.

I hope they do a post-Olympic episode because the outcome in Milan is far from certain. If the whole thing comes down to a skirt malfunction, I will scream.

 

[Badams]

I enjoyed this series. Getting to know more about Piper and Paul was nice. Then seem like nice people. Madi and Evan as well. Their relationship is sweet and supportive. I could have lived with seeing less of the French team.

 

[Allskate]

I enjoyed this series. Getting to know more about Piper and Paul was nice. Then seem like nice people. Madi and Evan as well. Their relationship is sweet and supportive. I could have lived with seeing less of the French team.

Is it possible to watch the show without watching the French team?

 

[Badams]

Is it possible to watch the show without watching the French team?

Only if you fast forward through them.

 

[Allskate]

Only if you fast forward through them.

That's unfortunate.

 

[nickp]

Adam Rippon really is the BEST person to drop classic ice dance one liners

 

[MacMadame]

I just finished this and am watching @tony and @thvu talk about it on their podcast. Drinking hot chocolate from my FSU mug.

I saw someone else mention this on Twitter today, but I was also surprised I didn’t get fed this in my suggested shows when I logged in yesterday to Netflix. I had to search for it. If ever there was someone who you would suggest this to based on past views, it would be me. And it was no where on the main page.

I was happy to find it without searching, as the last things I watched on Netflix was Stranger Things and Wednesday.

Adam Rippon really is the BEST person to drop classic ice dance one liners

He really added to the documentary.

 

[Aussie Willy]

My evil not serious thoughts with a post Olympics episode. Particularly after they kept talking about dresses.

They all trip over their dresses and F&G and R&A end up being the gold and silver medalists.

 

[Katha]

Yeah, that was my thought a bit LOL. Just the complete refusal to get away from costuming that is needlessly risky. I know they feel that the program interpretation needs it, but come on. Surely it's possible to make the skirts a bit shorter without completely destroying the program impression.

 

[Spikefan]

I’m going for Olympic gold my costume is booty shorts only, no pesky skirt.

 

[Orm Irian]

I’m going for Olympic gold my costume is booty shorts only, no pesky skirt.

So long as you're skating to a Kylie medley!

 

[skategal]

I’m going for Olympic gold my costume is booty shorts only, no pesky skirt.

Yes I was thinking a unitard and, if I must, a tiny skirt over it like Katarina Witt had one year.

Madi doesn't need a cape. We can all imagine it there. She just has to wave her arms around a bit.

 

[allezfred]

A clip shared by Adam that also features Madi Hubbell (they talk about citizenship challenges & country hopping):

Adam Rippon on Instagram: "Glitter&Gold is out NOW on @netflix!!! I love ice dance!!! 💃🏼(PS, I LOVE YOU Allison, Saulius, Olivia, and Tim) ❤️❤️❤️ LETS GO."

766 likes, 8 comments - adaripp on February 1, 2026: "Glitter&Gold is out NOW on @netflix!!! I love ice dance!!! 💃🏼(PS, I LOVE YOU Allison, Saulius, Olivia, and Tim) ❤️❤️❤️ LETS GO.".

www.instagram.com

I actually found this to be quite problematic and hypocritical. Two of the top US teams going to the Olympics had citizenship issues. What would we call someone who said “Kolesnik” or “Carreira” don’t sound like American names?

 

[Karen-W]

I actually found this to be quite problematic and hypocritical. Two of the top US teams going to the Olympics had citizenship issues. What would we call someone who said “Kolesnik” or “Carreira” don’t sound like American names?

Well, I'd say the person who wrote this is pretty uninformed about the diversity of surnames in the US. Eastern European surnames are hardly something new, same with Portuguese surnames. I grew up in a town in the San Joaquin Valley that counted many Italians, Portuguese and German families as the earliest settlers in the area, going back to the late 19th century. The town also had at least one Chinese family living there & running a business in the early 20th century.

But, hey, let's just forget that the first person of Asian descent to win a figure skating Olympic medal way back in 1992 has the surname "Yamaguchi" and she was a third-generation American.

 

[allezfred]

Making my point for me. Americans view immigration to their country and becoming American as natural whereas that same view isn’t extended to other countries.

 

[skategal]

Making my point for me. Americans view immigration to their country and becoming American as natural whereas that same view isn’t extended to other countries.

Maybe because every single person in America and Canada is an immigrant or descended from an immigrant except for the Indigenous people?

What even is a standard American or Canadian surname? There is no such thing.

Other countries don't have the same legacy of population by immigration as North America has.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Not many other countries bestow citizenship based on whether you are born in the country and/or parentage/bloodlines vs. your parentage/bloodlines.