Repercussions of Papadakis' book & Cizeron's response

[Bigbird]

All I pointed out was that Gabby has done nothing to interfere with his telling his side of the story, and it would have been nice if he had offered her the same courtesy. He's free to publish an article or do an interview or even write his own book saying, "I think she's got it wrong, this is how I see it." But just trying to get her to stop talking not only suggests that the portrait she painted of him as controlling is true, but also creates a Streisand effect that gives her story more attention.

Precisely.

 

[MsZem]

All I pointed out was that Gabby has done nothing to interfere with his telling his side of the story, and it would have been nice if he had offered her the same courtesy. He's free to publish an article or do an interview or even write his own book saying, "I think she's got it wrong, this is how I see it." But just trying to get her to stop talking not only suggests that the portrait she painted of him as controlling is true, but also creates a Streisand effect that gives her story more attention.

But Cizeron didn't want to publish an article or give a bunch of interviews or publish a book. He wanted to train for the Olympics and win a gold medal, and not to have his name tranished with what he believes are defamatory statements. Is it controlling to want that? I don't think it is, but others can certainly disagree. Now, I'm not a lawyer (thank god) or an expert on the French legal system (thank god x a million), but I don't believe a C&D letter has the force of law. Papadakis and her publisher are not obliged to heed it, and indeed her book has not been pulled - she is not being made to disappear.

As for NBC firing her... Papadakis is not an idiot. She's a thoughtful person and deliberate in her choices. She must have known publishing a book calling out not just systemic issues in skating (of which, let's face it, there are PLENTY) but also her coaching team (which coaches over half the Olympic field!) and previous partner would create the appearance of bias, and NBC might consider that problematic in someone who's supposed to provide credible analysis to viewers.

My guess is that Papadakis thought that what she had to say was important enough to take the risk of significant backlash and publish this book, at this time. In doing so, she's using her voice, her fame, and her agency, to make things better for skaters and for women more broadly - a powerful course of action. Good for her.

 

[Wyliefan]

But Cizeron didn't want to publish an article or give a bunch of interviews or publish a book. He wanted to train for the Olympics and win a gold medal, and not to have his name tranished with what he believes are defamatory statements. Is it controlling to want that?

Of course it's not controlling to want that. What's controlling is to hit her with a cease and desist. No, he can't force the legal system to silence her, but he is making an effort in that direction.

 

[kwanfan1818]

She did not decide the publication date. She started the book before he had a new partnership.

She has been vocal for almost the entire cycle about her issues with skating culture, and she's posted her thoughts widely in addition to interviews she's given. NBC knew what they were getting, knew that the break-up was not copacetic, knew that she thought IAM was toxic before the book was published, and if they didn't vet the book's contents before they hired her and suddenly decided the book, which was public knowledge and for which the publication date was known for months, was the breaking point for "conflict of interest" only after receiving a non-binding letter from his lawyers, that is journalism and spineless corporate media as we know it.

 

[MsZem]

Of course it's not controlling to want that. What's controlling is to hit her with a cease and desist. No, he can't force the legal system to silence her, but he is making an effort in that direction.

A C&D letter is a legal way to say "stop libeling/slandering me or I'll take formal legal action." This doesn't mean he's actually being libeled/slandered! But it's not an unusual step to take if you believe someone is spreading falsehoods and defaming you, which it seems he is.

And again, focusing on Cizeron distracts from the much more important critique of systemic issues in skating, which is apparently what Papadakis is really trying to get across. I wish everyone - Cizeron, IAM, random skating fans etc. - would focus on those and pay less attention to the reality show stuff. This isn't Jersey Shore.

 

[puglover]

I am not sure which teams had an even slightly enjoyable season but it certainly doesn't seem like any of the podium finishers did, maybe some of the up and coming teams that operated under the fray. Carol Lane spoke very plainly about the tough season it was for Piper and Paul, one filled with stress, doubt and almost panic. How much of that is due to FB/C entering the mix and how much of that is due to questions regarding the judging is hard to say. I can't help but wonder if some of this very emotional reaction is not just a product of the results, but also due to the extra tension and uncertainty that seems to have been there all season. I know many, maybe all, will disagree with me but I think given the way things turned out, it was good that Gabby not be there commentating for NBC. Where does the sport go from here? I agree with those who think we saw some absolutely amazing skating and even the lower placed teams were olympic quality. I hope some of those retiring raise their voices in constructive ways as the sport needs them. Now let us cleanse our palates and bring on the men!

 

[Allskate]

A C&D letter is a legal way to say "stop libeling/slandering me or I'll take formal legal action." This doesn't mean he's actually being libeled/slandered! But it's not an unusual step to take if you believe someone is spreading falsehoods and defaming you, which it seems he is.

A cease and desist letter can be used for such purposes. It also can be used to intimidate people and chill speech that is not false. (Again, I don't think Gabby said a darn thing on NBC that is remotely defamatory. And, now, during the Olympic coverage, NBC actually went farther than Gabby herself did in their statements related to Cizeron.)

AFAIK, he has not filed a legal complaint in any court, which is how he would actually initiate a lawsuit. This appears to be the situation even though she and the publisher have not stopped distributing the book and she has not stopped making negative comments about him. We'll see if that changes.

 

[DreamSkates]

All I pointed out was that Gabby has done nothing to interfere with his telling his side of the story, and it would have been nice if he had offered her the same courtesy. He's free to publish an article or do an interview or even write his own book saying, "I think she's got it wrong, this is how I see it." But just trying to get her to stop talking not only suggests that the portrait she painted of him as controlling is true, but also creates a Streisand effect that gives her story more attention.

Perhaps he didn't want to engage in what would become a public spectacle.

 

[Wyliefan]

Perhaps he didn't want to engage in what would become a public spectacle.

The point is that he has the option if he wants it. Gabby has done absolutely nothing to try to stop him speaking up, unlike his effort to stop her.

 

[DreamSkates]

The point is that he has the option if he wants it. Gabby has done absolutely nothing to try to stop him speaking up, unlike his effort to stop her.

His point is he's not choosing to engage. That's his option.

 

[Baby Yoda On Skates]

He did engage with a letter that caused Papadakis to lose her job.

She wasn't my favorite commentator, but there's no evidence she couldn't perform her duties as assigned.

 

[MacMadame]

The horrors of 'And then there’s what happens on the ice: When learning even the most basic pattern dances, women traditionally assume the “follower” position to the men’s “leader” role. Holds and turns are led by the man.'. I can just imagine what the holds and turns would look like if, say, Chock was leading Bates. And the speed they would generate...

At social ice dance sessions, women skate the lead all the time (not enough guys to go around) and the world spins on its axis just as it always did. In fact, some coaches have their skaters do both parts of dances where the steps aren't the same in order to get better. And even have the female student lead sometimes as that also makes them stronger at dance.

The roots of ice dance are based on ballroom which is gendered and sexist. There is no reason the woman can't lead and the man always has to. IMO anyway.

If he believes her book misrepresented his actions and character, that's a reasonable thing to do. Surely Papadakis knew publishing that book, at that point in time, might have serious implications?

But he sent the C&D before the book was even published. After hearing some pulled-out-of-context quotes designed to make him mad. He fell for the bait and went even further with the cease and desist letter. It makes him look like a dummy at best and it definitely reinforces the narrative that he can be controlling.

She did not decide the publication date.

Btw, in her interview with Brennan, it was mentioned that the original publication date was supposed to be Feb 1st. I don't know if that is better or worse than when it did come out. Probably it's better it came out earlier so everyone involved had time to process.

 

[Orm Irian]

Btw, in her interview with Brennan, it was mentioned that the original publication date was supposed to be Feb 1st. I don't know if that is better or worse than when it did come out. Probably it's better it came out earlier so everyone involved had time to process.

That's just ordinary slippage; it happens all the time in publishing, though to be fair, more often backwards than forwards. And odds are a slippage that small would have had little or nothing to do with changing the publication date and everything to do with the book production process. If the physical book is going to be ready earlier than planned, you don't want to lose money warehousing the copies, you want to get them out of the door and selling.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Plus you never know what the Canada Post situation is going to be, and you have to take your opportunities when you can, especially when couriers are going to be overwhelmed (and maybe for single copy direct sales).

 

[my little pony]

since we are now falling down this US team wuz robbed scenario, how handy would it have been to have Gabriella on staff, maybe not in the booth or calling that particular team, but they could have used her another way in order to wring every last bit of drama out of this story.

 

[manhn]

Jacob Tierney or another Canadian producer needs to adapt her book and shoot it in Montreal. He would do a wonderful and respectful job.

I want Gabi to get all the money she can.

 

[MsZem]

Jacob Tierney or another Canadian producer needs to adapt her book and shoot it in Montreal. He would do a wonderful and respectful job.

I want Gabi to get all the money she can.

No, Tierney needs to stick to romance adaptations as he's the only one who can get them right!

I'm not sure Papadakis would want a fictional adaptation. A documentary, however - a serious one, not one of those behind the scenes glorified fluffs - would be great.

 

[PRlady]

TBH, anything Gabi says or does now that FB/C have won is going to look like sour grapes. People will conclude she really was the less important partner since she was replaced and they won gold.

Unfortunately the story will be over soon.

 

[text_skate]

I keep wondering, if a publication post OG wasn't a better choice. In any case FB/C had won a medal, what colour wouldn't have mattered. The attention post Olys would have been huge, and not obstructed by so many other OG stories.

I'm still reading.

 

[Miezekatze]

I just hope it gets translated. Kiiras book was translated and I imagine interest in Gabbys book would be at least similar.

 

[angi]

But he sent the C&D before the book was even published. After hearing some pulled-out-of-context quotes designed to make him mad. He fell for the bait and went even further with the cease and desist letter. It makes him look like a dummy at best and it definitely reinforces the narrative that he can be controlling.

I have stated it in the past, but I think Gabi suffered a huge disservice with the way her book was promoted before it even came out. Cizeron's response was hardly surprising, considering every single quote from the book that was published was about him and about how horrible he is. In his shoes, I am not sure I wouldn't have done the same.
Either the publisher or the media basically went for rage-baiting instead of focusing on her calling out the systemic problems within figure skating and trying to advocate for a change. She deserves so much better than this, and if her book ends up being translated into English, I hope the promotion then will do right by her.

 

[Tesla]

I have stated it in the past, but I think Gabi suffered a huge disservice with the way her book was promoted before it even came out. Cizeron's response was hardly surprising, considering every single quote from the book that was published was about him and about how horrible he is. In his shoes, I am not sure I wouldn't have done the same.
Either the publisher or the media basically went for rage-baiting instead of focusing on her calling out the systemic problems within figure skating and trying to advocate for a change. She deserves so much better than this, and if her book ends up being translated into English, I hope the promotion then will do right by her.

Unfortunately, it's the salacious bits that sell.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

I have stated it in the past, but I think Gabi suffered a huge disservice with the way her book was promoted before it even came out. Cizeron's response was hardly surprising, considering every single quote from the book that was published was about him and about how horrible he is. In his shoes, I am not sure I wouldn't have done the same.
Either the publisher or the media basically went for rage-baiting instead of focusing on her calling out the systemic problems within figure skating and trying to advocate for a change. She deserves so much better than this, and if her book ends up being translated into English, I hope the promotion then will do right by her.

If I had to guess, Gabi's publisher considered her book as a b-list or c-list title and didn't put of money or time into the book's marketing and publicity. They sure didn't treat it as a major release for the week/month the book came out - it was barely highlighted in their social media. I also don't think they had much of a plan in place in case the book blew up in the press like it did. I haven't seen the marketing materials for the book but it's entirely likely that the publisher out sell sheets and press releases that highlighted the systemic issues but the media ran with the most salacious bits.

 

[kwanfan1818]

First, the letter went to her, when her publisher was in control of the release. Second, he has eyes, and if he didn’t read it himself, there are plenty in his entourage who could have, thus confirhiw little this was about him. Third, it was the media that made it about him.

Of course, he didn’t go after free press or corporate media, but targeted her with the letter, instead of the people who amplified what was a niche book in a niche sport, Olympic year or not.