SBNation: "The Johnny and Tara Show is the Main Event"

[Tavi]

That's why I wrote YMMV. To me it's obnoxious and detracts from my enjoyment of the performance, obviously for you it heightens it. I don't think you can attribute the video going viral to the commentary, and even if that were the case, when you look at some of the things that go viral I'm not sure that's much of a recommendation I'd like to think that people just really enjoyed Jason Brown's skating and performance. When you look at the most popular skating performance on Youtube, there doesn't seem to be a single style of skating or type of commentary. As far as I can see, the most popular skating video involving a current competitor is an amateur one of Gracie Gold skating to Let It Go, and of course a lot of Yuna Kim's programs and various Sochi performances have many views.


I don't know the context for the comment, but I don't think it's unreasonable to find a skater musical and compelling in one program and more forced in another. One could argue that a perception of forced artistry may reflect a skater trying to do something outside their comfort zone, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. As for the timing of the comment: unlike misskarne, I don't think that a Schindler's List program requires announcers to be respectful of the magic or anything of the kind. Though I'm definitely in the "less is more" camp when it comes to commentary in general (thus my fondness for the ISU Channel and the Spanish broadcasts).

* I don't like most Schindler's List programs, and even if they are relatively good ones, I don't find them magical.

Right. I wasn't criticizing your POV on Scott, just chiming in that my own experience was different. Also, I didn't mean to imply that Scott's commentary was only or even the decisive factor in the FS going viral - just one among many.

As to the Jason / Josh comparison, Johnny wasn't comparing two specific performances, although as Karne said, he made the comments during Josh's FS at 2015 Nats. He was making a generalized statement: following on Tara's comment that lots of people think Jason's artistic, but in her opinion "Joshua does it better," he says Josh is the more "natural" artist as opposed to a "choreographed" artist like Jason. In previous commentary when Jason was younger, he raved about Jason's performances always being centered in the music.

 

[Carolla5501]

I only have anecdotal evidence, meaning that I follow Johnny's twitter feed and look at his instagram comments, and a lot of people talk about how they tune into the skating events because of Johnny and Tara. That, plus all the media coverage of Johnny and Tara, have led me to believe that there's interest. I have no idea if ratings are higher, and in fact, Johnny and Tara have said that they alone won't be able to increase rating significantly. An significant uptick in skating viewership will come, they say, from interest in the skaters themselves, and from stellar performances.

Skating commentators in the U.S. haven't exactly been all over social media. You didn't see Scott and Sandra posing on instagram all the time, making videos, etc. Johnny and Tara's use of social media was interpreted as a sign of their youth and freshness, as opposed to the old staleness that skating seems to have taken on, in the U.S. at least. When I referred to a "hook," I mean that Buzzfeed and others took great delight in posting J&T's instagram photos and videos, as well as interview material and TV stills of their outfits, and commenting on them. Maybe "hook" is the wrong word, but anyway...Evidence here:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/why-...ipinski-are-the-greatest-thing-to#.vd439y3KJd

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/tara-and-johnny-reaction-gifs#.vtD3ER3gVK

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/tara-lipinski-and-johnny-weir-bff-game#.hjGe7PenLK

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjkiebus/ra...-most-fabulous-outfits-from-the-s#.iuNx8zxX6M

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/01/tara-lipinski-johnny-weir-super-bowl_n_6591166.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/sports/olympics/in-figure-skating-the-second-team-shines.html

http://www.ew.com/article/2014/12/17/johnny-weir-tara-lipinski-sochi

Do you read the social media posts from people who say they don't watch because of them? Every time NBC posts a promo on facebook there's a large outcry of "they have to go" LOL! I think basing your 'anecdotal evidence" on following Weir proves practically nothing. Those of us who despise him are not likely to follow him on social media

 

[judiz]

You say there is a large outcry against Johnny and Tara yet the facts stay the same - ratings for figure skating have increased in the past two years.

 

[VGThuy]

Can it be attributable to them or have other factors had more of a hand in it? I guess we'll never know.

 

[judiz]

My point is, viewership is not suffering because of Tara and Johnny.

 

[VGThuy]

Yeah, I don't believe people actually haven't tuned in because of Johnny and Tara, and if they have, I doubt it's significant enough to put a real dent in the numbers. BTW, are these numbers still based on the very outdated Nielson model? I do agree that Johnny and Tara are much more in-tuned to promoting skating in a way that Scott and Sandra haven't because they use social media a lot more and are savvy in that way.

 

[Cachoo]

You say there is a large outcry against Johnny and Tara yet the facts stay the same - ratings for figure skating have increased in the past two years.

I love Scott and never had a problem with him though I know others did. But look at the audiences in Boston. There is a lot of gray hair there. There is nothing wrong with that at all. But for the sport to survive here we need more younger fans and viewers. When I suggested watching the world championships at my fave basketball site I received all sorts of comments bad and good. But someone said he would watch as he liked Johnny and Tara as much as the actual sport. If that is what pulls him in then great! And I like seeing them at different events...like the Kentucky Derby.

 

[Willin]

I think the grey hair problem at events is linked to who can actually afford to see figure skating time/money wise. No one I know that's around my age and work experience level (if they're even employed or out of grad school/undergrad) could afford to take the amount of time off to travel to see a competition and pay for the hotel room, tickets, travel, and food. It's far too expensive and time consuming to justify for young people, but retired fans probably have the time and money to see skating events.

Synchro tends to have lots of skaters and former skaters coming to watch even small events, and I know quite a few watch on YouTube. I think this is because you may still have friends skating, coaches coaching, and team loyalty. Of course, tickets are also cheaper and you can stuff hotel rooms with friends as well since more of your friends are likely to go. The competitions being Friday evening & Saturday only helps with the time off you need to take.
For whatever reason, the girls and guys I knew who stuck to singles skating for competitions aren't nearly as interested in keeping up with skating in any way. Even as a lot of them compete, they aren't interested in what's going on at the senior ranks. There are exceptions at my rink, but not many. It's a bit shocking that the only people I can talk to about skating events are the coaches!

 

[skatesindreams]

I think the grey hair problem at events is linked to who can actually afford to see figure skating time/money wise. No one I know that's around my age and work experience level (if they're even employed or out of grad school/undergrad) could afford to take the amount of time off to travel to see a competition and pay for the hotel room, tickets, travel, and food. It's far too expensive and time consuming to justify for young people, but retired fans probably have the time and money to see skating events.

I saved for a year to manage Worlds.
Boston was as expensive as any city I've been to; and I've traveled widely.

I'm in the "retired" age group; even though I'm not "retired".

 

[made_in_canada]

I think the grey hair problem at events is linked to who can actually afford to see figure skating time/money wise. No one I know that's around my age and work experience level (if they're even employed or out of grad school/undergrad) could afford to take the amount of time off to travel to see a competition and pay for the hotel room, tickets, travel, and food. It's far too expensive and time consuming to justify for young people, but retired fans probably have the time and money to see skating events.

That's definitely not true for me (I'm 30, just graduated from university), or my friends. I've made it to a worlds (though part of that trip was a gift), 2 Skate Canadas, a Skate America, 4CC, and an Olympic event in my 20s. I can't afford to necessarily travel far, but if it's relatively close I can generally make it, especially if I can share accommodation. I do work full time along with school so I might have slightly more disposable income than some people my age, but I don't think that much. A large amount of my friends that are in similar situations find money to go to Vegas or Mexico. I just choose to travel to skating competitions instead. It's just priorities.

 

[mtnskater]

With regards to comparing various commentators, I think Johnny's problem (or at least for me) is that he doesn't come across as very passionate or enthusiastic. This isn't to say that he isn't, but just that from my perspective, he doesn't convey much emotion. On the other hand, Dick, Scott, Tracy, and even Chris and Simon do convey varying degrees of excitement when they're commentating. Some are obviously more easily excitable than others (Scott), which some will find off-putting, but at least for me, they're more fun to listen to.

ITA with this. I miss the passion and love for the sport exuded by Dick Button in his commentary. He is still my all-time favorite skating commentator. As an aside, Dick has done more for the sport of figure skating in the US than just about anyone. His passion was so infectious. He helped turn me into a figure skating fan!

Scott Hamilton's commentary this past weekend for the WTT was enjoyable and refreshing to me...made me miss him. Scott too has shown so much passion for the sport and done a lot for it in the US. He is so supportive of all the skaters and does not dwell on the negative. He likes to focus on each skaters strengths. Johnny seems so non-plused by everything. There are also a lot of inconsistencies in his statements. Although he occasionally makes amusing comments and I do like him (though wish he showed more passion) I find Tara's commentary more to my liking of the two. She is the most professional of the two and I think will continue to grow in her role.

 

[MacMadame]

For whatever reason, the girls and guys I knew who stuck to singles skating for competitions aren't nearly as interested in keeping up with skating in any way. Even as a lot of them compete, they aren't interested in what's going on at the senior ranks. There are exceptions at my rink, but not many. It's a bit shocking that the only people I can talk to about skating events are the coaches!

When I was skating, I was constantly surprised by how little most of the people involved in skating were interested in what was going on at the National/International level. Even the coaches didn't seem to care that much, definitely not outside their own little sphere (i.e., the dance coaches were tapped into who was splitting up, moving to what region in dance but didn't know much of anything about what was going on in singles and pairs and vice versa).

 

[UGG]

I think they give the commentating a "reality show" type of element. Which I think is fine because the general public loves reality shows. They should have their own program on E! Or something as well lol. I think with time if they promote themselves correctly and don't take themselves too seriously, they could bring in casual viewers who could turn into actual fans.

 

[overedge]

I think they give the commentating a "reality show" type of element. Which I think is fine because the general public loves reality shows. They should have their own program on E!

There's no question they would be good at that. But that's a different style from the coverage of the actual event itself. I'm not convinced that mixing the two in one broadcast is a sustainable strategy.

 

[mtnskater]

When I got home from the office, sat down with my dinner and turned on the TV tonight, there was Tara and Johnny on the beach in Rio on my big screen TV much to my surprise. It was a beautifully filmed NBC special called "1st Look: 100 days to Rio Olympics". Johnny and Tara were featured playing a Brazilian version of beach volleyball in swimsuits (very brave of them...and they both looked fab...Johnny a little skinny) followed by food and drinks with a local chef in a comfort food and gourmet restaurant. In the final scene both were in Samba costume dancing on a Samba parade float. I don't know if they will re-run the show but it was fun and I'm glad I caught it...only missed the first 10 minutes or so. I'd like to see that if they re-run it. So cool to see figure skaters get this kind of gig and cross over to covering other events!

 

[VGThuy]

That is really cool actually.

 

[Sylvia]

When I got home from the office, sat down with my dinner and turned on the TV tonight, there was Tara and Johnny on the beach in Rio on my big screen TV much to my surprise. It was a beautifully filmed NBC special called "1st Look: 100 days to Rio Olympics".

Tara and Johnny shared photos from their trip to Brazil for NBC 11-12 weeks ago on their joint Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/taraandjohnnytakerio/

 

[Cachoo]

I love the picture of them sitting on all of their bags and gear. So cute. I wish Tara had no injuries and maintained all of her skills as I would love to see her skate competitively NOW as a woman than when she was a girl. I think the programs would be so interesting. But this is a sport for the very young with few exceptions. Oh well.

 

[Sylvia]

When I got home from the office, sat down with my dinner and turned on the TV tonight, there was Tara and Johnny on the beach in Rio on my big screen TV much to my surprise. It was a beautifully filmed NBC special called "1st Look: 100 days to Rio Olympics". Johnny and Tara were featured playing a Brazilian version of beach volleyball in swimsuits (very brave of them...and they both looked fab...Johnny a little skinny) followed by food and drinks with a local chef in a comfort food and gourmet restaurant. In the final scene both were in Samba costume dancing on a Samba parade float. I don't know if they will re-run the show but it was fun and I'm glad I caught it...only missed the first 10 minutes or so. I'd like to see that if they re-run it. So cool to see figure skaters get this kind of gig and cross over to covering other events!

3 of their Rio videos are available for viewing here: http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/...inski-rio-de-janeiro-olympics-carnival-video/

ETA:

Full Rio video (edited together) is here: http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/joh...-kentucky-derby-and-rio-olympics-for-nbc.html

But the bigger gig for Weir and Lipinski is to come later this year, as the two will be part of NBC’s coverage of the Summer Games in Rio. They’ve already covered some of the cultural scene of the region earlier this year, taping the following piece for LXTV’s “First Look” during Carnival in February. With food, dancing and beaches, it’s almost like Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, but without the grumpiness and occasional willingness to kill a wild boar. (Although maybe we shouldn’t sell Weir and Lipinski short.)

Johnny Weir’s Tweet-Powered Brooch Tops NBC’s Social-Media Strategy at [Kentucky] Derby: http://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/05/...och-tops-nbcs-social-media-strategy-at-derby/

 

[IceAlisa]

Love the article, poetic license and all, but most of all, love Johnny and Tara.

Johnny has a pleasant, mellifluous voice, substantive commentary, wit, snark; Tara is a good sidekick and Terry keeps it all grounded.

Sometimes I watch the NBC broadcast just to hear them, having previously watched the competition live.

 

[aftershocks]

Ha ha, I don't know if there is another thread here discussing Johnny and Tara at the Kentucky Derby today. NBC just unveiled (45 min or so ago) Johnny's take on a Derby hat this year, plus an interactive project re tweeting for Johnny's brooch horse to light up and gallop.

My immediate reaction weeks ago when I read the article that started this thread is that the duo of Tara and Johnny are being promoted not just for their figure skating gig with the network, but more-so for the crossover projects they are doing which let's face it are more extensive in terms of coverage than what NBC allows for figure skating. The upcoming Rio Olympics I think is the major promotional effort at the moment. Good for Tara and Johnny playing their fashionable, hip duo gig to the hilt.

Tara and Johnny make a fairly good fs team with Terry Gannon, not so much with Tom Hammond at recent Worlds (to be honest even Hammond paired with Tanith made her seem a bit boring, which is some feat). Terry Gannon was definitely missed in the booth at Worlds this year. I am less than enthused overall with the pared down NBC coverage of figure skating, particularly on regular television. While T, T & J make a good team overall for fs, Tara tends toward talking too much, while Johnny at times as a result seems less sharp and informative than he was at first. They all tend more toward surface entertainment coverage. Any casual or new fan is learning little of value if NBC is their only introduction/ venue to follow figure skating. Johnny seems okay with allowing Tara to gab it up, although he will speak up and disagree with Tara when he has a different opinion. Johnny was at his witty, informative best at 2011 U.S. Nationals and in the beginning with NBC during the GPF when he was paired alone with Terry Gannon in covering men's singles. With Tara filling out the trio, there is often too much gabbing and I see both Tara and Johnny unavoidably melding into the status quo, overhype, party-line approach to commentating. I realize that Tara and Johnny simply don't have enough clout to step outside of that box as it relates to conventional NBC figure skating coverage. In addition, as I've always said Johnny and Tara could benefit from afternoon teas with Uncle Dick in order to learn more about figure skating history.

Bezic and Hamilton together were never that dynamic or exciting (not a match made in heaven). Separately Bezic and Hamilton each do have knowlege and enthusiasm but they often tended to err with odd expressions that imparted little (Hamilton) and biased faux pas (Bezic). Hammond as the third wheel on any figure skating broadcast IMO made/ makes things even less interesting and effective (he's better at horse racing and golf). Terry Gannon added to any broadcast team is always a breath of fresh air, which generally leads to more entertaining and informative coverage.

In any case, kudos to Tara and Johnny for their appealing chemistry and their ability to continue crossing over into all sports/ cultural events platforms for NBC.