This and That: Smart and Diaz win Nationals, Alena Kostornaia is Injured, Papadakis and Cizeron 

Evgenia Medvedeva literally collected all the infinity stones, being Tarasova’s darling, Eteri’s undeniable favorite for years, always chosen as a representative, then got insight from Brian Orser/Tracy Wilson. No wonder she is thriving now & living for it! Good for her! She’s definitely getting the torch from TAT.

Time stamps (while watching) 0:39 Aliona Kostornia 5:41 lots of broadway shows closing/Covid-19 impact to the events 22:39 Evgenia Medvedeva 31:28 galina’s suggestion to Dave for the holiday show 35:30 west side story 40:55 Spanish national-ice dance

Can't wait to watch Russian nationals Dec 23 thru 26th. Such a lovely Christmas gift ❤

Trusova is kind of an enigma. She’s not quite like any of the other girls. I know she will show up & try to do everything she can if she’s physically able to skate. She’s tough & fearless when it comes to attempting all the quads, yet struggles with consistency in competition. She also is a lot more muscular than the other girls in that school. She also seems to have a bit more jumping with the legs than the rest too. I thought that those factors may protect her back for a bit longer but it seems she may be felled by a foot instead depending on which bone it is. If it’s one of the ones that requires surgery quickly to heal & she chose not to, this may be it for her too. It will be interesting to see what happens. Originally I had her pegged as the lone member of the three A’s to potentially last another season beyond this one.

Great commentary guys. Honestly, this is one of the most somber seasons ever. One can only imagine what will ensue within the month of January. Until the Olympics are upon us.

I loved P/C’s To Build a Home program personally. But I agree with Dave that this year’s free dance doesn’t quite hit the mark. It leaves me a little cold as well. I hope it still lets them win the Olympics though.

I’m going to download this for offline viewing and watch it on the airplane as I go home for Christmas. Thanks and Happy Holidays!!

I want that Fear & Gibson West Side Story program now! How do we make this happen? They need to put dibs in on the music soon. No being mysterious until August, gotta stake a claim! 🤣 If U.S. Stars on Ice got Medvedeva, like Canada did, I'd go for the first time in 15 years!

Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:39 Aliona injury. Hand fracture 5:41 Broadway shows shutting down due to the new variant of Covid and also other events are getting postponed as well. 22:38 Evgenia Medvedeva (post retirement) 35:30 West Side Story! New movie. Can we estimate how many programs there will be to this next season?! Lol! I haven’t seen the movie I’ll wait till it’s on Netflix or something. I love the original since I’m a musician and all. The music is so amazing! 40:55 Spanish Nationals I know most of you are interested in this as it was the most important event of the week (Smart/Diaz and Hurtado/Khaliavin showdown!) 1:29:35 End of the Video and I hope that this helps!

Dave loving the new look! So thrilled for Smart and Diaz.

Virtue and Moir understood the assignment in an Olympic year. Their Moulin Rouge was an Olympic moment. I don't know which top dance team has a freedance that embodies the "Olympic" Freedance. Olympics are a different beast - every 4 years a new group of people who know nothing about skating watch our sport on the biggest stage. Social media needs a new dance team to be the the they fall in love with since V&M aren't in it - and I'm sorry but I love Papdakis and Cizeron and want desperately for them to beat Sinitsina and Katsalapov - but their freedance, while it has some incredible moments - to me, isn't must see tv. No FD this year screams Olympic as much as the Zorro FD from Smart & Diaz. It's mainstream media relatable and it's just a great program. It's going to be very interesting to see how the next few weeks play out, how the inevitable ice dance politics align and who Twitter and Buzzfeed post most about in Beijing.

I think about that Mambo No. 5 program with that doll every damn day. What an iconic performance 😂

For the selection of the Spanish ice dance team who'll go to the Olympics, I think Olivia Smart mentioned in an On Edge episode that it's Finlandia, Nationals, and Europeans.

Papadakis/Cizeron has always been about two things: interiority and musicality. (Their glide and whole-body articulation are of course what makes the skating beautiful to watch. ) "Lyrical" style is way too simplifying and vague a term. After all, they've used some of the most interesting and challenging music (think about the 2017 FD). When you understand this, this FD is only a natural choice for them. The "awkwardness/flatness" that Dave perceives might be in large part a result of them trying to retain some of the unseen Tango FD, instead of conceiving and constructing this program from a clean slate (plus not having a true master-choreographer on board -- bring in Christopher Dean or someone from the ballet world!); and a second cause might simply be that they've not yet felt a deep enough connection to this piece of music, which is not so easy a piece to skate to at all. As to the comparison between the Beethoven program and the Moulin Rouge program, no matter how much you admire the execution and performance of the latter, it was in the end a massively entertaining one, while the former, which did score higher at every competition in that season including at the Olympics, was the most formally pure and "complete" ice dance program in recent memory. It certainly deserved the proper use of the adjective "artistic". It moves you at a deeper and more sustained level. It cleanses your senses. Professional, classical musicians noticed them; professional dancers and seasoned, serious dance-goers appreciated them, more than any other ice dance couple, which tells you something about their unique qualities.

Dave and Jonathan, TSL should have an official meet and greet at nationals in Nashville.

I think Papadakis and Cizeron’s best program was To Build a Home. It captures all of their best qualities though I agree they couldn’t bring it back. But they are not versatile in the types of programs they can do. Maybe their RD avoids the cringe of the hip hop, but it doesn’t provide enough contrast with the FD. Special shout out to Dave for mentioning the Duschenays’ Reflections program. I thought that was super interesting but they ended up switching to Missing - a program Dean choreographed for TD that they had been skating on tour, which made Jayne unhappy. Jonathan’s loyalty to PC is impressive but I’m with Dave here. I respect how you are able to disagree respectfully.

I really love the PC FD it's like champagne. You need to see it fresh without the mistake it is amazing.

I think P&C’s free dance is missing Gabby’s fabulous, free-flowing hair that always adds something to their performances.

Dave, I agree with you re P&C’s rhythm dance being brilliant this year and with Jonathan that the free has real brilliant moments. My sense however was that it was missing something as well. I found it interesting your interpretation about the creative peak in the rhythm maybe running out. I had thought that maybe they were still working on the free. It gave me the impression that they weren’t putting it all in yet. The costumes were also in progress clearly. The very ending seemed to be nice but there was room for more towards the end to be stronger. There was a bit of time there that I felt was not as engaging as some of their other programs that they really could use better for an Olympic program. And I imagine they will try to. I did like some of their prior programs better, but like I said, I did see some of the brilliance in this, like Jonathan says and I could imagine it growing into something that does have more ooomp and does connect better throughout and with the audience.

You both look great today! Nice outfits for the pre-holiday week, and much-needed smiles in this stressy time.

Kevin!!!😍 such joy and beautiful performance!!! I love this program and costume!

I am moore than ready for japan nationals this week, I would put my pray for Shoma , Yuzuru and Yuma this week, I want clean programss, amazing performance please.....

The red hair was great. You and Johnathan covered a lot of fun ground. The Olympics (if they happen) is looking like the 'last skaters standing" with all the injuries. This weekend will be epic between the Japanese and Russians both for great skating and As the Blade Turns. Thank you for posting the Spanish skates esp. Smart and Diaz.

P/C's free dance music also had me worried during the start of the season. As exceptional and sophisticated as they are, I wasn't sure if this program will be enough to arouse the excitement of watchers. But as I watched their performance this week, even with the mistakes, I began to really appreciate it. The program becomes more beautiful the more you watch it.

Alyssa Cizny skated a charming West Side Story program in 2008. I loved the musical arrangement.

For the Spanish selection this year, it's going to be the highest scored team adding Finlandia Trophy, Spanish Nationals and Europeans. So for now, Adri and Olivia are two for two.

I would be very interested in watching P/C skating to their Mozart program again. It was musically very beautiful, and they've become so much stronger strength- and expression-wise.

Scott Davis is THE West Side Story program - 3 axel landed on the beat? Yes, please!

As much as I love Kostornia, she’s not going to be doing competitive figure skating in 4 years. I wonder if she said that because she was told to in order to save face for Eteri or if she actually wants to. Honestly, her interests seem to be other things these days. I agree she may try a few competitions next season but it’s not going to go beyond that. Like all the girls at that school, she is showing all the signs of a back gone bad. And once that starts to happen, their days of being able to do a technically competitive program are numbered & she will be told to announce she’s taking a “break” once her limitations become apparent 😢

If people over use West Side Story after this year, it’s poorly timed. An A-list skater should have used it for these Olympics while West Side Story is fresh and could get a nod from Steven Spielberg for the much needed publicity for the film.

I would worry about P/C changing their free dance now - it could signal a lack of confidence. I believe they can win the Olympics on the strength of their rhythm dance which is exceptional- get the buffer over S/K. My moments of the week were Kevin Aymoz skating his free and Smart and Diaz winning nationals and earning a valuable points lead. I just love both programs this year and hope they make the Olympics.

Entering a depressed state over the lack of Aliona next year.

Hello can someone please tell me how and when to stream the Russian nationals Eastern Standard Time!

I was waiting for this and that, the whole day!!! Love your videos

Love the humor in your discussion!! Happy Holidays!

Love the This & That, as always, Dave and Jonathan! The theater talk was a bonus. Kevin was my moment of the week, in particular when he unleashes those overhead chopping motions during a lunge (lol, I’m not describing it well) after landing his final jump. Sleeper prediction for this week (I’ve been thinking this since September, so I want to throw it out there): Mai Mihara wins Nationals, a la Akiko Suzuki in 2014.

DAVE!! Katarina Witt 1987 Worlds for West Side Story! Max Aaron at 2013 Nationals to West Side Story is also his best LP for me. Being a Jet is the most convincing thing he ever did...

Theater Talk! Love it. Did you watch Tick Tick Boom! on Netflix? Lots of Sondheim references. Congrats to S/D winning Spanish nationals, I think they will be chosen to go to Beijing at this point. Happy holidays and stay safe!

Dave and Jonathan, how dare you forget the ICONIC Heiko Fischer West Side Story program in 1988! Sequined blood on the shirt and all, LOLZ.

Dave: "and we love Tarasova and she's in the hospital and we love her but think about it..." Then completely lays the groundwork for the transition of a post Tarasova world, ha ha ha! He done took out a shovel and started digging! The Gall! Janny gon take over! Then he resurrected her for the olympics, Jonathan with the "in a hospital gown with a fur"! LOL. OMG I cant'. I have half a mind (that's a softball if I ever tossed one!) to try and contact David Spletnikov to see how he feels about this brushing aside of the legend, for me, always, Tarasova!

What did Jonathan think of Company? I really enjoyed the West End production. I'd vote for the 2019 free for P/C. I think it hits a sweet spot between artistry and approachability.

Why does Tarasova always have a large scarf around her neck?? What is she hiding under there??? Love the Madonna of figure skating reference !!! That is so true!!!!

Yes to a clean 'White Crow' program!

I know that it would be a huge long shot, but for me, the dream "feel good" Olympic moment would be if Japan pulled off a shocking upset in the Team Event. Seeing Daisuke with an Olympic gold medal is perhaps the only thing that could warm my cold, jaded jeart.

You two always cheer me up ❤️ ☺️

Angels of Dave! We love Nolan.

I’m getting a very JC from ‘nSync vibe today from Mr. Lease.

PC's FD is kind of boring, generically lovely, and the locals are so not gonna get its a "deconstructed tango." I do agree the RD is one of the least embarrassing ones this season (the ISU is really gonna embarrass us all, it's one thing us skating fans know how cringe ice dance can be but another when the regular folks find out). I don't think PC have any real competition thanks to Dickita's back so I don't see why they would change it.

Dying for Russian and Japanese nationals!! Yes, best time of the holidays. :-)

0:27 what is Aliona's new youtube channel? I've been searching for it and haven't found it. Can someone link it?

I saw West Side Story last night and it was amazing and I walked out thinking "everyone will skate to this like they skated to La La Land and Moulin Rouge"

The Broadway theatre scene is so refreshing to be back when all that’s dominating cinemas is action CGI blockbusters

Sometimes in Spain We do get fed up of that freaking amount of flamenco and stereotypical music in our athletes, ice dance, gymnastics etc

I am really sorry everyone but I need more time for timestamps! I’ll try my very best to get more tonight if I can. So sorry!

I remember the following skaters had West Side Story programs: Christopher Bowman, Mariah Bell and Akiko Suzuki

Bring out Oksana Baiul to judge she is Russian in every way that matters:) or even Dave’s coach Galina

The drama on Russian is intense. That we all invested to it.

where do you watch russian and japanese nationals?

My this/that..Of all of Tessa/Scott's programs, I liked "Carmen" the least. The skating was fabulous..but..I didn't find that the program had an "authentic" feel. (to use today's buzz words). I saw it in person at Worlds 2013..and the Baby Italians were also skating to "Carmen" and I preferred the latter. Granted the Italians were not in the same skill league as Tessa/Scott, but I just enjoyed their program more..(performance).

Go, Kazuki!!! If he makes the Oly team, I will buy him a new sp costume!

Well, the Netherlands are back to March 2020 lockdown. I expect those lockdowns to return in all European countries.

I so love C and P’s long program and music so I have to respectfully disagree with Dave. I am a musician and I have always loved the Faure Elegy and they are incredibly moving with this program, skating to this music.

I am usually amazed by how well the Montreal ice dance academy chooses programs for their teams, but this year P/C's free is a miss for me. I mean, I'm pretty sure the skaters themselves have a say in what music they want to perform to and P/C's taste is visible in that program. It might have been a good program for another season, but the Olympics are watched by way more people than a regular season, and they usually remember best something really iconic. A program doesn't necessarily need to be cheery or dramatic to be iconic, for example, if P/C would've won with their Moonlight Sonata, I'm pretty sure that it would've had the chance to get remembered as iconic as well, but this year's program just lacks something for me. It is an appreciable piece for those who enjoy art and not some banalities, but it doesn't create a moment if you know what I mean. Moonlight Sonata still created that moment despite not being overdramatic, but this program doesn't. It's regrettable because P/C certainly are condenders for gold and I’m sure that they want to create a strong impression on the audiences, but if they ever have to perform after couples like Smart/Diaz with their Zorro program (which is impossible because of the rating, I know, but still), they will not be in the advantage...

I like Dave's shirt. Did Paul Wylie that for his "On the Water Front" program? Is it Keegan's?

Gotta admit, I could not watch your recap of Zagreb or anything skating after the GP was canceled. It was making me sad and anxious for the rest of the season. BUT, we have the Russian nationals upon us now so that us something to look forward to. 21:05 When this year when Aliona returned to Sambo 70, the scenario was that this is a win-win for Eteri. If Aliona gets her 3A back, it's because of Eteri. If she does not, it is because she left. On Medvedeva, she had her partner all over her Instagram for a time!

I’m all about west side story programs!!! Bring em on🤩 However, I didn’t like Totmianana/Marinin at 2002 Olympics. In gymnastics, Ragan Smith did a cute floor to WSS ( 2014 I think)

Re: P/C FD - Gabi seems over it, and Guillaume is only focused on showcasing himself. Lifts are so lackluster - Gabi can barely hoist herself up, and she just lies there while Guillaume does all the work. What happened to Gabi? I'm of the opinion that she has finally eclipsed Guillaume in skating skills the past few years, but this performance she's just going through the motions. I think there's no way that they'll change their FD but at least change the lifts!

Can't wait for the deep dive into the Eteri empire!

I am now in a 2004 US Classic rabbit hole. Thanks.

They better not cancel Nationals because I JUST purchased tickets. Should I hold off booking the hotel? :-(

I'd just like to chime in that (according to the commentators) the panel at the Spanish nationals was quite international, actually.

Sorry guys, Eteri may cry hard but she lost her control over Evgenia. Your info about 40% margin is not valid

Gui really needs to change the brown colored shirt in the fd because whenever i see it i think of a drumstick lol

yeah, russian people (skaters, coaches, former skaters, and former coaches especially) commenting on figure skating use very strong language or the translation program is shitty. fs gossips site is a freaking hoot. reading the posts is a bit bizarre.

Dave ... I'm kinda glad you're not wearing a sweater, my wrists just can't take the knitting damage right now. I'm mid-hat for my sister-in-law who's having a birthday next week! I've just watched both nationals - Smart/Diaz were outstanding! Watched French yesterday, a very rare mistake from Gaby, but otherwise exceptional. May I ask a question about how Covid is being handled in the US please? Here in the UK, the Government are "encouraging" all adults over 18 to have a "booster" (or third) vaccine (I've had my vaccines 1st in Feb 2021. 2nd in May 2021, and booster in Nov 2021). Is it the same Stateside? And do you guys have to pay for your vaccine? I'm not asking to be picky - I'm only asking because I'm interested in how different administrations are handling the pandemic. From my own perspective, I've read many reports stating that Omicron may be "less serious" symptom-wise, however I think we're all missing the big picture and the biggest problem with Omicron, and that's that it is 70x more infectious than previous variants. It's spreading faster than ever before, but each transmission is an opportunity for mutation, and who knows how dangerous mutations will get. And that's what I'm worried about, about how many, and how dangerous the mutations of Omicron can be, especially with due to the nature of how infectious it is. I'll stop now, but I'm genuinely interested to know how it's being dealt with elsewhere in the world. Its sad that GP Final was cancelled. I so love Evgenia Medvedeva - moreso now than 5 years ago. She's an even better ice-actress than Ashley! And Ashley is a phenomenal ice-actress. I will forever love Ashley's Hip Hip, Chin Chin, Sweet Dreams, Exogenesis, Moulin Rouge ..... But I'll be watching and hanging on every word that Medvedeva says and does for the next 40 years or more. I must admit to being very worried about Tarosova. YES DAVE - I so need to see Tarasova, in her fur hat and hospital gown watching on the hospital TV! I am so there for that. I so adore Tarasova. She is just a magnificent queen. Can you picture the handing of the chalice (microphone) from Tarasova to Evgenia? Also, I'd love to have an update on how Tiffany is doing? Is she on the mend? Dave - I would die to see you skate to "The Cowboy's Christmas Ball" by The Killers! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-P9d9qd9o_lU.html Especially in that shirt! Jonathan - YES. Could be "new" West Side, or Bernstein's Symphonic Dances. There are so many ways you could go with this. I so love West Side Story, the Symphonic Dances was one of my favourite pieces to perform. Fear/Gibson did a West Side Story 2017-18 FD. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jgv_MMemWM4.html I would love to see Lilah Fear channel her inner-Maria again. Can you imagine how well they could rock that now? I realise it's a return to a previous music piece, but it could be re-imagined in so many ways, the music for WSS is phenomenal, and we're blessed with so much music available for it. GP/GC FD - I agree, the 2019 FD was my favourite of theirs. It was a raw energy. And that leap lift thing - I loved that. I'll say it again, I think they could deliver an amazing and clever and innovative Butterfly Lovers program. There's almost 30 minutes of music, I'm sure a unique 4m program could be created.

Is there a way to support TSL on Patreon with a one-time payment rather than monthly payments?

Ok, so I'm no ice dance judge and I comment like I drink my wine: I like it, I don't like it. But here's what I think: 1. Spanish drama: I think Sara is too much. Some people love her performance, to me it's excessively performative. Idk. She doesn't do it for me. Olivia is more vanilla (though somehow a lot more alive now she's single and free? Lol), but S/D programs this season are SO much better, it's a clear choice for me. So YAY for S/D, I hope they blow it out of the park at Europeans and no one complains it was robbed or whatever. 2. French drama: their RD is pretty cool, which is a bit of a shocker to me, it was never their stronger program. I don't hate the FD, and I applaude them for not going standard modern lyrical. Seriously, it might not be there yet, but I love the experimentation and thinking outside the usual ice dance box. Maybe not for an olympic year with Rusfed breathing down your neck, but maybe they chose it bc they felt their position threatened, who knows. Having said that, overall I never got what the fuss is all about P/C, honestly. Their lifts are ridiculous, I mean, the youngest teams competing do more innovative, faster, beautiful, DIFFICULT stuff. They miss levels all the time, bc they don't execute the most difficult elements. She can't point her toes or extend her leg to save her life. How are they so much better than H/D for example? I'm not even a H/D fan, none of the American teams are my faves, but I think H/D are technically better than the French. And how many people are so amazed and moved by P/C performances that they go back and watch them again and again? Which of their performances move the audiences? Anyway. My point is: I'm not saying they're bad skaters at all, but I don't get what makes them so special to earn those outrageous GOE and PCS and be so UNTOUCHABLE even when they have bad days and make pretty terrible mistakes. For YEARS. I don't get it.

So I tried looking for aliona kostornaias yt channel but couldn't find it, can anyone send me a link to her yt channel

So nice to hear people talking about reasons they got vaccinated instead of giving the reasons they’re not vaccinated !!! ❤️

The Russian Pro Competition on NYE in Red Square is genius!!!

Maybe in 20 years when my kids are grown, I can be a fan girl and go to nationals 🤩🤣

Yuzuru is a great skater but this season has lowered the respect I have for him. If you are injured and cannot compete at the GPs, why are you trying to do a 4A which has a high chance of injury. I know he is competing at the nationals this weekend, but has this been mainly about the publicity?

Dave is getting inspired by our favourite Aliona who now also has red hair :D!

Kevin Aymoz is such a lil cutie, I love when he wears his Harry Potter glasses during interviews. Such a cutie patootie boyfriend material!

Hurtado/ khalavian. I hate to say and can’t think of a better word, come across as a bit tacky in these two programs? I don’t understand the costuming with the holster looking thing in RD and her dresses are a bit too similar and the second a bit tacky (need a better word!)! He is not memorable at all!. She’s too much too pantomime or it just looks it due to him being the opposite, so it’s unbalanced? I think she looks awkward doing the hip hop and rock dance breaks, the dress doesn’t help as the design doesn’t go with the moves. Long sleeves lace and lower half weird cut. I think hip hop booty shorts or with a different top would be the look they were going for? The FD is also just basic but not sophisticated , she is a very attractive woman and it cheapens her . The bits were they stop to do dance breaks in both dances, look rigid and gangly/gawky looking (I don’t even look at him to notice/remember 😱). I don’t think hip hop or rock suit her and I find her a bit OTT forced trying to be sexy all the time rather than being smouldering or sensual /her naturally exuding it, again maybe as she has no one to play off?. The whole packaging /music choices does her a disservice. Marie France teams always just polished and classy.

Kazuki Tomono west side story program plz

Dear Dave, I'll just say two things: 1. if you wanna know the inside of Spanish gossip, you have to become friends with the guy in charge of Hielo Español and narrating nationals and pretty much doing the fed's work in promoting the sport, and 2. the Hurtado's are crazy (aka loud, rude and toxic) and everybody in Madrid knows it. Lol

I love Papadakis/Cizeron but I am not loving the free dance. It's beautiful but not moving me like their last Olympic program. I definitely like their program better than S/K. However starting next week the ice dance politics will be in full effect at Russian Nationals.

Eteri lives in another world she literally goes on tv and again talks abd about skaters? And blames them for having health problems ect? Really just muzzle the whole adults in this team please

Didn't Belbin and Agosto do West Side Story?

Paul Duchesnay was amazing…Isabelle not that much🤣 i still love their Missing program with Chris Dean choreograpy

Disagree about the P/C free dance. It's spectacular. It's spellbinding. It's sophisticated. There is so much difficult dance going on in addition to the sublime skating. If they skate well at the Olympics, it is the winning program.

I don’t know where you draw the line for great, but I always really liked Scott Davis’s West Side Story from the 90s. It won him the national championship in 93! He really was able to place his jumps on the music so effectively. Don’t know if links work here, but this is from 94 when he beat Boitano at Nationals. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AXWoyG8rbGk.html

Cornrolls were thru 2008 Olympic Trials. 😎

P/C to me is like a typical band career, the third album, like their third season FD can never be topped. They had an interesting senior debut season FD, then a really classically beautiful yet refreshing mozart program in their second senior season, then peaked in their third senior season with to build a home which is a straight up masterpiece since then, they have slowly gone down hill program wise, The first version of their MS being the last great free from them. Since then for me its been a mixed bag of, either "meh" or "its alright, I like parts of it."

I _never_ pretended to like Krist *_i_* n Maloney. When Tia and Kristal showed up in those corn rows, I was apoplectic. I actually think her Chicago routine was worse...but when Tia did it, I liked it.

So Jonathan saying skating stars don't stay long enough to make the sport more popular. Hasn't Nathan Chen been on top long enough? Maybe unpopular opinion, but I think the problem is not longevity. Skaters can have a long, successful career and be forgotten the minute they retire. Like, no one will go back and watch their programs and miss them just bc they won x number of gold medals. Skating has to be 1. exciting to watch and 2. easier/clear rules to explain why someone wins, bc otherwise it's hard to engage with the actual competition, and today the IJS is clear but judging is opaque. Give judges more cameras and make them hit the actual buttons for each one of the GOE and PCS bullets, I say.

Virtue and Moir free dance was only good (even iconic) in the first half. The second half with the music change was VASTLY infererior. Papadakis and Cizeron’s fd was gorgeous all the way through.

37:12 Hi David, hi Jonathan. You guys were trying to come up with your favorite West Side Story program. David, put on the spot, you said you didn't believe we had ever seen a great West Side Story... Come on, gentlemen... 1987. World Championships in Cincinnati (Tchintchinnati, according to Witt interviews of the time). Debi Thomas is the reigning World Champion. Katarina "CAME (inside the lion's den) TO WIN HER TITLE BACK". Debi Thomas skated her best ever international performance, and then Witt, the next to skate, had to wait forever for the (capitalist!) US TV's commercials to be over before her name was announced. She knew she had to skate the perfect program to win. And she did. With the 3Lo. To West Side Story. An epic program. Love you guys! :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hLiJlOMdylg.html

Oh yay! 1st comment! Been waiting for this! Happy Holidays Dave and Jonathan! 🎄🎅🎁