You might be wondering if I’m a bit confused. Yes, I know that Tara Lipinski, Michael Weiss, and Tanith Belbin have already been to the Olympics. So why am I touting these former amateur skaters as ones to watch in 2014? As commentators, of course!
Anyone who read my blog during the 2010 Games knows of my frustration with NBC and its choice of commentators/analysts for figure skating. While I respect and love Scott Hamilton, I quickly found his over-the-top exuberance with every jump and landing tiresome once he became a commentator. The bias towards certain skaters which he shared with Sandra Bezic and Tracy Wilson had become nauseating. Even my spouse begged me to mute the television during the 2010 Games. It seems that NBC understood my frustration and that of other fellow figure skating fans. Or, at least sort of?
NBC has brought in new faces to join Bezic, Hamilton, and Wilson. I wish I could say they’re replacing the trio, but not yet. I can only hope that the three commentators are going to be phased out by 2014 like a line of unpopular and ill-fitting shoes.
I got my first taste of listening to Lipinski, Weiss, and Belbin this weekend. The three newcomers embody youth, enthusiasm, and natural talent in the broadcasting booth. Here’s more of what I love about these new faces:
- An American Darling who can do commentary! Lipinski was America’s darling during the 1998 Games in Nagano, and drove up ratings. Networks love to sign American darlings to do television work after they retire. Unlike Kristi Yamaguchi, Dorothy Hamill, or Peggy Fleming, Lipinski brings an enthusiasm that none of the aforementioned has been able to do. Also unlike Yamaguchi and company, Lipinski has a natural confidence and ease at commenting. She will only grow stronger as she covers more competitions, and she seems to have a great rapport with the naturally affable Terry Gannon and new men’s analyst Michael Weiss.
- Kinda like Scott Hamilton, but less annoying! Okay. I have to come clean. I never liked Michael Weiss as an amateur skater, and I worried that I wouldn’t like Weiss the commentator either. Boy, was I wrong! Like Lipinski, Weiss is a natural on the air, easily able to offer analysis and does so with a charm he never had as a skater. After years of commenting, Paul Wylie still hasn’t achieved the naturalness that Weiss has in just a few hours of coverage! Weiss shares much of the same enthusiasm as Hamilton, and even shares a high-pitched giggle similar to Hamilton’s, but without any over-the-top grunts and exclamations. While Weiss may not have won an Olympic medal, he’s still current to fans, having only retired in 2006 and still touring professionally.
- A Canadian-American ice dance commentator—a dream come true! I love to hear Tracy Wilson’s velvety voice with her Canadian accent on the air–especially when pronouncing the word about. But her lack of being “current” and her bias towards certain skaters leaves me annoyed. Enter Tanith Belbin! Recently retired from amateur competition with partner Ben Agosto, Belbin is not only current, but an American citizen, which the networks like. But she was born and raised in Canada, which means her delightful pronunciation of about is almost identical to Wilson’s, and she brings that lovely Canadian decorum to American TV without exhibiting any noticeable bias. She also shows a natural ability to do analysis, with a smiling face that almost resembles a younger Peggy Fleming.
Dick Ebersol, if you’re reading this, I implore you: Keep these jewels around and give them more air time. If you must keep Hamilton, I’ll have no objections, but Wilson and Bezic can be given their pink slips.
Swifter, Higher, Stronger.
Oh, my God, I feel old!! I remember when Tara Lipinski was my daughter’s idol; she still has the autographed photo of her up in her room. Wow, and now she’s a grown-up commentator. That’s something to look forward to.