blamebrampton: 15th century woodcut of a hound (Default)
blamebrampton ([personal profile] blamebrampton) wrote2010-02-19 11:22 pm

STILL not well, so you get men's skating.

Miles after everyone else on my flist has watched the men's skating final, it's shown here. We have only highlights coverage, so the top five or six, usually, and maybe someone who failed SPECTACULARLY. I'm also so VERY spoiled by you lot, so I am going to assume I am the last to know, and I am fairly certain my attention span will wander before I remember to mention who came first, second or third.

American Evan Lysacek: He's terribly good, but who choreographed this routine? He looks like a man fleeing giant spiders in a toffee factory. *Skate! Skate! Jump over spider! FLAIL! Have hands stuck to toffee and wave frantically!* Madness, sheer madness! All very excellent and precise and I have nothing interesting to say about him. Ho hum, he'll probably do very well.

Swiss Stephane Lambiel: Oh! He screwed up his first quad! (Does that mean he's mostly a man, Plushenko?) Who cares? He is SO PRETTY! And his choreography makes sense, even if it is tremendously Nureyev circa 1963 (actually, there's a lot of Nureyev about him). He can layover round here any time! And he has the haughty princess head toss (TM Roy & HG) down pat. I like the way he skates with his whole body rather than just remembering occasionally that he has arms and shoulders. And I liked his Loch Ness Monster hand puppetry in the spins, too!

Oh goody. Australian 'comedian' interlude. Sports coverage on commercial television here is as news coverage on commercial television in the US. Actually, now that I think about it, so's news coverage. Thank god for the ABC and SBS.

Japan's Daisuke Takahashi: Why is he wearing a PLO scarf? With an Adam and the Ants vest? But LOVELY choreography. Oooh! And he's down! And straight back up, bless. He moves beautifully, too. Not as many techy bits as Evan, but I like his style more. And he's v pretty, too. He and Stephane could come over and explain the finer points of figure skating to me, Or read from the phone book. Or just stand there ... His choreography has changes of mood! And cockiness! HURRAH! I thought I would be dead of earnestness by halfway through this. Bless you artistic Japanese skaters! I have no idea who the Australian female skating commentator is, but she sounds like Raelene Boyle and I keep waiting for her to tell someone to piss off. Ah Daisuke, you ended with the 'do you love me?' arms, and yes, yes we do. How could we not? Though you're not as cute in a tracksuit. But who is?

American Johnny Weir!!: I like him for no better reason than he makes Eddie McGuire look like an idiot (Australian insider joke). And he's also pretty! Not convinced by the Aled Jones memorial singalong music, but I suppose MCR would have been too obviously emo. Lovely air in those jumps, and a beautiful line to his body. The Australian commentator has just said 'he wants a medal'. Der!  Ooh, drama in the choreography! And yet nothing much is happening. I suppose it's emo drama, after all. I wonder if he's on lj? Very old school in his long lines of steps and changes, which I rather like, but I think he might need a bit more flash to win, which is a shame as this is the most convincingly artistic so far. Ooh! There's some flash! And spirit fingers! YES! Talking about fingers, say no to suits that look as though they have white hand prints on your black bum ... he screwed up his earlier spin, but that one is terrific! And the traditional American chest-bashing ending, ah bless you, lamby! And I like the flower wreath ;-) And Lady Gaga references. (I know you have a Gerard Way poster in your room, Johnny, you can't fool me (It IS Gerard, isn't it? Oh I'm Gen X, I don't care.)) Nice post-interview, too -- Aussie girl: We love you! Johnny: Me too!

And Russian Evgeni Plushenko: Wearing ego, mullet and really awful bodysuit. Very manly starting stance. I can feel the testosterone! QUAD! TRIPLE! I Wish I Was in Riverdance Arms! Most masculine. And now a minor cock-up, followed by some lovely jumps and a good spin sequence. No, seriously, did Michael Flatley choreograph this? Plushenko's very good, but about as appealing as Flatley in connecting with the audience. Does that matter in skating? I suppose the judges will let me know. And what's with the medallion? Great jumps, though. And some more. And some more ...Now crazy legs and I think he needs to wee. DAMN YOU FLATLEY! Since you, choreographers think they can just mix a bit of this and that and everyone will like it! NO! It's like mixing all the spirits at the end of the cocktail party: it never works well! I like his spinny end, though. He's technically very good. He just needs a really serious makeover. He should ask Johnny. Maybe they could come together and forge a beautiful friendship? Though Evgeni, if he says 'Yeah, white hands on black bums!' draw the line. Unless, you know, it's somewhere private and you have a safe word.

And that's it for us, apparently. Channel Nine, you suck.

In happier news, HAPPY BIRTHDAY yesterday for [livejournal.com profile] captainsiri  and today for [livejournal.com profile] kudilu , may you both have hot people of any flavour you prefer appearing with gifts and footrubs!

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 01:55 pm (UTC)(link)
His post-interview was hilarious. And very cleverly witty. I hope I see more of him, he's one of the few sports people I would be happy to listen to at length!

[identity profile] nursedarry.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I think I'm the only woman that doesn't like figure skating. period. I also don't like women's gymnastics.

I do like fantasising about myself as a skater, but that's different.

Give me speed-skating and short-track anyday, and men's hockey - yes! Graceful, (mostly) straight men skating and grabbing and hugging and hitting each other. YES!

*Skips through all of the BBC figure skating coverage*

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 01:59 pm (UTC)(link)
It must be on iPlayer. Or somewhere ...

And yes, it seemed to be the bits that linked his tricks, which was a bit unsatisfying, really. And yet the sticky spider choreography was even MORE baffling ...

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 02:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, it is tomorrow here already ;-)

And not to worry, the news had spoiled me thoroughly, too. I watch for the bad costumes and the mad choreography!

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 02:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I like everything that has any dance elements, mostly because I can tell me knees they should be nicer to me now I no longer make them do anything like that ;-)

And I think that is the first time I have heard ice hockey called graceful. But I hear you on the speed skating. Shani was AMAZING to watch the other night, as was the Canadian woman whose name I have forgotten today. I'm sick. Oh, all right, I'm vague as a vague thing ;-)

[identity profile] sirra-scribbles.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Weir's a darling. Though I didn't see his free skate, I did catch the replay of Weir's interview after his short program:

Interviewer: "What do you want to achieve today?"
Weir: "I want to connect with people. I want people to feel me. I want people of all ages, genders, orientations, races, sizes, nationalities, ... to feel like they're here with me."

Mostly I saw the women's half pipe, and I must say Bright definitely deserved her medal. Her first run was all sorts of ouch, but seemed only to motivate her in the second run. (Also, personal points for making cheering for her sound like a rabbinical war cry.)

[identity profile] sesheta-66.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Exactly! I was telling my kids the night of the short program that I much prefer to watch the ones who blend the music with the routine, and they agreed. Yes, boys who much prefer to watch hockey could appreciate how entertaining figure skating can be.

Glad you enjoyed it. I edited to add a second clip too, which is not as flashy, but equally fun. And the title "That's Entertainment" is very appropriate. :)

If it weren't for my kids, it's entirely likely I wouldn't even have cable.

[identity profile] nursedarry.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Well...okay, more graceful than rugby, maybe:) But I think there's just something sexy about men skating and not wearing sequins and jumping about. I love men who can dance, but the figure skating just never appealed to me. *knocks loose screw around brain*

Shani=FTW, I was nearly crying watching him celebrate.

Hope you feel better soon, sweetie! Sends chicken soup. (I am Jewish, after all:) Although, I don't think that can help with the vague thing...
ext_289215: (MCR Gerard yeah?)

[identity profile] momebie.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Johnny Weir and Gerard would get along really well, I feel. They could critique each other's prancing techniques. ♥

I have actually watched no figure skating, except for two short program youtube vids. (Johnny Weir dancing to Lady Gaga and a Belgian dancing to Night on Bald Mountain. MUSSOGRSKY!) I was going to try and watch some of it last night, but my computer and the NBC Olympic site didn't agree. Alas. Earwax.

Reading your recaps has been very entertaining, though.

[identity profile] auntpurl.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I wish I could have you with me all the time and you could do commentary on my life. Would you like to come live in my pocket?

[identity profile] auntpurl.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
You kids get off my lawn! *shakes fist*

[identity profile] alex-s9.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 04:57 pm (UTC)(link)
American Evan Lysacek: He's terribly good, but who choreographed this routine? He looks like a man fleeing giant spiders in a toffee factory. *Skate! Skate! Jump over spider! FLAIL! Have hands stuck to toffee and wave frantically!*

You know, dearie, sometimes you should just put a warning before your post. I have jaffa cake covered screen at the moment nad my cat doesn't appreciate me bursting into laughter so suddenly. No, sir.

*is going to watch this skater*

[identity profile] alex-s9.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Scott Hamilton, I loved him dearly. Still my favourite skater.

[identity profile] marcelmoonstone.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
*snorts*

Evan skates like he has a stick up his ass. The Russian phoned in his performance (and nobody answered).

*hugs our dear little Johnny* I would very much like to put MY hands on his lovely curvy bum!

[identity profile] sesheta-66.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Kurt Browning was and still is my fave. But Scott was fabulous too. You know, they competed against each other, but they all seemed to view it as friendly competition, and they respected (and appeared to actually like each other). Good times for skating. It would have been fun to see them in Stars on Ice. *nods*

[identity profile] alex-s9.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I spent the last two hours trying to find a programme I remember, Scott doing the clown routine for charity, but it isn't on youtube.com. I could only find Browning as a clown. This was the most awesome piece of ice skating I have ever seen. Then the Russians dominated the rinks and they were great as well. But the thing is, I watched Vancouver and no one made my heart stop for a moment, if you get my meaning. So meantime, I keep watching Kurt Browning dancing to some country music.

[identity profile] sesheta-66.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Hee! I did the same thing the other night after the short program. I know exactly the performance you mean! I looked for it, but like you, I only found Kurt as a clown. AND my favourite performance by Kurt was when he did Singin' in the Rain (a TV special, I think), and I can't find that either. Boo. D:

Happy watching. :)
fourth_rose: (Default)

[personal profile] fourth_rose 2010-02-19 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
*giggles* To be honest, the only thing this entire competition did for me was make me really miss the days of Alexej Yagudin...

[identity profile] droolfangrrl.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
To be honest, I haven't watched the Olympics in forever. But, if they had you as the color commentator, I would lay down cash money gladly.

[identity profile] droolfangrrl.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
We need to get us some mad science going and make a little chibi brampton for such things.

[identity profile] alex-s9.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh thank God, because for as moment there I was thinking that maybe my memory was failing me at last and I just imagined this clown number. :P But if there are two of us who remember it (and one person over at youtube who says it was done circa 1989) then clearly it must exist somewhere.

However, this is the ultimate proof that there are things that aren't on the Internet. Sad wake up call. Puh.
drgaellon: Civil Marriage is a Civil Right (Civil Marriage)

[personal profile] drgaellon 2010-02-19 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Plushenko has ALWAYS had trouble connecting with audiences in formal competition... interestingly, he does much better in exhibition skates.

Weir is almost unspeakably pretty. Someone wrote Adam Lambert/Johnny Weir fic today, which I did not know I needed in my life until I read it. (It's on AO3, if you want to read it.)

[identity profile] brinian.livejournal.com 2010-02-19 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
a man fleeing giant spiders in a toffee factory.

That was so much more effective than what I wrote: "I may be channeling Dick Button, but...ENOUGH with the flailing arms already!"

I was pulling for ANY one of the men with less flail and more flow to pull off a win. Takahashi, Oda, Weir - each of them made me happier than Lysacek and Plushenko put together - even with their bobbles.

[identity profile] bonfoi.livejournal.com 2010-02-20 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
[livejournal.com profile] scribbulous_ink put up a comment on [livejournal.com profile] lupin_snape about how Lysacheck was Snapeish and Plushenko was Lupinesque...I didn't watch the skating but for the highlights and I had to agree.

To Lysachek's defense, he's the tallest skater out there at 6'2", without skates. Body mechanics does make skating awfully "flailish".

[identity profile] lalaith-niniel.livejournal.com 2010-02-20 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
This was the best rundown of anything I've read in forever. You covered pretty much all of my points, but in a far more amusing manner!

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