I thought I'd start a thread on this so we could keep the conversation in one place. Tonight they announced the stars but not the skaters, hosts and judges. However, they did show skaters working with the stars and none of them appeared to be Evan. I'm hoping it stays that way for reasons we've all discussed and then some.

Here are the stars:
-Rebecca Budig, Actress on All My Children
-Bethenny Frankel, Reality Star
-Vince Neil, Lead Singer Motley Crue
-Jonny Moseley, Olympic Skiier
-Brandon Mychal Smith, Disney Channel Star
-Sean Young, Movie Star

According to the information of FSU, the pros are Ethan Burgess, Brooke Castile, Keauna McLaughlin, Denis Pethukov, Jennifer Wester and Fred Palascak. I have never heard about some of them.

I'm familiar with three of them, and Jennifer Wester rings a bell, but I can't think why. :thankyou: for the heads-up.

Reminder to all ELFFs - anything that comes from FSU must be from the public access area only. :hug:

Edited: I was posting while others were posting. Looks like we DO know the skaters now.

But it really looks like they are scraping the bottom of the barrel for celebrities. I found an article about Sean Young where she says she had already been passed over for DWTS in favor of Heather Mills.

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/11/02/...-famous-person/

The article mentions ABC had Randy Gardner work with Sean Young for an hour to persuade her to join the cast. I wonder if he's involved. Judge? At least he's a name I recognize!

Also looks like the show is already shaping up to be a splat-fest, with celebrities noisily hitting the ice prominently featured in the promo clip.

Which, BTW, is here: http://cdn.abc.go.com/shows/skating-with-t.../about-the-show

Thanks for the article. At the risk of sounding completely ignorant, I don't know who Sean Young is so it's no surprise some of the skaters are lesser known. :) I did no recognize anyone from the promo but you're right LovelyRita, it's probably safe to speculate Randy Gardner is a judge. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kristi or Scott involved too since Brian has already denied involvement.

Ummm ... I'm not sure I want to be the one to post this. :lol:

OK ... just don't shoot the messenger. :hide:

A USA Today article says two of the judges will be Dick Button and Johnny Weir.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/ne...ting03_ST_N.htm

:popcorn:


Also, the article states they found celebrities with at least a bit of prior experience. Turns out Vince Neil skated competitively for two years as a youngster. Who knew?

I had read that. Surprised at Button - not with JW. Dick will be "Len" and JW will be "Bruno." Wonder who will sign on as Carrie Ann. :rolleyes:

Is there no problem to keep eligibility? How about Keauna? Will she compete no more in future? How about Johnny?

Jennifer Wester was at Skate Canada in Ottawa, in ice dance with Daniil Barantsev

You took the words right out of my mouth Mary. My guess is maybe Kristi or Katarina Witt. They were both judges on that show Thin Ice.

I saw another from a Vegas paper saying Vince Neil knew about this for over 2 months. That seems to mesh well with the timing of Johnny's announcement that he was taking a year off. Sounds like ABC has high hopes for this show since it's been in the works for so long.

Also, if you follow @sarahanddrew on twitter, they have been tweeting a lot of behind the scenes tidbits. I believe they are a skating blog.

Rita, I did know about Vince Neil's skating experience, but not the others.

BTW, I never heard of any of the pro skaters. I'm also a bit surprised that Dick Button agreed to be a judge on SWTS. Not sure why, but I am. :P

I guess the money and limelight appealing for Dick. Also don't see him commentating as much since we have Scottie and Sandra. Maybe a network contractual thing, as who goes where.

The third will be a guest judge, probably, like Canada's Battle of the Blades, a classier show of hockey and pairs/dancers teaming where audience votes rule. Reflects the seriousness of Canada towards skating, as well as the entertainment value for here. Looks like shlocky entertainment, though.

I read about JW and Dick Button being judges on SWTS on FromTheBoards tweet and thought how fitting that JW would be connected with a show like that, but Dick Button?!

Like you said, Marj, it's most likely got to do with money/attention which is not a bad thing at all. Just a bit surprised that a legendary skater would participate in a campy show, but hey, I'm sure he'll be a blast as a judge. :lol2:

I think we can all pretty much breathe a collective sigh of relief that it looks like Evan will NOT be part of that show in any way, shape or form.

Whew!

Who's planning to watch the show? I'll admit I'm curious to see Dick Button. I love his no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is style.

But I'm not sure I could stomach that other judge ... :rolleyes:

None of the celebrities really inspire me.

I suppose if buzz is good about the show, I can always find clips on YouTube. I'm thinking I'll give this show a pass ...

ETA: Someone posting on the SWTS board says they "heard" Evan will be a guest judge. But since they also "heard" Brian Boitano will be one, and he's already denied involvement, I don't think what they "heard" holds much water. :B

According to Sarah and Drew (Thank you, Heather!), there is no problem with their eligibility on this TV show. Maybe it is sanctioned by USFSA. They may think this will help increasing popularity of figure skating in their country.

Don't care at all! I'm just glad Evan is not something doing there! :drunk:

Mystery solved of Evan’s other interviews from Tuesday. SWTS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRrTTOxMgbE&feature=channel Evan with Brandon Smith. Think Brandon was clueless about Evan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x22Lw9yR9bs&feature=channel Evan with Sean Young, and typical of a Sean Young interview. Only half with us, and a hoot! Bethany Frankel would have been as ‘irrepressible’ but more coherent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-rbfYNkMMM&feature=channel Evan with Jonny Moseley

These new stars made the rounds. Jonny here with the Phoenix reporter (from interview with Cheryl). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-rbfYNkMMM&feature=channel

Wonder if Evan will continue these interview chores, with SOI coming up. As much as I like him interviewing, I hope he doesn’t become enmeshed with this show.

These are a hoot!!! Thanks for sharing your finds.

I have no problem with him doing the interviews for SWTS for TV Guide. Being a skater he brings a whole new level to the Q & A. I'm so enjoying getting a peek at Evan's funny side. He's obviously enjoying this and that's all I care. And it's not for SWTS it's TV Guide - splitting hairs myabe - just saying.

Kinda the charm of watching someone unraveling, here is another Sean Young. This time with the Phoenix reporter from the Cheryl and Evan interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFw75aoKVh0&feature=related

I've copied and pasted an article from the Nov. 8 TV Guide regarding SWTS. It does mention Evan once. It also mentions judges, explains the skating experience the "stars" must have, and tells why the show didn't select "household names" for the pros.

Skating With the Stars Takes the Ice

FORGET POLISHEDOAK floors and mirror ball trophies. Think cold, hard ice and blades of glory. ABC Is hoping that their latest reality show-Skating With the
Stars (not to be confused with Fox's failed 2006 show Skating With Celebrities), premiering November 22—will do for the toe loop what sister show Dancing With the Stars did for the tango. The contestants are six stars who barely remember lacing up skates as kids: Motley Criie front man Vince Neil, actress Sean Young, Bravo reality star Bethenny frante\, All My Children's Rebecca Budig, gold medal
freestyle skier Jonny Moseley and Sonny With a Chance star Brandon Mychal Smith. Thecriteria for making the cut: The stars had to be compelling, recognizable and "able to skate forward and backward," says senior producer
Deena Katz, who also casts DWTS. "I couldn't have someone in their sixties or seventies, because it's very dangerous." SWTS will follow the DWTS format, with three judges (expect to see Olympian Johnny Weir on the panel). But the pros won't be household names like former Dancing standouts Kristi Yamaguchi and Evan Lysacek. "What's difficult about having a big-name pro is that it takes the focus away from the celebrity," says Katz. The celebs-turned-skaters have five weeks to practice before hitting the ice and trying to prove if they know their axels
from their salchows. How are they doing? Katz winces. "They've got wounds all over already." —Deborah Starr Seibel

I, too, see the distinction between media gig as a skating professional versus an ABC assignment.

Agreed! Loving this fun, quick-witted and very human side, with Niecey and Sean, and the rest.

So, they've "got wounds already" huh? I cringe to think of someone trying to do jumps after having been off the ice for years. Frankly, I think the show will be witness to some horrific falls/injuries. :(

Looks like Evan is safely distancing himself enough from this show. Interviews are okay, but thank Heaven he's not competing/performing/judging.

I guess I am ok with Evan continuing to do interviews for SWTS or even doing some at Nationals if it does not interfere with his own skating schedule. I say that should take precedent right now.

However, I do also agree with Marj's point that I don't want him too enmeshed with DWTS. Coming back every week to interview the cast may just do that. I'm not really that concerned yet though as it seems most news outlets only use a correspondent from the previous season in the season that follows. So, TV Guide will probably switch to a season 11 person in the Spring. So, I'm going to table my worry for now. :hide:

ITA, Heather. I'm glad Evan is enjoying the interviews, but think they are only for this season, as you said. I still prefer him training and skating. I'm stuck on that one note, I guess. :)

Spotted this on Fancast. The injury report already is not good:

"Skating with the Stars could quite possibly become the most dangerous show on television. Injuries are already running rampant on the Los Angeles set, which is located on the same stage ‘DWTS’ is taped on, only with ice, of course."

I poked around yesterday on the SWTS discussion board. Not much there yet, but one person had what I consider to be a REALLY rotten idea:

"I think it would be good for the show for Johnny to be a judge. He's pretty popular amongst skating fans, and his audience is expanding too. Evan would also be a great judge since a lot of DWTS fans will be tuning in, and his star is bigger than ever right now. It would be great if they had BOTH Johnny and Evan at once! Those two hate each other, so think how entertaining that could potentially be!"

Um ... no thanks. I think I'll just bang my head repeatedly against the wall for entertainment. :angry:

This person has a sick - and I don't mean that in a good way - sense of humor. :rolleyes:

I'm with you on the :wallbash: being a step above that idea.

Fortunately, the producers do not listen to those idiots! :P

I'm betting it was posted by an adolescent, too. <_<

Adolescent is right - not necessarily limited to calendar age. There are many adolescent "adults" out there in weirdom! (I'm not infering that the comment was made by a JW fan - just there truly are a lot of weird people in the world. )

That's truly a sick idea, can you imagine? I don't think that JW would be happy if he has to share the spotlight with Evan! Let him enjoy to be on a show on TV, that's what he wants! Don't ask me what I feel for the candidates and other judges! :popcorn:

Tanith just tweeted that she's

Wonder what "part" she's involved with. Skating? Judging?

They do need a female judge. She probably would do well hosting! She's gorgeous; that always brings in the viewers. ;)

True - plus she has been doing some commentary and very well at that. I think she'd make a great judge. I just hope the skating doesn't totally bomb so she has something worthwhile to talk about.

And I should've remembered she's not on the skaters' list. What was I thinking. :rolleyes:

Whoops ... tried to edit my last post and didn't get it done fast enough!

Tanith will be doing "color commentary":

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/11/11/skating-...ings-announced/

Thanks for the update. I was wondering why she and Ben weren't part of the cast and this explains it.

I did see a quote from Naomi Lang and her partner Peter(I can't spell it) saying they had had discussions too but were holding out for next season to see if the show takes off. Maybe Ben is too.

I was somewhat surprised when I read Tanith's tweet about SWTS. In fact, I read it more than once to make sure I was reading correctly. :P I do think she will do well with the color commentary. She seems to be very well-spoken.

Did anyone watch tonight?

:skating:

Not me.

Me neither. I was tempted, but didn't want to see JW's face. Dick Button was a judge on the old Skating with the Celebrities show on Fox. John Nicks and Dorothy Hamill were the other two judges. That show was a real flop.

My mom watched part of the show and wasn't impressed. I do like Jonny Moseley so she got me to the TV when he skated, so he's the only one I watched. From the little I saw, the show seemed not well done. I really hate to see Dick Button associated with this show. JMO. Don't know if I can even bring myself to watch Jonny again if he makes it to the next round.

Nope, didn't watch and don't plan on watching.