Skating With The Stars - A review on this reality TV series
Celebrities, That Is. Okay, it’s not really called that, but it might as well be according to public opinion. Many people feel that FOX’s new celebrity reality show is a direct spin off of ABC’s summer hit TV series, “Dancing”, so much so that most people are just calling it, “Skating With The Stars,” rather than by it’s actual name. Because that title seemed to stick, I’ll follow suit.
“Skating With The Stars” (Overview)
“Skating With The Stars” began airing its seven week celebrity competition on January 18, 2006. This reality-based show takes six professional skaters and matches them up to six celebrities, some of whom have little to no past ice experience. Each week, couples perform music and movie themed routines and then stand before a panel of judges for their scores. Skaters are judged on technical and artistic merit. Those, who are not eliminated, are expected to perform more difficult technical elements in their program over several weeks time.
“Skating With The Stars” is hosted by Scott Hamilton, and its co-host is Summer Sanders, both of whom are Olympic gold medalists. Competition judges are Dorothy Hamill (World Champion figure skater and Olympic gold medalist), Sir John Nicks (World Figure Skater and coach), and Mark Lund (Journalist).
Celebrity / Professional parings are:
- Dave Coulier (“Full House”) and two-time Olympic figure skater / medalist Nancy Kerrigan
- Bruce Jenner (Olympic decathlon gold medalist and television personality) and world champion pairs figure skater Tai Babilonia
- Todd Bridges (“Different Strokes”) and three-time U.S. national pairs figure skater and world champion medalist Jenni Meno
- Kristy Swanson (“Buffy - Vampire Slayer”) and two-time Olympic pairs figure skater / medalist and world champion Lloyd Eisler
- Deborah Gibson (Singer / Songwriter) and four-time world figure skater champion Kurt Browning
- Jillian Barberie (“Good Day LA”, “NFL on FOX”) and three-time U.S. pairs figure skater and world champion John Zimmerman
“Skating With The Stars” (Pros)
For some who enjoy watching, they apparently are viewing, “Skating With The Stars” for its entertainment value, only. Other viewers have expressed happiness over seeing their past favorite skaters perform every week, and seem to feel that if celebrities are putting forth respectable routines, and giving it their all, then it’s worth watching. Many people stated they’re very impressed by every skater’s quality of performance and level of commitment. Not bothered by its similarities to FOX’s own, “American Idol” (Having a 3 judge panel, which includes one of each: A maternal, evenhanded, and rude British critic), many stated they were enjoying, “Skating With The Stars” because it’s fun and exciting.
“Skating With The Stars” (Cons)
Like all reality shows, drama plays an important role for drumming up business, and “Skating With The Stars” is no exception, according to public reviews. Some viewers have been put off by celebrity nail-biting, and other antics created to build excitement. Others stated that unfair skater / celebrity match ups, and inconsistency in judge’s comments vs. scores handed out, have led them to stop watching. Many stated they never watched, because “Skating With The Stars” only promised C – List (at best) celebrities. Additionally, some did not wish to watch people get injured. Many people think that FOX didn’t engage in anything very creative and “Skating With The Stars” is just a copy-cat show. Some stated that it was tactless to basically reproduce ABC’s 2nd highest rated summer show. Finally, it has led others to wonder what FOX will offer and announce as its next reality series, perhaps…“Making Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwiches Alongside Celebrities”, or “Driving Wit’ Da Divas”?
If you have been watching FOX’s, “Skating With The Stars”, or would like to view it, there are still a couple more weeks of “competition” left. For those who are taking a pass, and would prefer to see top athletes skate against other like sports professionals, you many wish to tune into NBC’s winter Olympic coverage.