Ah, but with the popularty came greater judging scrutiny. And with greater judging scrutiny came greater focus on the technical aspects. And with greater focus on the technical aspects went my interest in the sport. It used to be a performance. Now it's a gruling test. It no longer matters how visually interesting their routine is, if they land on the wrong edge on one jump, they can't win. It's taken all the fun out of watching it.

And it has COMPLETELY ruined the artistic portion of the program and fu<ked up Ice Dancing beyond all belief.

Damn I miss those incredible, cutting edge Russians.

Quite the contrary ... the new judging system reduces the emphasis on jumping. Without starting at 6.0 and getting demerits from there, every aspect of a performance can be added to gain points ... and the reliance on constant jumping has fallen by the wayside.

I personally think this makes for more interesting performances.


If it seems that some skaters are suffering under the new system ... well, that's because it's new. It will take a while for skaters who can excel artistically and techinically under the new rules to come to the fore. But it will happen.

I love watching the Olympics while loungeing my robe, eating chocolate and drinking an appropriatly themed beverage.

Reminder, Opening Ceremoonies air tonight!

I'm excited. I'm really looking forward to seeing if Bode Miller can win gold in skiing, and Shawn White in Snowboarding.

What has me worried this year is that everyone will be watching 'American Idol' rather than the Winter Olympics...
Bleh.

I'm so excited about the opening ceremonies, I made a meeting with Chris in Outlook to watch it. ;)

There's an article in today's Times (which I haven't read yet) about Skating judging revisions. The bits I did see make me want to barf. But, heck, I actually LIKE artistry. Imagine that?

Me, too (but really only about the Opening Ceremonies).

I'm a competition kind of guy. The opening ceremonies do nothing for me except put me to sleep.

Although I did like watching the clip of Katie Couric releasing doves (a couple of days ago there in Italy) and one of them pooping on her head. If the opening ceremonies contained stuff like that, I'd watch.

The jacket she was wearing looked like it had been pooped on for days and days...
:D

Do they always do the opening ceremony on a Friday? Seems like a bad day to do it... Less viewers?