I watched Skate America this past weekend, thanks toIcenetwork for the  coverage. However, i was very frustrated when I watched icedance due to the commentator's unprofessional comments. Tanith Belbin did not give accurate infomation. She commented on the SD that the second group had more techinical abilities which was much better than the first group. This was not accurate since one of the team in the second group, the German team had quite low technical scores (at least the way they skated that day) and was pushed to first group in FD. Her comment was quite generic and did not comment according to what really happened on the ice that day. She also obviously showed her personal bias when she commented on her boyfriend's performance. She kept talking during the program and I had hard time listening to the music. When Charlie White skated, she was quite elated and kept talking about how good he was, how hard he worked on the ballet, she did not say anything about Meryl, despite this is team effort. I would suggest icenetwork to hire somebody else who has no personal bias and no conflict of interest. Belbin does not show professionalism in broadcasting, she also does not qualify due to limited educational backgroud in broadcasting. She pretty much talking about herself, her boyfriend, etc. She criticized the teams that she disliked, even our own American teams, nothing good to say about other teams, except her boyfriend, Charlie White. She criticized harshly on the Canadians, nothing good to say about them. She is very unprofessional. If you watch the Eurosports, those guys were excellent. I wish we had somebody like that comments for icenetwork.

I disagree.

 

First of all, Tanith is a beginner in broadcasting.  I believe #### Button was not a broadcast professional prior to his tenure with ABC, nor was Peggy Fleming.  Both improved with time. I am certain that none of the figure skating professionals who have commentated and/or are commentating currently have broadcast backgrounds --however, they do have excellent references as competitive figure skaters.. 

 

I believe that, for a beginner, Tanith did an OK job --not the best, but most definitely not the worst I've heard.  In my estimation, knowledge concerning competitive figure skating, as well as personal expertise regarding ISU rules concerning the discipline about which s/he is commentating are the most important qualifiers.  As half of the first American ice dance team to recently make it to the podium in international ice dance competition, I believe Tanith undoubtedly qualifies.  I am sure she will improve as she continues in her position.

 

Actually, icefan, I pick up some definite bias against Tanith Belbin in your complaint and how it is worded.  I suggest that you seriously ponder why you wrote this post and what you would like to see happen as a result of its publication. 

Couldn't agree more!  I understand Tanith has a lot of knowledge - and I'd love to hear it - but not during other skater's performances. 

Wiselder - PLEASE stop commenting on other people's opinions as if we were all sending in papers to be graded by you.  I thought perhaps you would like to send icefan to the 'naughty corner!'  Your opinions are valuable - we all want to hear them - but they are no more 'right' than anyone else's, but so often you talk down to other posters.  Perhaps you've had a background in education?  It certainly sounds that way sometimes - but we are not in your class. 

 

I was thinking if it's only me that felt that way. However, many people did feel the same as me in other message board as well. This is the reason that I posted here to let icenetwork aware what audience felt. You can look up and listen to other people as well, not keeping yourself in your little corner and acused others. Other people have suggested Ben Agosto to be the icenetwork commentator since he's impartial and knows his stuff; also maybe Emily Samuelson since she also has the "look". The other message board mentioned Emily because they felt Belbin got her job because of her "look" rather than her "commentator skill". We subscribed icenetwork for the service, when the service is not at the level, we have the right to give input.

I like Tanith's commentating.  I also think Tonia does a really good job too.  Not sure what the complaining is about.  Both are a huge improvement over Nancy Kerrigan.  They're both green but they are both substantive and I don't see the bias that icefan noted in Tanith.

Well, let me explain a little more about the issues. The 'complaining' as you put it (otherwise known as opinions), is based around the idea that it could ever be possible to have an unbiased commentator who is in a relationship with one of the competitors! That could NEVER happen anywhere else and I truly don't know what Ice Network were thinking, or how they thought it could work. I wasn't clear whether we, as viewers, were meant to know about it, or not know about it. The relationship was alluded to and Tanith said they were 'very good friends', I found that rather disingenuous. Of course she was biased - I defy anyone not to be in that position.
The other thing was - commentators don't know when to be quiet and let viewers enjoy the skating. That's why we're watching. They seem to feel the need to fill every moment with their voices, as if to justify why they are there. Great if they can tell us something informative - but please, not during other skaters' performances. No doubt about it - Tanith is a wonderful skater, and was a joy to watch when she was competing. But she isn't any more. Other skaters must now be allowed to have their day, and I, for one, don't need to hear stories about 'when I was skating.....or other stories about when she was exactly where the current skaters are now. It detracts from their efforts and puts the commentator back in the limelight. And that isn't where they should be.
My opinion only - that's why this is called a forum!

How interesting. I actually think there's less yakking on icenetwork then on nbc and universal sports. And, most of the time there is no yakking on icenetwork - which I don't entirely enjoy either. Try watching dancesport/ballroom competitions. Now those guys don't know when to shut up when commentating. It'd be great if you could customize it for your choice. Maybe that's something that icenetwork could do in the future. Let us choose commentating or not when watching.

As for Tanith, I don't think she should lose her job because she's dating one of the competitors, so long as there is full disclosure - which I've always heard articulated by her. She's not judging, just "educating" viewers. I'm not an ice dancer, so I feel like I've learned some things from hearing her. Maybe if I were an ice dancer, I'd feel differently. But I like her commentating.

Have to admit that I cringe when I hear Tanith's voice. Not because I think it has a caustic sound but more because I just don't find her comments particularly insightful. I miss Susie Wynne's commentating. She was sharp and informative but did not trip over herself with personal connections.

I challenge anyone in this sport to be "unbiased" . Not possible.  We had Sandra Bezic commentating for years on skaters she had choreographed for , shared an agent with ,etc. Scott H commentated on skaters he had "toured"with ,etc.Tanith is a nice young woman(in person she is very well spoken) . I'm sure as she continues...she will improve . I do however miss Susie Wynne who was excellent and even Judy Bloomberg,who was also clear and well spoken. In other discilines: Paul Wylie,Michael Weiss and Peter Carrothers have all done a good job . They are in stark contrast to some of the "old guard" that have a hard time predicting the CoP's scoring.

I liked Judy Blumberg's commentary as well.  Susie Wynne was also good, but my personal favorites were the duo of Button and Fleming.  I liked the fact that they spoke about elements other than jumps, such as position of spins, quality of spirals, footwork, etc.