Battle of the Blades: Final 4

Down to the final 4 skaters on Battle of the Blades : Curtis, Boyd, Bryan and Tessa.

They all showed off their Top 4 skills in last night’s performances – which also included brief solos.

It’s obvious that now, the stakes are higher and the bar has been raised every week, so each skater is trying desperately to stand out form the crowd and distinguish themselves as the true leader. However, I think all 4 have a shot of winning the Battle of the Blades title this season. No help from the judges who are giving high scores to all the skaters now.

I think Curtis may be the strongest male pair of them all. He has the physical strength, but also moves with such accuracy and grace. I can really see his tranformation and growth week after week.

Tessa tried a very difficult stunt, which unfortunately did not pay off. But, she had the most technically difficult routine and pulled off other elements to flawless perfection.

Boyd has become a finesse skater and can channel his performance-side better than anyone else in the competition. He’s starting to look like a figure skater now!

Bryan seems to have the audience and the judges wrapped around his every performance. He still has that oafish quality, but his passion and perseverance is inspiring to watch. I don’t know that I would’ve given them a perfect score…

So who will go home tonight?

Battle of the Blades: Week 5 Elimination

Drama Drama Drama on this week’s Battle of the Blades Elimination.

The story last week was the save…

the story this week was probably the lack of save, and the ‘too close to call’ 3 pair skate-off.

Yes, according to CBC’s crack accountants (insert generic accounting firm name here) the votes were SO CLOSE that it would only be fair to have 3 teams skate for their lives. What great production advice from the accountants.

At any rate, Brad May, Cal Hulse and Curtis L were the obvious bottom three after last night’s scoring, and a few mishaps in each performance. This was their last chance to get it right on live TV.

After getting the save a week earlier… Brad May was the unanimous choice to be ekiminated.

Cold.

The guy got an extra 7 days, 1 more performance, 1 more skate off and then the unanimous ‘boot’.

Mya-day, May-day indeed.

Battle of the Blades: Week 5

Round 5, and Viewers Choice week on Battle of the Blades.

Every week gets better and better, but I really felt that this week was a stand out week for all of the contestants. Everyone had a GREAT performance, and the confidence level is at an all time high. It makes it more fun to watch a confident ice skater than one that feels like the toe-pick is going to get him any time.

So last night was a fun show to watch.

After last week’s ‘save’ of Brad May, unfortunately he was the bottom of the pack tonight. Not that he had a bad skate, but because others are beginning to pull away and emerge as front runners for the ultimate title.

People like Boyd Devereaux (a favourite of mine…) who attained some serious praise and highs cores form the panel this week for his ‘Fever’ dance.

Also strong, Cal Hulse. That guy’s hair must be the prettiest head in all of Canada right now. I mean honestly. It’s like Carson Kressley without the spray tan. He is so big, yet so graceful… he has a real shot at winning the whole shebang.

Then you’ve got fan favourite and judges favourite Bryan Berard. There’s a special place in everyone’s heart for the hulking bad boy turned refined and elegant (like Beauty and the Beast). He had his best overall performance last night complete with good technique and emotional quality.

Curtis L rounded out the final 5 with a more up tempo skate that I wast particularly fond of, if I must say. Maybe it was the song, maybe it was the fact that other dances were so strong and memorable… I found this piece lacked a little bit.

However, it was Brad who came out the points loser at the end of the night.

Will fans save him tonight? The judges sure can’t…

Thoughts?

Sunday Night TV

When the heck did Sunday night become THE TV Watching night of the week?

seriously.

Last night, I watched Amazing Race, Battle of the Blades, Cover Me Canada, Football, Baseball and X Factor!!!!

Move over wednesday night, Thursday night has met it’s match… Sunday night TV!

I was surprised to see X factor on, I guess I missed the ‘special time’ announcement. I also did not watch alot of that show to begin with (I hear I’m not the only one…) But lately I’ve been tuning in if I run into it. Does anyone else find it an absolutely shamless display of the ‘have and have not’ of American society to have struggling singer perform like court jesters infront of the Judges… at their homes?!?! I mean really. I reminds me of when Royalty used to have musicians ‘play for them’ to satisfy their amusement. It actually enrages me, if you couldnt tell. I don’t want to see the opulent estate and the famous friends of the judges. I don’t care, and it makes me feel bad about myself. There are enough things in this world that make me feel bad about myself, I don’t need Nicole Sherzinger’s house looking down at me.

There are some great singers on that show, as expected. That’s why I find myself watching it from time to time.

How about Amazing Race…are you watching this season? Amazing Race is one of those shows, like Survivor, where the format makes it a winner, no matter what. It’s an exciting show, consistently every season.

Battle of the Blades is starting to get good too… it’s at the ripe stage where the skaters are finally getting their legs and their talent is able to shine. They also did a particularly interested retrospective on the Sale/Pelletier scandal of the 2002 Olympics (has it been 10 years?!).

Last night, there were some great performances, specifically by Cal Hulse who did a ‘shoot the duck’ the end the skate, and by Tessa Bonhomme who is really starting to look the part.

Results tonight!

So what did you watch? There was something for everyone last night…

Battle of the Blades Premiere: Night 2

Night 2 of The Battle of the Blades aired last night, and the final 4 skaters performed their first routines.

Remember, this is the non elimination round 1… so each skater will receive scores and votes that will be carried over into next week. I’m always in favour of this process, yes, it’s a bit of a cop out… but I feel like it really gives the audience a chance see the development of each skater. It is very difficult to ‘pick a favourite’ after one performance.

So last night, the rest of the contestants got their shot to perform, elimination free – and after last night’s debut, they had a lot to measure up to…

The night opened with a tear jerker – Russ Courtnall emotionally stepped in to ‘replace’ Wade Belak and has taken on his charity with sensitivity and empathy. Apparently last season, Russ skated to Hero by Nickelback, and decided to choose that song again for the purposes of remembering another fallen hero. Sandra Besik came absolutely unwound and overcome with emotion. A touching tribute, a fitting first skate.

Next, Curtis Lecshyshyn… skating with someone familiar to most Canadian figure skating fans, Berezhnya. If it doesnt come to you right away, remember the 2002 Olympics, when for a day or two the Russians had won Gold and it sparked a massive controversy that rocked the figure skating world? That was her, it was Berezhnya and Sigulutzi…. and the outcome had nothing to do with them. NAyways, nice to see her skating in this country, she is truly gifted, and she has a great partner in Curtis. His footwork and speed was outstaning for week 1, and he’s got loads of potential.

Next, Todd Simpson… another character guy. He is charming and funny, and he works hard… a winning combo. His ‘Blades of Glroy’ routine on and off the ice are making him ‘the one to watch’ for his charisma. He is also commercial, wearing a new ‘skating themed’ shirt for every day of practice… I smell endorsements! His first skate was very well executed, I think these skaters have put in more time and dedication to this routine than any of us are aware.

Lastly, Battle of the Blades history was made when Tessa Bonhomme (donning a Shania Twain-esque sexy sequined Leaf jersey) took to the ice as the first female hockey playing contestant. It does NOT hurt her chances that she is skating with arguably the most talented and well-loved pairs skater of all time… David Pelletier. They earned a week 1 high score for their performance. My only worry is that people will assume that David is carrying her, or doing more work… let’s see how she overcomes that assumption.

Thoughts?

Battle of the Blades: Finale

Can you believe tonight was the Battle of the Blades finale? And what a finale it was!

It perfectly capped off a great season, with the best of the group showing their skill and improvement over the past weeks. It’s going to be an interesting vote for a winner.

There’s Val Bure: The Russian with the less than enthusiastic fanbase fromt he get go. But recently, his finese has been eough to sway voters and kepp him around week after week. How can someone with such high scores, consistently hit the bottom two? It never made sense to me…so with two more solid dances tonight, will his finest hour be enough to land a win?

Or, Todd WArriner: The quiet contender all the way through. He has been consistent in his consistency (if that makes sense) He only had ONE bad week (and it taught him a elsson about drag…) but was able to rebound and give strong performances to stay atop the leaderboard. Again, he had a show stopping performance tonight…he might just walk away with the trophy!

and lastly, Patrice Brisebois: a fan-favourite, an entertainer, and an artist. He is always thirlling with his bravado and calm charisma- which he backs up with skill. Tonight, he showed his ability to conquer and perform tough choreography and reminded us why he has been a strong contender all the way through.

Battle of the Blades: Week 5

After a fantastic Halloween Night of tricks and thrills… second chances were the treat on Battle of the Blades tonight!

Sorry… I had to.

So, out of the 4…2 were were deserving of the treat, doncha think?

Really, this was a battle between Patrice and PJ to move on, and how can you NOT give it to Patrice?! After the dance of the season (and arguably, the entire series!) Patrice moved on…and proved that he really shouldnt have been there in the first place.

I Felt bad for PJ Stock, he had a great night, a great dance…but was up against a super-star performance.

See you again next week Patrice!

Battle of the Blades: Second Chance

I would like to wish all of my readers a Happy Halloween!

But if you’re anything like me… you were a little upset that you were sitting, in full costume, waiting for children to ring the doorbell during your hour of Battle of the Blades. A little annoying right? C’mon…be honest.

And if you were able to fight off the candy-grabbers and 13-year-old-Snooki-Wannabes long enought o sit and watch Battle of the Blades…you sure as HECK got a TREAT! The best episode BY FAR this season! Perhaps it was the Halloween theme that brought out the best in each skater, or maybe it was the rare second chance to fight for a spot in the competition.

It matters not what the motivation was…these skaters brought their A+ game, and it made for some fantastic TV!

In order of elimination, the skaters took the ice:

Russ Courtnall: Skated a very entertaining piece with alot of great choreography. He definitely still ahs the hockey-player strides, but he has certianly improved immensly since his departure. It started off the night with a pretty high bar to reach for the rest of the competitors… but I think being first hurt his chances.

Georges Laroque: I have not laughed so hard in… a while! THe man had his hair carpenter-glued into Devil horns and it was half terrifying, half hilarious. Other than that, he made me scream a few times…his tricks are unreal. I guess it helps that he is a full PERSON taller than his partner, but he reminded me why I loved him from the start. He has a gentle giant approach, but unfortunately he will never get any more graceful.

PJ Stock: Is a real contender if he can make it through this round. He had a great routine, with some intricate lifts and engaging visuals. He was also daring enough to wear a pastel purple vest… to show off his rippling muscles (yowza!) He has the ability and the personality… but he needs the votes.

Patrice Brisbois: Normally, I would say that I’m bias because I love this guy (he was my favourite form the start!), but I literally saw the performance of a lifetime. The Monster Mash was a monster HIT…an unbelievably quirky, fun and visually stunning number…the choreography was part playful, part genius. Unreal. and the the first perfect 6’s of the competition thus far…

As good as the other performances were tonight, there is just NO WAY Patrice will NOT make it through. If you didnt see the skate… check it out. It is just as good as I’m raving…seriously!

Thoughts?

Battle of the Blades: Week 4

We have reached the Halfway point on Battle of the Blades… and of all the competition-style shows on TV right now, I’m having a hard time letting go of anyone from the competition!

I mean really… No one deserves to go, but dont hate the players, hate the game. Someone’s always gotta go… sigh.

Only in Canada would we start off a show with a Hockey analyst and a world champ figure skater skating together. The analyst recites poetry about the Albertan country-side while the champ performs a moving homage to his hometown through figure skating. Unreal. Beautiful…and totally unique. ROn Maclean and Kurt Browning are class acts.

The competitors took a few steps forward this week too… adding finesse, tricks, and multi-talents to their routines. Shae-Lyn and Theo both recorded their songs with their voices on the track. Talk about gutsy!

Here’s how it played out tonight:

• Kelly Chase– wore pleather chaps over tight jeans. The Saskatchewan Suit I think. He lacks performance and technique, but he makes up for it in exuberance and gentle-giant-appeal.
• Val Bure– A Russian ice-dancing to country music is a bit of a head-scratcher… but he is so fluid and smooth in his strides. He is in the upper echelon of compeitors, let’s hope the accolades and scores he got form the judges will persuade the votig public to cast a vote his way this week.
• Patrice Brisbois– looks like a figure skater. He has the tall, lanky limbs and the beautiful long strides. It is starting to look efforless, and the connection with Shae-Lyn is beatiful- but they will need to stay at the top of their game to remain the front-runners.
• Theo Fleury– Had a great night…not only did he sing his own song, he landed the first axle in competition! He is really pouring alot of energy and ‘try’ into this new life-endeavour, and it shows in his eyes and the way he attacks each week with renewed passion.
• Todd Warriner– In my opinion, stole the night from everyone else! He had an upbeat, charismatic dance that will shake any personality-issues from past performances. He broke out this week, and got great scores to boot…where’d he come from?!

Thoughts?

My hypothesis is that Kelly and Val will land in the bottom tomorrow night, and that Kelly will go home. Don’t send hate mail, it’s just my opinion.

battle of the blades: week 3 elimination

Kind of a shocker at the Battle of the Blades elimination tonight… wouldnt you agree?

The bottom two were PJ Stock (admittedly, he didnt have his BEST skate, but it wasnt merit for bottom dwelling!) and Valeri Bure (one of the BEST of the night, yet still lands in the penalty box of shame?!)

wow.

So the judges choose between the CBC ‘journalist’ and the Russian…

The Russian stays (based on last night’s performance, I would have to concur with that decision) and PJ Stock goes home.

Thoughts? I was sure this would be Kelly‘s week to pack it in…but apparantly, alot of Saskatchewan-ians are tuning in and voting!