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Thin Ice – Reality Skating Show With a New Twist
| Source: |
IFS Magazine |
| Date: |
November 29, 2009 |
| Author: |
Susan D. Russell |
Get ready for "Thin Ice," a hot new reality skating show, set to hit
the airwaves next March.
Produced by O'Neil Entertainment for ABC Television, the show will be
hosted by Kurt Browning and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, co-host of "The
View." Lea Ann Miller will serve as artistic director.
Canada's Shae-Lynn Bourne, the 2003 World ice dance champion and
Shizuka Arakawa from Japan, the 2006 and reigning Olympic champion,
are confirmed entries for the event.
Kristi Yamaguchi and Dick Button have signed on as judges with a third
to be announced at a later date. The judging criterion is simple –
entertain us!
The format will feature six couples that will perform together for the
first time. Each will present a series of alternating solos within
each program. "We want to bring together the greatest skaters in the
world and we decided to draw from all four disciplines to make it
interesting and exciting," said producer, Terrence O'Neil. "No
current pairs and dance teams will perform together."
Teams will also not attempt the kind of synchronicity that pairs and
dance couples typically do. For instance, Shae-Lynn has such a
distinctive solo style – she will not recreate what she and Victor
Kraatz did," O'Neil explained. "Choreography will be the wild
card. Who will be able to blend it into a compatible mix?"
Since the format of the show does not meet International Skating Union
rules, only professional skaters will be invited. There are no rules
about the selection of music or the use of props.
Both competition events will take place in the Premier Ballroom at the
MGM Grand Hotel at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Conn., and will air live
in the U.S. and Canada on Friday, March 19 at 8 p.m. (EST) on the ABC
network. The show will also be broadcast around the world.
Voting will be split - 50% by the judging panel and 50% by viewer
vote. For the first time in American reality television history,
viewers from all corners of the globe will be able to vote for their
favorites. "We are encouraging our international television partners
to broadcast the shows live so that between Friday and Sunday, as many
international viewers as possible will be able to vote," O'Neil
said.
The finale is scheduled for Sunday, March 21 at 7 p.m. All six couples
will perform a second original program but, given the time
constraints, only those in attendance at the show will be able to
vote. Calculation of votes will take place during the final commercial
break and the winner will be announced at the end of the show.
There is seating for 3,000 people at the Premier Ballroom. Tickets are
scheduled to go on sale this week. As an added bonus, dress rehearsals
will be open to the public. "With such limited seating, we anticipate
the ballroom will be bustling with energy, both during the dress
rehearsals and on-air shows," O'Neil said.
The full roster of skaters and further details will be announced
shortly.
IFS will be bringing you all of the exclusive backstage fun from "Thin
Ice."
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