Smallscreen Reviews

Review: Skating with the Stars, with judges Johhny Weir and Dick Button

By Tracey Brown Nov 23, 2010, 16:34 GMT

11/21/2010 - Johnny Weir - 2010 American Music Awards - Arrivals - LA Live Theater - Los Angeles, CA, USA © David Gabber / PR Photos

ABC premiered its new show, "Skating with the Stars" tonight (Nov. 22), brought to us by the same people behind "Dancing with the Stars" and is based on the British show "Dancing on Ice." 

It was an interesting start to a show that could’ve been a total train wreck, but so far, it was pretty interesting.

Anyone who has competed at figure skating can tell you it isn't easy to learn and five weeks is not nearly enough time to become confident with the basic skills.  But a few of the stars have done a darn good job at trying. 

Disney star Brandon Mychal Smith, who started off the evening with his performance, had some great moves and looked the most comfortable of all the stars on the ice.  (His previous roller skating experience giving him a clear advantage.)  Sean Young looked elegant and graceful, but needs to stop literally clinging to her partner to get ahead in the competition.

Jonny Moseley is my dark horse choice. He was awkward in spots and a bit all over the place, but he had the attack and fearlessness that could make him a good skater.  So far, Rebecca Budig has the best basic skills, had good flow and even did a darn first-rate spiral for a beginner. Vince Neil was sweet, but really wobbly. Bethenny Frankel was okay and did a few pairs spins you couldn’t pay me to do.

You've got to give the producers credit for getting two impressive judges from the figure skating world: Johhny Weir and Dick Button. 

Dick Button is the perfect stand in for Len Goodman, since he is also cranky, highly critical and pisses people off with his comments.  And well, Johnny was born to be a TV personality.  They also managed to get Olympic Ice Dancing silver medalist, Tanith Belbin, as a sort of color commentator.

I’m not sure why Lorie Ann Gibson, who is a dance choreographer, is there as the third judge.  It would’ve made more sense to have one of the better know skating choreographers, such as Lori Nichol, Sandra Bezic or David Wilson.  Her lack of knowledge about figure skating is already pretty evident. Ice Skating may be a sort of dancing on ice, but it is still not the same thing. 

While this show surely is fun for figure skating fans, I’m curious to see if this show catches on with the general public the way DWTS did.  I have to admit, I’m pretty curious about next week.