Friday, February 15, 2002
Great television? You be the judge
By PERRY LEFKO -- Toronto Sun
Skating became the focus yesterday again ÷ as CBC and NBC earned gold, silver and bronze medals for technical and artistic presentation.
Each network gave last night's men's free-skate program the big buildup, although CBC titillated the audience when Chris Cuthbert said he had an interview lined up with a person who would blow the whistle on the French judge who screwed Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier out of a gold in the pairs competition.
Less than five minutes later, Cuthbert backtracked, saying he couldn't deliver on the interview because the person is "a little too close to the men's event."
So, the audience was forced to wait. To maintain its credibility, the CBC unveiled the mystery person as Britain's Sally Stapleford, a skating official who happened to be judging the men's free skate. CBC even showed Stapleford before the competition and lauded her for her courage to speak out, but said she would not talk until after the final of the free skate.
Well, the interview never happened.
Instead, the audience was treated to a delightful chat featuring Brian Williams and Catriona Le May Doan, who had won the 500-metre speed skating event, and her husband Bart. It was a touching moment, particularly on Valentine's Day, which we were told had been a special day for Le May Doan.
Le May Doan's gold took some of the tarnish off the figure skating scandal that has rocked the first week of these Games.
Spin'
Indeed, French officials held a news conference and denied the CBC report, which caused Williams to remark: "What did you expect? How do you say spin in French?"
While it's unlikely that a proven veteran such as Cuthbert would jump the gun on a story, perhaps the network could have exercised caution until it was confirmed the guest would materialize.
As for the free-skate final, it provided excellent entertainment, particularly watching Elvis Stojko in his final Olympic performance, while also showcasing the new breed of skaters.
After gold-medal winner Alexei Yagudin ended the skating with a marvellous showing, CBC's Barb Underhill made a telling comment about the audience's reaction: "I think we needed to see this kind of spirit and this kind of heart because this is what skating is all about."
NBC's Tom Hammond had his own telling comment while watching Yagudin celebrate after his skate. "He thinks he's got it, but you can take no judging for granted these days," Hammond said.
CBC chose not to show the medal ceremony, preferring to interview the Doans.
NBC aired the entire medal ceremony, although you have to wonder if that had anything to do with the fact American Timothy Goebel won a bronze medal.
2002 Games Figure Skating Coverage
