Skating's Next Star
Encyclopedia
Skating's Next Star is a reality television
show that began airing on the WE tv
on April 26, 2006. The show also aired in Toronto
in early 2007.
Twelve Professional Skaters competed for the first place prize $25,000, a feature article in International Figure Skating Magazine and a one year contract management contract with Major League Figure Skating. The show gained notority on the Today (NBC program) show which featured Natalia Kanounnikova setting the Guinness World Records
for being the fastest spinner on ice. She set the record in episode 2. The Series was created by CEO of Major League Figure Skating and Former United States Figure Skating Judge, Jon Rubin.
. The Judges are Olympic Silver Medalist Elvis Stojko
, Double Olympic Gold Medalist Oksana Grishuk and World Bronze Medalist, Rudy Galindo
.
Men Skaters:
Sergey Meller, West Townsend, MA; Scott Corbin, Clinton Township, MI; Emanuele Ancorini, New York, NY; Chris Thombs, Portsmouth, RI; Eric Bohnstedt, Orlando, FL; Dusty Brinsmade, Detroit, MI
Ladies Skaters:
Natalia Kanounnikova, Florida; Kristin Dority, Providence, RI; Kristen Treni, Punta Gorda, FL; Ashley Clark, Colorado; Natalie Mecher, Vernon Hills, IL; Jessica Meller, West Township, MA
This first episode introduces the skaters. There's already a twist: the skaters will be surprised that two of them are going to be cut from the competition immediately. Each will have just 60 seconds on the ice to show their stuff in front of the judges. They'll have to show spins, footwork and jumps. In 60 seconds. No rehearsal, no practice, no second chances. Each skater skates, the judges give their critique after each skate, and at the end of the show, two skaters will be sent packing.
This episode has the skaters compete for fastest spin. We'll be using a custom rotational tachometer that's never been used before to precisely measure the speed of an ice skater's spin. There is a chance that one of them will earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. This episode also has the skaters performing on teams in an ensemble number—swing chain, chorus line, synchronized skating, etc. The five men will be on one team and the five women on the other team. They'll have to skate together as a team, while still being in competition with one another. Each skater gets a highlighted moment, too. The judges will be briefed on how cooperative the skaters were in practice. One man and one woman will be eliminated from the competition after the team skate.
The skaters won't believe this challenge: they'll be judged on one jump—the nearly impossible reverse axel. Lots of falling and very clumsy landings. We expect that one or two skaters will be able to pull it off. The skaters who do the best will earn an advantage going into this next competition... The second big challenge is all about spins. Each skater's routine will show off their best, most creative, wild, contorted, elegant spin. One man and one woman will be eliminated after the spin routines.
In this episode, the skaters will be judged on how they skate in pairs, which most are just not trained to do. They will have rehearsal time the night before. The best pair will earn an advantage going into the second challenge... Each skater will perform an especially showy, dance number - Broadway, musicals, chorus lines, etc. One man and one woman will be eliminated after the showtime number.
Lots of bravura in this episode, with skaters showing off their most entertaining, fancy footwork. The best man and woman will earn an advantage going into the next challenge. The pressure's really on as each skater performs a routine with his or her biggest, finest, most crowd-pleasing jumps. One man and one woman will be eliminated after the jumps routine.
The two remaining competitors will skate three very showy, fast-paced, competitive challenges to determine the winner. It will feel a little like "anything you can do I can do better." By now, viewers will be strongly rooting for one or the other. All eliminated skaters return to rally round their former rivals. One skater, either the male or the female, will be named Skating's Next Star. Then, there will be a big all-skate finale with special effects.
Kristen Treni became Skating's Next Star.
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
show that began airing on the WE tv
WE TV
We TV is the third TV channel from Malayalam Communications Ltd, in Kerala and based at Trivandrum. The other two channels of this company are Kairali TV and People TV. WE TV is mainly aimed at the youth and was officially launched on April 14, 2007. Mr...
on April 26, 2006. The show also aired in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in early 2007.
Twelve Professional Skaters competed for the first place prize $25,000, a feature article in International Figure Skating Magazine and a one year contract management contract with Major League Figure Skating. The show gained notority on the Today (NBC program) show which featured Natalia Kanounnikova setting the Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
for being the fastest spinner on ice. She set the record in episode 2. The Series was created by CEO of Major League Figure Skating and Former United States Figure Skating Judge, Jon Rubin.
Synopsis
Twelve Professional Skaters, that just missed stardom come together to battle it over six episodes both on and off the ice to see who will become Skating’s Next Star.Cast
The show is hosted by Olympic Gold Medalist, Kristi YamaguchiKristi Yamaguchi
Kristine Tsuya "Kristi" Yamaguchi-Hedican is an American figure skater. She is the 1992 Olympic Champion in ladies' singles. Yamaguchi also won two World Figure Skating Championships in 1991 and 1992 and a U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 1992. She won one junior world title in 1988 and two...
. The Judges are Olympic Silver Medalist Elvis Stojko
Elvis Stojko
Elvis Stojko, MSC, MSM is a Canadian figure skater. He is a three-time World champion , two-time Olympic silver medalist , and seven-time Canadian champion ....
, Double Olympic Gold Medalist Oksana Grishuk and World Bronze Medalist, Rudy Galindo
Rudy Galindo
Val Joe "Rudy" Galindo is an American figure skater who competed in both single skating and pair skating. As a single skater, he is the 1996 U.S. national champion and 1987 World Junior Champion. As a pairs skater, he competed with Kristi Yamaguchi and was the 1988 World Junior Champion and the...
.
Men Skaters:
Sergey Meller, West Townsend, MA; Scott Corbin, Clinton Township, MI; Emanuele Ancorini, New York, NY; Chris Thombs, Portsmouth, RI; Eric Bohnstedt, Orlando, FL; Dusty Brinsmade, Detroit, MI
Ladies Skaters:
Natalia Kanounnikova, Florida; Kristin Dority, Providence, RI; Kristen Treni, Punta Gorda, FL; Ashley Clark, Colorado; Natalie Mecher, Vernon Hills, IL; Jessica Meller, West Township, MA
Episode 1
Original Air Date—20 April 2006This first episode introduces the skaters. There's already a twist: the skaters will be surprised that two of them are going to be cut from the competition immediately. Each will have just 60 seconds on the ice to show their stuff in front of the judges. They'll have to show spins, footwork and jumps. In 60 seconds. No rehearsal, no practice, no second chances. Each skater skates, the judges give their critique after each skate, and at the end of the show, two skaters will be sent packing.
Episode 2
Original Air Date—27 March 2006This episode has the skaters compete for fastest spin. We'll be using a custom rotational tachometer that's never been used before to precisely measure the speed of an ice skater's spin. There is a chance that one of them will earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. This episode also has the skaters performing on teams in an ensemble number—swing chain, chorus line, synchronized skating, etc. The five men will be on one team and the five women on the other team. They'll have to skate together as a team, while still being in competition with one another. Each skater gets a highlighted moment, too. The judges will be briefed on how cooperative the skaters were in practice. One man and one woman will be eliminated from the competition after the team skate.
Episode 3
Original Air Date—3 April 2006The skaters won't believe this challenge: they'll be judged on one jump—the nearly impossible reverse axel. Lots of falling and very clumsy landings. We expect that one or two skaters will be able to pull it off. The skaters who do the best will earn an advantage going into this next competition... The second big challenge is all about spins. Each skater's routine will show off their best, most creative, wild, contorted, elegant spin. One man and one woman will be eliminated after the spin routines.
Episode 4
Original Air Date—10 April 2006In this episode, the skaters will be judged on how they skate in pairs, which most are just not trained to do. They will have rehearsal time the night before. The best pair will earn an advantage going into the second challenge... Each skater will perform an especially showy, dance number - Broadway, musicals, chorus lines, etc. One man and one woman will be eliminated after the showtime number.
Episode 5
Original Air Date—17 April 2006Lots of bravura in this episode, with skaters showing off their most entertaining, fancy footwork. The best man and woman will earn an advantage going into the next challenge. The pressure's really on as each skater performs a routine with his or her biggest, finest, most crowd-pleasing jumps. One man and one woman will be eliminated after the jumps routine.
Episode 6
Original Air Date—24 April 2006The two remaining competitors will skate three very showy, fast-paced, competitive challenges to determine the winner. It will feel a little like "anything you can do I can do better." By now, viewers will be strongly rooting for one or the other. All eliminated skaters return to rally round their former rivals. One skater, either the male or the female, will be named Skating's Next Star. Then, there will be a big all-skate finale with special effects.
Kristen Treni became Skating's Next Star.