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WHAT DO THE FANS WANT FROM THE SOI TOUR?
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| Posted: Jul 14 2010, 2:57 PM |
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sk8mom
**Fan Club Member**
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 10/23/2007
Posts: 6
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I have been a loyal fan from the beginning. By that I mean from the 1st show. I missed 2 shows in the life time of the tour. I agree with the general consensus that the tour format has declined within the past 6 years or so. The inception of the video screens at the four corners was the beginning of the decline. The show lost a lot of content when the screens were brought in. The fans have no idea as to why the show has declined in quality. Is Scott not as involved because of family or illness? That would be understandable. My advice to the ptb would be to consult whoever came up with the show themes a decade or more ago. i.e. Sandra Bezic & Scott Hamilton! To justify spending $140 for on ice seats the show needs to "RAMP IT UP". The skaters are still putting out quality performances, however they are victim to the production of the show. I very much look forward to my annual trip to Hershey to see SOI. Please, please, please listen to your fans SOI. The show has suffered enough years now. The web site content has also suffered. What ever happened to the backstage photos? I have NEVER had an opportunity for a meet & greet in the 20+ years of attendance! That would be an incentive to keep attending. Last season was going to be my last show (very regretably), but I thought, maybe, just maybe SOI has something extra special in store for the 25th. Hopefully it won't be EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING VIDEO SCREEN skating reflecting back. If it is . . . next year will most definitely be my last. PLEASE SOI . . . LISTEN TO US!!!!!!!!!
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| Posted: Jul 15 2010, 4:58 AM |
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iluvtodd
**Fan Club Member**
Group: Street Teamer
Joined: 11/12/2006
Posts: 245
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My wishes for SOI:
Please DON'T overlap the three tours (Japan/US/Canada). We want to see our international skaters too. I believe that EVERY skater, whether core cast member or 'guest" should get to do TWO individual programs. Please allow for more group numbers, something that has made SOI a unique show. I just love to see the skaters interact with each other, in addition to what makes them shine individually.
Do not slight the pros in your advertising. EVERY CURRENT cast member, especially those doing the WHOLE tour should have been pictured/announced on the posters and mini flyers!
When you do your preview show, let's have more skating in it, less talk, and keep it current. This year's preview show dwelt too much on the past, and frankly was a rehash of previous shows (the interviews, too). I do not expect to see the whole show on TV before attending it, but some sneak previews of actual programs would be nice.
On a personal note, I hope that you will let Todd, Yuka, Mike, and Sasha skate with SOI for as long as they like and are physically able to. We welcome the newcomers (Tanith & Ben, Meryl & Charlie, etc. and please don't forget the pairs teams). Bring back John Z! For the 25th anniversary show, it would be great to see other skaters have at least some opportunities to appear in the show, Kurt, Kristi, Katia, Ilia, Brian O., Paul, and Scott (if he's healthy enough).
Ticket prices need to be more family friendly. The prices for on ice seats are outrageous. We have splurged for at least one show a season with on ice, but the price for these seats has gotten prohibitive! As a result we go mostly for the next price level. We don't mind being a few rows back, but you should keep those prices in mind for the other levels too, especially if you want to attract families to come.
Bring the show back to Philly!
*Edited by iluvtodd - Jul 15 2010, 7:26 AM
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| Posted: Jul 15 2010, 8:15 AM |
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Skamper23
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 189
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I whole heartily agree with both sk8mom and iluvtodd!
More skating content...remember when transitions were done with the skaters, cute costumes, and some clever humor...not videos?
I know this is the 25th anniversary...and there's been talk of bringing old numbers back...I just hope it's with live skating and not videos on the screens.
And I'll second the no overlapping of tours and going back to the original schedule!
and YES PLEASE BRING BACK JOHN ZIMMERMAN!!
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| Posted: Jul 15 2010, 11:36 AM |
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JulesG
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/15/2008
Posts: 79
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I agree that the skaters are giving their all and are the victims of poor production. So, nothing said here is in ANY way intended as a criticism of last year's cast members (or those from any other year) - all of whom did a great job with what they were given.
I don't agree that the slide began with the video screens. It started before that. 2002 was the first really kind of scary year, but it was a really great cast, so it wasn't a total disaster. They rebounded, but never to the same level. They lost Ilia, Kurt, Katia, Kristi, Scott and Sandra Bezic all within a few years of each other around that time - that's when the first drop in quality happened, but under Chris Dean, things leveled off and held their own - not as great as it had been, but certainly very strong. When Chris Dean left, there was another noticible downhill skid. It also became more formulaic. This past year was a serious pothole - in the same vein as 2002. At least I hope it was just a pothole, because if it becomes another skid, then SOI may be in trouble).
I will probably think of more things, but here goes:
1a.) Bring back Ilia Kulik.
1b.) Bring back Katia Gordeeva.
1c.) Bring back John Zimmerman.
1d.) If you can get them, bring back Kristi & Kurt.
2.) DON'T go back to ignoring ice dance. Keep Belbin & Agosto in the full-time cast. The dance teams really were spectacular this year. I'm assuming they will be competing during the regular season, but I would love to see Davis & White and Virtue & Moir as guest stars where they are available.
3.) GROUP NUMBERS!!! Make them a priority, again. This year was downright sad. The group numbers have waned in recent years, but last year was just ... nonexistent. If that is the best SOI can come up with these days, then they need to bring back Chris Dean or Sandra Bezic or Lea Ann Miller (or all of the above) or hire Sara Kawahara or Lori Nichol. Though to be fair, part of this year's problem was nowhere near enough prep time. They have drastically shrunk the creative team. some of that may have been necessary cost cutting, but ... it shows.
4.) Reduce ticket prices - especially on-ice. When there are empty on-ice seats (as there have been for at least the past two years), that's a clue that it's gotten too expensive. If you want to charge that much, you need to offer a MUCH better product.
5.) Add kids prices to ALL (note the word ALL) seating tiers. Or make it a buy 1 (or 2) get 1 (or 2) at a drastic reduction. SOMETHING to make it affordable for more than one or two people. I would love to bring all three of my neices and nephews (all of whom skate and have begged to come), but I can't afford it, so I only bring my oldest neice. It's not worth it to sit in the nose-bleed seats. I only get to see the show once (especially now that it's not just my ticket I'm buying). I'm not sitting in the nose-bleed seats. I can't afford on-ice seats anymore, and I can't afford to fill those additional lower-bowl seats with future fans, either.
6a.) Go back to the old tour schedule (Thanksgiving premier through April). If you can't get the eligibles, too bad. The pros are more interesting, anyway, 95% of the time. Take the show back away from being a showcase for every eligible you can get your hands on from the U.S. and back to something that the eligibles work to earn a place at when they are ready.
6b.) Go back to the old prep schedule (the one where prep started in Simsbury, then moved to Lake Placid). I don't care if they do it in Simsbury, but they need the longer prep time to put together a really polished show. The year they switched from that to the shorter prep time in Lake Placid, the show suffered noticibly.
7.) Do NOT overlap the shows abroad (especially Canada and the U.S., which used to be basically the same show with a few cast swaps.
8.) Get over this notion SOI seems to have that U.S. fans only enjoy U.S. skaters. The U.S. skaters may draw in more people who aren't long-time skating fans, but it is frequently the non-U.S. skaters who get them up out of their seats. WE WANT TO SEE SKATERS FROM RUSSIA, TOO. Especially those like Katia & Ilia who have the hearts of many long-time fans. Japan and China were sorely under-represented in the cast, too, at least at my stop. Hire skaters for their skating ability, not their country of origin.
9.) Keep the eligibles, but bring back the pros who are still skating well. The young skaters are great, but SOI isn't all about them - that's what made it a great show.
10.) Don't bring back the pros who aren't skating well just for nostalgia purposes. That gets boring quickly for everyone except their die-hard fans. Find other ways to include them (THAT would be a good use of the video screens - NEW interviews with them). We all love and miss them, but they aren't all skating at a level that can stand up to 3-6 minute solo programs. A group number (an "All Star" number) with a bunch of the older pros could be fun, if done right ... if they can afford to do that. That could be a way to bring back more of the older favorites. And a way to bring back Scott even if his health does not allow him to do multiple solos plus group numbers. But, my guess is the cost would be prohibitive.
11.) Find a balance between old and new. SOI was at its best when there was a balance of both. Fresh blood and new cast members can infuse vitality into the show, but get too heavy on the young newbies (as they did this year) and it feels unpolished and scattered. In the same vein, there is NOTHING wrong with looking back to past glories (inside jokes to the audience and even old clips of past skaters), but DO NOT let that take over the show, either. SOI used to totally ignore their past. Then they became all about the past. Now they've gone back to ignoring it. I'm worried next year, we'll swing the other way. BALANCE PEOPLE! Find some.
12.) I don't mind the video screens if they are used judiciously. And sparingly.
13.) Guest spots are fine (and the only way to get some of the older skaters to do the show anymore), but WAY TOO MUCH of the cast was effectively guest stars last year. There was no continuity to the show. SOI is not COI and SOI fans don't want it to become COI. It also makes it all but impossible for the group numbers to be as good as they should be for SOI.
14.) GROUP NUMBERS ARE YOUR SPECIALITY! No, you can't just ignore them and hope they will materialize. That's COI. And we all know how well that formula worked for them. SOI did a MUCH better job celebrating the Olympics in 1998 (with no current olympians in the cast yet) than they did this year. Yes, I know this is on the list twice. Guess why?
15.) Bring back PAIRS!!!! There should be AT LEAST one pair (preferably two or three) and AT LEAST one dance team (preferably two or three) in the full-time cast. Last year proved that two dance teams can be wonderful. Don't forget the pairs. The pairs and dance teams may not be the most famous skaters, but they generally get the loudest applause, because the interaction of two skaters on the ice is inherently interesting to watch. Kind of like group numbers (yep, I'm harping  .
16.) Quit playing marketing games. It ticks people off. You can't afford to lose fans because they feel mislead. The situation with Evan this year was no good. He did a great job. And he had another commitment, which is perfectly understandable. But, then DON'T build your entire marketing campaign around him. And if you are going to build your marketing entirely around him, make sure it is clear that HE will not be at every stop (not just that skaters can change from stop to stop). It feels like you are trying to pull one over on people and alienates fans. And the fans it alienates most are new fans - who you really cannot afford to annoy - they are more likely not to come back than long-timers.
17.) Make the fan club something special, but do NOT make everyone else feel totally left out in the cold. (See my previous comment about BALANCE PEOPLE!)
18.) Merchandising. What was that this past year? Terrible is what it was.
19.) The website. Do it or don't. But "coming soon" should disappear SOON after it is posted. Some of the sections of this site said "coming soon" the entire season. When you first put the site up, it's fine. But don't then ignore the site for the rest of the year. Fill in those sections. It looks shoddy not to. Better to not have those sections at all (though most of them sound like great ideas if you'd follow through).
20.) All of the skaters should have the opportunity to do two solos. If they aren't good enough to carry two solos, don't hire them just to pad the cast. If some of them are doing small group numbers (duet, trios, quartets) and don't want a second solo, that's fine, but fans missed out on at least two G&G solos because they were not headliners for their first two years with the show! Similarly, we missed out on at least four Ina & Zimmerman numbers because they weren't two-solo headliners for the first four years they were with SOI. STUPID! And they are by no means the only ones ... just the two I personally regret the most.
21.) Lengthen the show with exciting and interesting numbers. The show has felt really short for the past 3-4 years. At least to me.
22.) Reprint the old DVDs. None of the compilation DVDs currently listed in the store are actually available for purchase. That's nuts. I want to replace old VHS copies of the ones I have and buy the newer DVDs that I don't. I can't. I don't care if you are coming out with a new one. Keep the old ones in supply, too. They shouldn't have the same numbers on them, anyway.
23.) Oh, and last but not least, (she writes on the day the deadline for pre-orders ends), RELEASE AT LEAST THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE BEFORE THE PRE-SALE ENDS!!!!!! It is obnoxious and unfair to expect people to buy tickets for something with NO IDEA when it is going to be. ESPECIALLY after they screwed up the schedule last year. Year after year after year this has annoyed the living daylights out of me. You cannot ask even long-time fans to commit to a show without knowing what date or even what month or what day of the week they are committing to. Advanced ticket sales are NOT indicitive of demand when you don't tell people WHEN - only true die-hards are going to buy them that way. This is a chronic and ongoing pet peeve. It bugs me that all of the advanced purchase opportunities pass before the cast lists are up, but it really ticks me off that they can't even release the dates (even if they are approximate or expected, not final) - they just expect people to shell out fairly large amounts of money and hope that it will fall on a date and time they can make it. We don't even know when they are going to release the dates - what if I have to schedule something before then? This year, most people don't even have a general idea because we don't know which schedule they are planning to follow! At the very least, there should be a written policy that all advanced ticket orders are fully refundable up to X amount of time after the dates are posted. The current policy is arrogant, at best. It is thoughtless and inconsiderate of the needs of fans - and relatively easy to change. I, for example, know I will be going to the D.C. show if I am in town. If I'm not, then I will likely travel up to Hershey. But, I do not know if I will be able to bring my neice until I know the dates. She cannot come with me on a Thursday night unless it falls during her school break. It did this year, will it next year? I have no idea. I'm not buying a ticket until I know. I might if I could get all of my money back (including fees) or switch to a different venue if the one I ordered doesn't work out. SOI has no such policy. I've heard stories that they've done it on a case-by-case basis, but there should be a stated policy. Better yet, figure out the dates sooner (or extend the pre-sale longer.
I'm sure I'll think of more things later. SOI this year was a good tour. It used to be an amazing and incredible one. Hopefully it can find it's way back.
*Edited by JulesG - Jul 15 2010, 3:37 PM
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| Posted: Jul 15 2010, 3:31 PM |
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JulesG
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/15/2008
Posts: 79
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I forgot to mention Yuka - please bring her back! I still miss Steven Cousins, but I've given up hope of convincing SOI to bring him back. Don't take Yuka away from me, too!!! Maybe she and JZ could even do some pairs skating together! She's my neice's second-favorite, too (after Ilia; tied with Katia).
One other thing I forgot: change the policy on the Meet & Greet. I understand restricting it to Fan Club Members, BUT, I dropped my fan club membership because I was told I could not bring my 10 year old neice, and quite frankly, with the total lack of information by the time pre-sale has to be in, I never use the VIP ticket ordering (it's pretty much useless to me). I bring her by myself. What else was I supposed to do with her? Leave her in the bathroom? Lock her in the car? I think not. Minor children should be exempted from that policy (or members should be able to buy them tickets to the meet and greet). And no, it shouldn't be limited to just one minor child - if I ever swing the money to bring her brother and sister, I will be similarly by myself in doing so. I have no reason to join the fan club if I'm not going to get anything out of it. Or at least create some kind of junior membership for kids. I'm the one buying the tickets, I'm not buying her a full membership in the fan club, too.
*Edited by JulesG - Jul 15 2010, 3:52 PM
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| Posted: Jul 15 2010, 10:51 PM |
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Kelleys6th
**Fan Club Member**
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/10/2006
Posts: 39
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Yey Jules! I agree with a lot of what you said.
What I really missed this year?
The SKATER CAMS!
The skater blogs! (by a single skater throughout the tour)
Hearing about the rehearsals through said skater cams and blogs.
I missed the individual feeling of being in the fan club. To pay $30 a year and not get any of the above, or private views of behind the scenes pictures or even a gift bag.
I missed the website. Last year I was on this site almost everyday. No new stuff this year so why bother?
I missed the older cast. This year it was too fresh. PLEASE bring back some experienced skaters like Ilia Kulik, European skaters and Asian skaters. I'd like to see ohter skaters besides Americans.
The "group numbers" this year were almost pitiful. The skaters looked like they barely knew each other. Maybe that was the whole problem?
What happened to merchandizing? I always buy t-shirts. Not this year!
Why wasn't SOI broadcasted on TV? I mean part of this year's show.
Having Evan in the show was great, but why wasn't he included in the group numbers? (besides the fact that he wasn't at some of the venues) Don't make him the star if he can't fulfill the whole part.
I'm debating if I should even join the fan club again this year. I was very disappointed in it and I felt it wasn't worth it.
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Posted: Jul 16 2010, 8:49 AM  |
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sk8mom
**Fan Club Member**
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 10/23/2007
Posts: 6
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Thanks to all who have commented so far! Keep the comments coming! Oh, and Jules. . .take a breath! lol I agree with ALL that you said.
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| Posted: Jul 16 2010, 1:52 PM |
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sillylionlove
**Fan Club Member**
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/12/2006
Posts: 59
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I agree with everything everyone said. This year the show was ok. Normally I leave there going "the show was awesome." This year I felt rather underwhelmed. I missed the group numbers. They seemed to be lacking this year and like everyone else, those were what made SOI so special. Also, the video screens. They get rather annoying.
I would also like to know an preliminary tour schedule before getting tickets. It make planning a little easier.
My main gripe is the case. Now don't get me wrong, I love all skaters. But they work so hard to get guest stars that are eligibles and I enjoy that. But....there programs are really just their competition long programs put to music with words. Maybe I am the only one that feels like that. It's one of the reasons that I so enjoy Todd, Mike and Yuka. Although I will say that Sasha and Jeremy were an exception to this. I always enjoy Tanith and Ben and hopefullly the powers that be will have them back because I can only see them growing as performers. I bet there are a bunch of professional skaters that are just looking for an opportunity to perform for crowds. Don't concentrate on the eligibles so much.
I was at a tour stop where there were no pairs!!! This is my favorite part. I love seeing the tricks up close. So this made me a little sad.
Also, the tour overlaping. That stunk. I would like to have seen some of the canadian and japanese tour skaters.
Don't even get me started on the website. It really stunk this year. There was nothing on it. Only a few things were updated. I used to come to the website often but this year...not so much.
I could go on and on but everyone said most of what I wanted to say. BUT....I would like to add...bring back John Z. The hotness factor alone was enough to make me see the show!!! I would also like to mention that if you bring back Ilia full time along with John Z, I might have a heartattack!!
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| Posted: Jul 16 2010, 4:45 PM |
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JulesG
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/15/2008
Posts: 79
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Kelleys6th - I missed the skater cams, too. And the blogs - especially JZ's and Steven's. I think it is nice to get the continuity of perspective through the tour. It is also nice to hear other voices - maybe they could do a regular blog by one skater, and then a regular "guest blog" that rotates. They didn't update the skater interviews either, I don't think.
As for the group numbers - I think there were two problems this year. First, and probably the biggest problem, was that there was SO little rehearsal time between when the cast was finalized and when the show started. They didn't have time to put together multiple strong group numbers. The closing for Act 1 was good, but would have been SO much stronger as an Opening Number - SOI's Act 1 closers have historically been really big and really spectacular. This years wasn't. But, it was a very god group number. I have wondered whether it wasn't originally created as an opening number, and then they ran out of time to do more. And second, the cast was mostly newbies and had SO many guest stars that it was tough. That inexperienced cast would only have made the short prep time more detrimental. It also meant the skaters hadn't had time to gel as a group. The "family" feeling was just gone. Throw Ilia, Katia, Kurt, Scott, Kristi, etc on the ice together and they can probably pull together a strong group number pretty fast, and will have that sense of connection with each other already (and a few who aren't already friends will be overshadowed by the long relationships the others have). A cast full of newbies - that takes a lot more time to develop.
I do think the reasons for no TV broadcast were probably beyond their control once they moved the show schedule. My guess is they already had the block of time set for the telecast, and the show hadn't happened yet. There was no show to air when they had to air it. Though, they've gone the "look back" and "clip" route too often in recent years, so that might have been part of it too.
sillylionlove- You are not the only one. As much as I enjoyed seeing Davis & White's OD, as their only solo, it was choreographed way too much to one spot in the arena (the judges' table) - which is typical of competitive programs - and I was not on that side of the arena. It's not all of them. B&A's solo was very original, for example. I also don't think you are alone in your opinion of the return of both Ilia and JZ! LOL!
sk8mom- That's the good thing about typing - I can breathe and do it at the same time! LOL! Glad I'm not alone in my opinions, too! I haven't posted in awhile ... guess it was building up.
I do want to make clear, however, that I DO genuinely like SOI. I do not criticize to be mean - I do it in the hopes that it will provide them with a fan's perspective and allow them the chance to address some of the concerns (at least those that they think are valid). I guess you could say, I do it with love. SOI is an incredible tour. They've struggled some in the past 8 years, and I just feel like they completely forgot who they were this year - and became COI temporarily (I hope). Since COI has now gone under ... that probably wasn't their best choice. But, it is not something they can't recover from, either. I hope they will - and while they are at it, I hope they correct some of the mistakes of the past 8 years or so, too. I want nothing more for SOI than to see it back at the top of its game. If I didn't think they could be, I wouldn't bother.
*Edited by JulesG - Jul 16 2010, 4:48 PM
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| Posted: Jul 17 2010, 6:09 AM |
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skatinglas
**Fan Club Member**
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/18/2008
Posts: 138
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As someone who has only been to SOI shows for the past 3 years and a high schooler, I am a probably a different kind of audience than most of you guys as my perspective is different. However, I really did miss a lot of things this year in the tour. I understand how the Olympics made it hard to be super-organized of put together, but I feel that the Olympics should should only (in theory), give a boost to SOI. The first year I went (2008) was absolutely indescribable. I was in so much total awe of just the skaters themselves that I really didn't pay too much attention to all other aspects of the show. Needless to say, I enjoyed it (and that is by far and understatement). Out of the 3 years, 2009 really stands out in my mind. Everything seemed cohesive, the cast was diverse and incredibly talented, and the show as a whole just seemed so exiting. I think the opening number has a LOT to do with how the show is viewed, and 2009's opening was absolutely breathtaking for me (a bit too mesmerizing though when you're coming in late and trying to find your on-ice seat in the dark without stepping on the ice but watching...). In addition, web content was great, and I couldn't get enough of the blogs and especially SkateCams. The only thing I was disappointed with was I didn't get to go to a meet and greet. That being said, this year had pretty much only one really good thing about it--the meet and greets. Other than that, everything was either the same or a tiny bit disappointing (I'm probably a biased critique because I am always so absolutely in awe and on cloud 9 that the show itself doesn't really process until after the show). Each time I saw the show, I felt it actually got better (aka the show was good enough for me to drag my mom to 3 consecutive shows). The opening appealed to me more and more, and maybe the pathetic joy of memorizing parts of numbers was there by show #3. Either way, if I write any more, no one will read this, so all in all, whatever you did in 2009, do it again.
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| Posted: Jul 17 2010, 3:14 PM |
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Skamper23
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/13/2008
Posts: 189
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Dear SOI,
Can JulesG please run the show this year!!!!
I agree with everything she said.....Esp. the part about pre-buying tickets for unknown dates!!!! That irks me every year!! I actually let my fan club membership expire this past season. Here's hoping this season is much better!
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| Posted: Jul 18 2010, 4:06 PM |
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joemauerlover
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/14/2008
Posts: 106
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ITA with EVERYONE!! and I LOVE that this is being said in LOVE! (I'm using caps because I'm so excited that there is conversation going on this board: not yelling!)
I really think SOI can go back to being amazing, especially if they listen to everything that is being said.
I miss the old boards and checking it everyday, I stopped checking it because I knew there were not going to be any posts. I did like this years shows but it can be SOOOOOOOO much better, and I am really excited about the 25th anniversary!
Go SOI, you guys can do it!
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| Posted: Jul 18 2010, 9:28 PM |
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JulesG
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/15/2008
Posts: 79
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Skamper23 - I'm WAY too opinionated to ever run SOI! LOL! They'd want to kill me inside the first week!  And, I freely admit that I know very little about the ins and outs of running a tour like this. I only know it can be done better than it is being done now because it HAS been done better ... BY SOI! They set the standard and created the mold. It may be that some of these changes are the inevitable consequence of the dwindling popularity of skating. Can they EVER get back to being the kind of show that can sell out Madison Square Garden? I don't know. Die-hard skating fan that I am, I like to believe it is possible for a skating show to do that even today ... and if any show could, it would be SOI. The realist in me, though, admits that it is very probable that even SOI at it's very best - even the tours that DID sell out MSG would not in today's climate. It isn't ALL because SOI has changed. The market has changed, too. That said, there are many things they could do to make the show closer in calibur to what it was 10 years ago ... things they CAN control. Do they have to in order to be the best? No. They have no competition. They can hire a bunch of medalists, throw the show together and still be the best available. They can still be a good show. But, is that enough? It certainly isn't faithful to their illustrious pedigree of excellence. If they are going to do that, they should have folded SOI into COI not the other way around. But, they could. They'd still be top dog. And still be a good show. There was never anything wrong with COI - it just wasn't SOI.
Right now, they have no competition except that people are free do to something other than watch a skating show. They still aren't filling the lower bowl at arenas. Is that because fewer people care about skating in general, or is it because SOI isn't delivering the same calibur of show that they used to? Probably some of both. But, should they be content being "good enough" to be better than the competition (which right now is basically no one), or do they want to be the best SOI can possibly be (and in the process maybe defeat their real competition ... the option of doing something else)? I hope it's the latter. If it is not, my guess is that the fan base will dwindle away - certainly the base of long-time fans. I hope SOI, like the champion skaters they hire, wants to push itself to be the very best it can be no matter who the competition is (or isn't), and to give fans the most amazing show they possibly can ... not just the best show available. But, ultimately, SOI sets it's own goals, we can't make them accept our dreams for them. That doesn't mean we can't dream, though. There is also a financial component - SOI is not an exception to the belt-tightening that has happened. Dwindling revenues means less money to spend on the show. I don't like it, but it is a fact of life (for them and us).
For me, the big keys to a great show on that night (as opposed to a well run one, in general):
1.)Obviously, the cast - you can't put on the greatest possible show without the strongest possible cast; 2.) The group numbers (SOI isn't SOI without great group numbers). I agree that starting strong sets the tone, but I think ENDING strong is the key to leaving people feeling like they loved the show. The opening and closing numbers for each act anchor everything else, and color people's feelings about everything they see (with the finale being the last taste you leave with people). You do have to deliver the goods on everything in between, too, however; 3.) Preparation time - SOI struggles more when they allow themselves less preparation time. You cannot pull together numerous really strong group numbers without enough time; and 4.) The music - careful consideration needs to be given to the order and flow of the numbers. Obviously, you can't have glaring problems with lighting and sound, or truly hideous costumes (they have NO worries on that front as long as Jef is there), either, but those are the big four (at least for me). '
I also think they need to go back to televising the show - even if they did it one year off (televise last year's show this year and so on). I really think it helps to generate interest. They could even work in the fact that skating may be fun to watch on TV, but that is NOTHING compared to seeing it live (maybe some clips of fans from the live show saying that or something)! I don't think the teaser shows and look backs have done as much to generate interest. Maybe I'm wrong. But, I think seeing what an entire show can be does more to make people want to see it live. If they did it one year off, they could even bill it as "wasn't last year's show great? Now come see what we have in store THIS year!" It would also quiet long-time fans who HATE that they can't record their favorite show anymore, too.
*Edited by JulesG - Jul 18 2010, 10:34 PM
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| Posted: Jul 19 2010, 7:39 PM |
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Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 2
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test (please ignore)
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| Posted: Jul 26 2010, 4:50 PM |
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Kitty
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 06/26/2007
Posts: 6
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JOHN ZIMMERMAN! JOHN ZIMMERMAN! JOHN ZIMMERMAN!
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| Posted: Jul 28 2010, 5:34 PM |
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ShannonJ92
Group: Street Teamer
Joined: 11/15/2008
Posts: 226
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I think people have made some great points here, many of which I agree with. I enjoyed the 2010 tour, but it didn't "wow" me as much as many years in the past have (this year was my 15th year attending). I think the group numbers were severely lacking (though I loved the first act closer) and overall felt weak for a variety of reasons. It was, as a whole, too disjointed with WAY too many revolving cast members, which imo didn't help the show's typical "flow". Plain and simple it felt like COI to me, which as already has been pointed out, wasn't a bad show... it just never measured up to SOI. I realize the Olympics played a big part in the show's schedule, casting and rehearsal time but in other Olympic years I don't think the show suffered as a result. This year, I feel it did. The skaters did very well with what they were given, so I don't place blame on them, I just hope SOI goes back to it's prior format, schedule, consistant cast for the 2011 tour - AND that it lives up to the hype.
*Edited by ShannonJ92 - Jul 28 2010, 5:36 PM
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| Posted: Aug 1 2010, 1:58 AM |
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JulesG
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/15/2008
Posts: 79
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Past olympics didn't really impact the show (at least not until the next year) ... other than the hiatus they took during the actual games. It worked better that way. Hopefully this year was an experiment that didn't work (and is recognized as such by the PTB. It didn't seem like they managed to ride the wave of interest post-Olympics very well, either. But, that might be my perception (I obviously have no idea what kind of ticket sales they generated this year or any other).
*Edited by JulesG - Aug 1 2010, 1:59 AM
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| Posted: Aug 9 2010, 7:54 AM |
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Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/08/2006
Posts: 22
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I agree with everyone especially, sk8mom, iluvtodd, skamper23, and JulesG. Bring back John Z. I'd like to add bring in Shae Lynn Bourne. I suspect you could get them to skate together, but if not separately would be fine. You need either equal # of pros and eligibles or more pros - they teach the eligibles all about the tour. Jamie and David or just one of them if you can't get them both could really help. I believe having a child is a problem for them as far as the tour thus the idea of maybe just one of them. Perhaps just their input during practice. Oh, and give them the full practice time again.
My show is Hershey too sk8mom. It was a terrible turnout there last year. SOI I bet you had trouble selling advance tickets there. Well, you sold 2 to me. If this year is not more like the old show you may not sell them to me next year, though. Take the advice here by all these people and run with it. Make the show what it once was.
Leslie from PA
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Posted: Aug 10 2010, 2:14 PM  |
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skatinglas
**Fan Club Member**
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/18/2008
Posts: 138
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There are so many skaters I would love to see in SOI, but it's not completely SOI who decides who's in the cast--the skaters have to agree to be in it too. Hopefully, some of the old cast members (Shen & Zhao, Dubruil & Lauzon, maybe Jen Robinson if it works out with all of here baby stuff : ) who were only in the Canadian tour will be able to do the US one this year. And ideally Portland, ME gets the last show back 
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| Posted: Aug 23 2010, 1:58 AM |
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sk8rgirl15
Group: Message Boarder
Joined: 11/14/2008
Posts: 201
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I agree with all the suggestions made and won't repeat them....
The only thing I will add that hasen't been mentioned is that I hope they bring back having the cast shake hands with people on the on ice seats or at least the high fives.
My first time on ice was last year in '09 and the high fives were very exciting, but then this year, nothing. In all the years previous that I attended further back, hand shakes were always done... it's a nice touch for the fans who spent the extra money for a little added perk.
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