Hell’s Kitchen Power Rankings

I admit I wasn’t expecting much of Skating With the Stars.  I was right to feel that way.  It’s basically Dancing With the Stars on ice skates, only not nearly as interesting.  What we got was more of the same, right down to the choice of judges.  Just as in Dancing, we had the flamboyant young guy, the codgy old stodger, and the token female.  Bruno, Len, and Carrie Ann anyone?  The host, Vernon Kay (who?), didn’t seem confident or even comfortable in front of the camera.  I found his constant wide-eyed stares to be distracting.

Johnny Weir's poker face

Each contestant was given 2 moves they had to perform during their routine, but that was basically the only rule.  Luckily, we had a random disembodied head, who was actually retired Ice Dancer, Tanith Belbin, pointing out the moves afterward, so people who know nothing about skating (like me), would notice it and be impressed.  Then they were each

What's with those eyes?

judged for both technical and artistic merits.  I was right about Vince Neil not being able to get out of his own way, as he received the lowest score of the night.  Rebecca Budig and Jonny Moseley received the top scores.  The others were barely mediocre.  I couldn’t bring myself to care though.  Dancing may arguably be full of “has beens,” but Skating has stars who can’t even aspire to be “has beens.”  The judging itself was fairly tame too, with no Bruno Tonioli jumping out of his seat at every given opportunity.  The highlight of the show was judge Johnny Weir performing to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.”

I’m hoping, as the contestants get more experience, the show will pick up speed and we’ll get to see a bit mmore excitement on the ice.  Otherwise, I probably won’t give Skating With the Stars much hope.

More photos after the jump:

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