Tara Lipinski

[Anonymous]

she was 14 when she won and the reason why the Olympics raised the age. She was technically perfect but so stilted, it was hard to watch. I do love her as a commentator though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:she was 14 when she won and the reason why the Olympics raised the age. She was technically perfect but so stilted, it was hard to watch. I do love her as a commentator though.

I believe the age was raised mostly due to a doping scandal involving a young Russian skater. Tara was 15, nearly 16, when she won gold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just have never been a fan of Tara, even when she was a teen.

I feel now she focuses overly on the technique when her technique wasn't very good as a figure skater. She could land the jumps, but they weren't very high and she skated like she was still on roller skates which is where she started her career.

I feel she gives off teen vibes and she is living the childhood she didn't have because she was so busy skating....she comes across as very superficial to me.

I miss the days when Dick Button and Paul Hamilton did the commentary, they were more insightful and intelligent in their assessments.

“Paul Hamilton,” huh? Well, you are certainly the most knowledgeable skating fan of all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:she was 14 when she won and the reason why the Olympics raised the age. She was technically perfect but so stilted, it was hard to watch. I do love her as a commentator though.

I believe the age was raised mostly due to a doping scandal involving a young Russian skater. Tara was 15, nearly 16, when she won gold.

+1
And she was a joy to watch, not “stilted.”

[Anonymous]

What is this thread? Tara is amazing and she and Johnny are great commentators. I’m also watching Traitors and she seems like a sweet and good person. Who cares how many suitcases she needs to look glam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have never been a fan of Tara, even when she was a teen.

I feel now she focuses overly on the technique when her technique wasn't very good as a figure skater. She could land the jumps, but they weren't very high and she skated like she was still on roller skates which is where she started her career.

I feel she gives off teen vibes and she is living the childhood she didn't have because she was so busy skating....she comes across as very superficial to me.

I miss the days when Dick Button and Paul Hamilton did the commentary, they were more insightful and intelligent in their assessments.

Where is your Olympic gold that you are so comfortable crushing on her technique? SMH

She spends all day criticizing others' technique, when hers was not the best either. She could land the jumps but they were not textbook by any stretch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have never been a fan of Tara, even when she was a teen.

I feel now she focuses overly on the technique when her technique wasn't very good as a figure skater. She could land the jumps, but they weren't very high and she skated like she was still on roller skates which is where she started her career.

I feel she gives off teen vibes and she is living the childhood she didn't have because she was so busy skating....she comes across as very superficial to me.

I miss the days when Dick Button and Paul Hamilton did the commentary, they were more insightful and intelligent in their assessments.

“Paul Hamilton,” huh? Well, you are certainly the most knowledgeable skating fan of all!

It was a brain blip, but Scott Hamilton was a stronger commentator in my book and I prefer his fireside chats at these Olympics than the commentary of Tara.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have never been a fan of Tara, even when she was a teen.

I feel now she focuses overly on the technique when her technique wasn't very good as a figure skater. She could land the jumps, but they weren't very high and she skated like she was still on roller skates which is where she started her career.

I feel she gives off teen vibes and she is living the childhood she didn't have because she was so busy skating....she comes across as very superficial to me.

I miss the days when Dick Button and Paul Hamilton did the commentary, they were more insightful and intelligent in their assessments.

Where is your Olympic gold that you are so comfortable crushing on her technique? SMH

She spends all day criticizing others' technique, when hers was not the best either. She could land the jumps but they were not textbook by any stretch.

Did the Olympic judges have perfect technique before they started criticizing others' performances?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole thing is part of her persona and act.

Agree.

Think how many suitcases Kate Middleton travels with for overseas tours where she has to change for every event. From what I read, it's far more than 11.

Tara is not royal, but outfits are also part of her performance. Different outfits are probably carefully packed not jammed in, 50lbs to a bag.

I imagine clothes centric performers like Dolly Parton and Lady Gaga tour with a huge wardrobe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have never been a fan of Tara, even when she was a teen.

I feel now she focuses overly on the technique when her technique wasn't very good as a figure skater. She could land the jumps, but they weren't very high and she skated like she was still on roller skates which is where she started her career.

I feel she gives off teen vibes and she is living the childhood she didn't have because she was so busy skating....she comes across as very superficial to me.

I miss the days when Dick Button and Paul Hamilton did the commentary, they were more insightful and intelligent in their assessments.

Where is your Olympic gold that you are so comfortable crushing on her technique? SMH

She spends all day criticizing others' technique, when hers was not the best either. She could land the jumps but they were not textbook by any stretch.

Did the Olympic judges have perfect technique before they started criticizing others' performances?

Looking back at YouTube videos of past Olympics e.g. 1948, the routines look like something a ten year would be trying at the local rink, bent knees and all. Dick Button certainly wasn't doing what they can do today. They used to do "figures" too, such as technical figures of eight tracing edges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have never been a fan of Tara, even when she was a teen.

I feel now she focuses overly on the technique when her technique wasn't very good as a figure skater. She could land the jumps, but they weren't very high and she skated like she was still on roller skates which is where she started her career.

I feel she gives off teen vibes and she is living the childhood she didn't have because she was so busy skating....she comes across as very superficial to me.

I miss the days when Dick Button and Paul Hamilton did the commentary, they were more insightful and intelligent in their assessments.

Where is your Olympic gold that you are so comfortable crushing on her technique? SMH

She spends all day criticizing others' technique, when hers was not the best either. She could land the jumps but they were not textbook by any stretch.

That's literally her job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On a separate note, her commentary has been particularly impressive.

Tara doesn't do the annoying thing Johnny does, talking about his personal relationship with the competitors.

She explains the skills in understandable terms, keeps it upbeat and knows when to stop talking and let the music take over for viewers. I really appreciate her sensitivity, particularly as we have watched many young athletes experience crushing heart in public.

I like Johnny too, but he does come off a bit self centered.

It seems like Tara tries to find at least one nice thing to point out about each skater and I agree that I find her explanations interesting and helpful.

Tara is really good! I enjoy her commentary and how she explains the jumps and what makes each challenging.

Same! I found her commentary to be very informative and empathetic/ kind no matter how the skaters did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On a separate note, her commentary has been particularly impressive.

Tara doesn't do the annoying thing Johnny does, talking about his personal relationship with the competitors.

She explains the skills in understandable terms, keeps it upbeat and knows when to stop talking and let the music take over for viewers. I really appreciate her sensitivity, particularly as we have watched many young athletes experience crushing heart in public.

I like Johnny too, but he does come off a bit self centered.

It seems like Tara tries to find at least one nice thing to point out about each skater and I agree that I find her explanations interesting and helpful.

Tara is really good! I enjoy her commentary and how she explains the jumps and what makes each challenging.

Same! I found her commentary to be very informative and empathetic/ kind no matter how the skaters did.

Yes, Johnny thrives on bringing the snark, but Tara is always good-humored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just have never been a fan of Tara, even when she was a teen.

I feel now she focuses overly on the technique when her technique wasn't very good as a figure skater. She could land the jumps, but they weren't very high and she skated like she was still on roller skates which is where she started her career.

I feel she gives off teen vibes and she is living the childhood she didn't have because she was so busy skating....she comes across as very superficial to me.

I miss the days when Dick Button and Paul Hamilton did the commentary, they were more insightful and intelligent in their assessments.

Where is your Olympic gold that you are so comfortable crushing on her technique? SMH

She spends all day criticizing others' technique, when hers was not the best either. She could land the jumps but they were not textbook by any stretch.

That's literally her job.

Agree! That take is bonkers. She's generally on the kinder/gentler side too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just have never been a fan of Tara, even when she was a teen.

I feel now she focuses overly on the technique when her technique wasn't very good as a figure skater. She could land the jumps, but they weren't very high and she skated like she was still on roller skates which is where she started her career.

I feel she gives off teen vibes and she is living the childhood she didn't have because she was so busy skating....she comes across as very superficial to me.

I miss the days when Dick Button and Paul Hamilton did the commentary, they were more insightful and intelligent in their assessments.

I’m guessing you are over 60 with your reference to Dick Button (who is deceased and stopped Olympic commentary in 2010). This happens in every sport, there comes a time where the older commentators retire to make way for more recently retired athletes who have more insight into the current state of the sport and are more recognizable names to the audience. Tara and Johnny do a great job.