Red melts ice

HOUR ONE
Bob Costas says hello, it's time for the ladies long program, and goes straight to Tom Hammond. No other baskets tonight. First is Italian Silvia Fontana, in peach dress, doubles first jump. Music Puccini's Turandot, which has got to be the most popular musical choice for skaters here; wonder if the Italian audiences are sick of it yet. Scott Hamilton and Sandra Bezic talk over the first part of her skate, filling in same biographical details as from short program. Dick Button weighs in on an 'unfortunate popping'; poor Silvia, tough skating early in front of the home fans. She has a bit of Nancy Kerrigan's almost straining facial emotions, and the whole teeth thing. She's emotional as she finishes, big hand. Scores are low, but a personal best for her, so that's good.

Costas back to set the scene. You can tell from the graphic who wins in skating--two names are listed first in their entirety, then three names follow with just their last names. Kind of a dumb thing for NBC to do. Where are the grown-ups?

Young Turk
Jimmy and Chevy are at the skating arena, looks at Turkish skater Tugba Karademir. Carried Turkey's flag in the opening ceremonies. Roberts idiotically flashes to images of protestors in the street--none of which happened in secular Turkey. Sheesh. Photos of her as a girl, as Jimmy tells his version of her story. Wow, her English is perfect.

She tears up talking about how hard it was for her dad to move to Canada, working three jobs to try and pay for her skating. She's really good, says she wondered if skating is that important to her for her parents to give up their comfortable lives in Turkey. It's actually a nice piece, but Roberts can't just let it breathe, he has to birth it every step of the way.

Karademir skates, in black with yellow trim. Her mom wasn't even able to watch her short program, she was at work--that's so insane, what kind of boss or job does she have? Classical music with a fun twist. She looks very relaxed out there, doubles her first combo, announcers don't say anything at all--uh, hello? Instead they talk about how it's her first time skating this long program, which is amazing. Her body type reminds me of Emily Hughes, will be interesting as she stays in the sport to see if her style changes. Scotty talks about how skating has truly become a global sport, Hammond mechanically repeats the first ever Olympic skater from Turkey. Button says she has very nice edges, no apparent nervousness. She's very slow compared to the top skaters, but has a good aristry. Maybe in Vancouver her mom will be able to watch her. Not bad scores, into second, I think only two skaters have gone.

An overly-zealous posting of her photo obscures the article, but a Turkish paper's first sentence read: "Turkish figure skater Tugba Karademir was successful in the free figure skating program at the ongoing Winter Olympics in Torino." Indeed she was; at the end of the night she finishes 21st out of 24th, beating an Italian, Hungarian, and a woman from Luxembourg, and right behind a Ukranian. Not bad for someone who's essentially on her own.

Women's parallel giant slalom snowboard
Again, they join this event late. At least in the women's event they have an American to focus on. In the second run already, Rosey Fletcher vs. Doris Guenther of Austria, who fell on her first run and has to take the maximum 1.5 seconds differential. Well, Rosey ought to win then. And like a minute after NBC starts its coverage, she's won the bronze. Okay then, back to skating? I guess they have to show the gold medal race now. Amelie Kober of Germany and Daniela Meuli of Switzerland, who won the first heat. Hmm, Kober wipes out, so that's that; gets back up and finishes, though. Interview with Rosy, seems nice, dedicates race to the mother of her fiance.

NBC cuts out a bunch of stuff from the first hour on their prime time repeat, so that's it for this hour.

HOUR TWO
Men's aerials
Assume the American does nothing here, based on the timing. Vladimir Lebedev of Russia first, astonishing height--it's like he hangs there--great landing. Alexei Grichin of Belarus, who's lowered his level of difficulty for his second jump, odd. Next, Jeret Peterson, who's doing the much-hyped hurricane. And he nails it, not a great landing, but holds on--the most-difficult jump ever done in Olympic history. Totally low score, into fifth place.

Han Xiaopeng of China, who finished next-to-last four years ago, currently in second. A nice high jump, but not very difficult the announcers say. Odd strategy people are pursuing--but it works for him, a near-perfect score and he's into first. Final jumper, Dmitry Dashinksi of Belarus--and he nails it, he'll get gold. Wearing a military-type helmet--ooh, it's not enough, the Chinese jumper gets gold. And his American coach comes running out. Amazing. They talk to Peterson, who has a good attitude about it. How about talking to the Chinese coach....

Ice skating for the duration
I've never seen this before--they're just going to show the final two groups of six continuously, no other sports and every skater. Man, NBC is really trying to get all it can out of its golden goose.

First, Finn Susan Porqui who designs her own costumes; brown outfit, classic look and music, very oboe-ey, Romeo and Juliet Bezic tells us, a very popular skating choice. Nails her opening jump. And her combo; doubles her next jump. Not very fast but decently solid. Hard what to make of these early skaters--some are on their way up, a lot have peaked and this is their moment in the sun. Doubles another jump; what does she have to lose, may as well go for it. Interesting that she decided brown was the color for Juliet. Misses a bit on a jump; Button says her program has been kind of sluggish, and that she's been such a good competitor for so long that he's disappointed in her. Coaching makes such a difference. And she totally misses her ending, Button says not a 'with it' performance in any way. But she's young, maybe next time. Odd, they don't show her scores.

NBC seems to have total access to the locker room, see Emily Hughes happy, Kimmmie Meissner all business gets on the exercise bike, Sasha Cohen tugs up her shirt to check on what looks like a small pad on her back, maybe she's injured?

Miki Ando of Japan next, in very odd little girl dress, turquoise. Nice music. Goes for a quad--and falls half a turn short, very close. Bezic says she may be too talented a jumper, often just jumps and hopes. A coquetteish performance, not great, almost like she's just going through the motions. Steps out on a triple, no real sense of energy in the arena. Trips up on another jump, touches the wall. Button says she's caught in between a girl's body that can jump easily and a woman's body that can't; and she falls again. Crowd feels bad for her, gives her a hand; Bezic says she's been both great and terrible in practice. Bezic says a performance like that is either a wake-up call, or the end of a career. Bit extreme, she's just 18. Into 5th at the moment, horrible.

Next, Emily Hughes. She's been growing on me, although I think she's still very young and spoiled. In blue, classic music. Nails her first jump, and then her combination. Then falls; middle part is pretty shaky, bobbles and wobbles. But she forces her confidence out--she's almost scarily good at putting on a big smile--and skates better. Crowd picks up on it, announcers are just rah-rah, like they feel it's unfair to say anything bad about her. This is how we got into the war in Iraq.... She's into first, oddly high score. They show obsessive Cohen backstage snapping off moves.

They promo tomorrow night's skating exhibition program, when all the medal winners skate whatever they want--poor NBC, it's Michelle Kwan's Salt Lake farewell that gets the most airtime.

Sarah Meier of Switzerland, in a va-va-va-voom red flames half/costume with black. To slightly modern classical music. Nice opening combination. It's an oddlyl disjointed performance. Doubles a jump, long entrance into it--then easily nails another jump. Hand movements are very rehearsed. Everything is telegraphed, double is singled. Odd fake ending, then a minute later the real one. Nails a combo at the very end, not bad really, better than Emily in my opinion. Button calls her a nicely figured lady in a very attractive costume. Into second.

Andrea Joyce talks to Emily Hughes, so produced, she talks the way you'd expect a teenager to, but it's all deliberate. Next, Joannie Roechette of Canada, in pinkish purpleish outfit. They're apparently taking commercials after each skater. Standard piano music. She looks like the figure on top of a wedding cake. Wow, totally nails first jump, very fast and tight spin. She has a good quality to her skating. A bit too set up; but nails combo. Nails another jump, Bezic says at the beginning sometimes she loses confidence in herself; and that in the short program it was like she 'lost her light.' Well, she's found it, nails another jump. Doubles a jump; has a nice lightness to her length-of-the-rink section. Nails a few more jumps, a bit of a bobble on the last. A big finish, soars across the ice, abrupt camera cut for NBC. And does a final two jumps in combo to end the program, nice. Like her the best so far. These Canadian women have really done a good job at the Olympics, the men have done nothing. Wonder how many countries there are where it's just the women winning all the medal--same for China, too. Good marks, into first easily.

Show Sasha backstage, eating some sort of ice cream or something. They show Shizuka Arakawa of Japan listening to music, of course Button puts a spin on it and says she's almost meditating or something. Funny how these guys gloss things onto athletes in such stereotypical and often incorrect fashion.

Next, Carolina Kostner of Italy, in grayish to white, apparently a snowflake. They show the flower girls all happy and clapping. Looks very severe; music is classical, piece by Beethoven I believe. Forget it, won't do anything Very fast, tall and thin. Nails her opening combination, the crowd is into it. Whoah, totally messes up a jump, almost hits the wall landing. Nails the net jump, so fast. Makes another one. Never seen a skater with her body type, it's kindof weird, inherently ungraceful. Coltish is the perfect word for her, has a nervous energy thing going on too. Totally singles a jump, Hamilton says she just looks so tight; touches down on another jump. She has great courage though, keeps going for it. Bezic says she needs time to harness her speed, and her height. Looks glum afterwards, then remembers to smile--I like her, low marks, into 4th. She has something about her, cares a lot obviously.

Profile of Irina Slutskaya, so tear-jerking, all slo-mo and sad music and muted colors. Says they're like one piece. My gosh, it's a touching story--no need to milk it for everthing, just tell it well. Move from her mom's health problems to her own, problems with blood vessels. Says she wants to do her best, for her mom. Weird cut to her warming up live. We're nearing 11, and the best NBC can show is the women's warm-ups. Hamilton says Cohen just took a weird fall on a jump, then nearly collides with another skater. Hmm, falls again. Big trouble. Meanwhile Arakawa is just nailing it. Slutskaya looks tight, Bezic says. Arakawa is like a machine. Hmmm, Slutskaya pops a jump. Cohen nails her final jump.

Elene Gedevanishvili of Georgia first of the final group. Tracy Wilson checks out the strategy of the skaters. It's rushed, a bit muddled. Elene's in traditional-looking outfit, black with gold. Amazing at 16 here she is. Nails her first jump combo. Nice music, folky. Pulls off her second combo, too. Crowd into this one from the start. Mmm, totally pops outof a jump attempt. Nails it the next time around. Some well-choreographed moves to the music. Hamilton's favorite is skating a good program so far. Mmm, totally pops out of another jump. Then nails the next one. Saves the landing on another jump. Nice ending, crowd likes her. Not great scores, into 5th.

Next is Sasha Cohen, in princessy maroon, crowd cheers as she comes out. Left leg taped due to groin injury. Doubt in her eyes, Sandy and Scotty think. Very determined look on her face. Bit too much tension to enjoy. Oooh, falls right away on her first attempt. Falls and touches down on her next jump. Nails next one. Fight to be on the podium now, Sandra says; music is Romeo and Juliet, a safe choice. So elegant, nicely done non-jump elements. Big smile; she may be thinking this is my farewell, may as well make the most of it, give it my all. Too bad you can't erase a minute of your choosing from these things. Nails another jump; she doesn't spend all this time setting each one up, flows more naturally than many of the other skaters. Wonder what Michelle is thinking at home, she's definitely been here. Nails another jump, so easily. Commentators are letting us watch. She's really grown on me over the years; she's not near where Michelle was in terms of being American skating, but she's nicely settled into her senior role here. Don't be sad, you did the best you could. 'I tried, I just couldn't get up on those jumps' she tells her coach coming off. Seems to have a cold too. On replay, her face as she falls isn't surprise or shock, it's almost acceptance, she knew going in she wasn't at her best. You know, I wish Kwan had skated, hurt and all.... Scores are really not bad, into first for now.

Next, Japan's Shizuka Arakawa; Hammond reminds us Japan has yet to win a medal in these games. Turandot, nice choice; in turquoise, looks very regal. Skates fast, doubles her opening. Not a magic night for the ladies. Triple then doubled. Bezic says she knows all she needs is a clean performance. Still, it'd have been nice to see someone grab the crowd. More clean jumps. She almost seems to be on a different planet, not sure who she's performing for. Beautiful music, though. Nailing her jumps. And just nails her most difficult jump, doubles out of another it seems like. So far a good performance, but not great or unforgettable. She's doing all the little things right, but no sum greater than parts feel. Like Cohen's program better actually, falls and all. Big finish as the music swells, crowd likes her, gives her a standing ovation. 'Cool beauty' is her nickname, Bezic says; a cautious performance, but clean. Button really likes her, that's a lady skating; Scotty says every skater in the world would admire her. Still, no real gushing; a good quality performance, but beatable say Scotty and Sandra. Big score, into first easily. She's pumped, very happy. Interesting, no profile of her.

Poor Sasha. Backstage show Kimmie walking around. Next, Fumie Suguri from Japan, purple. Looks very little girlish, vs. womanly teammate. Vulnerable feel to her skating, to Rachmaninoff's piano concerto #2. Nails her opening combo. Somehow feels too little for the music. Nails another jump. And another. So thin, astonishing. Weak positions to her spin, Button says. Nails another, past the halfway mark. Another jump combo, not bad. Bezic says it's a simplistic program compared to the others. Fights for landing on another jump makes it; then nails another combo. She's getting more into it as the program goes on, but nowhere near Cohen's artistry. Nice, clean program. Button really doesn't like her lines or positions. Her scores aren't that high, into 3rd.

Next, Kimmie Meissner in a red slip. Tough girl, from Baltimore. Steps out of first jump, Hamilton says it's very uncharacteristic of her. Standard classical music; nails next jump. She has an athletic, lean look to her; a bit off-balance on next jump, finishes combo well. Oddly choreographed program, some strange silences. Seems to do a lot of gliding out there. I think she'll definitely be good in four years, seems to have a big desire, and work ethic. Nails next triple. And then another jump. Pretty good final jump sequence, nice program. Liked better than Emily's. And a nice smile. Into fifth, not bad.

Confident Irina Slutskaya, in flaming red. Bezic points out she knows the energy in the building is different, her competitors have not done their best. Arakawa looking very regal. Slutskaya looks like she's ready to get to work. Has been waiting four years for the medal she believes she should've won at Salt Lake. Last-minute words from her coach. Cohen back into view, looks satisfied Hammond says.

Slutskaya skates to baliyinka Russianish music. Into her first jump, nails it easily. Skating very fast. Nails next combo more or less. She's not grabbing the crowd the same way she did in short. Another jump, bit off but fine. Music changes, languid. Would've like something more classical I think. No need to go soft on us, Rooskie! Hamilton says next three jumps will be deciding. Doubles the first; oh-oh. So did Arakawa though. Oh, totally falls on the next, so uncharacteristic. Nails next combo. But damage is done.... They should show Arakawa in a box on the bottom. Nails next jump. She's skating noticeably slower here in the second half. Crowd clapping along, but not really into it. Disappointing night overall. Chant of Irina after she finishes. Arakawa is gonna get millions of Japanese girls to want thin lips. Slutskaya's score is surprisingly low, she clasps her head, but recovers quickly with a smile. Arakawa lets loose with a huge smile, annoying, some white guy is all over her--first-ever gold for Japan in figure skating.

Tracy breaks down the scoring. Arakawa won all four elements; Trace makes the good point that Cohen was able to put her mistakes behind her and beat Slutskaya on the non-jump related marks, so that's why she's got silver.

Arakawa is gonna be like the biggest star ever in Japan. She's single-handedly saved their games; and is gonna be the namesake for millions of little girls. Whereas for the U.S., hard as it is to believe it's the first time in eight years that the reigning Olympic champ in this event won't be American. Arakawa does continue the tradition of the winner in ladies figure skating being someone who just peaked at the right moment and took advantage of everyone else's mistakes, rather than someone who grabs gold from other worthy performances.

Odd, discussion will have to wait to late night program. Cohen tells Joyce she tried her best; I like her, she's a good person. Says it wasn't her leg wrap that caused the problems. Joyce is trying to be so rah rah, Cohen isn't just going along. She says she didn't think she was going to get any medals, so it was great to get silver. Either her injury was worse than we know, or she was the only one who didn't expect her on the podium.

Wow, I forgot, but a lot of people thought Japan's best skater was Mao Asada, who couldn't compete here because she's just 15. Wow, they could have a dynasty on their hands, everyone's gonna wanna skate now. And that guy with Arakawa looking very chummy was just her coach, Nikolai Morozov. At least the Russians have a connection with gold tonight.

Costas closes prime time with skating wrapup that's a bit too declarative, trying to put Cohen and Slutskaya's non-wins in perspective. They did their best, but fell--it's okay. Both are still wonderful athletes and great people.

HOUR FIVE
They pick up exactly where they left off, with skating analysis. Hammond says it was surreal; Bezic it wasn't what they expected, but she really though Cohen recovered well. They praise her to high heaven, she never gave up. Hmm, who won tonight again?

They finally get to Arakawa a few minutes in, Scott says she just performed, and that it was wonderful. Bezic says she's statuesque, towers above the others. And that it was very Japanese, and beautiful. Ugh.

Where's Button? Then they talk about Slutskaya. Bezic says it was all just too much for her to handle. Hamilton says this event always seems to sum up the Olympic experience as a whole. In which case this year's theme is unexpectedness. And some things changing.

They talk about how Arakawa stacks up against other champs--Bezic says it was cautious, subdued, elegent, regal--and she's a woman, vs. Tara and Sarah. They show her performance again; it was definitely a bit restrained.

I think it's funny that the top news for at least one Japanese newspaper's website is the pregnancy of their princess over Arakawa's win. They're really hoping for an heir.... I think every Japanese site I looked at is stripped down, they must all be programmed for a country that mainly access the Web via cell phones, rather than computers.

They return to Shani Davis in the studio with robotic Jim Lampley. First question is about him and Chad Hedrick. He's calm, and says hopefully they both learned from this. Second question is about Chad shaking his hand. He says he just wants to be a good sport, so that's why he stuck his hand out. Third question, you've said you'll root for Chad in 10,000M, explain. Odd question phrasing; his answer essentially is heck, I'll cheer for my teammate. Next, what do you think you've left kids with. He says he knows how powerful an athletic role model can be. So calm and forthright, a good guy. Next, being black and winning means what. He says heck, we all share in this, everyone should try to shoot to be the best in their area. Next? He says the silver will keep him hungry for Vancouver. What a gentleman.

Unlike every other athlete, he didn't come into the studio with his medals draped around his neck.

Review of the day its usual stuffed self. Broadcast ends with injury to U.S. skeleton athlete update, then back to skating, with brief highlights.

Photo of Shizuka Arakawa by Vladimir Rys/ Bongarts/ Getty.

Photo of Sasha Cohen by Mike Segar/ Reuters.

Photo Irina Slutskaya reacting to her scores by Mark Baker/ AP.