#Middlebury
Q: Ice skating competitions are very well covered thanks to the Olympic Channel and NBCSN. However, in the past couple of years, I haven’t seen any of the beautiful ice skating shows that were once televised, usually around the holidays. Are they being shown on a channel that I am not aware of? – J.F.
A: Unfortunately, those professional figure skating specials ended when Steve Disson, who produced them, bid farewell to the format in 2017. He posted this on social media back then, “After 28 years of producing over 200 skating specials, I have decided that it’s time to move on to the next challenge in my life. This decision was not an easy one for me to make because I have really enjoyed working with so many great people in the skating world over the years.
“The very first network skating show that I ever produced was our Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular back in 1989, and I think it’s only fitting that this same show 28 years later will be my last one. This has always been one of my favorite specials and a nice way to end what has been a fun and good long run!”
I tried contacting Disson Skating through its Facebook page, and Alyssa Shane responded that they appreciated your kind words, but didn’t expect there to be any more new specials. She is working on a project called the Aurora Games, explaining that it’s “an all-women’s event, a team competition with athletes from all over the world – The Americas vs. The World.” The Games will air on the ESPN networks from Aug. 20-25, with figure skating on Aug. 24. She said that it won’t be like the old Disson shows, but could be of interest to figure skating fans.
You can read more about the upcoming summer events at the website AuroraGamesFestival.com or follow on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @AuroraGamesFest.
Lori Loughlin in “When Calls the Heart” (Eike Schroter/Crown Media photo)
Q: What is the possibility of seeing the rest of the series “When Calls the Heart”? There were only a few more episodes, and viewers would want to see them. Is it fair to the other good actors? Hallmark was right in firing Lori Loughlin. – W.F.
A. I agree that it’s not fair to the other actors to pay for their former co-star Loughlin’s alleged crimes, but fortunately they won’t have to. The Hallmark Channel has announced that “When Calls the Heart” is merely on hiatus, saying that “Hope Valley has many more stories left to share, and we will let you know the details soon.”
Since Loughlin’s firing after being arrested on bribery charges, it’s uncertain whether her character will be written out of the show or if the role will be recast. Incidentally, the first episode of season six was the highest rated premiere in the series’ history. It earned the numbers on its own merit though, having aired a couple weeks before gaining any extra publicity from all of Loughlin’s press coverage.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com!
© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
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