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Ron MacLean thought Battle of the Blades had potential for disaster
| Source: |
Red Deer Advocate |
| Date: |
October 26, 2009 |
| Author: |
Danny Rode |
When CBC Television's highly rated reality show Battle of the Blades
was first pitched to Ron MacLean, it seemed like the last thing he
wanted to do.
"It was brought to me by Kurt Browning's agent, Kevin Albrecht,
Insight Productions' John Brunton and Scott Moore of the CBC, and when
they sat me down, explained the format and asked if I'd co-host, I
thought ‘Not a chance'," MacLean explained.
"I thought it had disaster written all over it. I thought it was a
bunch of penguins (former NHL players) along with the creme de la
creme of the skating world."
But the longtime Hockey Night in Canada host was quick to change his
mind.
"The one thing that really changed my mind was when they said I'd be
co-hosting with Kurt (Browning).
"Everything I've ever seen with Kurt has been entertaining. I remember
the '92 Winter Olympics (in Albertville), he was the one guy who was
clearly the entertainer of the group. He's a fun guy and being from
Central Alberta (Caroline) helped.
"I felt it was game on . . . I would take the chance, even if it was
ill-fated I wanted to work with Kurt. He's great guy, funny and super
talented."
MacLean added he also felt a slight bond with Browning.
"I remember reading in his first book how he felt when he left
Caroline as a youngster to live with his brother in Edmonton and train
at the Royal Glenora Club. He said it really hit him that he was
leaving home when he was driving out of Caroline. That's the same
heavy feeling I felt when I left Red Deer to drive to Toronto to do
Hockey Night in Canada.
"I really connected with Kurt before we even connected."
MacLean was a natural to co-host the show. He is familiar with the
hockey side of the show, has the natural gift of the gab (he doesn't
need a TelePrompTer) and could skate.
"Those were the requirements they were looking for and it just kind
fell into my lap," said MacLean.
"And being around the hockey guys for so many years I could handle the
hockey storytelling and Kurt could handle the figure skating
side."
The show opened with eight couples, including Red Deer's Jamie Sale
paired with former Edmonton Oiler Craig Simpson. It's now down to five
as the seven-week show nears the halfway mark.
The show airs each Sunday and Monday on CBC live from Maple Leaf
Gardens. Sunday is the night of competition with the elimination day
Monday, when the bottom two vote-getters skate in front of the panel
of judges to stay for at least another week.
It's been hectic but a lot of fun for Sale as she and her Olympic gold
medal winning pairs partner and husband, David Pelletier, who is the
team's coach, work with Simpson.
One of the toughest aspects for Simpson was getting used to skating
with figure skates.
"He was stiff and a bit scared early on and he had a few tough falls —
he wasn't used to the toe pick," explained Sale. "But we worked hard
teaching him to be a good figure skater. It's a whole different ball
game than hockey. The skates are different with the toe picks, the
stroking (stride) is different and the edges. Those are things we work
on every day. We feel those skills are important to have success in
this competition. We have to look as if we're one out there. We'll
never be the same as Dave and I, but we're doing OK."
Sale understands that to have success, Simpson has to catch the
attention of the audience and judges alike.
"It's not about the girls, it's about the guys being figure skaters,"
she said. "If the guys are standing around and doing nothing, that's
not what this is about. This is all about entertaining. They're not
going to be great figure skaters, but if we entertain the audience and
are improving each week, that's all we can ask for."
Originally, Sale was to skate with former Calgary Flame Lanny
McDonald, but he injured his knee during the summer.
"I was looking forward to skating with Lanny — I grew up a Flames
fan. But when they said I'd be with Craig, that was great — I've known
him since I was 16," Sale explained.
Simpson and Sale have shown a solid cohesion on the ice, which should
lead toward tougher tricks. The two have put a number of "scary"
tricks into their performance, but there's still no lifting over
Simpson's head.
"Craig is very strong, but some of the tricks we do are a lot safer
than lifting me over his head," said Sale. "It's amazing what tricks
the audience go crazy over and the selection of the music each week is
also extremely important."
Each week, the couples skate to a different theme and Sale and Simpson
are always looking two weeks ahead.
"The shows come so fast we want to be prepared and choreograph our
number for the following week in advance so we're prepared," she
said. "It's not so hectic and less stress."
Despite using "tricks" that Sale feels are safe, there's still a bit
of danger.
"I think the girls are very brave — they're all putting their lives in
the guys' hands," said MacLean.
"I'm not afraid of anything and I think all the girls are all a little
crazy and fearless," said Sale.
They will slowly add more difficult lifts as the competition goes
on.
"But baby steps, we want Craig to be comfortable," she said.
When the show comes to an end, it's just the beginning of a hectic
winter for Sale and Pelletier, who will work with CTV at the 2010
Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The two will announce the pairs figure skating with Pelletier also
working on the men's competition. The two will also do a two-minute
feature each day.
"It's something we're looking forward to, especially being in Canada
. . . it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," added Sale, who along
with Pelletier will also put on their annual Christmas Festival On Ice
show.
But while Sale and Pelletier will work at the Olympics, MacLean will
be taking it easy for the first time in decades as CTV takes over the
broadcast rights from CBC.
"I've done 10 Olympics and I'm looking forward to being a fan. Sitting
back and watching and enjoying a cold one."
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