Kurt has said that he always intended to turn pro in 1992 after the
Olympics with Kristi Yamaguchi, and to join the US Stars on Ice tour
full time. However, his back injury and subsequent Olympic
disappointment caused him to rethink that plan. With the 1994 Olympics
only 2 years away, he stayed in the competitive world. When the 1994
Olympics were over, Kurt was completely ready to turn pro, and Stars
on Ice was very eager to have him. Rather than wait until the winter
to introduce him and Katarina Witt as the newest full time US cast
members, they instead made Kurt and Katarina special surprise guests
at tour stops in March of 1994. Both then went on to do the entire
Canadian tour.
Joan Tosoni (Director, Tall in the Saddle, You Must Remember This, Battle of the Blades, Stars on Ice) speaks...
I have so, so many fond memories of Kurt. The first time we met, I
think he was wondering what the hell I was doing on his show. It was
on "Kurt Browning: Tall in the Saddle," we were on a survey in
Alberta, and I was shy and retiring until we'd had a few drinks at a
bar - a bunch of us who would be working on the show - and I told a
joke which I won't repeat here. (The punch line was "Death by Boola
Boola!") I think he might have seen some hope for me then.
On that show, one of my greatest memories (among many) was the night
the crew returned from a long day's shoot, freezing cold and tired, to
his home in Caroline to do some interviews. His mom and dad were so
welcoming and warm, it took the chill away. And as John Brunton
interviewed him, he put his head in my lap and spoke from his heart,
not to the camera, but to everyone. And I fell in love. And I've
loved him ever since.
When someone asks me about the fondest memory of my career, I tell
them about the day we shot "Singin' in the Rain" for "Kurt Browning:
You Must Remember This."
But one of the fondest memories of my life was the night we spent
talking and talking and talking under the trees and the stars, on a
crazy, windy, blowing night after Stars on Ice wrapped in Lake
Placid.
Kurt's a master, my favourite skater ever. He can do anything on ice.
But more importantly, he is a stellar human being. Full of heart,
soul, integrity, creativity. And love.
And I do love you, Kurt. So does everyone who knows you.
