The CBC has dug deep in the creative folds this fall, essentially ripping off U.S. reality shows, by pairing up former NHL players with a group of female champion figure skaters.
Anyone hear of “Dancing with the Stars”? How about that one-season Fox bust “Skating with Celebrities”? I thought so.
I can’t believe my tax dollars will pay for this show.
Comiong this fall to CBC, it’s Battle of the Blades.
The roster of female skaters is a who’s who of Canadian, World and Olympic champions with the likes of Shae-Lynn Bourne, Isabelle Brasseur, Marie-France Dubreuil, Jodeyne Higgins, Kristina Lenko, Jamie Salé, Christine Hough-Sweeney and Barbara Underhill.
My sympathies for these talented ladies for sacrificing their time and talents.
Rounding out the men’s half of the teams (to be paired based on fan voting).
Craig Simpson: Current “Hockey Night in Canada” analyst and the last Edmonton Oiler to score 50 goals.
Ken Daneyko: A three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Devils and co-host of Sirius-XM Radio’s “Ice-Breakers” with fellow competitor, and Rangers analyst, Ron Duguay.
Glenn Anderson: Hockey Hall of Famer with 498 goals and 1099 career points.
Stéphane Richer: 819 career points in 1054 games, the bulk of which came with his days with the Montreal Canadiens. He is also the last Canadiens player to score 50 goals.
Claude Lemieux: The pesky forward with four Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe trophy on his resume. He is also one of a handful of NHL players to have won the Cup on three separate teams. Lemieux made a comeback last season with the San Jose Sharks and appeared in the Spike TV reality program “Pros vs. Joes” in 2007.
Rounding out the NHLers: Bob Probert and Tie Domi.
These two are best known for pairing up on the ice in a different way, usually like this:
or this…
The show will be broadcast live before a studio audience at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens and be hosted by former World Champion Kurt Browning and HNIC host Ron MacLean.
So..to summarize….Hockey players trying to figure skate, Maple Leaf Gardens, Ron MacLean…and on a Sunday night to boot…. PASS!
The advance winner is former goaltender Sean Burke, who opted out of the competition (replaced by Lemieux) due to professional obligations..He works for the Phoenix Coyotes !!
What’s next, a reality show following NHL teams off of the ice?
Man the CBC really missed the boat there with the antics, rumors and scandals that surrounded the Montreal Canadiens last season.
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