Various Biographies and Features
2000 Biography: Scott Hamilton (A & E)
This is A & E’s profile of Scott Hamilton. It discusses his being an adopted child, his childhood and the mysterious illness which plagued him, and how he took up skating as a result. There is some discussion of his earlier years competing as a novice and a junior, with some rare footage from events he competed in at that time. It talks about the impact and influence of his parents and others, and how his mother’s death from cancer affected him. It discusses his first Olympics in 1980, how he became a national, world and Olympic champion and the highs and lows which resulted. There is discussion about how the formation of the ice show Stars on Ice came about, the death of his father and skater friends, and finally his battle with cancer and recovery. This feature includes shots of photos and rare footage throughout. Scott and others are interviewed.
2003 Intimate Portrait: Peggy Fleming (Lifetime)
This is Lifetime’s profile of Peggy Fleming. It discusses her beginnings in skating, how her coach was killed in the 1961 plane crash which killed the US team and how she came to be coached by Carlo Fassi. There is discussion about the constant and forceful presence of her mother Dorothy on her career and life, how her first win at the World Championships was tempered by the death of her father, and how she eventually rose to become the first Olympic champion since the 1961 plane crash. There is discussion about how she was figure skating’s first real “star” - the unprecedented (at that time) TV deals and endorsements as well as other aspects of her pro career. There is discussion of her personal life including her eventual marriage to Greg Jenkins, how her mother’s death affected her, and becoming a mother. It talks about how she became first became a commentator in 1981 for ABC sports alongside Dick Button, and then later her battle with breast cancer, her recovery and perspective on life. There is rare footage throughout, including some of Peggy in her early skating career, her first win at Nationals in 1964 and other footage throughout her career. Interviews with Peggy Fleming, Greg Jenkins, Dick Button.
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