Battle of the Blades returning but will now start on Oct. 22nd, 2020

[Elizabeth]

No details yet but it was just posted on Twitter:

Battle is back this fall on @CBCTelevision and @CBC Gem!

[Elizabeth]

The follow-up tweet:

We're still working on the details but #BOTB Season 6 will happen with some adaptations to make sure we all stay safe. Stay tuned for more info!

[Elizabeth]

Twitter comment from Sandra Bezic:

We are back for Season 6!! Our first priority is to stay safe, and I can’t wait to watch our @CBCbattle hockey and figure skating stars compete live across Canada all for charity!

[Elizabeth]

According to the full CBC announcement of Fall and Winter programming, Blades will air on Thursdays: https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-re ... ew-hours-f

[Elizabeth]

In sort-of related news, it was announced today that Sheldon Kennedy will be going into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame in the 2020/2021 "class" in the "Builder - Ice Hockey" category. You will recall that he and Kaitlyn Weaver were the winners of Season 5

[happyheini]

Yeah! Yeah! and Yeah....good news and something to look forward to.

[Elizabeth]

Mark you calendars!!! The premiere episode will be 2 hours on October 15th with 1-hour episodes every Thursday through November 26th.

There will be no live audience but there will be a "virtual" audience of superfans projected on the walls of the arena.

You might even have a chance to be selected as one of the virtual superfans!! See: https://www.cbc.ca/television/battleoft ... -1.5716352

[happyheini]

Can't wait to find out who will be competing.Marked in my calendar.

[Elizabeth]

Meet the skaters: https://www.cbc.ca/television/battleoft ... -1.5736962



This year it will be Kaitlyn vs Andrew again but also Meagan vs Eric

They are also promoting diversity in their choices of both skaters & judges this season: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/battle-of-the ... -1.5738832

[fred]

Violetta Afanisieva (spelling?) will be partnered with Anthony Stewart and their training looks to be coming along very well.
If it's going to be on Gem, (I think I read that somewhere), does that mean I get to watch in online? Or at least the following morning?

[Elizabeth]

Violetta Afanisieva (spelling?) will be partnered with Anthony Stewart and their training looks to be coming along very well.
If it's going to be on Gem, (I think I read that somewhere), does that mean I get to watch in online? Or at least the following morning?

It is being advertised as being on both CBC and GEM, Fred.

[fred]

Thanks.

[Elizabeth]

Hello Magazine article:
https://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebritie ... rtnership/

Meet the Judges:
https://www.cbc.ca/television/battleoft ... -1.5747964

[Elizabeth]

From Meagan on Twitter:

Normally we battle together but I’m excited to go to battle AGAINST @Rad85E on October 15th with @CBCbattle
Thanks to our new partners for having our backs!

Eric's reply:

Bring...it...ON!!

[Elizabeth]

From Battle of the Blade on Facebook today (Oct. 7th):

**Important Update**
The skaters have been working hard in preparation for the new season and it's exciting to see their chemistry develop.
However, an individual on the Battle of the Blades production team recently tested positive for COVID-19 and so we are temporarily halting all training to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.
As a result, the October 15th live premiere of Battle of the Blades Season 6 has been postponed. We'll let you know as soon as there's an update.

[happyheini]

Oh dear, that could be weeks. I was really looking forward to it, but in retrospect was very surprised that it was actually planned and started during this pandemic. Patience, girl, patience.

[fred]

They should have it in Halifax, Saint John N.B. There's hardly any Covid-19 here.
I wonder if it's called cheating if they practice at a local rink with just the couple & their coach. (???)

[Elizabeth]

More on the positive test result, etc. https://www.newsoptimist.ca/battle-of-t ... 1.24216510

[fred]

With the skater showing no symptoms, I wonder if the test gave a false positive. Presumably they've repeated the test to double check that, though. It's good they are taking these precautions. Wishing everybody there, and here on the Board, the best of health. I think masks, distancing and hand washing are all part of a great health plan for these times.
I imagine all the obsessive-compulsive hand washers are saying, "See! We told you so!"

[Elizabeth]

With the skater showing no symptoms, I wonder if the test gave a false positive. Presumably they've repeated the test to double check that, though. It's good they are taking these precautions. Wishing everybody there, and here on the Board, the best of health. I think masks, distancing and hand washing are all part of a great health plan for these times.
I imagine all the obsessive-compulsive hand washers are saying, "See! We told you so!"

Fred - it was not a SKATER but a member of the production crew.

Given the influenza season, masks, hand washing & distancing are definitely a good idea. You can protect yourself and be kind in protecting others, in case you might be asymptomatic.

[Elizabeth]

Behind the scenes - some information on two of the couples from Hello Magazine: https://ca.hellomagazine.com/celebritie ... akim-aliu/

[Elizabeth]

News about the delayed restart: https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-re ... -keshia-ch

The charities being supported by each couple are also identified.

[Elizabeth]

The rationale behind the female hockey players participating

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/battle ... -1.5753171

[Elizabeth]

News from PJ Kwong (and her dog Garth):

On Thursdays after Battle of the Blades at 10pm ET we're going to meet in my virtual living room on my YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to talk all about it - new and fun guests every week!

[Elizabeth]

A couple of articles as we get ready to watch the first episode tomorrow evening:

https://www.cbc.ca/television/battleoft ... -1.5769128

https://www.ifsmagazine.com/vanessa-jam ... or-battle/