Can we talk about presentation?

[FlashOBlue]

Seems like this is going to be a *BIG* discussion remembering some posts from way back. Is it okay to start sharing our ideas? Since it's May already and most seem to want the presentation to happen before next season we'd better get talking!

[barbnf]

Oprah or the Today Show .... those are my favorites ...

I know some have expressed a desire for a quiet presentation, but ... I, personally, think Michelle DESERVES more ... she DESERVES public acknowledgement of how much her fans think of her ... just my 2 cents ...

[Kwadruple]

I'm in favor of a quiet presentation with Jen and Heather present. I don't see why it would need to be publisized. This is just a gift from us to her.

[billob]

Originally I thought a low key presentation was the way to go but since this thing has gotten so big I feel that publicity is in order. Let's face it. We are not giving Michelle a cheap trinket nor are we just passing on a few peanuts to her charity.

One possible idea would be to have a representative from whatever charity is going to receive the gift set up the presentation.

Hope fully there will be more ideas on this followed by a vote.

[nymkfan51]

TV in some capacity (Oprah or Today are good choices). I originally had thought that a more private presentation would be better ... but then I was thinking of how many more MKF'rs would actually get to see and share in the event if it were covered on TV. And I would love everyone to see just how MUCH Michelle is loved. JMO

[GinnySmith]

My vote still remains to do it on the quiet, low key side.

[Terri]

I prefer a low-key presentation, maybe at the Lake Arrowhead show. I think Shep Goldberg could give us some insight on what would be good once we're ready to present it. If he wants publicity he knows how to make it happen.

[Forever Loyal]

I like the idea of contacting Shep Goldberg. I also think it should be a televised presentation. Michelle deserves the recognition.

[zins]

If a TV presentation is voted for I think we should consider Jay Leno. He seems to have s soft spot for Michelle and I think he would be more willing than Oprah or Today to agree to host the presentation. Besides he's in LA which would make it much easier for Michelle to attend, plus since it's nationally televised all the forum fans can watch.

[iceskaterdawn]

Shouldn't it be up to Michelle how she wants it done? She may not want a huge flashy presentation. Also logistically there will be a lot of strings to pull to get it done on a major tv show. I would suggest contacting her agent and asking his opinion. If he wants it done on a big scale, then he can probably work it out with a show to get Michelle on it. If he prefers that it is done more privately then a Lake Arrowhead show would be more practical. At either rate her agent is going to need to be involved in order to get Michelle there.

[GinnySmith]

I'm in agreement with you on all counts.

[graciesfriend]

ITA that we should contact Michelle's agent about the presentation; seems like the most logical thing to do. I know there is another thread about how to pick the charity for the balance of the money. I would also suggest that we ask Michelle's agent about this. He could certainly ask Michelle for her preference. Again, only seems logical.

[isk8fan]

Contacting Shep is a great idea. Then we'll get input from Michelle and be able to accomodate her wishes as well as those of her fans and the charity the money will go to.

Since I love Michelle so much, I would love to have something on TV about it so I could participate by watching. I would also like her to get some great publicity from it. More publicity keeps her in the public eye and more desireable as a spokesperson for various corporations... and we get to see more of her, too.

I'm also so grateful to Jenny and Heather for their consistent development of information for Michelle's fans. Their dedication and sharing supported my interest in Michelle that grew and grew as I got to know her better through the web site and MKF. The huge fan base on the internet is a result of this consistency. My vote is to have them as part of the presentation. The reason I keep going to Heather's site and the MKF is because it is always up-to-date and excludes bashing. THANK YOU HEATHER AND JENNY. I love you both.

[Sharon]

I agree with those who say contact Shep and let Michelle decide. Both about the presentation and which charity :) .

[barbnf]

to Jay Leno ... after all, he had Michelle on right after the Olympics ... and he was so kind and sensitive toward her ... I became a fan of his that night ... I occasionally watched the Tonight Show, but it never really reeled me in ... but, now I like Jay Leno ... :) ....

Oprah and Today would still be good choices, but I think maybe Jay Leno deserves the honor more ...

[FlashOBlue]

Can we start a poll for presentation? It seems that it's gonna take a lot of time and energy to get the medal presented once we decide what we want to do.

Here's a complied list of the suggestions so far and a "sample ballot." I'm sure others can add (or delete) from this list then someone can turn it into a real poll:

Should the results of this poll be sent to Michelle’s agent, Shep Goldberg for help with presentation, etc?
yes
no

Should Shep Goldberg work out what, where and how to present?
yes
no

Should the presentation be a surprise to Michelle?
yes
no

Should Michelle chose where presentation should take place and how it should be done?
yes
no

How to present:
quiet, simple
big
private
public

Where to present:
television program
Ice Castle
Health Sound
on tour

Presenter:
Heather
Jenny
Heather and Jenny along with a celebrity
Brian Boitano
Dick Button
Peggy Flemming
Dorothy Hamill
Janet Lynn
Frank Carroll
Bud Greenspan
other

If on television, which show:
Jay Leno
Oprah
Good Morning America
Today Show
other

Involve press:
yes
no

If yes, who?
skating magazines
USA Today
Associated Press

Let a rep from the charity set up presentation:
yes
no

I've talked with iloveskating about turning this into a poll like the medal design poll. Or maybe she can tell someone with computer savy how to do it. What do you think?

Shelia

[iloveskating]

I will be glad to put up a poll as soon as I get the time. Or if anyone has AT&T cable modem and would like to help, you can put up a free poll using their tools. That is what I did.

[FlashOBlue]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, iloveskating!

The other morning I woke up with a vision of Bud Greenspan -- with his accepting, soft, kind, loving voice -- telling Michelle, for all of us, how wonderful she is and handing her the platinum medal. It brought tears to my eyes. I guess I want to see the medal presented with *tenderness and love*.

Shelia



Michelle Kwan
{\O/}
*/*\*
on ice

[GinnySmith]

Hi, FlashOBlue and iloveskating--

Thanks for taking this on. By the way, you might want to check this thread started by barbnf in the MK Fan Chat section:

pub1.ezboard.com/fmichell...4418.topic (http://pub1.ezboard.com/fmichellekwanforummkfanchat.showMessage?topicID=14 418.topic)

Apparently, this poster is going to be in Chicago in September and has asked others to write to Oprah about having Michelle on the show, and this person present the medal there.

To my knowledge, we have not yet decided on this as a group, right? I posted to that thread to say that you folks were working on putting together a poll to decide on how to present.

[FlashOBlue]

Thanks Ginny. Yes, a poll will be set up this week to vote on all aspects that have been discussed on this and other threads, including Oprah. I really don't think we'll get what we want just because we want it. In other words we're going to need someone with clout to help us accomplish even the simplest of presentations.

Doesn't anyone know anyone with clout? Are there any lurkers out there with the ability to help us?

[probativev]

hmm, my 2cents:

No Oprah, Jay Leno maybe. Heather was right, Oprah has no relationship with Michelle and the Oprah is limited to a select group of audience, not diverse enough in terms of age, genders, interests of all people.

I don't think it works to have a suprise presentation if we are going to have to get her to show up to accept, plus we might be contacting her prior to the presentation to see which charity she wants to donation to go to.

I would prefer that the charity not be involved in setting up the presentation as too may chefs may spoil the dish. The charity may not end up doing something that reflect what we want as a group. It'll be great to have its representative present, but I'd leave them out of the planning.

I'm still for a low key event. Personally, I'm sick and tired of the press and all her detractors. I just want this to be an occasion that would make her happy. But again, majority rules and I'll be happy with whatever.

If no press/tv is involved, we can always post lots of pictures of the presentation on the web for all to see, maybe even video tape. My brother did that once for his trip to Greece, so it CAN be done if the receiving computer has large enough memory.

Contacting Shep Goldberg probably would be the best.

Finally, I'm planning to be there in person to see the presentation, and I hope all those who attend can all meet up for dinner or lunch or something afterwards (and would be great if Michelle can join us).

Alexa