I was not looking forward to Stars on Ice this year after all I had heard about this year's show. In fact I didn't buy my ticket until this past Sunday and only because Todd had joined the tour.

But I was actually surprised. I enjoyed the show much more than I expected to. And I enjoyed it far more than the last couple of years. I would prefer they weren't so gimicky, but there were some very good numbers in the show. Ilia is finally finding some direction as a pro. He has his jumps back and even though his numbers seem to be quite similar, they were very enjoyable. Kristi will be missed if this is her last year. She is still performing the harder triples 10 years after her Olympic gold medal. Kurt is always great and Stephen is a crowd-pleaser, although under utilized yet again.

So onto Todd. I thought it was odd that Todd's name hasn't been added to the voice over at the start of the show. But maybe because he isn't in the opening number they thought it would be confusing. As usual Todd was introduced by Kurt, who just happened to mention that Todd was from the area. Loud applause for Todd of course.

In the first Act Todd performs a scaled down version of his "Lord of the Rings" free skate. Much of the choreography is the same, but it has been adapted for a smaller ice surface and less jumps planned. Todd wears the same black costume he has been wearing. Todd started the program great with a triple loop, triple axel, and a triple lutz. He substituted a Russian split/flip for some jump and his second axel on the crescendo of the music was a double this time. Then Todd did what I thought was a triple salchow. But Todd doesn't put them in his exhibition programs, so I could be wrong.

Toward the end of his footwork section Todd caught an edge and went down, sliding right into the on-ice seats at the skaters entrance end of the rink. I don't know who was more surprised, Todd or the people in the seats that Todd was heading right toward. But he stopped at their feet and didn't appear to have injured anything more than perhaps his pride. He got right back up and back into the program. I don't know what was missed by the fall, but he finished with the Russian splits and his trademark combination spin. In spite of the slightly marred performance, Todd still received a partial standing ovation. The only one to have received one during the show.

Todd skated to "Your Song" from the movie Moulan Rouge in the second act. This time he had no bobbles and landed a triple loop, triple axel, and triple toe loop. he wore his former Xotica costume. Again Todd received a partial standing ovation.Todd is part of the very end of the finale, coming in after Kurt skates to "Solitaire" and the three ladies do their thing. Todd basically leads the rest of the group coming onto the ice with a brief solo spot and while everyone is doing their own thing. I saw Todd land a double axel and two triple toe loops in the finale. Todd sure has his work cut out for him in the finale, too. It is packed with counter-clockwise turns and twizzles. Hard for a clockwise skater like Todd to turn against his natural direction. But he fit in very well. I can't wait to see the show in Canada once they have a chance to more fully integrate Todd into the group numbers.

I admit that I had mixed feelings at first about Todd joining Stars on Ice in it's present state. But I think he will fit in just fine and he already seems to be having a good time.

One last thing. Tara was listed for her "American Tribute" number at the end of the show, but she didn't skate it. She also didn't jump in the finale with Kristi and Katerina. She must have hurt herself again. Perhaps when she landed a triple toe loop in her first number. She isn't a favorite of mine, but I do feel sorry for someone so young to be in such pain.

Time for bed. I look forward to reading everyone else's reviews as they see the show.

Christie