The first season of Battle of the Blades debuted on CBC on October 4, 2009. Eight former NHL ice hockey players were paired with eight professional female figure skaters.
Ron MacLean and Kurt Browning were the hosts for this season. Pairs figure skater and Emmy Award winning choreographer Sandra Bezic was the head judge, with Olympic figure skating champion Dick Button being the other regular judge. Each week had one rotating guest judge. Also, there was a set theme each week that the couples must perform in.
The elimination format is that the couples are scored on their Sunday night performance, but only as a reference guide for the viewers to vote on. The bottom two couples are based solely on the lowest number of viewer votes. On Monday, the bottom two couples are revealed and they skate their Sunday night program once more in the Skate-Off and are then scored by the judges. The couple with the lower judges score from their Monday night performance is then eliminated.
Couples On June 23, 2009, CBC announced the show along with the first six male competitors. On August 12, 2009, CBC announced the eight female professional figure skaters. The remaining two male competitors and the rest of the cast were announced on August 13, 2009.
NHL Player Team(s) Played Professional partner StatusDetroit Red WingsChicago BlackhawksEliminated 1ston October 5, 2009Edmonton OilersToronto Maple LeafsNew York RangersSt. Louis BluesEliminated 2ndon October 12, 2009New York RangersDetroit Red WingsPittsburgh PenguinsLos Angeles KingsEliminated 3rdon October 19, 2009 New Jersey DevilsEliminated 4thon October 26, 2009Toronto Maple LeafsNew York RangersWinnipeg JetsEliminated 5thon November 2, 2009New Jersey DevilsMontreal CanadiensTampa Bay LightningSt. Louis BluesPittsburgh PenguinsThird Placeon November 16, 2009Montreal CanadiensNew Jersey DevilsColorado AvalancheNew Jersey DevilsPhoenix CoyotesDallas StarsSan Jose SharksSecond Placeon November 16, 2009Edmonton OilersPittsburgh PenguinsBuffalo SabresWinnerson November 16, 2009
Scoring Chart Red numbers indicate the couples with the lowest score for each week. Green numbers indicate the couples with the highest score for each week. indicates the couple (or couples) eliminated that week. indicates the returning couple that finished in the bottom two. indicates the couple withdrew from the competition. indicates the winning couple. indicates the runner-up couple. indicates the third-place couple.
Team Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Craig & Jamie1 16.8 17.3 17.0 17.7 17.717.2+17.6=34.818.0Claude & Shae-Lynn2 17.0 17.4 17.5 17.0 17.5 17.6+17.8=35.418.0Stéphane & Marie-France316.217.0 17.2 17.117.317.8+17.6=35.418.0Tie & Christine4 17.0 17.016.917.317.1Ken & Jodeyne5 16.5 16.6 16.216.5Ron & Barb6 17.3 16.816.6Glenn & Isabelle7 16.916.3Bob & Kristina816.0
In Week 6, even though Craig & Jamie and Stéphane & Marie-France were announced as the bottom two couples, no elimination took place as Marie-France Dubreuil had a back injury during practice and was unable to perform in the Skate-Off. Therefore, head judge Sandra Bezic declared that all three couples would move on to Week 7.
Skate-Off Chart
Week Bottom Two Couples Music Score Eliminated Couple 1Stéphane & Marie-France"We Will Rock You" – Queen16.6 (5.5, 5.5, 5.6)Bob & KristinaBob & Kristina"Born to Be Wild" – Steppenwolf16.3 (5.4, 5.4, 5.5) 2Glenn & Isabelle"Ain't She Sweet" – Frank Sinatra16.9 (N/A, N/A, N/A)Glenn & IsabelleStéphane & Marie-France"Strangers in the Night" – Frank Sinatra17.4 (5.8, 5.8, 5.8) 3Ron & Barb"Sway" – Michael Bublé16.6 (5.5, 5.5, 5.6)Ron & BarbTie & Christine"Rico Suave" – Gerardo16.9 (5.6, 5.6, 5.7) 4Tie & Christine"Superman" – Robin Thicke17.1 (5.7, 5.7, 5.7)Ken & JodeyneKen & Jodeyne"I Got You (I Feel Good)" – James Brown16.8 (5.6, 5.6, 5.6) 5Tie & Christine"These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" – Jessica Simpson from The Dukes of Hazzard16.6 (5.6, 5.5, 5.5)Tie & ChristineStéphane & Marie-France"Blues in the Night" – Quincy Jones from Ocean's Eleven17.4 (5.8, 5.8, 5.8)
Average chart
Note: Skate-Off scores are not included in this chart. Only Sunday night performances are averaged.
Rank by average Place Couple Total Number of skates Average 1 2 Claude & Shae-Lynn 139.8 8 17.48 2 1 Craig & Jamie 139.3 17.41 3 3 Stéphane & Marie-France 138.2 17.28 4 4 Tie & Christine 85.3 5 17.06 5 6 Ron & Barb 50.7 3 16.90 6 7 Glenn & Isabelle 33.2 2 16.60 7 5 Ken & Jodeyne 65.8 4 16.45 8 8 Bob & Kristina 16.0 1 16.00
Weekly themes and guest judges
Week Theme Guest Judge 1 Classic Rock Kelly Hrudey 2 Frank Sinatra Don Cherry 3 Latin George Stroumboulopoulos 4 R&B Lanny McDonald 5 Hollywood Films Bret Hedican and Kristi Yamaguchi 6 Canadian Hits & the Couple's Best Performance Katarina Witt 7 Freestyle (Couple's Choice) Doug Gilmour
Individual scores & songs
Week 1 Individual judges scores in charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Kelly Hrudey, Sandra Bezic, Dick Button. Running order CoupleScoreMusicClaude & Shae-Lynn"Bad to the Bone" – George Thorogood & the DestroyersCraig & Jamie"Rocky Mountain Way" – Joe WalshKen & Jodeyne"Wild Thing" – The TroggsStéphane & Marie-France"We Will Rock You" – QueenBob & Kristina"Born to Be Wild" – SteppenwolfGlenn & Isabelle"Takin' Care of Business" – Bachman–Turner OverdriveRon & Barb"Unchain My Heart – Joe CockerTie & Christine"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" – The Rolling Stones
Week 2 Individual judges scores in charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Don Cherry, Sandra Bezic, Dick Button.
CoupleScoreMusicGlenn & Isabelle"Ain't She Sweet" – Frank SinatraRon & Barb"Fly Me to the Moon" – Frank SinatraKen & Jodeyne"Strangers in the Night" – Frank SinatraTie & Christine"That's Life" - Frank SinatraStéphane & Marie-France"Strangers in the Night" – Frank SinatraClaude & Shae-LynnN/ACraig & JamieN/A
Week 3 Individual judges scores in charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: George Stroumboulopoulos, Sandra Bezic, Dick Button. Running order CoupleScoreMusicCraig & Jamie"I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" – PitbullKen & Jodeyne"Tico-Tico no Fubá" – Don Swan and his OrchestraStéphane & Marie-France"Dance with Me" – Debelah MorganClaude & Shae-Lynn"Assassin's Tango" – John PowellTie & Christine"Rico Suave" – GerardoRon & Barb"Sway" – Michael Bublé
Week 4 Individual judges scores in charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Lanny McDonald, Sandra Bezic, Dick Button. Running order CoupleScoreMusicKen & Jodeyne"I Got You (I Feel Good)" – James BrownClaude & Shae-Lynn"Superstition" – Stevie WonderStéphane & Marie-France"It's a Man's Man's Man's World" – SealTie & Christine"Superman" – Robin ThickeCraig & Jamie"Play That Funky Music" – Wild Cherry
Week 5 Individual judges scores in charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Bret Hedican and Kristi Yamaguchi, Sandra Bezic, Dick Button. Running order CoupleScoreMusicStéphane & Marie-France"Blues in the Night" – Quincy Jonesfrom Ocean's ElevenClaude & Shae-Lynn"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnesfrom Dirty DancingCraig & Jamie"Soul Bossa Nova" – Quincy Jonesfrom Austin Powers: International Man of MysteryTie & Christine"These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" – Jessica Simpsonfrom The Dukes of HazzardGroup performance"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" – Aerosmithfrom Armageddon
Week 6 Individual judges scores in charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Katarina Witt, Sandra Bezic, Dick Button. Running order CoupleScoreMusicClaude & Shae-Lynn"Hallelujah" – Claude Lemieux"Assassin's Tango" – John PowellCraig & Jamie"Heaven" – Bryan Adams"Soul Bossa Nova" – Quincy Jonesfrom Austin Powers: International Man of MysteryStéphane & Marie-France"Try" – Blue Rodeo"Dance with Me" – Debelah Morgan
Week 7 Individual judges scores in charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Doug Gilmour, Sandra Bezic, Dick Button. Running order CoupleScoreMusicCraig & Jamie"I Gotta Feeling" – The Black Eyed PeasClaude & Shae-Lynn"A Moment Like This" – Kelly ClarksonStéphane & Marie-France"Lady" – Kenny Rogers
Weekly ratings Weekly ratings and rankings are measured by BBM Canada, an audience measurement organization for Canadian television and radio broadcasting.
EpisodeNumber Episode Viewers(in millions) Rank Reference 101 Week 1: Performance (Airdate: October 4, 2009) 1.959 #16 102 Week 1: Results (Airdate: October 5, 2009) 1.07 N/A 103 Week 2: Performance (Airdate: October 11, 2009) 1.562 #19 104 Week 2: Results (Airdate: October 12, 2009) 1.24 N/A 105 Week 3: Performance (Airdate: October 18, 2009) 1.578 #21 106 Week 3: Results (Airdate: October 19, 2009) 1.140 #29 107 Week 4: Performance (Airdate: October 25, 2009) 1.553 #18 108 Week 4: Results (Airdate: October 26, 2009) 1.304 #23 109 Week 5: Performance (Airdate: November 1, 2009) 1.618 #19 110 Week 5: Results (Airdate: November 2, 2009) 1.143 #29 111 Week 6: Performance (Airdate: November 8, 2009) 1.810 #18 112 Week 6: Results (Airdate: November 9, 2009) 1.06 N/A 113 Week 7: Performance (Airdate: November 15, 2009) 1.878 #16 114 Week 7: Results – Season Finale (Airdate: November 16, 2009) 1.736 #19 Season 1 Average: Performance Shows 1.737 #18Hollywood Reporter article: Canadian sitcoms, reality TV outdo dramas Retrieved on 2010-10-12 Season 1 Average: Results Shows 1.270 #28TV Feeds My Family article: 22 Minutes Down to 13 Amid CBC Cuts for Fall Retrieved on 2010-10-12 Season 1 Average: Complete 1.504 #23
References
External links Official website Battle of the Blades at IMDb Battle of the Blades Oct 09 interviews with the cast from Season One.