Freestyle athletes escort viewers to Three men and a chick flick

By Published On: August 25th, 2005Comments Off on Freestyle athletes escort viewers to Three men and a chick flick

Freestyle athletes escort viewers to “Three men and a chick flick”{mosimage}Ever wonder what goes through men’s minds when watching a so-called ‘chick flick?’ Well, here’s your chance to find out first hand what male members of the U.S. Ski Team have to say when they hash out their thoughts about ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ and ‘Home for the Holidays’ for the Women’s Entertainment (WE) channel’s popular show, ‘3 Men and a Chick Flick.’ The shows, featuring U.S. freestyle and alpine skiers, premiere Aug. 20 and Sept. 2.

Alpine racers Bryon Friedman (Park City, UT), Justin Johnson (Park City, UT) and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) will escort viewers through ‘Home for the Holidays’ airing Saturday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. Meanwhile, freestyle aerials teammates Jeret ‘Speedy’ Peterson (Boise, ID) and Ryan St. Onge (Steamboat Springs, CO) are joined by moguls skier Luke Westerland (Breckenridge, CO) for their review of ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ airing Friday, Sept. 2 at 8 and 10:30 p.m. ET (check local listings for times).

The athletes taped the shows July 28 outside on the scenic decks of Deer Valley Resort’s Empire Lodge. WE’s crew from New York, including producer Danielle Otroske, came in for the day to direct the taping.

First up were the freestyle athletes who dished about ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles.’ The1987 flick, directed by John Hughes and starring Steve Martin and John Candy, follow the tribulations of Neal Page (Martin), who just wants to get home for Thanksgiving. When his flight is cancelled because of bad weather, he decides on other means of transport. Neal is ‘blessed’ with bad luck and the presence of Del Griffith (Candy), Shower Curtain Ring Salesman and all-around blabbermouth, who is never short of advice, conversation, bad jokes or company.

‘It reminded me so much of life on the World Cup’ said Westerlund, now in his eighth year on the Team. ‘We’re always running to catch a plane or a taxi, sharing rooms, or squished next to someone in an airplane seat. I could actually relate.’

Peterson said he has taken more than a few naps on the floor of an airport as well as run his fair share of sweat-breaking sprints to catch an airplane or ride. St. Onge admitted he could understand Martin’s character’s intense desire to ‘just get home’ or wanting to be with his family for the holidays. All three athletes agreed that a sense of humor and a lot of patience are key to making it through hellish travel scenarios.

Friedman, Johnson and Sullivan debated their feelings about ‘Home for the Holidays’ directed by Jodie Foster and starring Holly Hunter and Robert Downey, Jr. This 1995 comedy/drama/romance examines the American phenomenon of Thanksgiving. As the tagline for the movie says: ‘On the fourth Thursday in November, 84 million American families will gather together… and wonder why.’ Claudia Larson (Hunter) has to face spending the holiday with her family after losing her job, making out with her soon to be ex-boss, and finding out that her daughter plans to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend.

The racers said they could relate to crazy family antics, neurotic siblings and parents, and the stress that comes with the holidays. ‘When you put that many people in a house together for a holiday, there’s bound to be some tension’ Friedman said.

Despite the ‘chick’ theme of the movie and the fact that none of them have been home for the holidays in several years, the athletes said they felt sympathetic to the characters in the film. ‘These last few year, we have become each other’s family’ said Johnson.

Added Sullivan, ‘And that could make for a good movie in itself.’

You can get more info on the athletes, movies and the ‘3 Men and a Chick Flick’ show by clicking here.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh