Q & A: Scott Hamilton's cooling his heels, but not for long; Skating champ talks about what's next for him after 'Stars on Ice'

Copyright 2000 / Los Angeles Times

Though he's not retiring from the profession, Olympic champion skater Scott Hamilton is leaving the popular figure skating production "Stars on Ice" after the tour is completed in April.

Hamilton, who won an Olympic gold medal in 1984, founded the "Stars on Ice" tour in 1986 and has co-headlined and co-produced the tour for 15 years.

The show will visit Staples Center on Jan. 17 and the Arrowhead Pond on Jan. 20.

The 42-year-old Hamilton, who survived a well-publicized bout with testicular cancer in 1997, is headlining the new CBS special "Target Presents: Scott Hamilton's Farewell to Stars on Ice," which airs tonight.

Taped at the Olympic Center, part of the former Olympic Village in at Lake Placid, N.Y., the hourlong special features performances by Hamilton as well as Olympic champions Tara Lipinski, Kristi Yamaguchi, Ilia Kulik, four-time World Champion Kurt Browning and eight-time British Champion Steven Cousins.

During the show, Hamilton also reflects up his career, his relationship with his peers and the audience.

The soft-spoken Hamilton recently talked about his decision to leave "Stars on Ice" and his plans for the future.

Question: Why did you decide now was the time to leave the "Stars on Ice" tour?

Answer: It just sort of makes sense. The tour is something I started a long time ago and I really want it to last a long, long, long, long time. I thought it was a really healthy move while I was still active, skating OK and kind of at the top of my game, in many respects, to step aside and let the next generation of skaters take the show to the next level. It felt funny just leaving, and so pretty much everybody at the show thought a farewell tour idea would be a nice gesture.

I'm not stopping performing at all. I am just shifting gears. I am leaving the door open to do select shows with "Stars on Ice."

Q: Were your fellow skaters surprised when you announced you were leaving the tour?

A: No. I talk about it all the time. They were fine with it. At times, the people closest to me understand the enormity of it and the fact that skating is what I have done forever. While I still have my legs, it's a nice thing to move on and try to create an opportunity or two and experience another goal.

Honestly, it just came time that arena touring at this pace is really difficult. Physically, I don't find it nearly as enjoyable as I have in the past. So for me to hold up this kind of schedule is hard.

Q: Will you remain involved with "Stars on Ice"?

A: Of course. I will be there. I'll be a resource in some way, shape or form. I care about the tour. I love the tour. It has been a passion of mine for a long time.

Q: Let's talk about the CBS special. Is it an edited version of the current tour?

A: It's some of the touring show. We do a lot of research to find out how we can make people happier each year, and one thing researchers realized was that the TV specials have never captured the live feel of the show, so we felt it was a good time for us to show parts of the show--let people know we are out there and we are a tour. It must just kind of pique their interest that they might want to come out and see the entire show.

Q: Since this is your final tour, are you doing some of your favorite numbers?

A: Well, it's a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I didn't do any old numbers. There was a number I performed twice a long time ago I really felt was a good one to put in the show, "Double Bogey Blues." So we have produced that a little bit better and differently. What else is in the show? I step out of the opening number for a first solo that is kind of a specialty piece for the tour. Then I do a big skate with the rest of the cast at the end of the show. I do a little step out to kind of say goodbye.

Q: Saying goodbye to the fans must be an emotional experience for you.

A: Yeah. I have had a really wonderful run. I have had a wonderful relationship with the people who come out to see the show and in many ways, this is for them. Every year, I tell the cast, "The show doesn't belong to us, it belongs to the audience." Basically a lot of what went into this year's show is a thank-you to the people that make it possible and those are the people in the seats.

Q: What are you plans for the future?

A: I would like to put together a theater ice show.

Q: For Broadway?

A: That would be the ultimate goal. If I did something else in an arena, then I am going head to head with "Stars on Ice." I certainly don't want to do anything to compete with that show or pull attention away from it. I want to do something completely separate, completely different--something that will allow me to learn more.

* "Target Presents: Scott Hamilton's Farewell to Stars on Ice," tonight at 8 on CBS. The network has rated it TV-G (suitable for all ages).