Another goodbye already? Seems it's not just limited to J-pop now....
So I finally am getting around to writing my piece on Kaori Iida's pregnancy and marriage. And I'm rather glad I ended up waiting until now. Today, Dan Patrick announced that he is leaving ESPN.
These two things, at first, seem to have nothing to do with each other. But during the commercials on The Dan Patrick Show after Dan made his announcement, I thought of Kaori, and how both of them are leaving what made them what they are today. Without Morning Musume, would Kaori still be as successful a musician? Without SportsCenter, would Dan still be as successful a sportscaster? They helped to shape each establishment in their own way; Kaori as a first gen member of Morning Musume, and Dan as one of SportsCenter's most recognizable anchors at his time on the show. They've seen many of their comrades leave, whether it be Aya Ishiguro or one of the other idols in the H!P stable graduating in Kaori's case, or ESPN's firing of Dan's long time partner and boyfriend Keith Olbermann in 1997. Now they are leaving themselves, each for their own reasons (Clearly, Dan isn't getting pregnant!)
For both of them, I became fans long after their peak in terms of popularity. I wasn't around J-pop fandom during the Golden Age Musume, nor did I watch SportsCenter when there was The Big Show. I became a fan of Kaori's a few months ago, when I got into H!P fandom. As I'm also a spacey, klutzy, artsy girl, I connected with her immediately. Being able to recognize myself in an idol was a very good feeling. I'm not a person with particularly high self-esteem, so to see someone who was a lot like me in many ways achieve success made me feel good as well. To hear of Kaori's pregnancy, I felt a huge amount of joy and sadness. I didn't like seeing someone who I looked to as a source of inspiration leaving the spotlight, but at the same time, I was ecstatic with joy at what I new would be the happiest moment of Kaori's life. I can't help but wish her the best!
As for Dan, I only became a fan a few weeks ago, when I began listening to The Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio. I will admit, I only started listening because I have a huge crush on Keith Olbermann and wanted more of him. However, I quickly became a fan of Dan's as well. The only sport I follow is IndyCar (which they never talk about), so I thought that a sports show might become a bit boring for me. However, the chemistry between Dan and Keith, as well as their good humour and wit, made me enjoy the show. At first, I only saw Dan as Keith's wife partner, but as I listened to the show, Dan's personality began to shine through for me. I'm disappointed that I don't get a chance to know him better. I love his sense of humour, and how he wasn't afraid to poke a little fun at himself and his show. I hope that he takes up a job elsewhere, or at least will continue broadcasting in the future. Maybe he could appear on Countdown? xD
Anyways, I will miss both Kaori Iida and Dan Patrick, and I only wish the best for their future.
P.S.- Today's DPS ftw! I admit that Keith's "I love you" gave me warm fuzzies inside, and the talk about getting stuck in a gay pride parade-priceless. I did giggle and look at the Anderson Cooper picture on my wall at the "You're the gay newscaster?" line. DAN/KEITH 4EVA OTP!11 lol
ETA: I forgot to mention something....
As would be obvious, Kaori's out of the special tenth anniversary unit. As her replacement, I would suggest Yuko. She is the original leader of Morning Musume, after all! She also is rather under used. She has a really big, unique personality, and I'm sure she could make the group even more popular as she did with her stint as MoMusu leader, which might make the current MoMusu have a boost in popularity, as Koharu and Risa are in both the tenth anniversary unit and the current MoMusu lineup. Plus, I've recently started listening to her solo works, and have realized what a nice voice she has. I don't think she will ever have a place in my heart like Kaori or Aibon do, but I'm becoming a fan of hers now. Yuko needs work, dammit! xD
These two things, at first, seem to have nothing to do with each other. But during the commercials on The Dan Patrick Show after Dan made his announcement, I thought of Kaori, and how both of them are leaving what made them what they are today. Without Morning Musume, would Kaori still be as successful a musician? Without SportsCenter, would Dan still be as successful a sportscaster? They helped to shape each establishment in their own way; Kaori as a first gen member of Morning Musume, and Dan as one of SportsCenter's most recognizable anchors at his time on the show. They've seen many of their comrades leave, whether it be Aya Ishiguro or one of the other idols in the H!P stable graduating in Kaori's case, or ESPN's firing of Dan's long time partner and boyfriend Keith Olbermann in 1997. Now they are leaving themselves, each for their own reasons (Clearly, Dan isn't getting pregnant!)
For both of them, I became fans long after their peak in terms of popularity. I wasn't around J-pop fandom during the Golden Age Musume, nor did I watch SportsCenter when there was The Big Show. I became a fan of Kaori's a few months ago, when I got into H!P fandom. As I'm also a spacey, klutzy, artsy girl, I connected with her immediately. Being able to recognize myself in an idol was a very good feeling. I'm not a person with particularly high self-esteem, so to see someone who was a lot like me in many ways achieve success made me feel good as well. To hear of Kaori's pregnancy, I felt a huge amount of joy and sadness. I didn't like seeing someone who I looked to as a source of inspiration leaving the spotlight, but at the same time, I was ecstatic with joy at what I new would be the happiest moment of Kaori's life. I can't help but wish her the best!
As for Dan, I only became a fan a few weeks ago, when I began listening to The Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio. I will admit, I only started listening because I have a huge crush on Keith Olbermann and wanted more of him. However, I quickly became a fan of Dan's as well. The only sport I follow is IndyCar (which they never talk about), so I thought that a sports show might become a bit boring for me. However, the chemistry between Dan and Keith, as well as their good humour and wit, made me enjoy the show. At first, I only saw Dan as Keith's wife partner, but as I listened to the show, Dan's personality began to shine through for me. I'm disappointed that I don't get a chance to know him better. I love his sense of humour, and how he wasn't afraid to poke a little fun at himself and his show. I hope that he takes up a job elsewhere, or at least will continue broadcasting in the future. Maybe he could appear on Countdown? xD
Anyways, I will miss both Kaori Iida and Dan Patrick, and I only wish the best for their future.
P.S.- Today's DPS ftw! I admit that Keith's "I love you" gave me warm fuzzies inside, and the talk about getting stuck in a gay pride parade-priceless. I did giggle and look at the Anderson Cooper picture on my wall at the "You're the gay newscaster?" line. DAN/KEITH 4EVA OTP!11 lol
ETA: I forgot to mention something....
As would be obvious, Kaori's out of the special tenth anniversary unit. As her replacement, I would suggest Yuko. She is the original leader of Morning Musume, after all! She also is rather under used. She has a really big, unique personality, and I'm sure she could make the group even more popular as she did with her stint as MoMusu leader, which might make the current MoMusu have a boost in popularity, as Koharu and Risa are in both the tenth anniversary unit and the current MoMusu lineup. Plus, I've recently started listening to her solo works, and have realized what a nice voice she has. I don't think she will ever have a place in my heart like Kaori or Aibon do, but I'm becoming a fan of hers now. Yuko needs work, dammit! xD