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CNN Live At Daybreak

Interview of Richard Eldredge, "Atlanta Journal-Constitution"

Aired February 22, 2002 - 06:44   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: OK, here's a question. Are skaters at the winter games dressing for success and looking like winners?

Joining me to talk about Olympic hair styles and fashion and the Olympics themselves is Richard Eldredge, a reporter for the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution."

Hey, Richard, thanks for joining us.

RICHARD ELDREDGE, "ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION": Good morning, sure.

COSTELLO: You're the only man I know who loves figure skating.

ELDREDGE: I was ordered by my editors to love figure skating this week.

COSTELLO: I knew it had to be something like that. Let's talk about Michelle Kwan first off. It was a big surprise that she fell during her program.

ELDREDGE: Wow. I mean that's the thing about the Olympics, you never -- you're just going to be sleep deprived for two weeks because you can't take your eyes off the screen. You never know what's going to happen, and that was certainly an upset, certainly unexpected. Sarah, what an amazing performance. And the crowd was just so responsive and -- you know, and you turned off the TV set, what, one, two, in the morning and didn't care.

COSTELLO: Oh, yeah. Well she did some, what, triple jumps during her routine?

ELDREDGE: Sure. Sure. Just amazed everyone at how many she did and just how tight the routine was. And even though -- I think that she was even shocked at how wonderful the performance came out. She said she's never skated like that before.

COSTELLO: You know, the Russians are angry that they're not winning more at the Olympics, and they say it's in part because of unfair judging. How did the Russian skater do, you think?

ELDREDGE: I have a theory about the Russian skaters. I think a lot of this has to do with mousse abuse. The guys -- I mean, they're using way too much mousse. I interviewed one Atlanta hair stylist this week and he said, "Now I know where American hair products go to die." We shipped all the Vidal Sassoon mousse to Russia, and they are now using it. And I think it's slowing them down. I think it's a problem.

COSTELLO: So you think they look a little dated and that could be part of the problem they're not winning more?

ELDREDGE: For the guys, just -- the gals have been looking extraordinary. But the guys, it's sort of -- at some points, it's looked like Wang Chung on ice out there -- just amazing.

COSTELLO: I know. We're looking at some of the pictures of some of the male skaters right now. You know, but it must be tough for a guy, because you kind of have to look masculine in these outfits that look rather feminine from the get-go.

ELDREDGE: Right. Well, yeah, I mean you do sort of look like a refugee from an episode of the "Brady Bunch." You know, when they became pop stars to buy mom and dad the anniversary platter. You know, those outfits, you really can't get around those. But you can do something with the hair. I mean, I'm such an authority myself. But, I mean, we've seen mousse abuse, we've seen -- even Timothy Goebel, you know, a great skater, but he sort of has -- hair-wise, he's looking like the love child of Barbra Streisand and Kenny G. You know, it's just...

COSTELLO: Oh, there he is right now.

ELDREDGE: Yeah. Yeah.

COSTELLO: Yeah. Well, you know, we joke about this, but fashion is important, especially for women figure skaters because Nancy Kerrigan always dressed so beautifully. Michelle Kwan beautifully dressed.

ELDREDGE: Yeah. And the women have really represented themselves very, very well. And, you know, I'm just hoping that the guys -- they've had a few days off from the ice. They come back for the exhibition skate tonight. And I'm hoping that, you know, maybe Jenny Jones flew an emergency crew to Salt Lake and did some makeovers and got them situated. And they'll look as good as the women do.

COSTELLO: Did you say Jenny Jones? Oh, God. OK. Richard Eldredge, from the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution," joining us this morning. I have your article right here, it was great.

ELDREDGE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Thank you very much.

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