All-Star Cnn Cea Youtbe Link

[ErinS]

I personally liked the CNN piece and I think people are being too hard on Maddie. I've met her twice at Cheersport. Once my younger sister asked for a picture with her and she immediately said "Oh yes, sure!" and then asked other members of SE to be in the picture. That alone shows that she clearly doesn't think that its "all about her"

Yes she used I a lot.

However the questions had to have been personalized. SHE is the only doing homework in the car (I'm sure others do as well). SHE is the one doing 4 AP classes. Why would she say "We" for that.

They don't say SHE is the best cheerleader, they say she is ONE of the best. Since when do you have to be the best at EVERYTHING in order to be considered the best at ANYTHING?

They don't say "Maddie's team" in a sense that it is "her team". It is a team that she is on...her team. Like when a coach calls a stunt group, they typically say "Flyer's Name stunt group".... I dont ever hear people get up in arms about coaches saying that. The flyer doesnt base herself...other people are involved...

Maybe they shouldn't have said Maddie is the star...but you'd be a liar if she said she wasn't one of the stars of the team. Besides SHE didn't make herself a "cheerlebrity".. YOU (the all star community) did. I remember one time @StarshipTrooper said he was going to say how he thinks this all happened. Wonder if he ever will?

When she talked about her fall at worlds and says "I felt like I ruined it for everybody"....why isn't anyone complaining about that. She used I there as well . She isn't the first and wont be the last cheerleader to internalize a loss and feel like they are the sole reason for the loss.

Her description of a point flyer….um isn’t that what the point is? Isn’t that why being the point is so coveted. (editors clearly thought that by point she meant center prep in the pyramid and that’s why they showed that video). Which also just goes to show that this story was put together by people who don't know much about All Star Cheerleading, however with every news story they do, they have to appear to know a lot about something they know little about. Yes we can point out every inaccuracy... but in that same token I'm sure a professional ice fisher (or whatever the previous story was about) could point out everything wrong with that ice story as well.​

As far as members of SE or CEA in general saying mean things about Maddie or the CNN piece on the internet...thats cruel, thats mean, its wrong, its not Maddie's fault. They were evidently at the filming, they knew that Maddie was the one being interviewed...why are they so shocked. Maybe it is the case that there were hours of interviews with other members of SE that we don't know about, and it all got left on the editing room floor. If thats what happened, all I can say is...O well, welcome to life. You can't please everybody​

I can only hope that they take what ever hurt, jealousy, resentment, anger, frustration etc that they feel and get over it and not take it out on Maddie...who like I said... did not edit this story herself​

At the end of the day...shes a high school aged girl. She handled herself well in that story. It really did show the "thrill of victory and agony of defeat" in all star cheerleading​

If you don't like her, get over it and find comfort in the fact that its her last season.​

People always talk about how we need more cheer on tv and reality show this and that about all star.... but CNN does one 15 minute segment and people flip out. Do yall really think you could handle a whole TV series?!​

 

[KRECCheer]

In general, I liked the piece. I liked that the focus wasnt on "skimpy uniforms, glittery make up, etc." It was about team work, athleticism, and the drive to win. These are the pieces that are going to give cheerleading more support in the sports world. Its going to be a long road, but CNN gave us a nice push in that direction.

 

[cheerisgood]

The producers of CNN Presents after the peice was given to them in multiple formats by the documentary team producer with no input from anyone else. Their network, their program, their presentation.

how was CEA selected as the team to 'follow'? did CNN contact them? or did they (CEA) know someone at CNN? it is a rather random/obsure topic for CNN to cover imo. not being negative, but really who outside the cheer world really cares about cheer? LOL

 

[lovecheering]

I just watched it for a 2nd time and STILL think that Maddie was extremely humble through the entire interview. She didn't ask for all this fame and attention. She never once gave off an attitude of "I'm the star". As the mother of a young flyer, I think that Maddie is an excellent role model for flyers and in her education and overall poise and attitude. I'm extremely proud of the CNN piece and hope that anyone that watches it thinks that all cheerleaders are that humble, sweet, intelligent and hard working!!!

 

[kayemm]

I thought it was a great report. I thought Maddie was lovely. She doesn't deserve people trashing her - she's only doing what she loves best - why does that give others reason to hate her? I thought it was a step in the right direction towards changing the world's stereotypical views of cheerleading.

Also I LOVED Maddie's accent but I'm just back from a year in North Carolina and now I'm a sucker for a southern accent!

 

[simplymom]

Here's my 2 cents, for what it's worth. I thought it was a great piece focusing on the hard work, dedication and athleticism of Allstar cheer. I think it showed what this sport (yes, I said sport) is about. They didn't focus on the uniforms or make up.

As far as Maddie being the focus of the piece.....I think she did a great job. CNN picked one of the biggest "cheerlebrities" we have. Even I know who she is. We need to remember that Maddie isn't the editor. She did not have the final say about what would be aired or not. She may have spoken for hours about team work and her team. We just have no idea what ended up on the cutting room floor. Cut the girl a break. She wasn't on CNN saying "OMG, my hair and bow must be just right." or "We get to wear glitter and wear these cool uniforms." I, for one, was impressed with how poised this 17 year old girl was.

 

[timmis]

I liked it overall. Just a few things that were said annoyed me. Maddie's stunt was not the reason CEA won the Gold in 2010.
But I recorded it and I will probably watch it all the time I'm just glad cheerleading is getting positive recognition.

 

[lakerfantlc]

I loved that for once cheer was featured as a legit event and not some dangerous crazy cheer mom hobby!!! For the people who found it a good idea to berate Maddie or CNN or both...can you just be happy cheer found a place on a Nation network...in prime time? Some complain if there is no coverage and then are so negative and picky when there is. I think Maddie was respectful, polite and a good sport. The feature must have been hard on her....do any of you want your biggest mistake of your life on CNN.....come on...let's do unto others....Maddie did her best..I am thankful cheer got a seat at the TV table... IMO

 

[timmis]

Here's my 2 cents, for what it's worth. I thought it was a great piece focusing on the hard work, dedication and athleticism of Allstar cheer. I think it showed what this sport (yes, I said sport) is about. They didn't focus on the uniforms or make up.

As far as Maddie being the focus of the piece.....I think she did a great job. CNN picked one of the biggest "cheerlebrities" we have. Even I know who she is. We need to remember that Maddie isn't the editor. She did not have the final say about what would be aired or not. She may have spoken for hours about team work and her team. We just have no idea what ended up on the cutting room floor. Cut the girl a break. She wasn't on CNN saying "OMG, my hair and bow must be just right." or "We get to wear glitter and wear these cool uniforms." I, for one, was impressed with how poised this 17 year old girl was.

Agreed! She was lovely.

 

[StarshipTrooper]

how was CEA selected as the team to 'follow'? did CNN contact them? or did they (CEA) know someone at CNN? it is a rather random/obsure topic for CNN to cover imo. not being negative, but really who outside the cheer world really cares about cheer? LOL

You'll have to ask CNN. I will tell you that in interviews they talked to Maddie about her relationships with her team, the coaching staff, other gyms, Varsity and just about everything. They decided not to use any of those answers. And again you'll have to ask CNN. I do not think they interviewed anyone else on SE, I know they did Raleigh and I believe Stingrays, but I know nothing about the Raleigh or Stingray filming and interviews.

Now, who outside of cheer world really cares about cheer? Well, I can tell you from the response we are getting at home, many, many more. That was the point of the documentary I believe. She was interviewed for hours at a time, the car riding interview for instance was over an hour and they used 5 seconds. They were in our home for 6 hours and used 15 seconds. If it ever happens to any of you, get ready to be deposed like a witness for a trial. No kidding.

That said, thanks to all that seem to understand. WE, Maddie included, appreciate your kind words and support. And to the others, it's fine to take a different perspective and opinion. No harm, no hurt feelings. Fire away, as King states, this is a discussion board.

 

[WorkToWin]

I swear we will never be happy. People complained about Jersey Cheer not being about World Cup, about the reality TV show using incorrect word choice, the ESPN commentary of worlds, and Maddie being in the spotlight on national tv. Yet we all complain about not enough coverage of our sport? At this point I think we need to appreciate all the positive coverage of our sport, even if it's not always 100% accurate or pleases everyone. Just IMO

 

[kayemm]

I swear we will never be happy. People complained about Jersey Cheer not being about World Cup, about the reality TV show using incorrect word choice, the ESPN commentary of worlds, and Maddie being in the spotlight on national tv. Yet we all complain about not enough coverage of our sport? At this point I think we need to appreciate all the positive coverage of our sport, even if it's not always 100% accurate or pleases everyone. Just IMO

Definitely agree with this! At least in America you get some coverage of competitive cheerleading. Cheerleading is never in the media in the UK - positively or negatively. I'm a journalism student and I wrote an article last year about the growth of cheerleading in the UK - here's hoping I get it published somewhere someday!

 

[Justacoach]

I loved the special! I thought it was amazing to see cheer on CNN in primetime. Would I have loved it more if it was filmed in Miami - yes! But I'm not complaining because even my hubby who hates cheer with a passion could see all the hard work that went into it and related that to cps team and how hard she works for that 2:30 of perfection.

The layperson doesn't know who CEA or Maddie Gardner is and they don't really care. But now they know what allstar cheer is about and they just might be calling up craptastic allstars thats 15 minutes away from them to sign their kid up in hopes to be one of those athletes!

 

[cheerisgood]

I loved the special! I thought it was amazing to see cheer on CNN in primetime. Would I have loved it more if it was filmed in Miami - yes! But I'm not complaining because even my hubby who hates cheer with a passion could see all the hard work that went into it and related that to cps team and how hard she works for that 2:30 of perfection.

The layperson doesn't know who CEA or Maddie Gardner is and they don't really care. But now they know what allstar cheer is about and they just might be calling up craptastic allstars thats 15 minutes away from them to sign their kid up in hopes to be one of those athletes!

i think this was the point i was trying to make earlier. and hopefully it can/will bring more athletes into all-star. anything that grows the sport legitimately is a plus.

 

[fancygirl#1]

I really enjoyed the segment and I felt it gave the non-cheer world a look at the ups and downs and the hardwork of all-star cheerleaders. It also focused on a "star" which happens to be Maddie!! The great thing about the interview with Maddie is that it also showed that cheerleaders are smart in her discussion about taking 4 AP classes. We have been waiting to get our sport highlighted by a major network and now we are complaining about something so stupid. We never know whose reading the fierceboard and if we don't support one another then why should we expect anyone outside of the cheer world too?