Interview with Samantha Peszek at the U.S. Core Classic

Samantha Peszek discusses her new role at a gymnastics analyst for NBC, the preparation that goes into it, what she wants to change as a commentator, what made her gasp, and more.

[@E_Love83]

really enjoying her and john! grateful for her prep as well. things got a little lazy with the last crew, though they were great. john is bringing fresh informative takes, and i appreciate the tone sam holds!

[@mattberry4204]

I loved Sam. She was so kind to the gymnasts

[@De_monqueen]

She made watching the gymnastics less stressful with her voice, how she did that I don’t know but she really did amazing in this new role, makes me extremely excited for championships and worlds!

[@MrJbee1982]

I think Sam has that personality and look that just works for the job. She's very professional, well-spoken, and doesn't bash the gymnasts like Tim always did. I'm not sure where Nastia is though or why they could have fired her.

[@firefly930]

Sam did such a great job!! Very professional commentary - such a great change on NBC!

[@SonOfAGun1814]

loving the john/terry/sam combo a lot!!!

[@somuchsomany6290]

Sam is luminous. I love her.

[@laural5488]

I'm the president of Jocelyn's fan club bc I knew about this 2 years ago when no one would give her the time of day Her routines were not on the broadcast no one was showing or talking about her you barley knew she was there but I knew and I know she was great and was going to be great.

[@SonOfAGun1814]

i'm rooting for her! and dulcy!! a year from now i think they'll both be right up there

[@elizabethr.9359]

She seems very sweet, I like her

[@JasonQiuMusic]

She’s a marvellous commentator

[@eventhee106]

She sounds just like Dominique Dawes... Her tone of voice, the slight raspiness... I literally thought it was Dawes speaking!

[@adrianops7]

I like Sam.. but I love Nastia

[@90SecondsDreamComingTrue]

Same. Miss her

[@hoopdini6953]

So glad that we get Sam instead of Nastia…. She was so negative and just piggy backed off what Tim Dagget would say, which was also so obnoxious to listen to. We love you Sam 💕💕

[@yolandaortiz8438]

I miss Nastia

[@zanebrooks6406]

Does this mean no more Tim daggett

[@maureenheurich5727]

She did an amazing job!

[@brooklynbeyer_]

Sam reminds me of Lauren from Make It or Break It

[@mary-annemonckton288]

Love Sam. That’s my comment. Just love her!

[@GymnasticsSavesLives]

why would you edit the footage when they are explaining their new job role.... sus

[@liukin95]

So have Tim & Nastia been officially laid off or something?

[@90SecondsDreamComingTrue]

I keep asking where is Nastia?

[@user-kk9hp6sf3t]

Leaving this comments in hopes that someone will leave an answer

[@SonOfAGun1814]

@@90SecondsDreamComingTrue nastia was in canada during this competition and tim was in the building, not sure if he was coaching or just as a spectator. last years classics it was john, terry and laurie remember? we'll have to see if they're back at nationals but this interview along with a reply sam made on social about her commentating at nationals no one knows.... remember they just got rid of elfi with no explanation anywhere lol..... andrea was gone here too

[@90SecondsDreamComingTrue]

@@SonOfAGun1814 Thank you. Nastia was on NBC, I am pretty certain now she will return for the Olympics but not this season. NBC made lots of cuts, they lost alot of money on Tokyo ratings. Andrea Joyce is still doing FS, lol.

[@Hervinbalfour]

​@@SonOfAGun1814Elfi was horrible! 😂😂😂 Listen to some of her older condescending remarks. Has me in hysterics everytime. T

[@liceous]

sam basically said she's the new nastia so i guess this is goodbye

[@elinat2414]

Off topic but Sam looks sooo ageless. I know she's not old, but it seriously looks like barely any time has passed since 2008.

[@henrymsteele]

I’ve been enjoying Sam! Only thing I cannot stand at the moment is any time any of the commentators starts talking about “artistry” I really feel like FIG doesn’t really know what they’re asking for, and slapping the label of artistry onto the criteria that is listed just doesn’t quite make sense. As a result, the commentators are sort of bumbling around and saying that a gymnast has good artistry if they decided to smile for a second or if they had good posture at one point. I just think its such a hard thing to quantify and score objectively.

[@fluidartdreamer]

They've actually changed the code of points so that there's a very specific set of markers they're looking for. It has to do with things like facial expression, body positions such as posture and extension, rhythm, and musicality. They can take off a tenth for each element and it can add up to a point in deductions or more on beam and floor whether or not this is true artistry is questionable, but they actually do have a set criteria, so it's not as subjective as before.

[@henrymsteele]

@@fluidartdreamer yes I saw the breakdown when they pulled it up today. I think my issue is just with the language. Like you said, whether or not it’s “artistry” is the questionable part. I just wish they would call it something else.

[@SonOfAGun1814]

the artistry thing is very open ended and doesn't mean just one thing so it's going to remain a little all over the place

[@IlIIIlllIIlllIII]

She looks like the same as before.

[@Jonnypear486]

I like Tim and nastia only if they stop talking non stop during Simone routines

[@madelineaanderson]

Has Sam taken Nastia's job?

[@lep12341]

HE and I. Not HIM and I. I cannot stand when people who are paid to write and broadcast news can't even use proper grammar. "Him" can never be the subject of a sentence!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SonOfAGun1814]

calm down susan no one cares

[@quedotelancine1685]

Her commentary is extremely boring and dry. Can we please get back Nastia and Tim. I know there are a lot of ppl who dislike them, but she is horrible and I miss them!

[@lukeee8927]

are you joking tim was so brutal to the athletes

[@ojk46]

disagree... you can tell she knows what she's talking about, she backs up what she's saying and she knows how to keep the commentary going and pick up on what her colleagues are saying and add insightful comments.

[@quedotelancine1685]

@@ojk46 she barely says ANYTHING and is horribly boring. What does she even say that’s needs to be backed up? Ohh so and so trains here or blah blah. She doesn’t really critique the performances , make references to last performances, discuss what international expectations are, she doesn’t even comment when a gymnast gets a deduction from stepping out of bounds. It is ALOT of silence and empty boring conversation.

[@henrymsteele]

I thought she was fine, its nice to switch it up. Though I did miss Nastia’s signature “not my favourite skill” line every time someone does a wolf turn.

[@PTunnelly]

Okay, Nastia. We know this is you hiding behind this account. 😂