Yesterday flipping through TV channels I noticed that the men's free skate was on NBC, airing live from Spokane - the competition that decides who goes to the Olympics in Vancouver next month! I immediately called my mother, who before I could say anything said, "I was hoping you'd call so I could tell you Johnny Weir is about to skate!" I said, "I know, that's why I called you!"
Johnny looked nervous and his performance was subdued compared to the more flamboyant things he's done in the past - it looked like he was playing it safe, and doing as many spins and jumps as he could to rack up points to make up for ones he'd previously lost. His costume was typically sparkly and fey, with tufts of white fox-fur lining the shoulders and along the arms. I understand he designs them himself. I love the unapologetic way he embraces the effeminacy of male figure skating rather than trying to butch it up. As he said in an interview,
I wear pink. I have no problem where my sport is as far as our fan base. Figure skating is theatrical, artistic; it’s elegant, it’s extremely athletic. There’s a very specific audience for that. I can say I don’t watch football games, so I don’t understand why a football fan would come to watch figure skating.
You go, boy! I'll even forgive you your Lady GaGa obsession. (I'm Just Not That Into Her.) And I'm definitely looking forward to watching what transpires on the ice in Vancouver in February. Chin up! You're a star, AND a champion.
I got the Weir quote above from this nice article from today's New York Times.
ALSO, Johnny's new program Be Good Johnny Weir premieres TONIGHT on the Sundance Channel at 10:30pm! Read more here.
Incidentally, my Mom's favorite sports to watch are figure skating and bull riding. How funny is that?
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