Was Johnny Weir Robbed?

I would say yes, possibly robbed of a bronze medal, definitely scored too low. Wouldn't be the first time this controversy has surrounded figure skating judges. JW however is handling it with admirable grace, especially considering his long-term rival Evan Lysacek won the GOLD. Good for America, sad for me.

Check out this article on the subject.

Animal rights activists threaten those they disagree with

I am an animal lover, and I've never really worn fur, except some really old things of my cousin's that he ordered off some antique collectibles site, and that was for about two minutes. But I eat meat and I wear leather, so who am I to dictate to others how to conduct themselves? When I read an article like this - in which Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir decides to take the tufts of fox fur off his costume in order to appease activists who wanted to intimidate him into obeying them - I start to feel that animal rights activists have become the thugs in this scenario. They threaten with violence those who disagree with them or who do not follow their rules. I part company with PETA and its ilk at this point. Live according to your own self-righteous rules, but DON'T try to forcibly impose them on others. Other human beings are not required to follow your regulations, however benign or altruistic they may be.

Johnny Be Good!

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?

Johnny hosts NYE

Here's another New Year's Eve gig that I attended "in spirit": everyone's favorite semi-closeted gay figure skater, Johnny Weir (can't wait for those Winter Olympics next month in Vancouver!) hosted a NYE bash at Russian restaurant Mari Vanna. Hey, Johnny, let's make 2010 the year you win a gold medal AND come out of the closet. If you want to. I'm sure everyone will still love you, especially Adam Lambert.

Here's Johnny!

A couple weeks ago I caught a screening of "Pop Star on Ice," part of the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival, at the Roxie Theater in the Mission District. I didn't know much of anything about Johnny Weir before, other than that he is currently my mother's favorite figure skater (and "the new version of Rudy Galindo," according to her, which also signified nothing much to me, since I've never followed figure skating any more than I've followed football). But the blurb about the film piqued my interest, and the fact that it returned to the DocFest after screening for the first time LAST year seemed to indicate a fan favorite. And so it was. The theater was small, but packed, and enthusiastic, for the screening (one of only two) that I attended. There were a number of moments when we all laughed together, and I joined in the ovation at the film's end. Johnny Weir is a young athlete of great charisma. His press conference antics, youthful fearlessness and outspoken individuality do not obscure his amazing and innate talent as a skater, but only enhance and embellish it. I came away feeling - and hoping - that he could indeed one day "take the Gold." I always respond passionately to people brave enough to really communicate who they are to you without the fear and boundaries and inhibitions that most people have. It makes them vulnerable, but also uniquely lovable - because there just aren't that many of them. It's so much easier to play it safe. As far as the question of his sexuality goes: on the one hand, I do think it's a little silly for Weir to play coy about officially coming out of the closet, when a CHIMP watching "Pop Star on Ice" would think it blindingly obvious that he's gay. On the other hand - it is UP TO HIM, public figure or no, and in the times we live in, when announcing that you're gay to the press results in People Magazine covers titled YES I AM! - in other words, it amounts to a press conference and exactly the sort of "spectacle" Weir has spoken of in interviews, as something he wants to avoid - I can't blame him for not wanting his sexuality to overshadow his talent as an athlete and performer. Of course, when he does finally make the statement - if only to appease those tiresome enough to require such a statement of the obvious - I will be his loudest supporter. Let your bright light shine, baby! You are beautiful! It's true.

And you just took second place in the first day in the Grand Prix at Nagano.

Now, when will 'Pop Star On Ice" be released on DVD stateside, eh?