Slog
News & ArtsFriday, February 26, 2010
1
Impressed. He comes across as very thoughtful, very non-look-at-me.
Honestly, I kept hearing (mostly from the NBC commentators) how he made all these outlandish statements and has a high opinion of himself and "can he back it up with his skating?" I'm sure there are examples out there, but I really haven't gotten that sense in the interviews I've read/seen. The NBC commentators (Scott Hamilton and the woman whose name I can't remember), could barely contain their distaste for him in their coverage.
Honestly, I kept hearing (mostly from the NBC commentators) how he made all these outlandish statements and has a high opinion of himself and "can he back it up with his skating?" I'm sure there are examples out there, but I really haven't gotten that sense in the interviews I've read/seen. The NBC commentators (Scott Hamilton and the woman whose name I can't remember), could barely contain their distaste for him in their coverage.
3
I admire his strength in standing up for the concept he expresses without bringing his own sexuality into it; he's right - it really doesn't matte. What matters is who he is as a person.
Also, he's very pretty...
See, look how pretty he is!
I'd like to run my fingers through his hair...
Also, he's very pretty...
See, look how pretty he is!
I'd like to run my fingers through his hair...
4
@1 - totally agree on the commentators' distaste. I've been watching Be Good Johnny on Sundance and he seems very normal, thoughtful, very un-diva. Sure he's a little high strung, but any elite athlete will have that. is it because of how he dresses or looks that it comes across as diva instead of confidence?
I thought he was classy all the way in how he handled it.
I thought he was classy all the way in how he handled it.
5
Go, Johnny! Such confidence!
Too bad there was no reference link to what he was talking about. Off to google I go.
Too bad there was no reference link to what he was talking about. Off to google I go.
8
I was really entertained and impressed by the clips of his Sundance reality show. I've been sorta eh about his whole persona in the past, but now I'm kind of developing a crush.
Too bad Sundance doesn't make the show available online and the channel's not in my cable package!
Oh, the clips are available here:
http://www.sundancechannel.com/johnny-we…
Too bad Sundance doesn't make the show available online and the channel's not in my cable package!
Oh, the clips are available here:
http://www.sundancechannel.com/johnny-we…
13
Yeah, I've been consistently surprised about how consistently he has not acted like a diva in his post-Olympics interviews. I'll be interested in how he acts at next year's worlds. The Johnny-as-diva narrative the media has spun can't last if he keeps up acting as wonderful as he has been.
14
Love Weir, I second wishing Sundance would stick the episodes online or at least on itunes or something.
15
has someone told the commentators that in the winter olympics, ice skating is only outgayed by ice dancing? for the love of god, think of the sequins!
17
Sure he's eloquent and all but, damn, he's more feminine than me, even on my girly-girlist of days. I bet dude has a period.
18
@7 for real Scott Hamilton isn't out??? I don't usually make assumptions, but just figured he had to be. Wow.
And agree - they totally coloured my opinion of Weir.
And agree - they totally coloured my opinion of Weir.
19
Weir has the most angelic face on Earth. I love the guy.
Wear your crown of roses proudly, honey -- you are beautiful, through and through.
PS: Will somebody please start a cottage industry producing pink tassels, so we can all show our support of Weir? He's a total breath of fresh air. (Was robbed of the Bronze, however.)
Weir has the most angelic face on Earth. I love the guy.
Wear your crown of roses proudly, honey -- you are beautiful, through and through.
PS: Will somebody please start a cottage industry producing pink tassels, so we can all show our support of Weir? He's a total breath of fresh air. (Was robbed of the Bronze, however.)
20
IIRC Johnny gets hassled almost as much about his furs as he does about his personality and apparent sexuality. In both cases he simply doesn't care what others think. Also, I would not be surprised if he retired in the near future. He could hang around for the next couple years but by the next Olympics he will be 30 and he is getting a bit aged for his sport. Word is Plyushchenko isn't ruling out the next Olympics either but he's even older and that would be borderline pathetic.
At least in Johnny's case he should be a great draw in professional exhibitions.
At least in Johnny's case he should be a great draw in professional exhibitions.
22
I become more and more of a fan every day. Very brave and surprisingly classy (for all his reputation as a diva).
23
@16, Well Johnny's from Delaware and there's one thing you can count on in Delaware, scrapple is on the menu, so poutine can't be much of a stretch for him.
25
I'd rather my children were influenced by a man who was tolerant, kind, eloquent, true to himself, AND unashamed to admit he's gay.
27
Johnny was sixth in the world at the the olympics. He does back up his mouth with his skating.
He has a realist view of most thing from what I've read of him. He has flamboyant affectations in choreography, but isn't a diva. He is an athlete in a sport that like to reject the artistry that it requires.
He has a realist view of most thing from what I've read of him. He has flamboyant affectations in choreography, but isn't a diva. He is an athlete in a sport that like to reject the artistry that it requires.
28
Smart, articulate, kind and forgiving. Seems like a great guy. I am not a fan of his fashion, however.
29
@16: Not only can he eat, he even knows how to pronounce it: poo-TIN instead of poo-TEEN. Attaboy Johnny!
30
For some people in some positions, coming out is not always the obviously right thing to do. Take Anderson Cooper. If he were to confirm what everybody already knows, what's the dialogue on the other side of the screen when he tries to run a story?
"Hey, it's Anderson Cooper, the gay guy."
"He's gay? Really?"
"Yeah, he admitted it last week."
"I kinda always thought so. Say, what's he talking about?"
"I dunno. Who cares."
It's the "I dunno. Who cares" that he's most worried about, I suspect. He wants to be a reporter, not a symbol.
"Hey, it's Anderson Cooper, the gay guy."
"He's gay? Really?"
"Yeah, he admitted it last week."
"I kinda always thought so. Say, what's he talking about?"
"I dunno. Who cares."
It's the "I dunno. Who cares" that he's most worried about, I suspect. He wants to be a reporter, not a symbol.
33
@1 Rachael Maddow did a run-down of the NBC broadcaster's comments on Weir. That's where I saw it and I think you're right.
34
WTF people Scott Hamilton had nada to do with this. Claude Mailhot and Alain Goldberg of RDS Canada are the two who attacked Johnny for not being "masculine enough". Not terribly surprising when you take little frenchman with inferiority complexes and then don't let them be really french - just french canadian and then toss on not being good enough to work for a real media company (who's heard of RDS?) and you have some seriously impotent Quebecois lashing out at any real talent they may encounter
35
Harold Pinter said it best: "If you can't be yourself, what's the point of being anyone at all?" Oh, and by the way, Dingo, I have hazel eyes and am left-handed. What further credentials do you need?
38
@33 that would be interesting to see her take on it. Poked around a bit for the video and couldn't find it...
@34. Yeah, Scott Hamilton didn't say anything nasty or inappropriate about Johnny Weir (you're right in that it was the two Canadians whose comments this video addresses). But, I watched both men's competitions, and I definitely got the impression that the NBC commentators (including Hamilton) did not like or respect him. They almost begrudgingly acknowledged that he turned in two solid performances. It was almost like, oh here we go again with Johnny Weir...
@34. Yeah, Scott Hamilton didn't say anything nasty or inappropriate about Johnny Weir (you're right in that it was the two Canadians whose comments this video addresses). But, I watched both men's competitions, and I definitely got the impression that the NBC commentators (including Hamilton) did not like or respect him. They almost begrudgingly acknowledged that he turned in two solid performances. It was almost like, oh here we go again with Johnny Weir...
39
"coming out" is as relevent today as women burning bras.
That's a nice little soundbite. Unfortunately it's not even close to being true.
That's a nice little soundbite. Unfortunately it's not even close to being true.
40
also, since Dan is a little lazy with giving back-linkage with his posts and I'm not so up on the latest Olympic trivia/drama here ya go:
http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/ite…
http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/ite…
42
Personally, I wished he'd choose not to wear animal fur.
Now don't jump all over me. It's just my preference that he not, that's all.
Now don't jump all over me. It's just my preference that he not, that's all.
46
I think it's safe to call myself a very, very straight man, but I would switch teams for Johnny. Huh! That's a fun bit of personal discovery!
47
OK, assuming he really is gay: Why does Johnny Weir have to come out publicly? The fact that he doesn't feel the need to talk about it in the media doesn't mean he's ashamed of it. His friends and family know who he is, as he said. Why should it matter as long as the people he loves and who love him know and support him? Maybe he doesn't WANT to be a symbol. Maybe he doesn't feel the need to define himself just because some people insist that he must be ashamed? Clearly he's not ashamed for people to THINK he's gay. It seems silly to assume that he's ashamed to be gay when he's SOO fabulous and flamboyant. Maybe he doesn't define himself one way. Maybe he's actually straight and is just REALLY theatrical. Like everyone else, I assume he's gay, and I love that he doesn't seem to care what people think. But I also don't think he NEEDS to answer the question in the media. What's wrong with just being who you are and loving yourself without having to define yourself by other people's terms?
All that said: I loved this clip and also thank whoever posted the "Poker Face" link in the other thread about Johnny Weir. :)
All that said: I loved this clip and also thank whoever posted the "Poker Face" link in the other thread about Johnny Weir. :)
48
Johnny said quote "There is a whole new generation of people that aren't defined by their sex or their race or by who they like to sleep with. I think as a person you know what your values are and what you believe in and that is the most important thing".
This explains WHY he hasn't come out.
Go Johnny go, but real fur is dead. Lose it dude.
This explains WHY he hasn't come out.
Go Johnny go, but real fur is dead. Lose it dude.
49
47: Clearly Johnny Weir doesn't worry about being thought of as gay or unmanly; great. And maybe he doesn't define himself in that particular way; fine. Maybe he's even straight; wonderful. But flatly refusing to discuss it (on the grounds that it "doesn't matter" and he wants to be judged on who he is) is peculiar: who can you think of who wasn't gay and closeted refuses to say one way or the other? If, as he says, there's no shame in being "who you are" then why not say it proudly?
50
Johnny is awesome. SEE his 2010 U.S. Nationals exhibition performance to Poker Face by … (already up to almost a 1/2 million views).
His opening statement to his press conference is here.
Sorry but I don't see the legitimate criticism of Scott Hamilton and the other analyst. While they weren't absolutely bending over with excitement for him they gave him the respect he deserved. Scott Hamilton even made the comment after the free skate that Johnny was underscored.
Even Johnny stated that it's all about politics and he didn't have that. He's right. There's a great blog by a figure skating insider who in one post gives great background on what happened in Vancouver. Scott Hamilton is a mentor of Evan Lysacek and Scott has Evan signed on for his figure skating show (which one the blogger didn't say).
Johnny's going to be performing in this year's World Championships--maybe the judges will grow a pair.
His opening statement to his press conference is here.
Sorry but I don't see the legitimate criticism of Scott Hamilton and the other analyst. While they weren't absolutely bending over with excitement for him they gave him the respect he deserved. Scott Hamilton even made the comment after the free skate that Johnny was underscored.
Even Johnny stated that it's all about politics and he didn't have that. He's right. There's a great blog by a figure skating insider who in one post gives great background on what happened in Vancouver. Scott Hamilton is a mentor of Evan Lysacek and Scott has Evan signed on for his figure skating show (which one the blogger didn't say).
Johnny's going to be performing in this year's World Championships--maybe the judges will grow a pair.
52
This post lacks context, Dan, and the video doesn't provide it.
Just so you know, most people read blogs starting with the newest posts. People that write them experience it the other way around, so the oversight is understandable, but no less frustrating.
Thank you @40 for the context assist.
Just so you know, most people read blogs starting with the newest posts. People that write them experience it the other way around, so the oversight is understandable, but no less frustrating.
Thank you @40 for the context assist.
53
2010 Reality Show: Gay People Who Won't Come Out vs. Fur-Bearing Show-Offs. Oh wait - Liberace's dead but lived in both camps. Elton John isn't dead, but did he wear fur? Greg Louganis: closeted but no mink Speedo. Peter Allen: really OUT and dead, but sequins are not an endangered species. What do you people want? I am shocked none of these classless media commentators have said: "Well, just add a D to Johnny's name."
54
Oh Rhett Oracle, you're right.
Every morning as I drive to work, I look over into the fields and see beautiful cows (aka livestock) suffering in the pasture. It's less than 20 degrees outside. Their backs are literally blanketed with frost. It makes me hate myself.
You're so superior. Help us rise from the dregs!
Please quit claiming the high road. No one alive can walk on it.
Every morning as I drive to work, I look over into the fields and see beautiful cows (aka livestock) suffering in the pasture. It's less than 20 degrees outside. Their backs are literally blanketed with frost. It makes me hate myself.
You're so superior. Help us rise from the dregs!
Please quit claiming the high road. No one alive can walk on it.
58
You're right; I'm not the high road or the low road; I'm the only road. But it's Slog - they don't get it.
And no, you're not a pothole. A butthole, maybe, but not a pothole.
And no, you're not a pothole. A butthole, maybe, but not a pothole.
59
@ 33 and 38 - Couldn't find a Rachel Maddow run down, but here's the the link to HuffPost on Johnny http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/26…
Johnny Weir is my all time favorite skater, eclipsing even Brian Boitano.
Johnny Weir is my all time favorite skater, eclipsing even Brian Boitano.
60
@47: Because unless he's a lover, a friend or family of mine, or he's trying to limit or violate others in the exercise of their (legal) sexual or gender expression, his sexual preference is really none of my business. It has no relevance to his professional performance.
61
I'm neither male nor gay....but....what if he thinks that he's no more required to "come out" than straight people are? Nobody's asking Michael Phelps if he's heterosexual and why he hasn't told everybody, yet, you know?
Or maybe he feels he lives out, has always lived out to everyone he knows and that making an announcement via the media would be stupid and redundant. Maybe he's never been in, is what I mean, so why come out? Perhaps he sees himself living in a "post-closet" era and declines to participate in a ritual that assumes he was ever closeted.
I don't think we can rightly assume his reluctance to discuss his orientation on TV indicates shame.
Or maybe he feels he lives out, has always lived out to everyone he knows and that making an announcement via the media would be stupid and redundant. Maybe he's never been in, is what I mean, so why come out? Perhaps he sees himself living in a "post-closet" era and declines to participate in a ritual that assumes he was ever closeted.
I don't think we can rightly assume his reluctance to discuss his orientation on TV indicates shame.
63
It sounds like he just doesn't want to play the identity politics game; he wants to be taken as an individual, not as a type. And as powerful as coming out can be, I think that's a valid standpoint. There are serious limits to how far you can take identity politics.
64
I just watched him skate for the first time (thanks, youtube) and I just *have* to say: God, he has an AMAZING ass.
66
Johnny Weir not "out?" C'mon.
I've watched two episodes of his show, and in at least one, he's openly living with (and supporting) another young guy, also somewhat fey in personality.
And clearly unhappy when his live-in friend moves out.
He's made no secret of living with, and caring for and caring about another good looking (very likely) gay guy.
How much more "out" do you want Johnny to be -- blowjobs on the nightly news?
I've watched two episodes of his show, and in at least one, he's openly living with (and supporting) another young guy, also somewhat fey in personality.
And clearly unhappy when his live-in friend moves out.
He's made no secret of living with, and caring for and caring about another good looking (very likely) gay guy.
How much more "out" do you want Johnny to be -- blowjobs on the nightly news?
67
Kind of feel like I'm saying "Yep, Rufus Wainwright is gay" in the obviousness of it all, but Yep, Johnny Weir is definitely gay. One of my best friends was dating him briefly several years ago, right around when Weir won his first Nationals - in '04, I think.
69
I think Josie Cotton needs to get back in the recording studio. We're automatically friends if you get that...anyone?
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