Part of the reason I’m so out of today is that I didn’t go to bed early enough last night, because I was too busy watching the fabulous men’s figure skating short programs. How much do I love Johnny Weir? More than I love Evan Lysanek, who is clearly a fabulous bitch too, but Weir just has so much personality, so much theatricality, so much Russian! I didn’t know he spoke Russian. But he does. Fluently. So fluently that his Russian coach gives him pep talks in Russian. Fabulous!
Even the commentators were referencing Weir’s awesome bitchy comments about “crazy fur people” and how he claimed he was going to “rock the pink tassle”. And rock it he did. Although I’m sure Weir wanted to place higher, his sixth-place finish in the short program means that we’ll get to see his long program, and that this bitch will bring it. Oh, and after Weir skated and he was waiting for his scores, Lady Gaga started playing, and he gave a little booty shake for the cameras and fans. I LOVE HIM.
While Evan Lysacek thinks about dusting off a special spot in his trophy case, Johnny Weir, well, just plain dusts. Lysacek left the Pacific Coliseum on Tuesday night in second place after the men’s short program. One more dynamic performance in the free skate and the defending world champion will leave the Vancouver Olympics with a medal. Maybe even gold.
“I had some pressure coming in as a reigning world champion and I felt it,” Lysacek said. “To be able to go out and silence all of that really felt good.”
Weir is sixth and will need help to even get on the podium, trailing Japan’s Daisuke Takahashi by 8.15 points for the third spot. He was so edgy heading into competition that Weir broke out the cleaning spray at the apartment he shares with ice dancer Tanith Belbin in the athletes’ village.
“Last night I was nervous, so I Pledged everything,” he said. “Some people eat, some people drink, some people smoke. I Pledge.”
Nothing went wrong for Lysacek, whose shot at a medal in 2006 was ruined when, ravaged by flu, he crashed his way to 10th place in the short program. His brilliant free skate got him up to fourth.
Now he can put that behind him.
Lysacek will go first in the final group Thursday night. Takahashi, just .05 behind Lysacek, has the third-from-last spot, followed by Weir and Evgeni Plushenko.
That leaves Lysacek needing to post a high number and hope it’s enough to make him the first American winner of Olympic men’s gold since Brian Boitano in 1988. But he knows how difficult it will be to overtake Plushenko, who could become the games’ first repeat gold medalist in men’s figure skating since Dick Button in 1952.
“He has one major advantage over everyone, and that’s an Olympic gold medal,” Lysacek said. “He has power mentally because he has what we all want. I think it’s going to take some mighty fine skating to get that power away from him.”
Weir isn’t concerned about challenging Plushenko. He didn’t consider himself a medals possibility when he arrived in Vancouver, even though he’s won three U.S. titles and, as recently as 2008, took world bronze.
“I actually had fun tonight, and that’s something I haven’t been able to say for a long time,” said Weir, who quit for a few weeks last spring after bombing so badly at the U.S. championships he failed to make the world team. “I felt like I really showed my heart.”
[From Associated Content via Google]
I was trying to find an embed video of Weir’s performance, but NBC’s video collection is run by jackasses. I did find lots of other cute videos of Weir though, so NBC’s site is definitely worth a look. Gawker has some good clips here too.
Here’s a photo of Evan Lysacek… he had feathers all over his costume! I think he was supposed to represent a crow or something? Anyway, he’s pretty special too. I think he’ll probably end medaling on Thursday.
Poor Johnny. All that attitude and NO QUAD. Plushenko, my future husband, DOES! Neener-neener-neener! Go Pledge Tanith Belbin.
Finally, an out skater. Work it!
the feathers were my favorite.
I think the feathers were because he skated to “Firebird”.
My favorite part is where the man who wears feather and cries when his performance is over, Evan, has a girlfriend….really. Just be proud of who you are.
Evan was amazing!! He would have to fall down on every jump to not medal. I also liked Plushenko and the Japanese. They will be the medal winners and it should be a great final skate on Thursday.
Weir is all fluff and no game!! In fact, he did not even deserve placing in the final group. I really hope I never hear his name again. What a complete fool. He is the sterotypical male figure skater. He doesn’t even try not to be. The announcers were embarrassed to even mention his name last night.
Umm…fur is really sad..
Can we please not get carried away by Johnny’s admittedly awesome skating and undeniable charisma and NOT make it “awesome” to make pro-fur statements?
As someone who is fluent in Russian, I can say that Mr. Weir is not fluent in Russian. He embarrassingly stumbled through the language while sitting with his coach awaiting his scores.
Whatever… Show me a gold medal bitch, then we’ll talk.
Like it or not, Johnny skated the most engaging program. I think he is wonderful. I’d love to see him medal, but even if he doesn’t, I’m glad he went out there and rocked his performance.
That nasty, Mulleted Russian looked greasy as hell and skated a choppy, ugly program. Who cares if you have a quad if your routine is ugly? He looked like he just finished a three day bender. Grossness.
Evan is not my favorite, but he did skate well. I will be delighted if anyone wins over that arrogant Pluskanko. Take a shower before you come to the Olympic Games, please.
I still have faith that Patrick Chan, my cougar crush, can get it together to nab a spot on the podium.
I was flustered watching that it seemed like NBC was so ready to write him off. All the relentless hype was about Evan (rightly so) and Jeremy Abbott (who, of course, choked). Johnny skated a good, clean program and made it into the final group, but the TV coverage just seemed to gloss right over that. Usually they’re all up the backsides of all the American competitors.
I know he upsets a lot of people with his statements in the press and that some think he trivializes the sport, but he should be proud of his performance last night.
My office manager just told me that Johnnys tasseled outfit was ‘the worst skating outfit EVER’ (pause) ‘In the history of the whole WORLD!!’, frankly other than that odd pink shoulder tassel thing I thought it was much better than many of the others. The feather nonsense on that one dude was traipsing along the lines of creepy.
@ omondieu
Patrick Chan is a class act ! Am rooting for him too.
“pro-fur statements”?? Are you serious? It’s not like he was wearing a fetus and Kaiser was commending him for it. Wearing fur is not controversial, and the only reason people have to make “pro-fur statements” in the first place is because PETA won’t mind its own damn business.
If you don’t want to wear fur, that’s fine, don’t wear it. But you don’t get to dictate what other people do, or what opinions they hold. It’s just as offensive and off-putting as shoving your religion down others’ throats. Why not just STFU and lead by example?
@Chikkentikkat – agreed, thank you for saying that. Wearing fur is cruel, tasteless, classless and always, always, ALWAYS looks better on the animal.
As fabulous and talented as Johnny is, the “pro-fur” or even just plain complacent attitude toward fur is seriously effed up.
Oh my God, I LIVED see see Johnny last night and he did not disappoint! He is fierce!
Evan was really great too – I loved his Vera Wang designed outfit!!
Shannon, LOL, I totally 100% agree with you and KUDOS for having the nerve to say what most people think! Even though people will call you classless and vile, rock on for speaking your mind girl!
@Shannon – Your comment is pretty uninformed and incredibly insensitive.
Rather than just STFU, let me just say that it’s not enough for anti-fur people not to wear fur. The entire fur industry represents absolutely thoughtless and unnecessary cruelty.
As long as anyone continues to purchase fur, this unnecessary cruelty and slaughter continues. And please don’t pull the “do you eat meat” card. I do, and I also wear leather. But the fact is most people don’t eat mink, chinchilla, fox, cat, dog, raccoon, etc. Wearing fur IS controversial – PETA didn’t exactly invent the concept. But they’re admittedly bad at expressing it.
Wearing fur is classless in my opinion and generally reserved for those with little to no taste. Your opinion on that may differ. But the FACT remains that the actual process by which all of this fur is obtained is brutally cruel and needs to stop.
I love me some Johnny Weir! He’s fun and fabulous, bitchy and hilarious…and he nailed that program last night, tassles, pink ribbon and all. Any man, gay or straight, that can rock a pink tassle and give some attitude while competing at the Olympics? Fierce. And finally, a skater that’s out and proud…it’s about time. I am a middle age, straight mama and I just love him for that.
So, did you catch Vera Wang on the Today show? She designed the bird costume for Evan…a Firebird, whatever that is. It was pretty awesome that she flew out from NYC during fashion week to watch him skate last night, and to see their partnership. She showed the love and that’s pretty cool.
Why can’t Evan cry/wear feathers and be straight? Straight men cry. AND the feathers were part of the song.. the story of his program.. why is does that automatically mean he is gay?
Evan and Johnny were both amazing. Johnny has a natural grace about him and that kiss off at the end had so much personality. Evan has more skill though, his number was fantastic!
I grinned like a madwoman all through Johnny’s performance. I’m usually rooting against his team, but it’s impossible not to like him.
I’d rather not go into the fur debate. People are entitled to their opinions, and no one is likely to win someone over the to “other side” through insults, threats and name calling.
Ok.. so Evan..It’s not just the crying, it’s not just the feathers, and it’s not the fact that you are a male ice skater that make you look gay. It is the overwhelming use of bronzer that makes even Micheal Kors say “Girl, back away from the brush”. And let’s not foget the ozone shattering number of products in his hair.
This is why no one takes figure skating seriously, with these boys vamping it up and traipsing around. Give a good old masculine Elvis Stojko anyday! haha
Anna, personally I don’t think or even care if Evan is gay and his outfit wouldn’t change my mind in any way, but I do think the feathers round his wrists were kinda creepy. Sort of an Evan-FeatherHands thing going on. But I am no fashionista so that could very well be the style of the day, what the heck do I know? 😉
Actually, I’m not uninformed at all. I’ve been tricked (thanks PETA activists) into watching slaughterhouse videos.
And the only insensitive thing I see is that people are falling over themselves to decry fur when genocide, slavery, and trafficking are affecting the lives of humans right this very second.
PLUSHENKO IS THE BEST FIGURESKATER OFALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!
THE REST IS RUBBISH!!!!!!
go shannon….go shannon…..
I’m sorry to hear from these comments that the American announcers are jerky to Weir. The Canadians seemed to love him and suggested he could be the competition’s dark horse. Do you have skaters commenting, I wonder, because we totally do and I think it makes a difference. They’ve been there, worn the suits, etc.
Dearest Kaiser…. I LOVE YOU!
Shannon I’m not sure if you’re aware of this but people can be concerned about genocide, slavery, and the trafficking of humans, and still care about the sensless murder of helpless animals for human vanity. If you, or anyone else, want to wear fur I can’t stop you. But you can’t stop me and others for talking about how disgusting it is. Let’s just agree to disagree.
Sudini, you have the right not to wear fur if you don’t want to. But don’t try to tell me what I can’t wear.
The process by which meat is obtained isn’t exactly refined and delicate, either. To say you eat meat and wear leather but won’t wear fur seems a tad hypocritical. IMHO if you can eat ’em you can wear ’em.
That said, I definitely will not wear anything that comes from an endangered species, including ivory jewelry. Anybody who kills an elephant deserves to be trampled on by the rest of the herd.
@Shannon – it’s a rediculous argument to say that people shouldn’t give a sh*t about the cruelty of the fur industry as long as there is also genocide, trafficking and slavery happening in the world as well. They’re ALL wrong and no one is saying to pay more attention to one over the other! All injustice should be addressed – cruelty is cruelty. Just WEAK argument there.
Your other, equally weak argument tactic is to constantly reference the evils of PETA. The fact that there is a group of people out there who go about spreading their message the wrong way does NOT alter the fact of the matter, and that is that fur is cruel and unnecessary.
You seem to blame your total antipathy and lack of compassion on everything but yourself.
@Cheyenne – I’m afraid you missed my point. When I said that I eat meat and wear leather, it was to point out a lack of hypocrisy by saying that I’m not against using animals as a means for “survival”. I’m against using animals strictly to appeal to one’s vanity. When you say “if you can eat ’em, you can wear ’em”, I have to point out (again) that very few if any people ever eat mink, chinchilla, fox, raccoon…
Sudini, I’m afraid it’s you who is missing the point. If you say killing animals for fur is cruel, then it doesn’t matter which animals you for what reason, it’s all cruel. Nobody needs to eat meat; if it’s protein you need, you can get plenty from beans and dairy products.
I have a big problem with people pushing their own aesthetics onto other people. I won’t touch a piece or ivory jewelry or a garment made from the skin or fur of an endangered species, but I don’t tell anybody else they can’t wear them if they want to.
Wow, do I really have to spell it out for you? Humans should care about other humans before other species. That is my argument. How on earth is that a weak argument? The only reason we have survived as a species is because we care about other humans more than animals. Basic biology. YOU are arguing that other species and humans are equal when you say “cruelty is cruelty”. I think that’s sick. Killing a kitten might be horrible, but it is nowhere near killing a human being.
Why should I blame myself for that? Why is that a lack of compassion? Why is that antipathy?
And if we’re going to call other peoples’ arguments lame, then I’d like to point out that your argument for wearing leather “for survival” makes no sense. How is wearing leather different than wearing fur? How is wearing leather for survival, but wearing fur is cruel and vain? It’s not like cows are killed humanely either.
I’d also like you to know that resorting to personal attacks on someone’s character generally indicates a weak argument.
And Bee, I wasn’t taking issue with people expressing their own thoughts. I never said people weren’t allowed to say they don’t like fur. I have a problem with the fact that Kaiser was chastised for making “pro fur statements”. I have a problem with people telling me what I should think, how I should feel. That is very different from someone saying how they personally feel.
Weir in 6th place, enough said, he can skate his fur loving ass back home now.
I thought the Russian Guy Lysacek was awesome.
@Lisa: Last I heard, Evan Lysacek is American.
In fact Shannon, you WERE taking issue with people expressing their own thoughts the moment you so eloquently said “why dont you just STFU and lead by example” in your original post.
That aside, the fact that you have to ASK how choosing to turn a blind eye to one cruelty over another is a lack of compassion tells me you do not fully comprehend the idea of compassion.
And my response to the whole fur argument going down on here right now??
Patrick Chan! Patrick Chan! Patrick Chan!
Adorableness.
Lisa,
I could be wrong but I think Lysacek is from the US, you must be thinking of Plushenko, the blonde dude with the dirty looking Joan Jett haircut. But frankly Lysacek was fantastic and really is deserving of a win. Granted they were both wonderful, but since Plushenko already has a gold I gotta hope for Lysacek. Holy Cheebus these skaters have mighty funky names.
Sudini, I said “STFU and lead by example” to people DICTATING HOW OTHERS SHOULD THINK AND FEEL. Did you read any other part of my post? The entire thing was about how others should not shove their beliefs onto people. That is different than simply expressing feelings. Do you not understand the nuance there? For Pete’s sake, this is like attempting to reason with religious nutters.
And you clearly still do not understand my argument, or the fact that there is a difference between killing humans and killing other species. Since you can’t even grasp why that’s a legitimate viewpoint instead of freaking out over “lack of compassion” and personal insults, and seem unable to respond to me pointing out your hypocritical argument, I’m done speaking to you.
Boohoo, I’m a terrible person for thinking my own species is more important. That doesn’t make your argument valid.
I wanna get in the middle of a Plushenko/Weir/Lysacek sandwich. They’re all three the hotness. Evan especially, he looked like he could use a hug at the end of his performance…
I am totally against wearing fur. No doubt.
But I love Johnny Weir. I love his refreshing attitude. I love his theatrics. I love that he makes men’s skating more compelling.
I adore Evan. I loved his outfit. He looked so dangerous and gorgeous. So he cried. I love a man who is secure enough to express his emotions.
The Japanese were impressive as was Plushenko. Though Plush needs to degrease ASAP.
Who cares about their sexuality. Bring it or go home. That is all that matters.
I completely wanted to hate him over the fur stuff; I’m not a nut, but it just seems reprehensible. Anyway, he totally won me over and I loved, loved, loved him! You gotta love someone that comfortable in their skin. Can’t wait for the long program!
Lysacek is American. He and Johnny have been professional rivals for years.
Shannon, I feel sorry for you that you have no compassion for animals. Fur should be outlawed and I don’t understand why it hasn’t been. Why do animals have to suffer for human vanity. Why is this even an argument? The idea of wearing a dead animals skin is completely horrible. Eating meat is completely different and you know it.
I understand that PETA is an awful group that doesn’t really care about animals at all but animals shouldn’t have to suffer because PETA behaves badly. It shouldn’t be a a personal choice. Cruelty to animals shouldn’t be a personal choice.
I haven’t followed figure skating since Robin Cussons was largeing it up, but I’m just weighing in to say I agree with Sudini.
I’m also finding it extremely amusing that all of a sudden “we don’t have a right to judge or dictate to others” when that’s all we bloody do here. Or am I the only one who actually reads the Uncool Triangle comments? I’ll think less of you for wearing fur, you’ll think less of me for judging you. And in the end it won’t matter as none of us gives a damn what another randomer on the internet thinks.
I agree with Dick Button – the judges screwed up by putting the Russian dude in first place. Boooring performance, all he did that was good was the quad.
TEAM TAKAHASHI!!! OMG that was by far the best ice skating I have ever seen.
….well that was a hell of a reading ride.
Everyone needs to agree to disagree. No one is ever going to get along regarding this subject until the earth blows itself up.
I love my Patrick Chan…. Go Canada 😛
Plushenko, Chan, Takahashi, Lysacek, Weir… and what about Stéphane Lambiel for Gold?
Since 2006 Plushenko’s components has been completly OVERRATED. Awsome at jumps awful at artistic componets (he used to be better…) just like Joubert (it seems my bad vibes for him worked!). And honestly, Patrick Chan is going on the same way!
Lysacek and Weir made awsome SP, but I believe they will broke under pressure (they always does!). And then the medals will go for Plushenko (bah!), Stéphane and Daisuke!
*I hope my bad vibes still works tomorrow!* – Sorry girls, I have bitcheness on my veins!
I hope he rocks the fur too. Don’t give into those deluded animal worshiping, human being haters.
I 100% support animal rights. So I guess that means I hate humans, right? That is so completely ignorant I shouldn’t even address it, but I can’t resist because it’s also HILARIOUS LOL. I don’t understand why people turn this into an “either/or” situation. You don’t have to choose one over the other. One does not rule out the other, and thinking it does shows you’re either completely narrow minded and refuse to even consider someone else’s viewpoint OR you just want to win an argument. I support animal rights and I donate to the OSPCA on a regular basis. But guess what, I ALSO donate my money AND time to women’s shelters (even though they’re full of those horrible “human” types.) So…where does that leave me? I know, capable of realizing you can do both, and NOT at the expense of the other. Hard to believe, I know.
By the way, Johnny Weir said something similar to Shannon, that he supports humans over animals (and I may be mistaken, but didn’t Kelis say something similar?) That’s fine, but that’s NOT why you wear fur, Johnny. You don’t wear fur because there was an earthquake in Haiti. You don’t wear fur because of genocide. You wear fur because you like to wear fur. That’s it. And if you like to wear fur, that’s your right. But DON’T pretend it’s because you are incapable of supporting animal rights because of all the attrocities involving humans worldwide. Even though I 100% disagree with his decision to wear fur, I’d have a hell of a lot more respect for him if he just said “I like to wear fur. Period.” Couching it in some sort of holier-than-thou “think of the humans” bullsh*t just makes him look misguided and clueless.
Either way, Mairead is right. Lots on baseless self righteousness up in here tonight 😉
P.S. PETA is not the be all end all of animal rights organizations. Try the Humane Society, or local rescue places in your area. There are wonderful organizations doing wonderful things out there. And guess what? They’re not “human being haters” either. You might just be surprised.
P.P.S. sorry this was so long, you get typing and next thing you know it’s a novella… 😉
In that photo, Evan looks like Christian Bale dressed as a raven. Interesting…
On nbc.com, I can’t find the Johnny Weir performance (I missed that one!) but easily found Craig T. Nelson’s Favorite Events video. Gee thanks, just what I was looking for. ???
I’m anti-fur. I also despise PETA and love humans.
I always find the Olympic commentators really annoying. I’d much rather just watch than hear them jabbering on, saying random unimportant facts in an effort to fill air time.
That would be a great idea for the next new Ice Show, “Bitches on Ice.”
That Evan made me laugh during his routine, partly the wild flailing, the tears and the Miami Vice stubble/grease. I couldn’t get into it.
However I recently saw the Chinese couple who won the gold, and they were so adorable they made me tear-up.
Yuck Plushenko. When was the last time that guy bathed? He looked like garbage.
“Killing a kitten might be horrible, but it is nowhere near killing a human being.”
Yuck. Stay away from me.
Here’s a thought for you, the kitten has every bit as much RIGHT to LIVE as you do. The fact that you *think* you are superior is irrelevant. And stupid.
Are we having the fur debate again? Jeez, if you PETA-loving weirdos are so upset about this, why aren’t you out donating your time somewhere instead of sitting on a gossip website arguing with folks who already have their minds made up?
Guys – I’ve refrained from commenting again on the whole ‘fur business’. But this is nuts. i’m not going to comment on the fur issue of my comment so much as on the effect it seems to have had:
@Shannon- this is a website where people express their opinions. that’s why there is a “leave a comment” button.
This has always been a pretty cool site where everyone chimes in.
Please don’t tell me to STFU for what was a pretty mild comment on my part that we shouldn’t applaud Johnny weir for his pro-fur statements.
I’m free to comment as long I’m polite.
You’re free to enjoy your opinions and even to counter mine. I don’t agree with your stance on fur and creating a heirarchy in the value of life (human embryos first, animals second or whatever your point was)..but I can understand it and where you are coming from. There are lots of people with your opinion. You’re not the first person I’ve met like that: in fact, I used to eat meat and my Mom has a fur coat. I also find PETA can be extreme and wish they would take a more measured stance; they’d probably make their point a little better.
I will say this, you are the first person who has ever sworn at me for expressing myself. Maybe I’ve just been successful in surrounding myself with decent individuals my whole life.
I wish you’d take your vulgar commentary and your “STFUs” elsewhere.
Try perez. You’ll fit right in.
Take care hon!
Lisa- 6th place in the short program at the Olympics is NOT an embarrassment. It’s a huge accomplishment. He scored high enough to go forward in the competition. I generally hate how anything less than 1st place is considered “bad”. That being said, Johnny’s score was surprisingly low. He nailed all his moves and had some of the best transitions of the lot. Pleshenko has lots of power but is not, IMO, very flowing. Evan’s routine actually accorded with the music which seemed to be a rarity the other night. He was great.
Jennifer: Spot on, thank you!
@ Jennifer, Mairead & CB Rawks
🙂
The mostly Canadian audience loudly booed Johnny’s scores. They knew he was being lowballed and when a crowd reacts this way for an athlete who is not their own it is the very purest form of support and admiration. Johnny is smart enough to know this, and I think he was truly delighted. He is a showman, and he gave them something they loved. I think he could, at this point, not give a damn what the judges think. He could probably get better scores if he were more conservative in dress and manner, but he won’t do it.
I know one thing…I’d go see Johnny at his future shows in a minute; he’ll make it graceful, athletic, look like it’s as easy as pie when it’s damned hard, and he’ll have a blast through it all, taking his audience with him.
Rock on, Johnny, rock on.
As to Plushie…he’s an ass and an ugly skater, along with being an ugly person. He’s so uptight, it’s funny. If he wants to be so damned thuggish go play hockey or something…artistic skating isn’t for that mess.
I thought he was clunky. Always though Elvis Stojko was, too. I prefer the display of strength with grace that Johnny W presents much more.
i manage all the apparel for Team USA and had the pleasure of spending some time with both Johnny and Evan last week and will say that they are both total professionals and nice guys. It was great to see them both do so well.
I wonder how many people who are up in arms about a kitten’s right to life or the cruelty of hurting rodents are pro-choice?
Hee hee hee… just thought the conversation was too tame, you know. 😉
Evan is a strong athlete but so boring. Skaters like Weir, Lambiel and Takahashi really make something happen on the ice.
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