Be Good Johnny Weir aired it's final episode, Episode 8, on the Sundance Channel a few hours ago. It was...kind of not exciting. I think a lot has to do with the fact that the series ended with Johnny winning the bronze in Spokane, Washington, at the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January. He, along with 
Evan Lysacek and Jeremy Abbott were then named to the Olympic team. Coach Galina Zmievskaya believes that the Olympics is "Johnny time" and he will make it onto the podium.
A lot, and I mean, a lot, has happened since U.S. Nationals and the show didn't address any of it, even as a footnote or maybe via a special message from Johnny at the very end. To name a few, PETA went after Johnny for wearing real fox fur on his long program costume, Johnny placed sixth at the Olympics and was underscored by the judges, some Canadian commentators made very mean and disparaging remarks about his style and persona, Johnny attended the Oscars and met Elton John, withdrew from the World Championships which begin this week, and is now making a ton of talk show appearances and I'm just getting started! So Episode 8 felt a little unsatisfying because it left out the final chapter in his competitive skating career. I really was hoping for a special message from Johnny asking his fans to stay tuned for his second phase in life or something like that.
Anyway, in Episode 8, Johnny discusses the masculine and feminine side of his skating and how it makes some people, e.g., the U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA), uncomfortable. He believes that because he doesn't conform to what they want him to be, he's always fighting extra hard to prove his worthiness to them through his skating. And any time he makes a slight skating error, 
they jump at it and use it as a reason to push him down and promote another skater. Conversely, Johnny believes that rival Evan Lysacek gets rewarded too easily from USFSA even if he falters in his skating because Evan does fit the mold of what the U.S. federation expects of their male skaters. But, Johnny also recognizes that sometimes you have to play the game and at one point says that maybe Evan is a bigger man than he is because Evan can conform and do what's expected.
There was a lot of introspection in the final episode and whether you are a Johnny fan or not, you gotta give this young man credit for being extremely thoughtful in what he says about his skating and the way he conducts his life. Could he have gotten farther with the USFSA if he toned down his persona? Maybe and he's fully aware that he made a choice to show the public who he is and perhaps he paid a price for not acting a certain way. I don't know if there will be another Johnny Weir coming up in the ranks in the next few years but whoever he is, he can decide for himself how much support he wants from USFSA and act accordingly. I'm sure that person will know exactly the ramifications of being "different" by looking at Johnny's career and sponsorships. I know that's a horrible way to conduct one's life, but hey, I think Johnny will be the first one to say that you live with the consequences of your actions and more importantly, you have to live with yourself and be proud of that first and foremost.
Sundance Channel will repeat all eight episodes of Be Good Johnny Weir. Click here to see television schedule.
Kelly Ripa (Live with Regis and Kelly) and hubby Mark Consuelos (soap hunk on All My Children) producing Be Good Johnny Weir season 2. [Disney Dreaming]
Lucinda Ruh's autobiography Frozen Teardrop: The Tragedy And Triumph Of Figure Skating's Queen Of Spin comes out in August. [Greenwich Citizen]
, is officially released. Johnny stopped by the Borders bookstore on New York's Columbus Circle to sign copies for a long line of fans before zooming off to a fab downtown release party. Plenty of press there, including David Barba and James Pellerito, who were filming for the next season of 
