Season finale of Be Good Johnny Weir: Love conquers all

Be Good Johnny Weir Recap of Season Finale Episode 10: Love conquers all

Be Good Johnny Weir airs Mondays 10/9 central on Logo. The show follows two time Olympian and three time US national figure skating champion Johnny Weir as he tries to find a career outside of skating, while training for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Episode 10 was the finale of Be Good Johnny Weir Season 2 and ended on a beautiful note. Johnny found his true love, Vitya (aka Viktor Voronov) and the two embarked on a life together as a reality couple. If you may not know by now, in December 2011, Johnny and Viktor got married and have been inseparable, with Viktor accompanying him to Finlandia Trophy and everywhere else. Does Viktor have a job I wonder? Viktor also was in the closet for six years while seriously dating a woman. Johnny is okay with that because it at least shows that Viktor is capable of a long term relationship. 

Also in this episode, Johnny tries his hand at singing (again) and this time records a rap song with Caswell called Kiss Me in Public. At the release party at a gay club, Johnny performs it live, rips his pants and still manages to pull off a decent performance. 

Now the scene shifts to October 2011 at the Ice Theatre of New York gala at Chelsea Piers complex in NYC where Johnny is honored with a lifetime achievement award. All his family and friends are there and Johnny gives a lovely speech about acceptance and being true to oneself. Mother Patti, Father, agent Tara Modlin and fiance Josh King, Viktor and others beam with pride. The gala also featured several skating numbers with Johnny performing two pieces -- Meditation and Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. While skating, he realizes how much he misses skating to the crowd, the roar of the crowd and the adoration of the crowd. He can't get that feeling anywhere else but on the ice.

In the final scene of Episode 10, it's the day after the gala and Johnny calls Tara at 7 am to tell her the good news -- he wants to come back to competition and she needs to alert the media! 

Photo below from Binky and the Misfit Mimes. Johnny and Viktor try to ignore the massive cameras while trying to have a dinner date. Outside of Johnny's own website, Binky and cohorts have the BEST SITE devoted to all things Johnny.

 

Johnny Weir's skating spectacular NOT set in Las Vegas

Be Good Johnny Weir Recap of Episode 9: Johnny's skating spectacular NOT in Vegas

Be Good Johnny Weir airs Mondays 10/9 central on Logo. The show follows two time Olympian and three time US national figure skating champion Johnny Weir as he tries to find a career outside of skating, while training for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

This is the next to last episode of Be Good Johnny Weir Season 2 -- waaaahh! My only solace is that Johnny is back in competition this season and will be skating at two Grand Prix of Figure Skating events -- Cup of Russia (November 9-12) and Trophee Eric Bompard (November 16-18). A few weeks ago, he competed at the Finlandia Trophy and came in fourth.

The big big news from Episode 9 is that Johnny's skating spectacular will NOT be in Las Vegas after all. According to Johnny, he got all caught up with the Vegas concept and let his agent/manager Tara Modlin talk him into it. But now that he's back in NYC, he realizes what a mistake it would be to have the show in Vegas, which he has called "Disneyland for old people." To confirm his gut feeling, Johnny meets up with friend and designer Chris Benz to get his take. Chris definitely sees the advantage of a huge Vegas show; however, the infrastructure of Johnny's fans and family is in NYC and home court advantage can't be flown in. Chris doesn't see Johnny's show in Vegas.  

So Johnny breaks the news to Tara who is busily booking Vegas while also preparing for her wedding. He tells her to take out her magic wand and just make the show in NYC instead! Tara calls him "honey" which is code for "clueless wonder" and explains that logistically it is too late to change the venue so the spectacular must wait if he insists on having it in NYC.

But as one door closes, another opens and in walks Jirina Ribbens, event producer and executive director of Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY). ITNY combines skating with artistry in very unique ways and Jirina was asked to help produce Johnny's spectacular given her experience putting on ITNY shows. Tara tells Jirina that the spectacular is on hold and her services will not be needed at this time. Jirina understands and says "New York is the ultimate market to succeed in" so she will be on standby. 

Jirina has also brought some great news. Every year ITNY holds their fundraising gala in October and chooses an honoree (past honorees have included Dorothy Hamill, Nancy Kerrigan and Dick Button). For 2011, ITNY has chosen Johnny and will call their gala "Dare to be Different." This is a nice consolation prize for Johnny -- Even though his spectacular is on hold, he will take part in the ITNY show. Johnny meets up with choreographer Nina Petrenko to create a new program for the gala and decides to skate to Meditation, a number Mother Patti always wanted him to skate to. Johnny tells Nina that he wants to take advantage of the fact that his "ass just keeps growing like a Kardashian sister." Nina and Johnny choreograph a very lovely number.

The other big big news is that Tara is planning her Disney princess wedding! Johnny wants to be the maid of honor but Tara says that for once in his life, he is NOT the center of attention and NO, he cannot be the maid of honor. In the last scene of Episode 9, Tara goes wedding dress shopping with her mother and Johnny at the Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier. Johnny watches Tara squeal with delight as she tries on dress after dress. Finally he can't stand it anymore and tries on a dress of his own. He realizes that watching Tara and him feeling pretty in a wedding dress has inspired him to fall in love. Dammit -- he too deserves happiness and he needs to try harder to find his soulmate. Johnny Weir is back on the hunt for love!

Next on Episode 10 (the last episode -- waaaahh!) of Be Good Johnny Weir Season 2 on Logo...Johnny finds his true love and is honored by Ice Theatre of New York.

 

Johnny Weir's skating spectacular set in Las Vegas

Be Good Johnny Weir Recap of Episode 8: Johnny ditches NYC for Las Vegas for his skating spectacular

Be Good Johnny Weir airs Mondays 10/9 central on Logo. The show follows two time Olympian and three time US national figure skating champion Johnny Weir as he tries to find a career outside of skating, while training for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

We begin Episode 8 in Tara Modlin's NYC office. Tara is Johnny's agent/manager/confidante and she has done an incredible job stretching his 15 minutes of fame. Tara advises Johnny that she has signed him up to teach a children's skating seminar in Westchester. She explains that he needs to give coaching a try in the event that none of his forays into the other careers work out -- singer, model, designer, actor, sherpa, writer and muse. Johnny has said many times that his version of hell is to be a skating coach and freeze his butt off from 6 am to 6 pm at an ice rink. But he's also grounded in reality and reluctantly agrees to try out coaching.

To cheer him up, Tara also tells him that she has lined up a creative director for his skating spectacular -- none other than Doriana Sanchez! She's a real big shot in the television and dance world who's worked with Cher, Elton John, Shakira, Jane's Addiction, the cast of Dancing with the Stars, etc. Johnny and Tara Skype with Doriana and she is excited to be part of the project. They talk first about where the spectacular should be and Johnny says naturally NYC. Doriana has another idea. Why not Las Vegas which is sparkly, glittery, and screams Johnny? Johnny hates Vegas and calls it loud and tacky. But Doriana is persistent and tells him to think about this -- water and ice in the middle of the desert. Johnny is intrigued.

We're now in Vegas to scout possible locations for the spectacular. Johnny can't stop complaining to Tara that Vegas is "Disneyland in the desert for older people. Vegas agitates me." Tara can't stop admiring her engagement ring. (Before they left for Vegas, boyfriend Josh popped the question!) They meet Doriana who brings them to a huge theatre so that Johnny can feel the intimacy, glamour and emotion that the right theatre environment can provide for his spectacular. Johnny mentions that there are also theatres in NYC. Doriana scowls. 

The next morning, Doriana asks Johnny and Tara to meet her in front of the famous fountains at Caesar's Palace. All night she's been thinking about how to differentiate Vegas from NYC and she's got it -- let's freeze the fountains and hold your spectacular here! The fountains are 198 feet long so the size is perfect, there will be ice sculptures, colored lights, free popsicles for the attendees,
can you just imagine how spectacular an ice show in the middle of the desert will be!?! Tara loves this genius idea and Johnny too embraces the concept. Someone yells out "execution" and everyone stops being excited for the moment.

Enter ice expert Vassili to talk about the logistics of freezing the fountains. Vassili tells them that real ice is impossible as it gets to be 200 degrees in the shade in Vegas. However, have they considered synthetic ice? Now THAT"S do-able. If they insist on real ice, start raising presidential level funds right now. Johnny says that he hates fake Gucci and he hates fake ice. Alone in the hotel roofdeck, Tara and Johnny have the come to Jesus moment. Johnny must commit to Vegas, his dream of a show in Madison Square Garden is not gonna happen. While admiring her ring, Tara reminds him that his notoriety and name recognition will only last for so long. Johnny says yes to Vegas. 

Back in New York at the Westchester Skating Academy, Johnny prepares to teach a group of children. Producing and starring in his Vegas spectacular is not a sure thing. What if it flops? He still needs a Plan B which very well may be coaching. The seminar goes well. Johnny is patient, encouraging, funny but serious with the children. Afterwards, he tells Tara that for the next clinic, she needs to group the children with similar levels together. Perhaps he'll spend a half hour for good skaters, a half hour for the dancers, etc. Tara beams. There may be a next time! Add Skating Coach to the checklist of possible long term careers.

Tune in on Monday 10/9 central on Logo for Episodes 9 and 10 of Be Good Johnny Weir Season 2.

Johnny Weir: To return or not to return?

Be Good Johnny Weir Recap of Episode 7: Johnny wins US Figure Skating Association's Readers Choice Award and is forced to give media interviews at an IHOP.

Be Good Johnny Weir airs Mondays 10/9 central on Logo. The show follows two time Olympian and three time US national figure skating champion Johnny Weir as he tries to find a career outside of skating, while training for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Thank you US Figure Skating Association! Sometimes I get so jaded by these reality shows -- 99.9999% of the tension and drama is manufactured. Is it real? Did they really fight? Just when you thought BGJW was in the same mold, along comes the US Skating Federation to add the "reality" part.

What happened was this -- It is January 2011 and US Nationals are happening in Greensboro, North Carolina. Johnny is sitting out the 2010-2011 season to take advantage of the Vancouver Olympic exposure (he finished sixth overall). Tara Modlin, his agent, though has wonderful news! Every year, readers of SKATING Magazine, the official magazine of US Figure Skating, vote for their favorite skater. And this year, even though Evan Lysacek won the 2010 Olympics, readers have chosen Johnny as the recipient of the Readers Choice Award! Johnny is very pleased indeed -- further validation that the more his federation shuns him for being who he is, the more his fans embrace him.

Johnny competed for thirteen straight years at Nationals at various levels and won the senior title three times in a row. This is the first time he hasn't competed at Nationals and he feels mixed emotions. A chapter is possibly ending in his life and it feels bittersweet. In the car on his way to accept his Readers Choice award, he puts aside his negative thoughts and he and Tara discuss what he'll say in his speech. It's something along the lines of "Be yourself. You won't regret it. Be Frank Sinatra, do it yourrrrr way." Tara loves it. She shares some bad news though. There will be no official press conference for him, but don't worry, she'll create one in the lobby or somewhere in the building. When they arrive at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Tara is advised that Johnny will NOT be allowed to give a speech. I imagine the conversation at US Figure Skating headquarters went something like this:

"For the love of God, do not give this man a mike." 

"We're pretty sure the audience wants to hear from him."

"For the love of God, do not give this man a mike." 

"But the past winners have always said something--"

"Fine, let him speak but don't let him hold the mike."

So the compromise was that one of the producers of icenetwork.com, which is run by US Figure Skating, interviewed him after he received the award and Johnny got to thank his fans and get his message across. But wait - there's more! To add insult to injury, Tara is advised that Johnny will not be allowed to give media interviews in the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Johnny ends up going to the IHOP across the street and gives media interviews in their parking lot. It's hard to fathom that this is a two-time Olympian, three-time US National champion who's done his share to keep US figure skating interesting post the Nancy/Tonya and Michelle Kwan era. Evan Lysacek was more interesting because there was a Johnny Weir and vice versa by the way. (And it's gonna get way more interesting this season since both are returning to competition.) Me thinks US Figure Skating could have treated him a little bit better as the fan favorite.

Back home in NJ, Johnny reflects on his legacy. He wants to be known as a true athlete. Is this the impression he left after the 2010 Olympics? He contemplates a return to competitive skating but knows that he won't be welcome with open arms by his federation. Maybe he can compete for Russia! Nah...

Now we're in Chicago, and Johnny is ready to perform in Ice Dreams, a skating show that Tara is producing. He's decided to skate to Edith Piaf's I Don't Regret Anything. Mother Patti has come to watch him skate and before the show, he talks to her about a possible return to competition. Wise Patti tells him that he has never believed that he can skate and have a life. But guess what, if he manages his time right and has the mental fortitude, he can do both and be happy. Yoda Patti then says these magical words: If you don't believe in your heart and soul that you are not done, you are not done. Do not regret that you had something left in your heart. Good words to end the episode.

Other things from Episode 7:

• Due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011, Johnny helps raise money for victims by designing a t-shirt with Tadashi.
• We see Tara running around like a madwoman trying to put on Ice Dreams. She's yelling at everyone -- her staff, parents whose children are in the show, children, dogs, boyfriend Josh, chairs, costume maker Stephanie Handler, etc. Believe it or now, this is an improvement over how she produced ice shows from a year ago.
• We meet Sherry, Tara's mother/sister. She reminds Tara that she is 32-years-old and that in Jewish years, she should already be dead. Where is the husband? Where is the children? She's been dating Josh for over a year and a half now! Fish or cut bait! Tara listens patiently and tells her mom that Josh needs a little more time to realize how fabulous she is.

Next up in Episode 8...Johnny's skating spectacular moves from NYC to Las Vegas? Johnny hates Vegas with a passion.

 

Johnny Weir: Judge, jury and executioner

Be Good Johnny Weir Recap of Episode 6: Johnny is judge, jury and executioner on ABC's Skating with the Stars

Be Good Johnny Weir airs Mondays 10/9 central on Logo. The show follows two time Olympian and three time US national figure skating champion Johnny Weir as he tries to find a career outside of skating, while training for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Episode 6 was very interesting as a portion of the show centered around Johnny's agent Tara Modlin. You see, Tara is the founder of Fireworks Sports & Entertainment and currently works out of her bathroom. On top of that, she has to share the bathroom with boyfriend Josh so space is an issue when you're trying to take your business to the next level. Tara started Fireworks about 10 years ago and she was struggling to find her niche as an agent/manager in the skating world. At one point, she was also agent to US National
champions Jeremy Abbott and Rachael Flatt (along with Johnny), but she could only really put her energies into Johnny who took all of her energies anyway so Jeremy and Rachael went bye bye. As she told Josh in the bathroom, she wants to be a combination of Jerry McGuire and Ari from Entourage.

So part of Episode 6 was about Tara trying to find a bigger office space for her and her staff of four at Fireworks Sports & Entertainment. They found it! It's not huge but it does have three large windows AND she has a small office for meetings. Tara seems genuinely excited and we feel happy for her. It's a cutthroat business this world of agents and managers in the skating world. She clawed her way in, and is surviving and even thriving. Johnny must never leave her. (photo above, Johnny and Tara)

Speaking of...where WAS Johnny while Tara was in the midst of expanding her empire in NYC? Johnny was in Los Angeles for a television stint as a judge on ABC's Skating with the Stars. This show aired in December 2010 so if we're not careful, we may be reliving his 2006 Olympics experience next Monday when new episodes air. In the first live show (where Dick Button and choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson were co-judges), Johnny is terrible -- all gooey complimentary and it's very hard to watch. This is not him! We love Johnny because he is moody, he's funny, he's off the cuff, he's obnoxious, BUT he's also kind, gentle, generous, there's a humanity about him -- you can't have millions of fans without the humanity. So that Johnny didn't show up as the judge -- we don't know who showed up, but he did get a wakeup call when his BFF Nicole told him he was terrible.

Why is Nicole in LA? Well, it turns out that Johnny is incapable of traveling alone without a strong woman by his side. His mother Patti and Aunt Diane were always with him in the early days but now they must rest in Pennsylvania. When Tara broke the news that she could not accompany him to LA as she was busy thinking about the skating spectacular and figuring out how to move out of her bathroom, Johnny begged Nicole, who works as a server at a restaurant, to take time off and be with him. Nicole watched the first show in the hotel room and looked very grim. As good BFFs do, she told him the truth while on a shopping spree in LA.

Johnny decided she was right and then sought advice from none other than Kathy Griffin -- comedian and a
brilliant live performer. Kathy told him that people absolutely want to hear what he has to say. They are tuning in to Skating with the Stars for his critiques. Johnny is a double whammy -- he has genuine expertise and also a little devil may care attitude. She wants him to be uncensored because that's how he got to be in this position. Johnny listens carefully and takes this advice way too far. In the second live taping of Skating with the Stars, Johnny turns into a mean old lady. This too is hard to watch. 

Back in New York, Tara watches Johnny thrash the contestants on television and immediately calls him on the phone. Taping has ended and Johnny is in a car back to the hotel. Tara tells him that he went supernova on beloved contestants, such as Vince Neil from Motley Crue, and perhaps he forgot that some of these celebrities have never skated in their lives. Johnny listens and realizes that for the next live taping, he must just be himself. In the first taping, he was trying to be liked and didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. In the second taping, he blurted out whatever was in his head. In future tapings, he will be somewhere in between. 

Now we're all back in NYC because there is a break in taping. Johnny meets up with a former crush Jake and they go bullriding and catch up. Could Jake be the one? Jake is very handsome. I wonder what happened between them since we now know that Johnny married Viktor Voronov in December 2011. Jake is not from NYC so perhaps distance kept the relationship from ever becoming more than crushes.

I'm looking forward to Episodes 7 and 8 on Monday to see if we get closer to the year 2012. In case you've forgotten, Johnny is currently in Finland for his first international competition since the 2010 Olympics. The men's short program begins Friday afternoon. We'll all be looking for uploads on YouTube.