"Stars on Ice" Denies Claims They Rejected Flamboyant Ice Skating Champ Johnny Weir Because He's "Not Family Friendly"
Posted on Mar 12, 2010 @ 01:56PM - 12 comments
Johnny Weir is a three time national champ in figure skating and came in 6th at the 2010 Winter Olympics, but RadarOnline.com has learned he won’t be included in the Stars On Ice Tour.
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The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) says he was rejected because he’s “not family friendly.”
Johnny Weir spoke to Access Hollywood on Friday morning and said “It is for real…"I've never been invited to do Star on Ice before, which is the only figure skating tour in the U.S., and it's disappointing that I can't perform for my American fans… all because I'm not 'family friendly' enough."
But Stars on Ice has responded to GLAAD and released a statement to RadarOnline.com saying “We are disappointed that there is untrue and inaccurate information being disseminated. “
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On their blog, GLAAD writes:
“To say that Weir is ‘not family friendly’ would be a clear jab at his perceived sexual orientation. Weir is extremely involved with his family. He is putting his younger brother through college, and supports the family financially because his father’s disability prohibits him from working.”
The blog went on to say “Weir’s performance and costume style is sometimes considered flashier than those of other skaters, leading to questions about his perceived sexual orientation. While Weir has not officially announced his sexual orientation, he has garnered a significant amount of LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) fans.”
Weir tells Access Hollywood, "I totally understand that I am a little outrageous in some ways… I'm a little un-P.C., but I really wish I had the chance to perform for the American fans.”
The Stars On Ice statements says “Please be assured that the ‘gender identity and sexual’ orientation of cast members has never been a consideration in the selection of tour performers. Stars on Ice recognizes Johnny Weir is a talented athlete and we appreciate the contributions he has made to the international figure skating community throughout his career.”
The current cast of the Stars on Ice tour includes Olympic Gold medalist Evan Lysacek and the current U.S. National Champion, Jeremy Abbott.
“While Stars on Ice wishes it could accommodate many more talented skaters as part of our cast, the fact is we cannot sign every skater,” the statement went on to say.
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While Johnny still wants to perform with Stars on Ice, he tells Billy Bush he has a Plan B "Maybe right now, just artistically and creatively, I'd love to have my own show and my own tour and involve some big musical acts, like maybe getting Lady Gaga" he said, explaining that if he found sponsors he would create an all-inclusive event. "Nobody would be too un-family friendly for my show."
Fans have created an online petition to encourage Stars On Ice to reconsider and let him join the tour.
VIDEO INTERVIEW: Bode Miller Calls Bronze Medal "Kind Of" A Win
Posted on Feb 16, 2010 @ 09:50AM - 2 comments
Bode Miller has been the bad but golden boy of men's U.S. skiing for years and the warring sides of his personality were on show on Monday when RadarOnline.com caught up with the athlete shortly after he raced to an Olympic bronze medal finish.
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"It wasn't a win," Miller, said after being congratulated, a dismissive attitude reminiscent of his alienating 2006 meltdown at the Torino Olympics when he described the sport as "wasted."
Tragedy Strikes Winter Olympics As Luger Dies In Crash
Posted on Feb 12, 2010 @ 02:20PM - 30 comments
Tragedy has struck the winter Olympics just hours before the opening ceremony is set to start in Vancouver.
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Nodar Kumaritashvili, a Georgian luge competitor, was killed in a horrific crash during training on Friday.
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Kumaritashvili's sled veered off of the Olympic track at the Whistler Sliding Centre and slammed into a steel pole at 90mph.
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"Georgian slider Nodar Kumaritashvili has had a serious crash in the final run of official training for the men's singles on Friday," an official statement says. "He fell out of the track when he crashed. He was treated on site by medical staff who administered CPR, and was then taken away in an ambulance."
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Concerns have been raised previously regarding the safety of the track, with several other athletes having been involved in crashes on the course, which is also used for skeleton and bobsleigh.
Kumaritashvili was ranked 44th in the world standings, he was 21-years-old.
Seinfeld To Help Fill Jay Leno's Shoes
Posted on Jan 14, 2010 @ 05:25PM - 8 comments
No, Jerry Seinfeld isn’t stepping up to host a primetime talk show. However the funnyman is helping NBC fill Jay Leno’s 10 p.m. slot when Leno moves back to late night.
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The peacock network is set to debut a new schedule to air after the Winter Olympics which runs from February 12- 28. One of the shows will be a comedy produced by Seinfeld entitled The Marriage Ref.
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Parenthood, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Dateline NBC will also air at 10 p.m. the other nights according to the Associated Press.
TV: Saturday Hot List
Posted on Jul 18, 2009 @ 10:58AM - Add a comment
Tonight's Olympic events feature alpine skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding and figure skating. You're also in for treat when the figure skating medal winners from these Olympic games perform in the Championship Gala. Also, it's the finals for men's snowboarding (the parallel giant slalom), the men's slalom in alpine skiing and four-man bobsledding.
And, even though NBC is Olympic central these days-the Not Ready for Primetime Players have been hard at work over on the set of Saturday Night Live. Jennifer Lopez takes on double duty as both host and musical guest.
TV: Friday Hot List
Posted on Jul 17, 2009 @ 11:20AM - Add a comment
Tonighth's Olympics are all about speed skating, alpine skiing and bobsledding, oh my! Apolo Ohno makes the U.S. proud yet again as he goes for gold in the live 500m and leads his team in the 5000m relay in short track. And, Lindsay Vonn takes center stage for the last time these Olympic Games in the finals of the women's slalom in Alpine skiing.
TV: Thursday Hot List
Posted on Jul 17, 2009 @ 11:17AM - Add a comment
It's gonna be weird when actual, scripted shows like The Office are back with new episodes (and the arrival of Jim and Pam's baby!) next week instead of the Olympics. But, in the meantime, you still have a few more days to enjoy the games. Tonight, it's all about women's figure skating, freestyle skiing and Nordic combined. All eyes will be on the women's free skate when American figure skating champion Rachel Flatt goes up against South-Korea gold medal favorite Kim Yu-Na. Needless to say, we can't wait to cheer on Team USA for the gold!
But, if you're looking for a different kind of rivalry, then tune into the Real Housewives of Orange County. Last week, the ladies all turned on poor Vicki during their getaway in San Francisco. They really let her know that they do not appreciate it when Vicky reminds them that she's the only one with a career. So, who does Vicki turn to for comfort? Jenna-another housewife scorned by those catty, catty ladies (and as far as we knew, she and Vicki were currently estranged)! Meanwhile, Alexis and her mom bond during a trip to the nip/tuck doctor, Lynne decides what to do about her failing marriage and Gretchen launches her make-up line.
8pm
Winter Olympics (NBC)
The Deep End (ABC)
Survivor: Heroes vs Villains (CBS)
American Idol (FOX)
My First Place (HGTV)
9pm
Kitchen Nightmares (FOX)
Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest Criminals (Tru)
10pm
The Real Housewives of Orange County (Bravo)
LA Ink (TLC)
Ace of Cakes (Food)
Project Runway (Lifetime)
Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew (MTV)
Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew (VH1)
TV: Wednesday Hot List
Posted on Jul 17, 2009 @ 11:16AM - Add a comment
Tonight's Olympic highlights feature alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, bobsledding and speed skating. Olympic superstars are competing this evening so you definitely do not want to miss a minute. Gold medalist Lindsey Vonn skis in the women's giant-slalom final while Apolo Ohno, the most decorated Olympian at these games, goes for another medal in the 500m men's short track preliminaries!
TV: Monday Hot List
Posted on Jul 17, 2009 @ 11:12AM - Add a comment
Are you ready for more Olympic fun? Of course you are as there are only a few more days left in these exciting games! Tonight, the U.S. figure skating teams of Meryl Davis and Charlie White and Tenith Belbin and Ben Agosto have their eyes on medals as they compete in the finals. And, there's men's freestyle skiing and the final in large hill ski jumping.
TV: Monday Hot List
Posted on Jul 17, 2009 @ 11:04AM - Add a comment
With the Olympics dominating the airwaves for the next two weeks, a lot of your favorite shows are on hiatus. But not to worry, if the Olympics just aren't your thing, there's still plenty to get you through.
But, first things first, if you are checking out the games tonight-it's all about figure skating, speed skating and snowboarding. A medal is on the line tonight for those competing in couples' figure skating.
