DAMfan

Denise Biellmann Exhibition at 1980 Olympic Games

I still have to remind myself to watch the Worlds online - wonder what else that will be shown online and we won't get to watch on TV?

Olympic bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi has wowed the judges with huge jumps and speedy stepwork to win the short program at the world figure skating championships.

Jay Leno 3/22 - Barkely and Weir cold opening.

http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/clips/barkley-and-weir-cold-open/1211086/?__cid=thefilter

Weir interview

http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/clips/johnny-weir/1211137/?__cid=thefilter

They should do a ice skating event in 3D.

Johnny Weir is on Leno tonight.

I have a good childhood memory of going to see Ice Capades with my parrents.

Ice Capades: Rare Video of 50 Years of Skating Stars & Shows

Why I am glad that I can least watch the Worlds this year online - wonder how many skating fans are going to know it is not going to be shown on TV this year and will know it will be online and when and where - guess I will just have to spread the news and hope other skating fans will too.

http://www.universalsports.com/

2010 World skating championships online at Universal Sports beginning March 23

http://www.universalsports.com/

Johnny Weir is Three-Time U.S. Champion wonder how many 3 time US champions Stars on Ice have not signed?? I can imagine Evan will look like heaven when he dances.

Response from Smucker's Stars On Ice to a email I sent.

Thank you for contacting us.

We are disappointed that there is untrue and inaccurate information being disseminated. 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.

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.

Thank you again for contacting us, and be assured that the comments mentioned regarding the Stars on Ice tour are simply not accurate.

Sincerely,

Stars on Ice

BTW - MAMMA MIA! is now officially the 12th longest-running show in Broadway history after surpassing the record previously held by landmark musical Grease (3,388 performances) on Christmas Day, December 25, 2009. The hit musical has also surpassed the record breaking runs of legendary musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof; Hello, Dolly!; Annie; My Fair Lady and the original run of Cabaret.

MAMMA MIA! also had its best eight-performance week on Broadway ever, grossing $1,315,354 Million for the New Year's week ending January 3, 2010.

The previous New Year's record set by MAMMA MIA! for an

eight-performance week was in January 2009 with $1,261,938.

U.S. Figure Skating announces 2011 film project

Documentary to commemorate 1961 world team tragedy

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091209&content_id=7783766&vkey=ice_pressrelease

(12/09/2009) - Colorado Springs, Colo. -- U.S. Figure Skating announced plans for a documentary film project that will celebrate American figure skating while honoring the 1961 World Team that perished in a tragic plane crash. The film will also be used to further the mission of U.S. Figure Skating's Memorial Fund, which was established in memory of the 1961 team to support U.S. skaters.

"U.S. Figure Skating has a great history, and through this film we will have the opportunity to share it with audiences around the country, and the world," said Patricia St. Peter, president of U.S. Figure Skating. "As we approach the 50th anniversary of the loss of the 1961 World Team, we are undertaking this film project to preserve the memory of those who have influenced generations of American figure skaters."

After an extensive search, U.S. Figure Skating has commissioned Lookalike Productions to produce the film. Founded in 2002 by twin sisters Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern, Lookalike has earned 16 Emmy Awards for its television and film productions.

"We believe Lookalike Productions is the right choice for sharing these important stories and effectively communicating the impact these individuals had on the world of figure skating," said David Raith, executive director of U.S. Figure Skating.

Research and planning have begun for the film, with production scheduled to begin in early 2010. The projected release date of February 2011 coincides with and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the U.S. World Team tragedy.

"We are honored to be chosen to produce this celebration of American skating," Lax said. "One of the most remarkable things about sport is its ability to fulfill the dreams of both athlete and spectator."

"This will be a film that focuses on an equally central and essential truth: One person's dreams can be fulfilled by another's," Stern said. "The dreams interrupted on Feb. 15, 1961, have not gone unfulfilled, they are realized by all who share them -- and give rise to the dreams of generations to come."

This will not be uncharted territory for Lookalike, as its past projects have led it to work with some of the most decorated skaters in U.S. Figure Skating history, such as 1968 Olympic champion Peggy Fleming.

"Their passion for accuracy on every subject they choose is obvious, but, most important, they understand how to take an audience on an emotional journey," Fleming said. "I am proud to have been one of their subjects as well as a colleague."

When Johnny Wear gets nervous he uses Pledge [as in Lemon Pledge] on everything in my room," he says. "Some people eat, some people drink – but I Pledge everything."

Photos of DAM [ex Edmund GL] Mamma Mia! gallery Broadway

http://www.mamma-mia.com/gallery_broadway.asp

2010 US Championships SP Johnny Weir.avi

Johnny Weir has thrown his support behind 80 years old moon man astronaut Buzz Aldrin, to win DWTS.

Johnny Weir says he won't compete at the World Figure Skating Championships later this month, Weir is the second U.S. man to drop out of world championships in Turin, Italy, March 22-28. Olympic champion Evan Lysacek said last month he won't defend his world title.

·EVAN LYSACEK, Olympic figure skating champion, teams with ANNA TREBUNSKAYA, on Dancing with the Stars.

Johnny Weir has said the Worlds this year - may be the last time he will compete.

IMO - think I could have put on a better skating Gala then what they did and the champions deserved better then that little show.

Yu-Na Kim's & Johnny Weir's Poker Face, Figure Skating Montage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tt0KPOusOo

Johnny Weir responds to critics with calm, classy demeanor

By Maggie Hendricks

Last week, American figure skater Johnny Weir was the subject of controversial statements made by Australian and Canadian television commentators who took a swipe at his manhood as he skated to a sixth-place finish.

This week, Weir addressed the criticisms at a news conference, joking that he grew out his beard just to prove his manhood.

Joking aside, though, Weir answered questions about the commentators' critiques with class and grace. He did not ask for an apology; instead he championed free speech and said that he wouldn't want these men fired.

"I hope more kids can grow up the same way that I did and more kids can feel the freedom that I feel to be themselves and to express themselves," Weir said.

Weir has been the subject of criticism for much of his career. His jokes about illegal drugs drew the ire of the conservative skating establishment, and the use of fur in his costume for the U.S. championships angered animal-rights activists.

The criticisms must have given Weir a thick skin. He has shown nothing but a calm face and responded in good humor to those who tried to tear him down.

The Ladies skated good tonight - felt for Joannie Rochette when she skated.