Why did Johnny's mom turn her back to us?

Frau Muller · Jan 17, 2006

Did anyone else catch sight of that 'cold shoulder move'? At the end of Johnny's freeskate, the ABC cameras honed in on Mrs. Weir applauding her son. As soon as she realized that she was on TV she made an ugly face (exasperated look) & turned her back to us.

Sweet.....

At least the infamous 'Mama Mitchell' (of Galler-Rabinowitz & Mitchell letter-writing fame) showed her face to the cameras.

What's up with Johnny's mom? Is she as snooty as she seems to be???

Tonichelle · Jan 17, 2006

she could just be one that doesn't like the camera... a lot of skater parents are like that

not all of them can be like the Baldwins who seem to enjoy the attention

FreeKatie · Jan 17, 2006

ooh dish!

I missed this, but my guess is that she is annoyed at ABC for trying to catch the families reactions. I must say the whole thing with Rohene and his mother was completely intrusive and uncomfortable to watch (for me). Honing in on Angela Nikodinov was heartbreaking and in general if a skater doesn't skate well, they turn the cameras on the family, which is kinda sad.

diamondqueen · Jan 17, 2006

Johnny Weir's mom

What is the big deal. Maybe Johnny's mom is camera shy. Lets move on to more important things like the Olympics:agree:

diamond :love:

Frau Muller · Jan 17, 2006

I definitely agree that the thing with Rohene & mom was intrusive!

ABC was definitely seeking all of these families out -- very often way up in the Skyboxes. Johnny's mom seemed to be in a nosebleed section, judging by the steepness of the rows above her. Hee-hee...the moral of the story is: No matter how hard you try to hide, ABC *will* find you!!!!! :rofl:

Frau Muller · Jan 17, 2006

diamondqueen said:
What is the big deal. Maybe Johnny's mom is camera shy. Lets move on to more important things like the Olympics:agree:

diamond

So is she going to hide in Torino too? Sorry but this *is* important. North American figure skating is personality driven. Johnny & 'Team Weir' are fair 'game'...especially when we're talking about rather eccentric personalities. As nice as ABC/ESPN has treated Johnny, one would think that his mother would be a bit more cooperative. By the way -- I LOVE Johnny's personality. He is an original -- a real 'hoot.' He had the single-most-hilarious quip of the telecasts, when Peter Carruthers asked him, after the SP: "Johnny, what are you going to do between now and Saturday's long program?" Johnny answered, with masterful comic timing: "I'm going to DisneyWorld!"

Mathman · Jan 17, 2006

I heard that Mrs. Weir is an undercover CIA agent assigned to thwarting terrorism at Torino. She didn't want to blow her cover. Next time you see her she will have on a red wig and sunglasses.

STL_Blues_fan · Jan 17, 2006

Really, just let her be! Some people are camera shy. Johnny does not skate pairs with his mom, so she is not fair game.

She was very kind and sweet. I came up to her and told her what a pleasure it is to watch Johnny and how much my family loves his skating. She did not run away or ignored me. She thanked me.

Cameras are different. Some people make up signs to make it on TV and like to be on camera. She sat way up high...clearly she did not want to be seen cheering for Johnny.

Frau Muller · Jan 17, 2006

STL_Blues_fan said:
She was very kind and sweet. I came up to her and told her what a pleasure it is to watch Johnny and how much my family loves his skating. She did not run away or ignored me. She thanked me. .

That's nice to know, Blues Fan.

The other really odd 'intrusion on family' was when the camera sought-out the father of one of the front-running ladies (Meissner or Zukowski...don't remember which of the two). THAT was really sad. The father was sitting all by himself, way up in nosebleed section, just slumped in his chair, immobile -- he did not applaud his daughter. I felt much more embarrassed by that intrusion.

Frau Muller · Jan 17, 2006

Mathman said:
I heard that Mrs. Weir is an undercover CIA agent assigned to thwarting terrorism at Torino. She didn't want to blow her cover. Next time you see her she will have on a red wig and sunglasses.

ROTFL!!!!

The sad thing is -- she probably WILL be in disguise, to thwart Scott Hamilton & the pesky NBC cameras. This could be the skating equivalent of 'Where's Waldo?'

Johar · Jan 17, 2006

Frau Muller said:
That's nice to know, Blues Fan.

The other really odd 'intrusion on family' was when the camera sought-out the father of one of the front-running ladies (Meissner or Zukowski...don't remember which of the two). THAT was really sad. The father was sitting all by himself, way up in nosebleed section, just slumped in his chair, immobile -- he did not applaud his daughter. I felt much more embarrassed by that intrusion.

I recall seeing that moment on TV. It was sad. He seemed to show no happiness over his daughter's skate.

R.D. · Jan 17, 2006

That was Kimmie's dad.

FreeKatie · Jan 17, 2006

Frau Muller said:
ROTFL!!!! The sad thing is -- she probably WILL be in disguise, to thwart Scott Hamilton & the pesky NBC cameras. This could be the skating equivalent of 'Where's Waldo?'

Did you say Scott Hamilton? Uh oh, I guess I'll but the volume on low since he'll be yelling into the TV screen.

Grgranny · Jan 18, 2006

"Thwart Scott H. - NBC"
I don't get the connections, does Scott now own NBC? Actually, I thought it was ABC so I just don't get it.

Doggygirl · Jan 18, 2006

Grgranny said:
"Thwart Scott H. - NBC"
I don't get the connections, does Scott now own NBC? Actually, I thought it was ABC so I just don't get it.

NBC is covering the Olys.

Tonichelle · Jan 18, 2006

Grgranny said:
"Thwart Scott H. - NBC"
I don't get the connections, does Scott now own NBC? Actually, I thought it was ABC so I just don't get it.

ABC covered the national championships however NBC has the rights to the Olympics. They were saying that Johnny's mother would be undercover during the olympics to thwart Scott and NBC. Scott is the head analyst for the skating coverage this time around (IIRC Sandra had the honor in 2002) so that's why I guess they mentioned him even though he has little say over what will be shown. He is not the director, just head commentator (ala Dick Button on ESPN/ABC)

oh and speaking of Scott he was there not only as one of the past Olympic Champions but he had a TV credential hanging around his neck most of the week as well. He was scouting out the US team! He also tried to get a close up view of how the tech specialists and callers work by sitting in their area but he got booted from there which I found hilarious. It's Scott Hamilton for crying outloud! :laugh:

so I guess he's doing his homework on the new judging system! WOOT!

SkateFan4Life · Jan 18, 2006

Mathman said:
I heard that Mrs. Weir is an undercover CIA agent assigned to thwarting terrorism at Torino. She didn't want to blow her cover. Next time you see her she will have on a red wig and sunglasses.

Mathman!!

Seriously though, Mrs. Weir needs to develop a more camera-friendly persona, especially if her son continues to skate for several more years in the eligible arena, and she attends his competitions. The media should be respectful, of course, and not rudely shove microphones into her face, but she must meet them half-way. Like it or not, Johnny has become a public figure, and in that sense that identity carries over to his mother.

I remember Johnny's disastrous long program at 2003 Nationals, in which he aborted the skate and withdrew from the competition. The camera panned on Mrs. Weir's reaction, and the poor woman looked as though she was absolutely beside herself with shock, disappointment, and grief. Not exactly an audicious way to start a relationship with the media.

dragonfly · Jan 18, 2006

Johnny's mom is incredibly kind and generous to fans. Go up and introduce yourself to her some time and you'll see. She hates having her picture taken, and she's uncomfortable being on camera. She gets really nervous when Johnny skates - like most parents - and actually I think it's awful the way the media sticks cameras in these poor people's faces when they're trying to focus on their children.

She has done scheduled interviews before with good grace, but that's different from being stalked by cameramen.

unafaluna · Jan 18, 2006

I spoke to Mrs. Weir myself and asked her that same question. She told me she was actually crying because of her nerves and the pressure on Johnny etc... she was by no means "snooty". Actually I found her the exact opposite. She was friendly and very bubbly. She did say she's not what you call a pretty crier.---I don't know many people who look good when they're having an emotional moment. I guess she didn't want the camera to catch that moment.

Mathman · Jan 19, 2006

Thanks for posting, Unafaluna. Welcome to the forum.

BTW, if Una Faluna is your real name, that totally rocks! :rock:

:agree:

Mathman

Why did Johnny's mom turn her back to us?

Frau Muller

Tonichelle

Idita-Rock-n-Roll

FreeKatie

diamondqueen

Frau Muller

Frau Muller

Mathman

STL_Blues_fan

Frau Muller

Frau Muller

Johar

R.D.

FreeKatie

Grgranny

Da' Spellin' Homegirl

Doggygirl

Tonichelle

Idita-Rock-n-Roll

SkateFan4Life

Guest

dragonfly

unafaluna

Mathman

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