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

[Tonichelle]

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

[SkateFan4Life]

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]

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]

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]

Thanks for posting, Unafaluna. Welcome to the forum.

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

Mathman

[Frau Muller]

That was Kimmie's dad.

To put a positive spin on the silent look of Kimmie's dad, after her LP: Maybe he was simply pondering the enormity of what lay ahead for his daughter (not to mention HIS future financial outlay...although at Kimmie's level, she surely get help from the Memorial Fund, etc).

Regardless, I thought that it was tacky of ABC to hone in on him like that. It's one think to show happy parents, applauding; it's another thing to show them gloomy.

[FreeKatie]

Kimmie's dad was probably sick with nerves wondering if she would or would not make the Olympic team. If that was me I would be like a mental patient in the stands. I think we need to give the families a break.

[SkateFan4Life]

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.

Thanks for giving us this up close and personal encounter with Mrs. Weir. I'm sure she's going to gain a great deal of experience in dealing with the media in Torino and in the years ahead.

It really has to be very, very nerve-racking to be the parent of a skater competing at Nationals, Worlds, and/or the Olympics. That's an understatement, to put it mildly.

[Jhar55]

Yes, Toni it's Scott saw him on ET tonight he he told Mary Hart he would be doing the Olympics. Let's hope he learned his lesson from the last time.

[Frau Muller]

Three Cheers to Mrs. Weir!!!!

I wanted to resurrect this thread simply to commend Mrs. Weir for her graciousness & willingness to make her 'personna' public on NBC. I specifically refer to yesterday's segment (either on TODAY or 'Olympic Ice') in which she & Johnny accompanied an NBC reporter to a cafe, sitting down & having coffee and dessert, whicle chit-chatting. DELIGHTFUL!

You see - there's no reason to turn a back on friendly cameras. Rock-on, Mrs. Weir!!! And best of luck tonight to Fabulous Johnny!!!!

[SusanBeth]

People point cameras at me only at great personal risk. I don't see why she has to play up to the media. She's definitely not part of the show. She doesn't owe us the right to revel in her emotions. She is doing her "job" when she is there for her son.

[Frau Muller]

People point cameras at me only at great personal risk. I don't see why she has to play up to the media. She's definitely not part of the show. She doesn't owe us the right to revel in her emotions. She is doing her "job" when she is there for her son.

Ah, SusanBeth, but read my last post (above). Mrs. Weir DID 'play ' with NBC. She took part in a delightful 'fluff' segment at a Torino cafe, seen yesterday. At the end of the segment, the NBC reporter promised that she would have other segments with Mrs. Weir in the coming days. So, in fact, Mrs. Weir is being very gracious. Three cheers to her!

[SusanBeth]

Yes, but that was her choice, not a job requirement. People don't have the right to demand or even expect it.

[FreeKatie]

I saw Johnny & his mom in the Olympic Ice interview and I really like both of them

[SkateFan4Life]

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!