My wife and I recently discovered the unabashed joy of watching Johnny Weir.

I don’t just mean his figure skating (he was robbed at the Olympics… one of few who didn’t fall and he got JOBBED), but his reality show Be Good Johnny Weir (just picked up for another season), and his documentary Diva on Ice.

Johnny is absolute id.  He does what he wants, says what he wants, and doesn’t care what anyone thinks.  Watching him is fun, and completely random.  You never know what will happen.

So when I found out Weir would be in Chicago, I bought two tickets, and my wife and I set off for our first Ice Skating Show.

The show itself, featured free “Cuties” which are tangerines.  Promoting health.  Way to go.  And while I felt completely out of place among the throng of young kids and old women, the whole event, put on by Johnny’s ridiculously hot publicist Tara Modlin had a great vibe.  And for straight laced Midwestern Suburbia, a vibe like that for an “is he/isn’t he ice skater” was impressive.

There were lots of falls.  Even Johnny stumbled a little bit.  Olympian Rachael Flatt was fast and furious, and Keauna and Rockne skated very well although they had a fall that made me wince… didn’t look good. 

Johnny’s first skate was to a Russian song in memory of the Moscow murders and, well, because Johnny likes Russia.  Honestly he didn’t get much of a pop, but when he busted out his new routine to yet another Lady Gaga joint, this one “Bad Romance,” the crowd went crazy.  Like Beatles crazy.  Like the place was rocking crazy.  I have no idea why he isn’t on the Stars on Ice tour.  I have never seen a crowd so galvanized over figure skating.  The only other time the crowd was even CLOSE to as into the show was when everyone was out for the “I Got a Feeling” finale.  And a quick thought on “I Got a Feeling”… played out.  Can we get another go to song for entrances and exits?  Please?

Somehow, after the ridiculous show, my wife and I ended up in the after party.  Not sure how or why, and not going to ask how or why, but we met Johnny, the lovely Tara, and the highlight of the show for me: Jordan Moeller.  Juniors champion, a kid who NAILED his performance, and is probably the future of men’s skating in the next Olympics.

If he can get the funding.  Apparently skating costs $30k a year for the little dude, and his parents aren’t exactly rolling in the dough.  Plus they have a daughter in college, so yeah;  expensive.

Help him out, please.  These guys don’t make millions, but as Johnny proved, they can still put asses in seats and deliver one hell of a show.