Johnny Weir & Evan Lysacek

   Forget that stereotype that gay men don't watch sports. We watched the Super Bowl just like millions of others and watched the breathless finale. Granted, football doesn't isn't up in the top tier of gay-watched sports (in spite of those tight pants and cutoff jerseys designed to show how their big muscles are). Of those major sports baseball is probably the one that gays might watch the most (only a theory mind you). 

 No, our gay sensibilities are drawn more to those sports that showcase grace and acrobatic skills--and overt touches of homoeroticism. Oh yes, and skin. You know the sports we mean. We're talking wrestling, gymnastics, swimming, diving, and the one that has it all, plus a hefty dose of melodrama--men's figure skating! Now you notice we said men's figure skating. We do enjoy the women's skating but let's face it ( All About Eve melodrama aside)the men's skaters are more enjoyable to watch----they have the cuter butts. And lately, they're much more competitive with women in the soap opera department.

             
                                                    Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek doing their best at beefcake posing

 For this additional drama we do have to give credit to Johnny Weir. Good or bad, there really is no one else like him (except he looks like he could be related to Rufus Wainwright). He's been lauded for his skill and criticized for his flamboyant style and his perceived petulance. There's no mistaking his talent or his behavior on and off the ice. He's infuriated many by his non-denial denials about his sexuality.  And through it all he has a big fan base. Plus he has a very open rivalry (and AND off the ice) with fellow skater Evan Lysacek. The two have been battling it out for the top finishes at most championships for the past few years and this year at the US Figure Skating Championships the competition reached fever pitch. 

 The final results couldn't have been more bizarre as both Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek ended the competition with the same total. The tie-breaker? Whoever won the freeskate segment---which was Lysacek by a little more than 1 point. All this after Weir got a standing ovation skating to Ave Maria (pretentious? to be sure!) There was lots of discussions (again) about scoring rules, but the official results were as close as possible. One thing  is for sure, with Lysacek winning his second straight championship, the rivalry will go on, each trying to outdo the other.

        
                                                                                                     Ryan Bradley

  Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek got the spotlight, but we were rooting for last year's silver medalist the very cute Ryan Bradley. Unfortunately he seemed a little unpolished this time around and finished fifth. BUT....we still enjoyed watching him on the ice--both physically and in his performances. Here's something to ponder. Aside from his name sounding like that of a porn star, we think that Ryan Bradley looks like what would happen if Chris Evans and Dermot Mulroney had a child together (Yes, we know it's not scientifically possible but we'd love it if these two tried!)  Take a look and see if you don't see what we see. 

        +  = 

Now it's on to the World Figure Skating Championships in Sweden this coming March. The big question is what will Johnny Weir be wearing??