Bethenny Frankel Fans Hurl Insults and Slurs at Johnny Weir, Round Two

December 3, 2010 Update:

This article Johnny Weir Doesn't Hate Bethenny Frankel (Even Though His Friend Jill Zarin Does) points out something all the loonies who are attacking Johnny for his scores for Bethenny versus his scores for the skaters that fell haven't acknowledged; both of them received lower technical merit scores from him than Bethenny did.  Interesting these fans have failed to acknowledge or notice this fact.

December 2, 2010 Update:

‘Skating’s Bethenny Frankel: ‘Why The Heck Did I Do This?’

In this article, posted November 30, 2010 Bethenny Frankel makes an absolutely infuriating comment.  This comment appears in the article: "I am the woman Johnny Weir wants to be and he clearly has an issue with that,” she joked.

Some might look at this comment and think 'So what?' or 'It's a joke!'  It's not a joke, and it isn't funny.  As stated below in this Blog, Ms. Frankel hosted the GLAAD Manhattan 2010 event, and is considered a spokesperson for the organization.  In fact, she appears on the GLAAD.org website on the page for the GLAAD Manhattan event.  Ms. Frankel knows, or should know, through her association with GLAAD how hurtful comments such as her flippant remark can be.  Johnny Weir is NOT a woman, he is a man.  Whatever his sexual orientation is or his not, he clearly identifies himself as a man and has said so repeatedly.  For someone in Ms. Frankel's position to make a remark like this one and then try to pass it off as a joke is unfortunate, sad and hurtful to a great many people.  When Ms. Frankel was told repeatedly (and she can not say she wasn't, she has answered Tweets from fans posted in the same Twitter stream as the ones informing her of what was going on, as well as posts on her Facebook page) about the attacks on Weir and did not make any comment whatsoever, I thought her lack of response was at least partially due to stubbornness.  However, now I'm not so sure.  Knowing what she has already been told about the attacks on Weir (and to a lesser degree on Laurieann Gibson, Dick Button and some of the other contestants), for her to make this remark now is even more hurtful, sad and mean.

Hasn't anyone learned anything from the recent rash of suicides of young people who were LGBT or the attacks on gay citizens in New York City and elsewhere?  What is wrong with this woman?

Read my Blog Unfortunately It's All About Hate and Ignorance... (Repost)
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Here is just a sampling of the lovely Tweets that appeared in Johnny Weir's Twitter stream after the November 29 episode of 'Skating With the Stars':

Classy Tweet Number One:

Classy Tweet Number Two:

Classy Tweet number three:

 Classy Tweet number four:

 Classy Tweet number five:

 Classy Tweet number six:



Prolific attack Tweeters:

Twilighttwitti

LynnNChicago  (Publicly stated belief in conspiracy against Bethenny Frankel, writes Blog titled The "I Hate Jill Zarin" Blog)

Shadester126

JenHicks7

AuntAnnMarie1

BullsGirl2

MomsThoughts

AndreaDesrude  (Publicly stated belief in conspiracy against Bethenny Frankel)

MargieSmart8

The attacks against Johnny Weir began after the first episode of ‘Skating With the Stars’ on November 22nd. They reached a crescendo during and immediately after, the November 29th episode. They have now died down significantly; however , it is my fear at least they will start up again with the next episode no matter what Johnny Weir says, and no matter how good (or bad) Bethenny Frankel skates or scores. I noticed when looking at Johnny Weir’s twitter stream today that a LOT of tweets have been deleted since Monday evening; including a pile of them attacking him with gay slurs. In fact, despite the fact I saw a number of them Monday night, today I could only find one. Interesting! I doubt the people who posted those tweets cared enough about hurting Johnny Weir or his fans feelings to delete them for that reason; so I must assume someone suggested they be deleted.  (A friend of mine counted twenty-nine separate Tweeters sending hate tweets and insults to Johnny Weir after the deleted tweets were already gone.  This does not count the number of Tweets sent by 'fans' who criticized his judging, told him to stay in Australia, or told him he should be fired.)

Several of these people are following Johnny Weir on Twitter. Why? So they can harass him and jump on every word he says?  One person answered a question by a Weir fan as to why she followed him on Twitter with '...To see what he is going to say next! I follow several people I despise!'; as if being unhappy with a few scores and misinterpreted comments was a good enough reason to 'despise' someone? 

I have noticed many of these people are heavily into the ’Real Housewives…’ franchise, and most, if not all, read the ’The "I Hate Jill Zarin" Blog written by LynnNChicago. Many of the attack tweeters railing against Johnny Weir on Twitter and Facebook both are not even spelling their idol Bethenny Frankel’s name correctly. I would say at least fifty percent of them spell her name wrong.

It’s ridiculous to accuse Johnny of personal vendettas, and raging against Bethenny, especially when you consider how many of them are accusing Jill Zarin of somehow arranging for perfect, Olympic caliber skater Bethenny Frankel to be harshly judged on this show. They are also putting words in Johnny’s mouth that he never said, and conveniently forgetting that all three judges are judging similarly. It apparently doesn’t matter to any of these people that they are calling the other skaters, as well as the judges, names (for example, saying that Vince Neil fell on his ‘fat ass’, referring to Laurieann Gibson as a ‘bitch’ and an ‘idiot broad‘; Johnny Weir as a ’snake’, ‘creep‘, ‘moron‘, ‘loser‘, ‘ass’, ‘idiot’, ‘embarrassing’, mocking Brandon Mychael Smith, and so on), not to mention making ridiculous accusations such as Weir’s being paid off to judge Bethenny harshly, against a judge on a figure skating reality show.

At least one Bethenny 'fan' flat out threatened Johnny Weir with violence (unless of course you can interpret a comment that they would like to 'shove a fairy wand up his ass', or that he should have a 'broken champagne glass shoved up his ass' as something else). 

Several have praised Bethenny's skating partner for apparently saying the judging was 'F++king Bullshit' (he should know better since he's been judged in the past and should be able to see what is wrong with her skating himself.  Besides Ethan, I have news for you! Some of her fans are criticizing and badmouthing YOU!  You're next honey!); and I haven't seen a single one of them mention having a problem with Bethenny's 'F++k Johnny Weir' comment during the November 29 segment.  What is WRONG with these people? Why can they not see that what they are doing and saying is far worse than anything they think Johnny Weir is doing or saying?

Another thing that bothers me is why Bethenny Frankel, who is quite aware of what has been going on between her fans and Johnny Weir, has not said anything. She is a spokesperson for GLAAD, and hosted the GLAAD Manhattan benefit at which Johnny Weir appeared with her; yet she has not even opened her mouth regarding the attacks on Weir. No one expects her to be able to control her fans behavior, but saying SOMETHING about at least the homophobic slurs against him would be advisable and helpful. Yet she continues to say absolutely NOTHING and lets it all continue unabated! It obviously was not her who encouraged her ‘fans’ who hurled homophobic slurs at Weir to delete them, she hasn’t said a word other than to jab the judges and promote herself. 

A number of gay references on Facebook on the 'Skating With the Stars' page have already been flagged, and at least some of them removed by Facebook.  Personally I flagged so many personal attacks on Johnny Weir in the comments on Bethenny Frankel's Facebook page that I lost count of them all.  (Referring to Johnny Weir as Johnny WeirD?  Please, at least be original!)  I also flagged some attacks on Laurieann Gibson, and a gay slur against Dick Button, as well as a few attacks against the other contestants that were a little too personal. 

Truthfully many of the fans, while possibly over reacting a little to the judging, were not launching personal attacks on Johnny Weir or anyone else; however enough were that it was quite disturbing to me and should be disturbing to anyone. 

For some (humorous) insight into why Bethenny Frankel is not scoring well on ‘Skating with the Stars’, please read the following article:
"Skating With The Stars" Week 2 Recap...The Weir/Zarin Conspiracy?

For some good insight into week two of 'Skating With the Stars' (and an exclusive interview with Denis Petukhov as well as evidence of the conspiracy theory beliefs) read my friend Misfit Mime's Blog:
Special to the Blog: Interview With Denis Petukhov! (And Right Back Atcha, Bethenny...)

For insight into the ratings for episode one:
SWTS, Episode 2: Attack of the Bitch Slap! Because 9.36 Million of My Closest Friends Can't Be Wrong!

Read my Blogs:
Skating With the Stars Week Two Recap and Standings

How To File A Complaint With GLAAD

Johnny Weir's 'Calm Down' Tweet:

Skating With the Stars Week Two Recap and Standings

Added December 9, 2010:

Skating With the Stars Episode 2 - Kisses and Cries! (by OlympianUncut)


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'Skating With the Stars' - Week Two

After what seemed like a pretty smooth first week, tonight things got tense on the ice. Jonny Moseley was skating with a pulled groin and Bethenny Frankel has barely slept in weeks. And the judges weren't holding back this week... every point had to be earned — there were no freebies!

The pairs this week ice danced to either a Tango or Swing.

Each week, there will be precise figure skating rules the Stars must follow. Throughout the competition, they'll need to perform specific "Required Elements" in their routine. This week there were two:

Required Element #1: The Step Sequence. A footwork pattern of turns and rotations in the routine. Judges will be looking for tricky toe-steps and smooth turns on the blades edges that must be executed in unison.

Required Element #2: The Dance Lift. During the lift, the pair must travel across the ice, and the woman must release her hold during this move. Judges are looking for speed, strength, and balance for the men, and body control and grace for the women.

Skyrocketing to the top of the leaderboard in Week 2 were Brandon Mychal Smith & Keauna McLaughlin. And not only did Brandon impress on the ice, we also got to see him in his element on the roller rink. Keauna couldn't keep up! As for their Tango, Johnny Weir said it concisely: "That was amazing... my head's going to blow off."

Last week's leaders, Rebecca Budig & Fred Palascak tied with Jonny Moseley & Brooke Castile for 2nd place. The judges loved Jonny's musicality, but are pushing Rebecca to show more emotion in her moves.

Bethenny Frankel & Ethan Burgess fought through her exhaustion to earn decent scores, but the judges felt that Bethenny was too stiff.

And there were some falls this week. Vince Neil stumbled to the ice at the end of his hold with partner Jennifer Wester. The judges scored them low for technicality, but Laurie Ann was impressed with Vince's musicality, saying he was "absolutely Tango."

Sean Young fell twice in her 40's-inspired Swing with partner Denis Petukhov, disappointing the judges who were otherwise complimentary about how much she loosened up from her performance last week and showed great character on the ice.

In the end, with the two weeks of judges scores combined with last week's viewer votes, Sean Young became the first star eliminated from SWTS.

The Scores:

Jonny & Brooke skated a Swing to "Jump Jive & Wail" by the Brian Setzer Orchestra

Technique: 24 points (8/8/8)
Artistic Impression: 20 points (7/6/7)
Total: 44 points

Vince & Jennifer skated a Tango to "El Tango de Roxanne" from the Mouiln Rouge Soundtrack

Technique: 13 points (6/3/4)
Artistic Impression: 17 points (6/6/5)
Total: 30 points

Bethenny & Ethan skated a Swing to "The Boy does Nothing" by Alesha Dixon

Technique: 17 points (6/5/6)
Artistic Impression: 16 points (6/5/5)
Total: 33 points

Brandon & Keauna skated a Tango to "Shut Up" by Black Eyed Peas

Technique: 24 points (8/8/8)
Artistic Impression: 25 points (9/8/8)
Total: 49 points

Sean & Denis skated a Swing to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by Bette Midler

Technique: 12 points (5/3/4)
Artistic Impression: 18 points (5/7/6)
Total: 30 points

Rebecca & Fred skated a Tango to "Whatever Lola Wants" by Sarah Vaughan

Technique: 23 points (8/7/8)
Artistic Impression: 21 points (8/6/7)
Total: 44 points

Eliminated: Sean & Denis (30 points scored this week)

Standings Week Two:

Brandon & Keauna  49 Points
Rebecca & Fred  44 Points
Jonny & Brooke  44 Points
Bethenny & Ethan  33 Points
Vince & Jennifer  30 points

SWTS Interview with Johnny Weir (This interview was actually done after Week One.)

Unfortunately, week two of 'Skating With the Stars' was not without drama.  Near the beginning of her segment Bethenny Frankel clearly says 'F**k Johnny Weir'.  ABC did a poor job of bleeping her comment, and the fact it was still in her segment indicates the network may be looking to create drama and perhaps help ratings, which for the first week of the show at least, were more than respectable.  Aside from the fact Bethenny's comment shows an extreme lack of class, not to mention poor sportsmanship; it also did nothing to calm the rantings of some of her more extreme 'fans'.  They have been wailing on the judges, Johnny Weir in particular, since the first episode was shown last week. 

This week the rantings of some of the more extreme elements of her fandom went way over the line in sending rude, nasty and homophobic tweets to Johnny Weir.  I sometimes check Johnny's Twitter feed to see what fans are talking about to him; however I had no plans to check his feed Monday night until I heard from some other fans some rude things were being said to him by so-called 'fans' of Bethenny Frankel.  I could not believe what I saw when I went to his feed and started reading.  Some of the Tweets were what a person might expect from someone disappointed in how their favorite was scored (although the one that commented Vince Neil had fallen on his 'fat ass' was uncalled for), and the fans were (unfairly) taking it out on Johnny Weir.  However, some went way over the line; hurling gay slurs at Johnny, accusing him of hating and conspiring against Bethenny, and absurdly of conspiring with Jill Zarin against Bethenny. Apparently some of these fans genuinely believe there is some sort of conspiracy against Bethenny Frankel engineered by Jill Zarin (Real Housewives of New York City).  Check out my friend Misfit Mime's Blog Special to the Blog: Interview With Denis Petukhov! (And Right Back Atcha, Bethenny...)  regarding Week Two of 'Skating With the Stars'.  She tried to make some sense of what was being said by two of the more extreme Bethenny fan tweeters in Johnny's feed, and both of them flat out told her they believed there was a conspiracy against Bethenny.  One of these two people writes a daily Blog titled 'I Hate Jill Zarin'.  Yes, really!  (MM's Blog includes a wonderful exclusive interview with Denis Petukhov, and also addresses Bethenny Frankel's comment directed at Johnny Weir.) 

While I would maintain Bethenny Frankel can not be held responsible for the extreme behavior of some of her fans any more than Johnny Weir can, I can hold her responsible for saying nothing publicly about their behavior; therefore allowing it to continue unabated the same as if she agreed with it.  It is impossible to believe she knows nothing about what is going on with this segment of her fandom.  One of the things that is most disappointing is August 3, 2010 Bethenny hosted the GLAAD Manhattan event at which Johnny Weir appeared.  They were photographed together at the event and seemed to get along fine.  The fact she hosted this event would suggest that she has awareness of, and cares about, issues that affect the LGBT community.  That she would not now, in any way, shape or form, speak out against those of her fans who are hurling insults and gay slurs at Johnny Weir via Twitter, is extremely disappointing.  In fact her most recent tweet on the subject was a jab at the judges:      

I guess her comment about Johnny Weir was her own attempt to make HERSELF feel important?  I also do not understand what was nasty about the comments made by Johnny Weir or either of the other two judges on the show.  Why can Bethenny and her fans not realize maybe the judges might be accurately assessing her performances on 'Skating With the Stars'? 

It's sad that Bethenny has made no attempt on either her website, Twitter page, or Facebook page to request the more extreme elements of her fandom not attack Johnny Weir personally the way they have been doing.  Johnny Weir was bothered enough by what was being said that he posted this Tweet on his way to LAX for a long flight to Australia:

Now that I have all of that off of my chest, here is Week Two of 'Skating With the Stars' the full episode!  The video can not be embedded from it's current source, sorry!

A secondary source for Episode Two:

Skating With the Stars Week One Recap and Standings

The long awaited (by us fans of Johnny Weir course!) premiere of 'Skating With the Stars' was this past Monday November 22nd.  The official website for the show has information on all six of the professional skaters, plus the six celebrities, the hosts and the three judges; as well as recaps of each episode, music the teams skated to, scores the teams received, and videos of the skaters practicing on each of their team pages.

'Skating With the Stars' Episode Guide

About the Vote (How the voting works, phone numbers for each team, the rules, how skaters are eliminated, etc.)

Voting FAQs

Week One Recap and Standings

Each week, there will be precise figure skating rules the Stars must follow. Throughout the competition, they'll need to perform specific "Required Elements" in their routine. This week there were two:

Required Element #1: The One Foot Assisted Glide. Stars are judged on how steady they are on one blade.

Required Element #2: The Pair Spin. With the option to play it safe with a basic two-foot spin, or a spin on one skate, the pair can either spin side-by-side or together as a pair.

Brandon & Keauna skated to "American Boy"

Technique: 16 points (6/5/5)
Artistic Impression: 20 points (7/7/6)
Total: 36 points

Sean & Denis skated to "Bubble"

Technique: 16 points (6/5/5)
Artistic Impression: 18 points (7/5/6)
Total: 34 points
Jonny & Brooke skated to "Higher Ground"

Technique: 21 points (7/7/7)
Artistic Impression: 19 points (6/6/7)
Total: 40 points

Rebecca & Fred skated to "Closer"

Technique: 21 points (7/7/7)
Artistic Impression: 24 points (8/8/8)
Total: 45 points

Vince & Jennifer skated to "I Like the Way You Move"

Technique: 14 points (6/4/4)
Artistic Impression: 14 points (6/4/4)
Total: 28 points
Bethenny & Ethan skated to "Right Round"

Technique: 15 points (5/5/5)
Artistic Impression: 14 points (5/5/4)
Total: 29 points

At the end of week one the standings are as follows:

1) Rebecca Budig and Fred Palascak - 45 points
2) Johnny Moseley and Brooke Castile - 40 points
3) Brandon Mychal Smith and Keauna McLaughlin - 36 points
4) Sean Young and Denis Petukhov - 34 points
5) Bethenny Frankel & Ethan Burgess - 29 points
6) Vince Neil & Jennifer Wester - 28 points

According to the rules the judges rankings will now be combined with viewer votes, and the pair with the lowest combined score from judges’ scores and viewer vote ranking points will be eliminated.

Melissa Gregory - SWTS Episode 1 Correspondence (Melissa Gregory, wife and skating partner of skating pro Denis Petukhov, offers her impressions of Week One of 'Skating With the Stars').


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Teams:

Sean Young & Denis Petukhov
Bethenny Frankel and Ethan Burgess
Brandon Mychal Smith & Keauna McLaughlin
Jonny Moseley & Brooke Castile
Rebecca Budig & Fred Palascak
Vince Neil & Jennifer Wester

Hosts:

Vernon Kay
Tanith Belbin

Judges:

Dick Button
Johnny Weir
Laurie Ann Gibson

Getty Images and ABC.com have photos from 'Skating With the Stars'.

Videos from Week One of 'Skating With the Stars':

Week One, Part One (Full Episode From ABC.com)
Week One, Part Two (Full Episode From ABC.com, Part Two)

Visit My Blog Johnny Weir on Week One of 'Skating With the Stars'

Please also visit my friend Misfit Mimes Blog SWTS: Spectacular! Weirvelous! Totally Sparkly! So Want To See (More)!  for some great insight into the first episode of the show!

A secondary source for Episode One, Part One of SWTS:


A secondary source for Episode One, Part Two of SWTS:


A secondary source for Meet the Cast:

Johnny Weir on Week One of 'Skating With the Stars'

The long awaited (by us fans of Johnny Weir course!) premiere of 'Skating With the Stars' was this past Monday November 22nd.  The official website for the show has information on all six of the professional skaters, plus the six celebrities, the hosts and the three judges; as well as recaps of each episode, music the teams skated to, scores the teams received, and videos of the skaters practicing on each of their team pages.

Below you will find links to photos, videos, skater bios, star bios, twitter accounts, information on voting and a Blog from my friend Misfit Mimes about Week One of 'Skating With the Stars'.


'Skating With the Stars' Episode Guide
About the Vote (How the voting works, phone numbers for each team, the rules, how skaters are eliminated, etc.)
Voting FAQs

Professional Skaters:
Denis Petukhov
Ethan Burgess
Keauna Mclaughlin
Brooke Castile
Fred Palascak
Jennifer Wester

Celebrities/Stars:
Sean Young
Bethenny Frankel
Brandon Mychal Smith
Jonny Moseley
Rebecca Budig
Vince Neil

Teams:
Sean Young & Denis Petukhov
Bethenny Frankel and Ethan Burgess
Brandon Mychal Smith & Keauna McLaughlin
Jonny Moseley & Brooke Castile
Rebecca Budig & Fred Palascak
Vince Neil & Jennifer Wester

Hosts:
Vernon Kay
Tanith Belbin

Judges:
Dick Button
Johnny Weir
Laurie Ann Gibson

Johnny Weir performed his 'Poker Face' program with a new costume and slightly different choreography during the show.  Due partly to the small size of the show's ice rink he skated a shorter version of the program and modified the choreography in accordance.

Getty Images and ABC.com have photos from 'Skating With the Stars'.

Videos from Week One of 'Skating With the Stars':
Watch 'Skating With the Stars' OnLine
Johnny Weir talks 'Skating With the Stars' at the AMAs

Video of Johnny Weir on Access Hollywood talking about 'Skating With the Stars'

Johnny Weir's 'Poker Face' performance
Week One, Part One (Full Episode From ABC.com)
Week One, Part Two (Full Episode From ABC.com, Part Two)

Please also visit my friend Misfit Mimes Blog SWTS: Spectacular! Weirvelous! Totally Sparkly! So Want To See (More)!  for some great insight into the first episode of the show!

'Skating With the Stars' on Twitter:

Stars

@brandonsmithceo – Brandon Mychal Smith
@jonnymoseley – Jonny Moseley
@RebeccaBudig – Rebecca Budig
@Bethenny - Bethenny Frankel
@TheVinceNeil - Vince Neil

Pros
@FredPalascak – Fred Palascak
@GregoryPetukhov – Denis Petukhov
@Jennifer Wester – Jennifer Wester
@Ethan_Burgess - Ethan Burgess
@BrookeCastile - Brooke Castile
@Kiksmclaughlin - Keauna Mclaughlin

Judges
@BoomKack - Laurie Ann Gibson
@JohnnyGWeir - Johnny Weir
@DickButton - Dick Button

Hosts
@TanithJLB - Tanith Belbin
@OfficialVernonK - Vernon Kay