Apolo's Future - Short Track or Hollywood?

[torinogal]

mt said:

billiey36 said:

His face should be out there where we can see it at all times.

It should be a law.

His tush should be out there where we can see it at all times. That is a request. I'm a libertarian and believe in limited govt and minimal laws. I hear Apolo is very nice and likes to inspire people so I feel confident, a simple request should be sufficient.

Bella - yes, it is Brit slang as in Austin Powers - "The Spy Who Shagged Me"

Acting? I can't believe he is seriously considering it. (Entertainment a la Bella's suggestions sure but not acting.) The man is awkward and unbelievably, embarrasssingly wooden whener he is given lines to deliver. He is mesmerizing when he is himself. How many roles of Apolo being himself could be out there? It's not like Tom Cruise who can endlessly star in roles as a self-centered, ego-maniacal, hot shot so long as they can keep coming up with leading ladies shorter than he is. Which brings up the issue, if TC takes all the short leading ladies who will Apolo work with? Well, I guess if we're going to make a bad movie anyway, I'm 5'3"

Apolo can shag me anytime!! Sorry-Tacky.

But, seriously, I think Hollywood is such a waste of his talent, as well as his personality and intelligence!

If he doesn't want to skate anymore, okay. But Hollywood! These rumors are driving me crazy! It's such a waste of his inspirational personality, and his intelligence! He could be doing so much more for our country, and our kids, (as well as adults who need to be raised up a little) rather than adding himself to the Brad Pitt list. Maybe I'm being selfish. If Apolo enjoys being in front of the camera, and it makes him feel good, then he should go for it. I want him to be happy. But, I personally have a problem with the egos behind the people who enjoy that kind of attention.

It'll really turn me off if Apolo turns out to be one of those egos.

[billiey36]

It's interesting how many actors have back stories much like Apolo's--broken homes, absent parent, etc. A lot of them aren't on speaking terms with family members.

You don't have to have a big ego to want to become an actor. Some of them are looking for something that they felt was missing.

Some of them just plain like acting and the art of film making.

The ones with the over-inflated egos are the ones who get the most press because they're out there grabbing it with both hands.

IMO, if Apolo was like that, he would've dived in when he had the chance after the 2002 Olympics, and he wouldn't be taking so long to jump in now.

[MT]

I just can't picture him being any good at it (acting). Sure he'd give it 100i% but if he has no acting talent, he'd be working his (lovely) ass off to make bad movies. There are no shortage of bad actors out there. We don't need anymore. We do have a real shortage of good speedskaters and good sports/role models though. More importantly, there is a shortage of guys out there who get me really hot and bothered and he can do it just by going round and round in little circles half way around the world. Clearly, then this is what he needs to do. I don't understand why there is any debate.

[billiey36]

But do you only want to get hot and bothered every 4 years or so, MT?

I want him out there in some capacity or other all the time.

I want instant gratification and I want it now!

[MT]

I think I can count on Noelle to continueOZ or bequeath it to some like minded soul. so so long as there is any Apolo on ice to be had, I'll have him and a few vicarious thrills from the Canadians to keep me titilated.

If he is in the entertainment business and isn't any good at it well, mortifaction and titialtion don't mix well. Besides, short of something tacky, what would he be doing which would cause him to strip to the waist or put on a skinsuit? Apolo in a jacket and shirt is a short guy with stocky legs who doesn't know how to tie a tie, and, although his interview presence is quite nice and I too like his little quirks and facial ticks, nothing is as good as his moves on the ice.

[guest]

Maybe he will give Hollywood one year of his time and if it is not what he expected he still has time to get back to skating and make a run for 2010.

[stella]

Well, I would definitely support Apolo in whatever he decides. If he makes movies, I will go see them and drool over him. My main problem with the Hollywood career is that I don't want him to become part of the Hollywood scene. I equate most celebrities with vanity, arrogance and greed - the complete opposite of Apolo. I just don't want to see him get lost in that kind of lifestyle. I've read a couple of interviews where he mentions not being sure about the lifestyle.

Also, I'm not sure about his acting ability. He might be good, he might not. I don't think he would be offered great roles though. He would probably be offered cameos in lame movies. The kinds of things that athletes are usually offered. I think that's just beneath him.

I could definitely see him going into broadcasting. Maybe he could do something on ESPN.

I truly want him to continue skating though. I'll give him two good reasons to continue:

1. I've never seen him skate in person and he wouldn't want to deprive me.

2. My little smilies have worked so hard on their sign and they would be so disappointed if he retires.

[guest]

I hope you get the chance to see him skate. It's worth whatever it takes to get yourself there to see him.

[Elle]

It's not about seeing Apolo every 4 years. Its the way that he would chose to be on the screen via film or tube. I wouldnt want for Apolo to be "one more" in the sea of wannabe actors out there in hollywood. I wish for something greater. There's nothing especial about being an actor.

Yeah some are much more than that. But they are trully actors. thats wot they dreamnt of doing since they were young. Apolo's dream was to be one of the best short track skaters in the world.

I dont see many actors wishing to be actors and then switching it into something else. most of the times they switch to singing, and that goes horrible most times.

I really want the best in the world for him. I just dont want him to be like everybody else. His already one and only.

[jay]

well it makes me wanna to say something in this thread.....if I WAS APOLO, i would first; finish school coz education is important, second; forget everything about Hollywood instead of focusing on what's happening to ST nowadays and last; do whatever i want after 2010.....peace everybody

[Elle]

jay said:

well it makes me wanna to say something in this thread.....if I WAS APOLO, i would first; finish school coz education is important, second; forget everything about Hollywood instead of focusing on what's happening to ST nowadays and last; do whatever i want after 2010.....peace everybody

AMEN to that girls. I hope he ever reads this

[MTtimedout]

My "thinky stuff" has been working on this problem when not periodically frozen in horror at the ruglar appearance of some poor Canook sod encased in the syphalitic skinsuit of dispair on the Canadian thread.

Noelle on OZ made some overlooked comment that all the signs are starting to point in one direction. I added up all the facts (not speculation) and came to the same conclusion although, I wonder if her direction and my direction are even on the same map and in any way allign with the direction Apolo has in mind. Some have commented they think he is still trying to make up his mind, but I say he's not the type to spend 4 months making up his mind - setting things up, sure, but I bet he knows exactly what he wants and has a Plan B and an emergency parachute plan too, just in case.

The Facts:
- "I'm a lifelong athlete"
- "I want to be an ambassador for ST"
- "I love being on camera"
- "I'm looking for sponsors"
- he's interested in entertainment (did he ever say "Hollywood" specifically or just respond to questions about would he be interested in "hollywood" and had he had any offers?
- he wants to do something "bigger" next
- he's been very excited and busy and great wonderful things seem to be in his future
- he says he would be at like the peak of my form, athletically in 4 years
- he loves skating (still)
- he has a new PR firm, an LA firm that represents big Hollywood names but also big athletic names
- He's been very busy in LA and other than the Roots signing and a radio interview what was he doing that has kept him so busy, tired and living out of a suitcase? (Drumming up sponsors and laying ground work for new deals, presumably)
- The USS is in a state of disarray that has been building for years. They have no money, no sponsors, no goodwill with anyone including the athletes that are left and ST has no coaching staff left except for Jimmy Jang
- Apolo, although bending over backwards not to be kicking USS when they're down, doesn't appear to be roling his sleeves up to help them out either They're too dumb to ask maybe but don't you get the impression he just wants to have nothing to do with them (this part is speculation, which I was s'posed to be avoiding, oops)
- ST in the US has no $, audience, television time despite it's tremendous potential for entertainment and excitement esp when you throw in AAO's charismatic personality and built in fan base
- The winter Olympics were a bust as presented in the traditional format by NBC
- The top events from the Olympics that weren't a bust were almost all from ________. (Fill it in yourself and lets see if you're following me on this.)
- The winter athletes who are making money hand over fist, have no shortage of tv time and are not at war with their NGB or sponsors are all from _________.
- A bunch of ST athletes who had been strongly rumored to be retitring and/or switching to LT aren't any more. (US, Canadians and Koreans)
- Although on OZ, a very respectable and knowledgeable poster put forth an argument that the collegiate model is the only model for popular succes in the US that has ever worked, he is definitely wrong and there is one glaring and fairly new alternative.
- Apolo was in NYC ..... to see "The Wedding Singer???" Well maybe, but he was certainly doing something else there. ABC is hq'd there. ESPN isn't far away, in CT.
- What event is going on in LA 3-6 Aug that I bet we'll see Apolo observing? (In fact the next 4 of these events will all be in LA - at least the summer versions.)

Has my "thinky stuff" been manufacturing sense out of chaos or just full of s**t? Is there anyone else out there who comes up with the same solution and finds it eminently more plausible (and exciting) than Apolo Ohno starring in a cheesy romantic ice-skating movie by Disney and then fading away into the depressing miasma of mediocrity that is the lot of H-wood has-been/wannabes

[laura6]

whta an amazing post!!! I am unsure how to respond..

Also why did apolo reach out to noelle not to publish his personal life info..

and then a couple maybe 3 weeks later proclaim himself single??

[MT]

OK, because I timed out while typing that last (no surprise) I can't correct the gazillion typos. Sorry. One necessary clarification on one of the later bullets: collegiate model for succes IN BUILDING A NEW SPORT

[MT]

laura6 said:

whta an amazing post!!! I am unsure how to respond..

Also why did apolo reach out to noelle not to publish his personal life info..

and then a couple maybe 3 weeks later proclaim himself single??

how do you read and reply so d**n fast?!?!?!?!
Response: he didn't realize the KD guest list was advertised. That surprised him. Obviously, he didn't want his presence there discussed. Was this because of Allison? Was it becuase he just wanted some fan-free time? Was it because he was there conducting other business? Who knows but there sure was a lot of $$ rolling around that weekend for the begging and proposal of a good business plan.