There wasn’t much talk of horse racing on this Kentucky Derby conference call. Hats, not hoofs, were the topic du jour.
NBC trotted out its stars from the Sochi Olympics, former figure skaters Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski, as they prepare to be a part of the network’s coverage from Louisville on Saturday. No one will mistake Weir and Lipinski for Jerry Bailey and Donna Barton-Brothers, but that’s kind of the point. The Derby isn’t just watched by die-hard horse racing enthusiasts. For some it’s the only race they will watch all year.
“I’m excited to bring sort of a real opinion of what the Kentucky Derby is about,” Weir said. “It’s not stodgy and older people sort of telling you about the illustrious history of the event, which will happen. We are respectful of that.
“But also to bring like, ‘Oh, well we saw Jay Z and Beyoncé sitting over there, and we sat on their laps and we sang to them. And we enjoyed it.’ And that’s what Tara and I brought to the Olympics, was a very good knowledge of sports, about what it takes to be an Olympian and what it takes for young people to be out there on the ice, and also we could explain our sport. Here, we’re explaining the culture in the atmosphere around the Derby.”
Weir and Lipinski mainly will be responsible for judging the fashion of guests and celebrities, and giving insights into the society side of things. They will tape a lot of their on-camera work before the big race, but will also appear in the postrace show to give their thoughts.
“I’m so looking forward to the race itself. … But as a cultural event, I can’t wait for the ladies in big hats,” said Weir, who attended the race in 2010.
“I mean, I’m pretty classic when it comes to Kentucky Derby. I’m excited for the tradition. I’m excited for the spectacle that it creates.”
The former Olympians and good friends stood out for the network during their figure-skating coverage in Russia. The outspoken Weir became an Internet star with his many different outfits.
The pair worked the red carpet for “Access Hollywood” during the Oscars, and Rob Hyland, who was the executive producer for the figure skating in Sochi and now the Kentucky Derby, thought they would be a natural fit.
“I think the best thing that we took away was like how much fun we have working together and that we hopefully do a good job,” Lipinski said of their Olympics work.
“So we were a bit surprised when we came home. The support was incredible and the opportunities have been a lot of fun. I think it’s just been a real wild ride and we’re enjoying it.”
Despite most of the talk focusing on fashion, there was one bit of racing advice.
“I’ve heard really good things about Danza,” Weir said. “So I think that’s where my loyalty lies a little bit. I don’t know why. I just feel it.”