Two-time Olympic pairs bronze medallist Lloyd Eisler thought he knew what it was liked to be judged.

That was, until he signed up for Fox's Skating with Celebrities.

Not only has appearing on the popular reality show thrust the retired Canadian skater into the Hollywood spotlight, it has opened a floodgate of public opinion and criticism.

"I am just incredibly surprised by all the media (the show) has attracted -- good and bad -- and all the people who are watching," says Eisler, adding the experience has moved him to start a new career as an actor. "What draws me to that is a bit of what I had in skating ... it puts you in the position where you are in the public eye.

"I haven't been in that position for a long time and I really enjoyed it."

But for every positive there is a negative, adds Eisler.

"As soon as you put yourself in the public eye where everybody can make their own opinion, you are going to please some people and you are going to (tick) some people off. I don't think there is any way around it."

While Eisler refused to give details about the bad press he's received, his comments came just days after news broke he was divorcing his wife Marcie (who was pregnant when Skating began filming in August) and dating his celebrity skating partner, actress Kristy Swanson.

But despite the controversy (and some not-so-nice on-line celebrity gossip blogs about the pair), Eisler says going on the show was definitely a smart move on his part. "Everything happens for a reason, it's just sometimes you don't know why," he says.

"I'm happy with my decision to do this -- I'd do it all over again for sure."

The two-part finale of the pre-taped series, which ironically began with show judge Dorothy Hamill criticizing Eisler and Swanson for not "having more of a connection" after they landed in last place, kicks off tonight.

And while Eisler has known for months if he and Swanson or finalists Jillian Barberie and John Zimmerman take home the Skating crown, he says he'll be watching.

"During the last two shows, the two teams of Jillian and John and Kristy and myself really pick up the pace," he says.

"You'll see good competition. You'll see how much the celebrities have improved and you'll see how daring they have actually become. We all take a lot of risks."

tara.merrin@calgarysun.com

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