That’s right S&A readers. I’m taking this opportunity to bravely throw off the shackles of oppression and let everyone know that I… Well, how do I put this? I like Ellen Degeneres. OK, her TV show doesn’t appeal to me but as a stand up performer and showbiz personality, I’m a fan of her. Ellen had Tom Schaar (no relation to Max Schaaf) on her TV show shortly after landing his 1080. Ellen’s is a bit out of her element, and it’s not a very interesting segment, but at least Tom got a few minutes of fame. Whoever came up with the idea of a mini-mega ramp for a live TV segment should be demoted. There’s nothing that makes for more exciting TV than watching a kid trudge up a ladder a minute for each second he actually spends on his skateboard. Fortunately, Ellen pulls shouts out a bunch of random skate terminology while this is happening.

UPDATE: Tom landed a 1080 X Games Asia in Shanghai, China, beats Burnquist. Video after the jump.

[Source: CA Rampworks]

A few people have 900’s under their belts but the first kid to land a 1080 is 12 year old Tom Schaar (no relation to Steve Claar) who did the whole thing in front of a few people and not a televised sporting event packed with spectators. The asterisk comes from the fact that it was done on a megaramp specially modified just for the occasion. The feat is spectacular, amazing and Extreme!™ but it would seem harder to accomplish on a regular size ramp. Of course, your beloved author can’t even land a 360 on a regular ramp, much less attempt anything on a megaramp. Tom landed it on his fifth try!!! (!!!!!) Where did it happen? Woodward West, with a little help from Red Bull. I kind of feel bad for this kid, like he got robbed of his chance for a spectacle. He’ll never get a Pizza Pocket endorsement now. Tom needs a better agent. Video after the jump. WARNING: both videos autostart. I can’t turn it off.

– Thanks to Boy Ipoh for the tip.