some people pick it up faster than others, I don't see a need to rag on the guy... although I have to admit the guy does seem like the Buster Keaton of fixed-gears. Still, learning to crash well is... uh... a good skill.

Chrysptera's advice seems decent to me. I was aided in riding my first fixed by the fact that it was a bike I'd already spent 40 hours a week on for a year that was supernaturally stable on its own, getting used to the way the bike handles as a singlespeed might be a good plan. Personally I'd probably focus on using the front brake and fixed-drive as your primary means of stopping for now (mostly the front brake, in conjunction with the drivetrain when necessary... done properly it probably won't even be necessary to do any skidding for now).

You might've said this, but what've you got for your chainring and cog on this thing? Gearing makes a huge difference that shouldn't be overlooked... the guys in those videos almost certainly have their ratios down pat for the "tricks" they're doing...