Do you care about the Olympics whatsoever?

[JohnRM]

Commentary: Olympics on NBC must-flee TV[/size]
By Frazier Moore
Associated Press


Friday, February 10, 2006; Posted: 3:45 p.m. EST (20:45 GMT)



NEW YORK (AP) -- The Winter Olympics. On NBC.

NBC presents the Olympic Winter Games.

From Turin, the 2006 Olympics -- brought to you by NBC.

"It starts with a dream," declares the NBC announcer in a very-special-episode tone. "This is the place where dreams come true."

Got it. Understood. This is gonna be the dreams-come-true place for 17 days, each of them supersized to 24 1/2 hours of coverage on NBC plus sister networks CNBC, MSNBC, USA, Telemundo, Universal HD, and (who knows?) maybe other, unexpected outlets also owned by GE. Take care: Slices of Olympics coverage might soon be popping out of your toaster instead of bread.

The Peacock Network has been crowing about this latest VideOlympiad since the torch was snuffed out on the last one. As a constant prompt, the NBC logo and Olympic rings have been burning a hole in the corner of your TV screen for what seems like forever.

And now the 20th Winter Olympics are finally here. From Turin. Over in Italy. More than 400 hours. On the networks of NBC. This Friday through February 26.

OK! I got it, I got it! Like NBC would give me any choice.

Now please excuse me as I voice a peep of protest that NBC, in its zeal to bring home ratings gold, is replacing everything it had in prime-time with Olympics coverage -- in effect, telling each viewer to like this VideOlympiad ... or lump it.

Granted, I feel odd being put in the position of defending NBC's usual evening fare. And I feel sure I can survive for 2 1/2 weeks without "Fear Factor" and "Las Vegas" and whatever else NBC would dish out at any other time. I might have skipped most of their stuff anyway. I just think it should have been my decision.

I can recall another kind of quadrennial event -- each political party's national convention -- and how, long ago, both parties were given blanket coverage by the networks, pre-empting everything else.

There are major differences, of course. Then as now, a political convention only lasted four days. Another big difference: Unlike the Olympics, at a convention it sort of matters who wins.

Not that I have anything against the Olympics. In fact, I really got into the 1994 Winter Olympics thanks to Tonya Harding's stumblebum crony who, as an ill-advised prelude, clubbed her figure-skating rival Nancy Kerrigan on the leg.

And honestly, if forced to, I could watch Olympic curling without making any wisecracks. (Though I'll always wonder why, as long as there are dusty floors in the world, anybody should bother sweeping up a nice, clean rink?)

Before I go any further, I want to assure you that as soon as I'm done writing this piece I intend to kick a puppy. I won't help an old lady across the street. I understand that, by slighting the Olympics, I qualify as a suspicious person. The NSA should soon be tapping my phone. I could land on one of Bill O'Reilly's lists.

But that's just me. Ahead for the networks of NBC is an amateur hour multiplied by 400. Meanwhile, the official VideOlympiad message will prevail, a snow job touting nationalism and global harmony (however much these values seem to collide). It's a small world after all ... but America first!

Here waits the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. Supple bodies; skintight fabrics. Plus inadvertent comedy: plenty of curling.

Here waits youthful promise, dedication and self-discipline (as exemplified by media sensation Bode Miller, the bad-boy role model from the U.S. Ski Team who, among other indiscretions, suggested in a recent "60 Minutes" interview that he had skied while drunk).

Here waits a sprawling drama. "The stories everyone will be talking about," says the NBC pitchman.

As for me, I'll accept my estrangement from NBC and, up through the Olympics closing ceremony, look for TV stories elsewhere. At the least, I can find solace in CBS' "Survivor" and Fox's "American Idol." They make no bones about what they are: made-for-TV contests glorifying money and fame.

Do you care about the Olympics whatsoever?

I agree with this guy. I could not possibly care less about the Olympics.

 

[The Condor]

Do you care about the Olympics whatsoever?

Nope... and probably never will.

 

[Babbler]

It is not high up on my list.

 

[azzaman333]

Only if cricket is played at the olympics would i care. Winter olympics i dont care about at all.

 

[Till]

I don't even have a TV.

 

[ummmm........]

I care, but I won't watch any of it. I'll just pay attention to the medal count. It's a lot like "March Madness" that way.

I might watch a little hockey if I had more free time . . .

 

[classical_hero]

Summer Olypmics most definitely, but the Winter games are not as important.

 

[Pasi Nurminen]

Summer Olypmics most definitely, but the Winter games are not as important.

Only because your country is worthless at the Winter Games.

Or maybe it's because they're held in your summer.

Either way, your indifference is misplaced. The Winter Olympics are the best thing since the Commonwealth Games.

 

[Grisu]

I care about the winter olympics a lot more than I do about the summer olympics, which still isn't much.....

I'll watch the hockey tournament, and that will propably be it, maybe some skiing too

 

[Winner]

Do you care about the Olympics whatsoever?

I agree with this guy. I could not possibly care less about the Olympics.

And you wonder why we call you barbarians

Anyway, I am looking forward for a Czech victory in Ice Hockey, so I do care about Olympics.

 

[REDY]

It will be great competition, but I have not much time

 

[A'AbarachAmadan]

I have to admit, I'm a big fan. My wife is moreso.

 

[JohnRM]

And you wonder why we call you barbarians

As a matter of fact, I am. I would love to be apart of a Barbarian Horde that raids and plunders the Olympic site, just like in a Capitol One commercial.

 

[AceChilla]

None of the sports in the winter olympics really attract me. But things like Bob Sleding are fun too watch expecially when they crash. Or that sharpshoot-langlauf thingy.

The Dutch are gonna have to catch the medals at iceskating. I find it boring but I hope we win some stuff, and probably will watch when people force me too.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Do you care about the Olympics whatsoever?

I agree with this guy. I could not possibly care less about the Olympics.

Couldnt care less if my life depended on it. I understand why its important to the participants, but why the hell should I care that some dude just slid down a hill a tenth of a second ahead of some other guy? Shake me awake when the female figure skaters start skating backwards.

 

[Winner]

Couldnt care less if my life depended on it. I understand why its important to the participants, but why the hell should I care that some dude just slid down a hill a tenth of a second ahead of some other guy? Shake me awake when the female figure skaters start skating backwards.

US has the biggest representation there...

 

[Bozo Erectus]

US has the biggest representation there...

In figure skating? I still dont care who wins or anything. People sliding on ice, and down mountains in annoying latex outfits just doesnt show up on my radar.

 

[Winner]

In figure skating? I still dont care who wins or anything. People sliding on ice, and down mountains in annoying latex outfits just doesnt show up on my radar.

Skiing isn't exactly your favourite sport, is it?

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Skiing isn't exactly your favourite sport, is it?

Skiing is one of those weird human things that makes me think I was supposed to be born on another planet. Sliding down mountians on long flat things? I dont get it.

 

[Winner]

Skiing is one of those weird human things that makes me think I was supposed to be born on another planet. Sliding down mountians on long flat things? I dont get it.

Try it, you'll understand