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NBC commentary during Olympics’ opener shameful
First, we helped readers find the best public screens for watching the Olympics’ opening ceremony. Among the places we discussed: Third Base, The Side Bar, J. Black’s, The Tavern and Doc’s Motorworks. Then we wondered aloud why the Alamo Drafthouse didn’t offer the ceremony with one of their signature banquets.
But the ceremony was soured — no, not by Russia’s cynical invasion of Georgia or John Edwards’ cynical admission of adultery on the same day as the Olympic opener — but rather by the servile PR-style commentary from announcers Bob Costas, Matt Lauer and color specialist Josh Cooper Romo. Nobody expected the trio to denounce Chinese authoritarianism, but to constantly emphasize the importance of order and harmony in the face of chaos was reading right off the government’s play card, as was the praise of cutesy representatives of China’s oppressed ethnic minorities and the almost complete elision of modern Communist history.
We’re asking for politics. We’re not even asking for morality. We’re just asking for some basic, mainstream history. The sorry threesome should have just kept quiet or continued to gush about the drummers, aerialists and human keyboards.
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By Kelsey Downey
August 27, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
I agree that NBC should have definitely called out China a tad bit more than they did. Instead of making the Olympics, although incredibly inspirational,(that is after all why people really love it) a complete fantasy like showing of incredible athletic skills and fantastic firework shows and only that, it should also be a moment to take into account some of the things going on in our world.
P.S. I heard in one of my classes that the fireworks display shown in the picture above was digitally enhanced to seem more extravagant for NBC veiwers.
By Kelsey Downey
August 27, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
I heard that the fireworks display shown in the picture above was digitally enhanced to seem more extravagant for NBC veiwers.
By Michael Barnes
August 11, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Will, you are right. Costas grew a spine during later sessions, and his interview with Pres. Bush was tough and timely.
By willm
August 11, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Costas did bring up the Chinese Government revoking Joey Cheeks Visa and called it outrageous. Costas does deserve some credit for that.
By Michael Barnes
August 9, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks for your comments. Zach: Actually, I was criticizing the NBC for NOT calling out China. MC: We agree: It was best when the trio kept quiet and let the amazing spectacle speak for itself.
By Zack Tedder
August 9, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Boo hoo...they were calling out China for the people they really are, not being falacious, but honest. Whether you like it or not, the Olympics have been politicized since the days of Hitler in modern times. I'm not the biggest fan of the 3, but I thought their commentary was rather insiteful, and entertaining. I know I got a lot out of it.
By MC
August 9, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
I respectfully, but COMPLETELY disagree with your assessment of the Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing last night. This was the most impressive thing I've ever seen human beings do. The human rights high horse would've just mucked it up. The commentary from NBC merely pointed out some of the Eastern philosophical nuances among the spectacular visuals. And when Costas and Lauer piped down and let the cameras describe the emotional moment of the Chinese team entering the stadium, it was such graceful restraint. The night was an amazing triumph for the hopeful new face of China- the electricity of the smiles would not be dimmed.