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Post by Techguy on Feb 15, 2010 23:20:40 GMT -5
Who's watching, and who has decided to forego the event to boycott the NBCU networks in the aftermath of the cast shakeup at CI?
Another question, for the Canadian members of the board: do you get separate coverage on CTV or other national station, or are you limited to NBC feeds? One thing that struck me is the lavish attention NBC has shown to British Columbia on opening night, and also the terrific profile of Alexandre Bilodeau and his gold medal victory in men's moguls, the first for Canada in a home Olympics. NBC also showed the medal ceremony in its entirety which is a welcome departure from NBC's usually USA-centric coverage.
I'm watching selective events, such as speed skating, alpine skiing, and snow boarding. I can't wait for the men's hockey tournament to start, although I am disappointed that not many of the early games will be shown. I hope the NBCU cable channels will pick up some of the games, and hope at least to see highlights in the late night network coverage.
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Post by wilmingtonfan on Feb 16, 2010 0:07:56 GMT -5
Well -- I've been watching and I am disappointed that they aren't showing more on all of their channels. I am an Olympic freak when it is on and follow all of the results and like to watch as much as possible. Today wasn't a good day for the Canadians in the technical sense. There were a number of problems with the ice for the speed skating and they still have run it all and then the weather isn't cooperating and a number of venues have not been in good shape. I hate it because I want these Olympics to be remembered with a special fondness. It is nice that the TV coverage isn't so USA centric. I do think they could do more to focus on some of the USA stories. There have been some terrific performances and some interesting characters I would like to hear more about. It's also nice to not have it in such a far off time zone. Brian Williams did a piece yesterday on how dangerous the winter Olympic sports are -- the same type of person who races cars and engages in dangerous types of behavior. In these sports danger is an element in nearly every event -- not so in the summer Olympics. It reminded me of the guy in Blink who has no fear. The winter Olympians always seem so much more interesting to me and it is probably because of the personality type required to perform these dangerous sports. Which is funny because I am not a winter person and love the heat and is why I live down south.
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Post by Techguy on Feb 16, 2010 0:17:33 GMT -5
^^^ I hear you WF. The close-to-the-edge aspect of some winter sports is a huge part of their appeal. I forgot to mention in my initial post that the death of the Georgian luger really cast a pall on the start of the games. I was appalled that NBC chose to broadcast the video of the crash in its entirety, and during the Opening Ceremony show! I sent NBC an email expressing my disgust at their decision, and I noticed in a subsequent broadcast Bob Costas said that in that night's recap of the incident, the entire video would not be shown. The audio of the crash, combined with the visual of how the victim's final ride ended...you just knew when you saw it the poor young man was already dead. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Georgia team.
ETA: A subsequent check of the USA and CNBC schedules reveals that they will be airing quite a bit of the men's hockey tournament, up to and including the elimination games and quarterfinals. NBC is scheduled to air the semifinals and gold medal game, so I'm all set.
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Post by NikkiGreen on Feb 16, 2010 2:15:36 GMT -5
TG, the CTV has the broadcast rights. They aren't showing any regular programming, except for a couple of 1/2 broadcasts daily of news, it's all Olympics coverage (showing repeats and such things in the wee hours). The Seattle area NBC station didn't show the ceremonies live...they must have started the actual ceremonies about 2 hours into the program. Flipped a couple of times to NBC; didn't care for the angles they showed. Preferred the CTV's version. I've heard that the NBC referred to Betty Fox (one of the Olympic flag bearers) and mother of Canadian hero Terry Fox as the mother of Michael J Fox (a BC boy)! They also mispronounced our Governor General's first name. We went to the first Victory Ceremonies Sunday night (two of my nieces were part of the opening act before the medals ceremonies and Nelly Furtado). All of the medal winners had people standing and cheering loud, irregardless of their countries.
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Post by Patcat on Feb 16, 2010 9:32:45 GMT -5
I wouldn't boycott one arm of the NBC/Universal giant because of what another did because I think it's such a monster that one arm hasn't the slightest idea of what another is doing. I've always felt sorry for Bob Costas (who I think is the closest thing we have to the late Jim McKay today) for getting stuck at NBC during the network's worst days. I do applaud NBC Sports for employing some of the greats from ABC--Dick Button, Al Michaels--who know the winter sports.
I was also shocked that NBC chose to show the film of the young luger's death, although not as shocked as I was by the attempts to blame the young man for his own death, which had nothing to do with NBC> Why weren't all of the safety measures taken after his death put in place before? I know luge, like many Winter Olympic sports, is dangerous. But leaving exposed steel beams near a sheet of ice?
I loved the opening Ceremonies. Yea, there was too much interpretive dance--were those dangers supposed to be trees or people enjoying the forests?--but I felt like I received a wonderful introduction to Canada and its people. The young arialists and the depiction of the plains were great.
I think NBC has managed to lower the level of rah-rah American boosting some. I enjoyed the way they told the story of the Chinese pair skaters who won the gold last night. I wish that the network would explain some of the sports in great detail. A five or ten minute film with a basic introduction would help. How do you steer a luge? How are moguls judged? What is a triple Axel and how is it different from a triple Lutz? Things like this would be a big help.
Patcat
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Post by Techguy on Feb 16, 2010 17:53:09 GMT -5
Patcat, I agree with your suggestion to provide some background information on the nuances of the winter sports. However, I don't think American audiences have the patience or the attention span to benefit from such instruction. NBC knows this, and so they tend to focus on the drama, glitz and glamour to draw in viewers.
Back to hockey: I have to set the DVR to record the Team Russia games before I forget--vs. Latvia tonight, Slovakia on Thursday, and the Czech Republic on Sunday. If Mrs. T doesn't get an Alex Ovechkin fix on a regular basis she tends to get somewhat cranky. I try to prevent this happening at all costs and under any circumstances. ;D
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Post by alliehalliwell on Feb 16, 2010 23:46:13 GMT -5
Yeah, we had some technical issues so far during the Olympics here in Canada with the zamboni it's kinda embarrassing but whatever. I do love how exciting everything is though. I'm totally feeling the olympics.
I find CTV is doing a really good job of broadcasting the Olympics. Most people I know are avoiding watching NBC's coverage at all costs. Why? Well, firstly, NBC always seems to have a sucky coverage. Sometimes they start showing Skating, then flip to the luge, then to hockey...they bounce around don't always let you finish watching one event. CTV sticks with one until its done usually.
Then of course, there was that whole incident of NBC actually airing footage of the young man dying on the luge track. We all find it disgusting that NBC showed that. CTV hasn't done that. Oh, and there was the newest mistake of NBC correspondent Meredith Vieria confusing Terry Fox with Michael J Fox - which is in my opinion, totally ridiculous (Not to mention the other crew members who didn't correct her and had a photo of MJF on hand so they obviously thought it was correct...). I just refuse to watch NBC's olympic coverage for these reasons.
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Post by Patcat on Feb 17, 2010 10:08:22 GMT -5
As an American, I'm frequently appalled at some of my fellow Americans' behavior. I understand that Terry Fox is--rightly so, from what I know--a great hero in Canada. Can I apologize to Canadians for that confusion?
Yes, the editing is ridiculous. I suspect Techguy's comments about the short attention span of American viewers is responsible for that.
Ah, the men's figure skating short program. My heart broke for Jeremy Abbott. Go, Johnny Weir--keep being true to whatever it is you are. And way to go Evan Lysachek, even if I can't spell your last name (g).
Techguy, I'm sure you've noted MSNBC has been showing more of the hockey than its parent network.
Patcat (who can barely stand on ice, and really admires people who can do amazing things on it)
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Post by Sirenna on Feb 17, 2010 16:05:09 GMT -5
CTV did show an unedited clip of the luge accident. Just once as far as I could tell. They prefaced the airing by saying they'd "thought long and hard' about showing it and didn't give a reason as to why they decided to go ahead. I think it's one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen. My heart goes out to his family and friends. They all look heartbroken. The poor guy phoned his dad (himself a former luger) and said he was scared of the corner, the same one that eventually took his life. So sad.
All in all, it's been an unusual Olympics with no snow and the warmest tempretures in BC in over hundred years but the competition has been fantastic. I must be getting old because this is the first time I've noticed how young and exuberant the competitors are - they are just kids and so cute, enthusiastic and serious about their sport. This is the first Olympics where I've actually wondered about the difference between a lutz and a double-toe loop and been amazed by the physics of some of the more extreme sports. We have a show here called 'Daily Planet' that delves into the physics of it all. I also wish the sports shows would describe the technical aspects more - it would definately perk up interest in the sport. Also wouldn't mind hearing what a typical athlete's diet and exercise regimen is like (although that's probably classified info)
Sirenna, who would cry and ask for a band-aid, is amazed when she see's skaters fall on the ice then get back up and continue on like nothing happened.
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Post by Techguy on Feb 17, 2010 16:20:04 GMT -5
Techguy, I'm sure you've noted MSNBC has been showing more of the hockey than its parent network. Yes I did notice, thanks for the suggestion. However, MSNBC is only SD broadcast where I am--not sure if others get an HD feed? I prefer to watch hockey in all its HD glory so I'm concentrating on the HD cable broadcasts until NBC picks up the semifinals and gold medal game.
Sirenna, speaking of the physics of the extreme sports: I recall reading somewhere that the snowboarding halfpipe wall has been increased in height by 2 feet for this Olympics, which opens up the possiblity for even more outrageous and daring tricks. I can't wait to see what Shaun White does tonight; he's supposed to unveil an eye-popping move during the competition.
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Post by Patcat on Feb 19, 2010 9:53:39 GMT -5
I'm pleased that Evan Lysachek won the Men's Figure Skating Gold Medal, not just because he's American. He did everything--jumps, spins, footwork--on a very high level. I like Evgeny Plushenko, and he's a wonderful jumper. But the last minute of his program had nothing in it, and there were several points where he just stood on the ice. Me, just standing on the ice is an athletic achievement. Not so for Evgeny Plushenko. I'm glad Johnny Weir skated clean. I'm glad Jeremy Abbott came back. I enjoyed watching some of the younger skaters. And the young Japanese skater who had to deal with his boot laces coming apart did so with grace and calm. He deserves some kind of award for coolness under pressure.
Patcat
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Post by DonnaJo on Feb 19, 2010 13:38:49 GMT -5
Love the winter games! Haven't been home to see most events live, but NBC has been doing a pretty good job re-capping during The Today Show. I have to admit that the coverage by Matt Lauer and friends has been stellar.
Can't wait to see team USA Men's Hockey play for a medal. That and the women's figure skating are my favorite events.
How good is our women's hockey team? Are they in medal contention?
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Post by Techguy on Feb 19, 2010 17:23:39 GMT -5
DJ, the USA women's hockey team completed preliminary round play with a 3-0 record, as did Team Canada. The semifinals are on Monday 2/22, with USA vs. Sweden and Canada vs. Finland. The winners of these games play for the gold medal on Thursday 2/25 preceded by the bronze medal game for the semifinals losers.
I'm also very pleased with Evan Lysacek's gold medal victory in men's figure skating. Yes, as Evegni Plushenko complained afterward, EL didn't include a quad in his program. But that shouldn't be, and wasn't, the deciding factor in which skater won the gold medal. I like EP too, and he should be commended for competing at this level after being away from figure skating for 3 1/2 years. Having said that, however, he needs to take a more realistic view of his program OVERALL vs. EL's skate. If EP takes the time to look at the video of both routines, he will see himself tilted awkwardly in several jumps, plus the transition moves between his jumps and spins weren't nearly as technically sound or as aesthetically pleasing as EL's. EL quite simply had the superior complete program, the judges recognized that, and rewarded him with bonus points for it. That ultimately was the difference between gold and silver.
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Post by Patcat on Feb 19, 2010 19:32:37 GMT -5
Techguy, you are a cool dude (high praise from my thirteen year old friend). You love hockey, but also know how to talk figure skating. Mrs. Techguy is lucky.
Patcat
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Post by Sirenna on Feb 20, 2010 15:42:04 GMT -5
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