My general irritation and cynicism regarding the Olympics this year has not abated, despite some notable cool moments like the dramatic womens' soccer games in the semifinals and finals. My complaints are:
1. Stupid NBC coverage.
March Madness figured out how to show all the games, or just about anyway. Why can't NBC do better? Is the US really so saturated with self-interest that NBC essentially edits out 90-95% of everything not involving American athletes? And why can't I watch a replay of the soccer final? Everything else is replayed. I guess the length of the match just doesn't fit TV?
2. Stupid commentators
Its just so sappy, trite, cliche and grating. It makes you want to puke sometimes, or at least I really do have to hit mute or change the channel. These commentators have two speeds. One is the prepared statement read off a card that is so artificial and packaged and sappy. Two is when they they freelance and end up pulling nonsensical comments from their butt." How many times in 2 minutes are you going to tell me that Usain Bolt likes to joke around before a race to stay relaxed? And the dumb statements must have producers groaning in the control room. "He wants to make sure he has nothing to think about, he is just going to go out and run. No thinking - its all instinct...and so much practice and training." Well which is it, natural instinct or singleminded training? Actually there are so many things said that are so dumb its hard to believe them and remember them.
3. Stupid athletes. USA was #1 and #2 in the Decathlon. How does the 2nd place guy feel? Rather than say anything meaningful about his personal experience, he ranted about how the US is the greatest nation and they own the decathlon and it feels great to know no one can touch them. Huh?
4. Did I mention stupid commentators? The thing about the Olympics is it is supposed to be intrinsically a lot of drama. It doesn't need any extra hype by fixated commentators talking only about what is historic and the best ever and legendary and gold, gold, gold.
5. Mitt Romney
The Olympics reminds me of the Idiot King because of the link to the Salt Lake City games. As if there aren't enough dumbass Romney soundbytes everyday, I need another reminder? Somebody tweet me when he does his next gaffe. Actually, don't.
6. The medal count
Tired to death of this. Its like we are tracking GDP or something. Well just like GDP, if you are going to measure something, at least normalize it. Thus I bring to your attention - medals per capita tracking.
http://www.medalspercapita.com/
By this standard, the USA is really not very impressive at all. And China is far worse! Instead kudos to Jamaica, Denmark and Mongolia. And it really can't be ignored how athletically pathetic India is. Or...maybe they care even less than I do.
1. Stupid NBC coverage.
March Madness figured out how to show all the games, or just about anyway. Why can't NBC do better? Is the US really so saturated with self-interest that NBC essentially edits out 90-95% of everything not involving American athletes? And why can't I watch a replay of the soccer final? Everything else is replayed. I guess the length of the match just doesn't fit TV?
2. Stupid commentators
Its just so sappy, trite, cliche and grating. It makes you want to puke sometimes, or at least I really do have to hit mute or change the channel. These commentators have two speeds. One is the prepared statement read off a card that is so artificial and packaged and sappy. Two is when they they freelance and end up pulling nonsensical comments from their butt." How many times in 2 minutes are you going to tell me that Usain Bolt likes to joke around before a race to stay relaxed? And the dumb statements must have producers groaning in the control room. "He wants to make sure he has nothing to think about, he is just going to go out and run. No thinking - its all instinct...and so much practice and training." Well which is it, natural instinct or singleminded training? Actually there are so many things said that are so dumb its hard to believe them and remember them.
3. Stupid athletes. USA was #1 and #2 in the Decathlon. How does the 2nd place guy feel? Rather than say anything meaningful about his personal experience, he ranted about how the US is the greatest nation and they own the decathlon and it feels great to know no one can touch them. Huh?
4. Did I mention stupid commentators? The thing about the Olympics is it is supposed to be intrinsically a lot of drama. It doesn't need any extra hype by fixated commentators talking only about what is historic and the best ever and legendary and gold, gold, gold.
5. Mitt Romney
The Olympics reminds me of the Idiot King because of the link to the Salt Lake City games. As if there aren't enough dumbass Romney soundbytes everyday, I need another reminder? Somebody tweet me when he does his next gaffe. Actually, don't.
6. The medal count
Tired to death of this. Its like we are tracking GDP or something. Well just like GDP, if you are going to measure something, at least normalize it. Thus I bring to your attention - medals per capita tracking.
http://www.medalspercapita.com/
By this standard, the USA is really not very impressive at all. And China is far worse! Instead kudos to Jamaica, Denmark and Mongolia. And it really can't be ignored how athletically pathetic India is. Or...maybe they care even less than I do.
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