August 20, 2008
[For some reason, the images aren't showing up the way I expected them to. To see the photos I'm referencing, right click on the bold (and no, that isn't working right, either) phrases/names and select "view image."]
What you missed last night, because NBC only cares about U.S. medalists and last night they cared only about LoLo Jones losing, even though an American, Dawn Harper, won the 100 meter hurdles, was this, the 
. We did, rather belatedly, see just a tiny bit of the 
of both silver-medalist Sally McLellan and bronze-medalist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep. And we saw Harper’s face during the anthem. But with all three young women clearly delighted with the result, the opportunity to show that winning any medal IS winning was lost on NBC. Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | 
Olympics, sports, sports on television | Tagged: Aaron Peirsol, athletics, celebration, Dawn Harper, elation, equestrian, Gina Miles, jingoism, LoLo Jones, Matthias Steiner, medalists, Michael Phelps, NBC misses, Olympics, Oxygen, Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, running, Sally McLellan, Shalane Flanagan, Stephanie Brown Trafton, swimming, weight lifting | 
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Posted by sportsdiva
August 13, 2008
I am, of course, an Olympics junkie. And I’ve spend countless hours already glued to NBC’s various outlets’ coverage of sports as diverse as equestrian 3-day eventing, badminton, and the ubiquitous swimming.
I love the swimming. I love tall men with arms long enough to hug the world clad in lycra, or sometimes barely clad in lycra. Do you suppose they half strip those suits off just so we can see exactly how shaved down they are?
And NBC is doing a pretty good job, whether the commentators are at the venue or in New York, they mostly seem awake on all counts and provide the kind of information you need, whether neophyte or afficionado.
I’m particularly happy with Andrea Kremer as the poolside interviewer. First of all, and probably most importantly, she’s a really really good interviewer. She asks good questions, listens to the answers (when the director is yelling in her ear, that has to be hard), and handles the task with appropriate composed excitement.
But there’s one rotten spot in my Olympic apple. Her name is Cynthia Potter. NBC decided to continue to employ as a diving commentator a woman with a dramatic command of the obvious who at the same time has a tenuous command of her facts and, worst of all, has the most annoying, loudest, unmodulated fingernails on a blackboard voice in the history of sports broadcasting. I’d take Dick Vitale over this woman in a heartbeat. And I HATE Dick Vitale. Read the rest of this entry »
11 Comments | Olympics, sports on television | Tagged: sports, Olympics, Cynthia Potter, diving, synchronized diving, annoying voice, color commentary, men in lycra, Andrea Kremer | Permalink
Posted by sportsdiva
August 2, 2008
The FBI has apparently begun a crackdown on the sports memorabilia business.
I’ll admit that I don’t really understand the collection of autographed memorabilia. It isn’t that I don’t have autographed items, but apart from a lithograph that was produced by and for the Flyers Wives Fight for Lives carnival a number of years ago, a couple of gifts the Flyers sent to me as a season ticket holder, and the irreplaceable (don’t laugh too hard, now) Ricky Botallico autographed baseball sent to Phillies season ticketholders after his All-Star season, I don’t own, nor have I ever coveted, an autographed item that was not autographed in my sight by an athlete or former athlete. Read the rest of this entry »
No Comments » | sports, sports business | Tagged: autographs, Ozzie Smith, Paul Blair, Randall Cunningham, sports, sports memorabilia, Tug McGraw | Permalink
Posted by sportsdiva
July 23, 2008
I haven’t been impressed so far with what Rick Reilly brings to ESPN’s events. He seems uncomfortable on camera, disjointed in his presentation, and really lacking in insight. But I used to enjoy his work in Sports Illustrated back in the day, so I expected to feel the same way about his work on ESPN.com. On the contrary. His newest column is the second one so far that had me submitting a comment form critical of his efforts.
This one is about being mistaken for other people, which can be embarrassing, I know. However, I think the issue for Rick is that he wants desperately to be recognized, and then is disappointed to realize that he isn’t really important, famous, or popular enough to be recognized. I’d suggest that if you are paid to go to the U.S. Open, a golf tournament at Lake Tahoe, and on the “Today Show,” you probably are living a pretty charmed life. If being mistaken for Mitch Albom, Rick Rhoden, or the oven guy is the cost, it doesn’t seem to me it would be too high a price to pay.
No Comments » | sports media | Tagged: ESPN, ESPN.com, fame, mistaken identity, Rick Reilly | Permalink
Posted by sportsdiva
June 23, 2008
It looks like Sam Carchidi, who for many years has been covering high school sports for the Philadelphia Inquirer, will be the new Flyers beat writer. Sam’s a solid professional, but his passion has been high school sports for quite a while. I sure hope he can find the same joy in covering the game so many Philadelphians love above all others.
Flyers fans are demanding consumers. I’m a little worried there’ll be a rude welcome for the new guy on the block. But I’m looking forward to seeing what Sam does with this.
No Comments » | sports media | Tagged: Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sam Carchidi | Permalink
Posted by sportsdiva
Enough Already!
August 13, 2008I am, of course, an Olympics junkie. And I’ve spend countless hours already glued to NBC’s various outlets’ coverage of sports as diverse as equestrian 3-day eventing, badminton, and the ubiquitous swimming.
I love the swimming. I love tall men with arms long enough to hug the world clad in lycra, or sometimes barely clad in lycra. Do you suppose they half strip those suits off just so we can see exactly how shaved down they are?
And NBC is doing a pretty good job, whether the commentators are at the venue or in New York, they mostly seem awake on all counts and provide the kind of information you need, whether neophyte or afficionado.
I’m particularly happy with Andrea Kremer as the poolside interviewer. First of all, and probably most importantly, she’s a really really good interviewer. She asks good questions, listens to the answers (when the director is yelling in her ear, that has to be hard), and handles the task with appropriate composed excitement.
But there’s one rotten spot in my Olympic apple. Her name is Cynthia Potter. NBC decided to continue to employ as a diving commentator a woman with a dramatic command of the obvious who at the same time has a tenuous command of her facts and, worst of all, has the most annoying, loudest, unmodulated fingernails on a blackboard voice in the history of sports broadcasting. I’d take Dick Vitale over this woman in a heartbeat. And I HATE Dick Vitale. Read the rest of this entry »