Archive for February, 2010

The Numbers Don’t Lie: NBC Is Doing a Crappy Job Covering the Olympics

By | February 25, 2010 | Olympics | 3 Comments
Bob Costas

Bob Costas

If you were hoping to watch sporting events this Olympics, allow me to chuckle at your cute naivete. If, however, you’re really into commercials, Bob Costas’ fireplace, and blimp shots, then you are probably in media heaven these days.

Complaints about NBC’s coverage of these games is nothing new. My Twitter friends have been pretty vocal about it and we even heard from our own HeadlessMom about the absurdity of not being able to see coverage of the Olympics, even though they’re happening in her own time zone.

But what separates bitching and serious criticism is raw data and David Bireman at the Wall Street Journal has given fuel to our fire.

An analysis of NBC’s 3 ½-hour program Friday night showed that there were 56 minutes, 41 seconds of commercials over 24 breaks—that’s three more minutes than actual event action that was showed.

Even more damning? This chart:

NBC Olympics Coverage Breakdown

NBC Olympics Coverage Breakdown

By the way, charts = science, so don’t even try to question it, mkay?

Obviously, this is not groundbreaking bad coverage. Most major sports events have a similar focus on advertising dollars over actual sports. But I think people are angry because the Olympics offer a chance to see sports that you don’t normally catch. I get that it’s a rare marketing opportunity, but the fact that these events can captivate even the most indifferent viewer should be at least a little respected and NBC should let us see a little more of the awe-inspiring feats that we tuned in to see in the first place.

The ESPN Fashion Police In Effect

By | February 25, 2010 | Talking Trash | Comments Off

Apparently ESPN correspondent Tony Kornheiser is moonlighting as the Fashion Police based on the recent barrage of insults he hurled at ESPN’s Hannah Storm’s attire. I’ll give him points for also trying to embrace his inner literati for including some Dennis Miller-style stingers like calling her a “Holden Caufield Fantasy”. Ah….now say something witty about Moe Green. Reference heavy insults are always classy.

For some unknown reason, a female sports anchor’s attire was more important than her skill or professionalism. His remark that  “she looks like she has a sausage casing wrapping around her upper body” was just one example of the bizarre insults he hurled out of nowhere at his peer. They seem like something that a woman who has proven her merits shouldn’t have to accept – yet there she sits, in that skirt he so disapproved of, accepting his apology for his ridiculous cave man behavior.

Apparently he’s issued an apology, gotten suspended and tried to explain/defend himself on his radio show. “He’s a sarcastic guy” he says. AH. You have sarcasm at your disposal, so it’s okay to say whatever you like no matter how hurtful or rude? I wasn’t aware you had SARCASM man, I’m sorry. Here I am getting my little feminist feelings hurt.

But while we’re at it – I’m a rather SARCASTIC girl who writes on a sports blog (when I’m not being all barefoot and pregnant). And you know what I notice?

I notice that you are wearing a tie that has browns which don’t properly complement your jacket. The yellow looks like police tape yellow – which I think is a questionable choice given your skin tone. You have a receding hairline which makes me think that you either can’t afford Rogaine or you lack the cajones to accept your fate and be cool enough to be bald.

And OH MY GOD why is your nose so big? Seriously, ESPN pays well, I’d expect. Can you not get that reduced with just a wee bit of rhinoplasty? Your left ear appears to be longer than your right ear which lends a disconcerting assymmetry to your face. In fact, it weirds me out.

I’m just a sports blogger. I’m a sarcastic girl. I don’t mean any harm.

Oh, and I bet this guy goes through more sunglasses than Moe Green.

Please add five points to my score for the Moe Green reference.

Canadians Are Sore Losers

By | February 24, 2010 | Hockey, Olympics | 4 Comments

This photograph was taken in Vancouver after the United States beat Canada 5 – 3 in men’s hockey on Sunday.

torcida-Canada

Is this a sore loser or is she just trying to look on the bright side of things? I can’t tell. I’m too busy gloating.

I hope the Swiss have their “At least we have neutrality and awesome chocolate” signs all ready. They are going to need some cheering up tomorrow.

[photo via Joe. My. God.]

San Diego Chargers Release LaDainian Tomlinson

By | February 23, 2010 | Football | Comments Off

ladainian-tomlinson_LTFor a while now I’ve been hearing rumors that LaDainian Tomlinson might be leaving the San Diego Chargers. As a Bucs fan I am always excited when I hear that a super star player who is past his prime is available because you just know Tampa Bay is going to be looking at him. (Same with the Redskins, the Raiders, and the Dolphins –  we all know who we are.) Yet I was still surprised when the Chargers released L.T. yesterday.

I guess I assumed they would be trading him for something. He still had two years left on his contract. Yes, he has been plagued with injuries, and his salary cap figure was through the roof, but as 8th on the all time rushing list, a five time Pro Bowl selection, a former league MVP and the guy who led the NFL in rushing twice in the last five years you would think that San Diego would have gotten something for him. I’m sure Tampa or Washington would have been willing to cough up a couple of draft picks for LaDainian Freaking Tomlinson. No?

Did I mention he is a fantastic dancer?

Yeah, I went there.

Let’s hear it Draft Day Suit fans. Where will L.T. end up?

[photo: Peter Read Miller SI]

Olympic Miracle(s) On Ice

By | February 22, 2010 | Hockey, Olympics | 1 Comment

Today is the 30th anniversary of the 1980 USA men’s hockey team’s “Miracle on Ice” win over the top-ranked then-USSR in Lake Placid that paved their way to beat Finland in the finals and win the gold medal.

miracleonice

So I enjoyed Team USA 2010′s 5-3 win over Canada tonight in Vancouver because I am all for the home team, especially when they play a game so incredibly worth watching,  but also because I thought the timing was fairly perfect.

It was clear from the sea of red and white in the stands in the arena tonight that Canada’s powerful national hockey heart was in this game. But Team USA clearly had their collective heads and skill sets in it and Canada actually played some sloppy hockey at crunch time, especially considering the level of talent on their roster. And to give credit where it is most obviously due, USA Goalie Ryan Miller, who has a little day job with the Buffalo Sabres, was a beast who played like he had no intention whatsoever of losing. He made 42 saves to Team Canada goalie (and New Jersey Devil and kind of a big deal in general) Martin Brodeur’s 17, proving once again that it doesn’t matter how many shots you take – it matters how many go in.

Profound insight, yes. I’m sure that’s why you came here.

Much is being made of the relative youth of the U.S. team, although an average age of 25 just doesn’t seem that young to me. Adjectives like “gritty” and “scrappy” and “raw” and “new” are being thrown around in articles and interviews. But sometimes you just play better and that’s how it shakes out.

The NHL Olympics hiatus disrupts the regular season, sure – especially for people like, oh, yeah, me, who has not a single touchstone Washington Capital on Team USA (or Canada, for that matter. Mike Green’s probably all “how ya like me now, EH?”) and dreads a USA/Russia match wherein I will indeed hope that Alex Ovechkin has a bad night. But it is kind of a kick to see national mashups of players who try to beat each other on any given NHL night working together for the win. And quite simply this was great hockey, well played – a fast game without a lot of crazy penalties in a pumped arena. It made me love a game I love even more, and I think if I didn’t already I’d understand why people do.

USA  now heads straight from these preliminary games to the quarterfinals, while Canada’s loss means they have to play Germany in a classification game tomorrow to advance. And if they win, which they are likely to do? They play Russia. Meaning? Canada’s Sidney Crosby (and usual Pittsburgh Penguin) vs. the aforementioned Ovechkin. In the Olympics.

I’ll just leave it at that for now.

Well played, Team USA. Really.

59694017

[Photo]

[Photo]

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
← Older Entries
Newer Entries →