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The Children of Nathan Starr, by Ambrose Andrews (Metropolitan Museum of Art) |
Maybe I'm getting soft with age. But the Olympic Games just don't bother me as much as they used to do. In the past, I've denounced gymnastics as a form of child abuse, and inveighed against the broadcasts. Now every night my wife chirps, "Let's watch the Olympics!" and I agree. An hour passes pleasantly enough, watching swimmers, runners, puffed up back stories. And my reaction is ... nothing. Maybe vaguely wonder why Snoop Dogg is showing up every 15 minutes; I thought comic TV mascot/sidekicks went out years ago.
Or the other night we caught a badminton match between China and Taiwan, though their athletes had to humiliatingly label themselves "Chinese Taipei," a salve to their gigantic neighbor's bellicose acquisitiveness. I suppose they have to, but it just makes the day of their complete subjugation come closer. You can't cave into totalitarianism, because it never ends. I guess "Palestinian Israel" is next.
Twenty years ago was different. I couldn't tune in without putting NBC over my knee.
Aw shucks, I'm not the Greatest ...
Caught the Olympics on TV the other night — the family was watching and I figured, you know, togetherness. Had a hard time enduring the banality of the commentary, however. That guy, Tom Hammond, should be shot. He was doing commentary for the 100 meter dash, and just couldn't get over the fact that one of the runners, Maurice Green, reading out of the Muhammad Ali playbook, had preened about how great he is.
"OK, we get it Tom," I snarled at the set, startling the children, "not humble enough for you."
The entire NBC Olympic attitude was bizarre, grist for a dozen grad student theses. They want you to go after your dream, go for gold, to believe in yourself.
But never say you're going to win. Never brag. Asked to assess your chances, blush and stammer and grind your toe into the ground. After winning, thank God, your coach and sponsors. Carly Patterson actually thanked Visa, and told Katie Couric, "You never think you're going to be on a McDonald's bag. It's, like, awesome."
I, like, bet it is, Carly. Frankly — and I only say this because it isn't a charge I often level — I think the NBC coverage skirted close to racism. Thanking Mom and Visa — the White Way — is just dandy. But let a victorious black athlete strut a little, indulge in a little in-your-face posturing, and NBC condescendingly describes it as "antics." What's the point of bringing the world together to compete if NBC demands that all the athletes react in exactly the same way?
Aw shucks, I'm not the Greatest ...
Caught the Olympics on TV the other night — the family was watching and I figured, you know, togetherness. Had a hard time enduring the banality of the commentary, however. That guy, Tom Hammond, should be shot. He was doing commentary for the 100 meter dash, and just couldn't get over the fact that one of the runners, Maurice Green, reading out of the Muhammad Ali playbook, had preened about how great he is.
"OK, we get it Tom," I snarled at the set, startling the children, "not humble enough for you."
The entire NBC Olympic attitude was bizarre, grist for a dozen grad student theses. They want you to go after your dream, go for gold, to believe in yourself.
But never say you're going to win. Never brag. Asked to assess your chances, blush and stammer and grind your toe into the ground. After winning, thank God, your coach and sponsors. Carly Patterson actually thanked Visa, and told Katie Couric, "You never think you're going to be on a McDonald's bag. It's, like, awesome."
I, like, bet it is, Carly. Frankly — and I only say this because it isn't a charge I often level — I think the NBC coverage skirted close to racism. Thanking Mom and Visa — the White Way — is just dandy. But let a victorious black athlete strut a little, indulge in a little in-your-face posturing, and NBC condescendingly describes it as "antics." What's the point of bringing the world together to compete if NBC demands that all the athletes react in exactly the same way?
—Originally published in the Sun-Times, Aug. 25, 2004
I haven't watched any of it. When I channel scan, every time I come on NBC, it's an ad.
ReplyDeleteApparently the wing nuts are having a shit fit over a couple of the women boxers they claim are actually men, but one is from Algeria, where a sex change is a punishable crime, so she's actually a she from birth, just stronger than most females of her size.
Well, I hate to say this, but there are certain individuals whose gender at birth is ambiguous. I understand the doctor, knife in hand, asks the parents whether they want a boy or a girl. I believe such individuals cannot have children (in the ordinary way, sperm + egg, etc.). So, if one were zealous enough in making sure that only genuine women competed in women's sports, we might have to do JD Vance one better by requiring all competitors in women's sports to demonstrate their ability to have a child in the normal manner. Or we could just forget about distinctions between those who call themselves women and applaud superior talent wherever it may be found.
Deletejohn
I have Peacock and have been watching the equestrian events only. They are taking place at Chateau de Versailles and it is the most beautiful place for a horse show I have ever seen. Even I, a former dressage competitor, can't watch 5 hours of Grand Prix, however but with streaming I can fast forward and no commercials on replay. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteWatching women's gymnastics is a pleasure now. They're no longer anorexic teenagers but happy, strong, grown women. Who even knew that adults with muscles might be able to do flips?
ReplyDeleteI share your indifference. I've turned it on a few times to see if I could get into it. I can't. How is swimming a spectator sport? People say "Paris is so beautiful!" it is indeed, but all I see on TV is indoor pools, a soccer field, and a track like the one they tried to make me run on in high school.
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd look up the opening ceremony on-line somewhere, but.. while I'm sure they're very talented, neither Lady Gaga nor Celine Dion (I wish her well) interest me as performers
Flava Flav being the patron of women's water polo is a great story, but not really great TV
then again I'm watching the Cubs right now, so.... at least they're winning
I like track and field. It's so simple: who can run the fastest or jump the highest? And as for the relentless commentary, that's why the Mute button was invented.
ReplyDeleteI’ve really enjoyed watching the Woman’s soccer team. They are 4-0 going into the semifinals. The two stars of the team are former Bull Dennis Rodman’s daughter Trinity, and current Cub Dansby Swanson’s wife Mallory. Trinity Rodman scored a beautiful goal in overtime today to beat Japan.
ReplyDeleteI have been a fan of Olympic track and field since Bob Beamon soared and Jim Ryun faltered.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I like about it is there's no dispute. Who's the best? It's all measurable . the fastest. The longest the highest. It's just what it is in the end. Even over different eras you can compare people. Sure, there's different tracks and different shoes and different training, but the best are the best Were the best.
Some other competitions are fun, but the judging the judging is so annoying
Yeah, watching on peacock is great. They've got a split screen where you can watch a couple of different events that are going on at the same time. No announcers.
I can watch because I watch diamond League and I know who the competitors are and what their story is who's the best where they're from where they went to college. I'm a track and field geek
Olympics? What Olympics? Didn't we just do that, like, a couple of years ago? Two years in a row? I recorded the Opening Ceremonies, so I could fast-forward through the on-land hype and horseshit, and concentrate on the boat parade. Meh. A big snooze fest. Unadorned boats, not many light displays, and a lot of waving. Too much waving. Very disappointing. Wake me when it's time for the Closing Ceremonies, next Sunday. Hope it's another parade. I love a parade.
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