Five Ring Circus
To me, the interesting thing about these Olympic broadcasts is how “Chinese” NBC chooses to be. They don’t release a detailed schedule of what they’re going to broadcast and when … instead, they keep viewers in suspense, forcing us to watch all of it and “become” interested and attached to things we wouldn’t necessarily choose to see. They’ve decided for us … and have no intention of handing over the information or the reins.
Is this lemming-esque experience par for the course when it comes to television viewing? Personally, I think it’s insulting and backwards … but I guess that’s what I get for liking something that’s so corporate!
August 20th, 2008 at 10:25 am EST
I know that some of the things are hard to say when they start because they are live… such as gymnastics… but it has been annoying when they tell you an event is up next and they decide to play something else. I have watched many things I did not want to watch when they placed it before phelps and gymnastics. I have lost so much sleep over olympics.
August 20th, 2008 at 11:01 am EST
I haven’t watched ANY of the Olympics, except for watching the 4×100 swimming relay online. Does that make me lame? Or does it just mean that I have a life?
August 20th, 2008 at 1:07 pm EST
It means you have a life.
August 20th, 2008 at 1:10 pm EST
Three letters…D V R
August 20th, 2008 at 5:31 pm EST
Haha … I’m too cheap for DVR. Actually, I know that it would cause me to watch way too much television, so it’s not worth it to me right now.
And Traci, you’re wrong. They know exactly when most events will happen and every single broadcast is planned out precisely (check out this schedule on ESPN.com). NBC just doesn’t want to tell you which sport they’ll broadcast and when so you’ll remain glued to your television, just like you said. They know what they’re doing!
August 24th, 2008 at 4:21 pm EST
I finally realized the extent of your frustration yesterday. I wanted nothing else but to watch the gold medal match for women’s indoor volleyball, which if it would have been live, would have been at 8 A.M. What did I do, spend my Saturday waiting for it to come on. It didn’t come on until 4 pm, 8 hrs later. Wonderful.
Were the Olympics anymore exciting for you since they were in Beijing, Lance?
August 24th, 2008 at 4:32 pm EST
Exciting? Maybe at the opening and closing ceremonies. Interesting? Absolutely … I love seeing how our American media portrays China’s culture, history, and current situation. It’s fascinating to me!