Ahahaha! What would Brian Boitano do, ahahaha! Everything in life is better with a South Park reference.
OK, I'm agreed with you on all counts. While I take guilty, girly pleasure in watching figure skating, the scoring has always seemed completely arbitrary (read: unfair) to me. And I HATE the American television network's idea of "good coverage" of the Olympic games. Event censoring, virtually no coverage of any other country's athletes, commercials in the middle of routines or runs just because "it's time to advertise", uber-emo montages from hell, all of it SUCKS. Why can't we have a channel that just shows as much as possible, with commentary in the background as we watch the events to provide some subtle emo, and fulfills it's purpose to cover the Games properly?
P.S. NBC, in case you haven't noticed, indoor ice rinks aren't that hard to come by, so shut the f*&$ up about North Carolina already!
Sorry, American TV pisses me off on a regular basis. Case in point: Flavor of Love. 'nuff said.
Ah, I stand corrected. Though there's something to be said for the training provided by adversity. I learned to ski in Vermont and New Hampshire, in not-so-great conditions, but when I got to the Swiss Alps later, I was suddenlt a *goddess* on the slopes. I had had to put up with such bad conditions in New England that when I got to really good conditions, I could handle anything. Of course, I know nothing about whether this would translate to speed skating, so I'll shut up now. :)
You said it all. Emo-montage is an excellent phrase of choice, because that's what they are. "Oh our tale is so tragic and sad and dramatic and woe and sigh so please like us and hope we win!"
I would love to watch all Olympics coverage. Yes, even show me the "less favored" athletes. So what if the other 29 competitors aren't American or super-Russians or possessed of Tragic Tales Of Woe? Show me more fun! More athletes falling on their butts and faces! Show me the skiers who crash into the sidelines! Show me the weird sports! You've got the time difference to get a bunch of highlights, and you don't need to waste time with these stories and stuff and "And Now The History Of Ice, As Narrated By Mike Ditka" crap. Just jam in the sports!
You're right about the American TV thing. That's the crux of the matter.
You know, if they broadcast in the 80s the way they broadcast now, we would never have seen Eddie the Eagle, and then where would we be? :)
I totally agree with you about the time difference factor - you'd think they'd use it better and show events at all hours, but coverage is only a few hours a day, and then piss poor. Ah, sorry, I shouldn't be bitching in your journal, I really shouldn't. I just wish they didn't broadcast to the lowest common denominator, that's all.
By "lowest common denominator" I wasn't talking about which station gets the coverage. I personally agree with the decision to keep the broadcast on the public channels - I think it's important to keep it accessible, which is why I'm surprised they don't have little more dignity and international coverage (and, perchance, blood) in their choices of stories.
No, by "lowest common denominator" I meant the audience - fat, middle-aged middle-Americans who actually want to hear the sob story of the skinny little figure skater who's had a "hard life", and who couldn't care less about blood on the ice as long as the costume is pretty and Mike Ditka talks about the history of ice as the American flag waves softly in the background. They're the ones pushing for emovision, and by gum, they're getting it... Bastards.
Skeleton is INSANE, and I can't tear my eyes away. Train wreck on the ice - now THAT'S quality television!
Who came up with the word "skeleton" anyway? I mean, what, if you survive the race you're nothing but bones thereafter? Why not at least call it "forward Luge" or something reasonable. Skeleton? SHENANIGANS!
OK, I'm agreed with you on all counts. While I take guilty, girly pleasure in watching figure skating, the scoring has always seemed completely arbitrary (read: unfair) to me. And I HATE the American television network's idea of "good coverage" of the Olympic games. Event censoring, virtually no coverage of any other country's athletes, commercials in the middle of routines or runs just because "it's time to advertise", uber-emo montages from hell, all of it SUCKS. Why can't we have a channel that just shows as much as possible, with commentary in the background as we watch the events to provide some subtle emo, and fulfills it's purpose to cover the Games properly?
P.S. NBC, in case you haven't noticed, indoor ice rinks aren't that hard to come by, so shut the f*&$ up about North Carolina already!
Sorry, American TV pisses me off on a regular basis. Case in point: Flavor of Love. 'nuff said.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
I would love to watch all Olympics coverage. Yes, even show me the "less favored" athletes. So what if the other 29 competitors aren't American or super-Russians or possessed of Tragic Tales Of Woe? Show me more fun! More athletes falling on their butts and faces! Show me the skiers who crash into the sidelines! Show me the weird sports! You've got the time difference to get a bunch of highlights, and you don't need to waste time with these stories and stuff and "And Now The History Of Ice, As Narrated By Mike Ditka" crap. Just jam in the sports!
You're right about the American TV thing. That's the crux of the matter.
Reply
I totally agree with you about the time difference factor - you'd think they'd use it better and show events at all hours, but coverage is only a few hours a day, and then piss poor. Ah, sorry, I shouldn't be bitching in your journal, I really shouldn't. I just wish they didn't broadcast to the lowest common denominator, that's all.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
No, by "lowest common denominator" I meant the audience - fat, middle-aged middle-Americans who actually want to hear the sob story of the skinny little figure skater who's had a "hard life", and who couldn't care less about blood on the ice as long as the costume is pretty and Mike Ditka talks about the history of ice as the American flag waves softly in the background. They're the ones pushing for emovision, and by gum, they're getting it... Bastards.
Skeleton is INSANE, and I can't tear my eyes away. Train wreck on the ice - now THAT'S quality television!
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment