I do remember a few decades ago that when the (winter) Olympics were on, you would get raw coverage of the events at all hours of the day.
No more.
While NBC has the 'corner' on the Vancouver Olympics, it takes backseat to "Wheel of Fortune" as well as a few soap operas. For me, that's a shame. Typical of networks, but a big shame. Oh, I've found mid-day footage on USA Network, but we're only getting truncated and edited results. It ain't what it used to be, not by a long shot.
On top of that, I'm weary of repeating stories....cutting on the TV on Thursday only to see snippets from a Tuesday story show up again two days later....a perpetuation of the entertainment sham, in a way.
Media has changed significantly over the years....and it's no surprise that the ownership and 'push' for entertainment value have entered into the picture. Oh, network executives love it, but I as a 'watcher' hate it. Executives should be able to sense it, but I'm not sure they do.
Bottom line: we get to watch a highly edited version of the Olympics. Too, to bring up an 'aside' account...whatthehell is it with the medal count for countries? I find it TOTALLY USELESS. Geeez, in America with our sheer population and access to training facilities, why wouldn't we be a leader? I don't give a tinker's damn whether the U.S. wins a particular event...I just want to see the best athletes surmount!
This idea of 'pride' of homeland is woefully off the mark when it comes to important 'concerns' on a world-wide scale. Too, as long as 'we' believe in a superiority complex and a 'good/bad', 'better/worse'mentality, we won't 'get it' per spiritual values that will make a Universal difference. A sad truth that rears it's head in the Olympics venue, among others.
*SIGH*
2 comments:
Amen Bob.
It's a shame. With all the networks available to us you'd think we've have some variety. Nope. Every channel tells the same story with the same spin at the same time! And I can't understand that one network is making the decisions as to what Olympic events get televised and which get no attention at all. There's 300 million people in this country; how can we all be expected to want the same things???Apparently we're supposed to swallow what they feed us.
AMEN, Bob!!! 1000x over!!!!
VERY jaded and media-edited coverage. The REAL dichotomy is that during the “Opening Ceremonies / Parade of Nations”, NBC took great pains to highlight / feature the ‘tropical’ and island nations, each with 1 – 5 participating athletes, who through various means were exposed to winter climates in the course of their lives, and learned how to ski, skate, snowboard, etc ---- e.g. the young man from the Cayman Islands who went to boarding school in England and college in the Northeast U.S., and fell in love with skiing I think it was.
MANY such athletes, nations, and similar stories were featured that opening night. And yet, because these young men and women are not “medal contenders” or “favorites in the eyes of the media”, we haven’t heard one peep out of how they’ve fared in competition! I, and I’m sure many other viewers, would have loved to watch these athletes compete, and share their joy in simply being there!
What PRIDE these young men and women must have to represent their country, and to compete on a world-stage ... what an opportunity to pursue their dreams and attempt their personal bests!!
Yet the media insists on night-after-night of “favorites” and “medal contenders” and repeat coverage of events from earlier in the day, or the day(s) prior. Ugh.
And while I’m “at it” here ... I found the Russian ice dancers’ “aboriginal native islander” costumes EXTREMELY offensive!! Not because of the scant attire, but MOST-importantly what a TOTAL misrepresentation of such people, and what a TOTAL slap in the face to Olympic athletes FROM the various island nations!
OK ... jumping off my soapbox now!!
Suzy :)
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