And you thought swimming had finished. Wrong again! NBC is touting this on their prime time schedule Sunday:
During its prime time Olympic broadcast tonight, NBC will air an in-studio interview with Michael Phelps, his coach Bob Bowman and, in the last of the three segments, his mom Debbie. Phelps and Bowman discuss and analyze the most memorable moments of Phelps’ historic eight gold medals in Beijing and the strategy and preparation that led to his historic accomplishment. They also take a look at Phelps’ swimming future. Then, Phelps and his mom Debbie discuss Michael’s childhood and the motivations that prepared him to become the greatest Olympic swimmer in history.
I had not realized that Phelps was the only athlete competing. How silly of me. I realize his accomplishments are historic, but leave this kind of segment for the late night show or the “Today” show. In addition, Phelps isn’t the most charismatic of athletes on dry land (in the water, he is something else). His most-used line has been: “I am at a loss for words.” Then why keep interviewing him?
This is not a knock on Phelps but on NBC’s obsession with him. I guess I can understand since he has been boffo for their ratings and has added millions to NBC/GE’s bottom line. But enough already. Show us actual athletes who are competing now, not ones whose events have ended. NBC is showing this season’s Super Bowl in February; bet they find a way to squeeze in a Phelps segment during the pregame.
By Jim Buzinski
5 responses so far ↓
1 Zak // Aug 17, 2008 at 11:05 pm
MP in his speedos for our half-time amusement? I’m so there.
2 kevin57 // Aug 17, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I completely agree with the perception of Phelps 24/7 and the reasons behind it at NBC. Taking nothing away from his peformance, my high estimation of him took a step down when he failed to thank his teammates during the relay events. Classless
3 Jeff // Aug 18, 2008 at 8:37 am
TOTALLY agree!!! Great accomplishment worthy of acknowledgement but honestly this guy is not all that interesting outside of swimming to warrant an interview every mention of the Beijing games. [And on a sidenote...what is up with the gay obsession with this guy?? If he wasn't a celeb and a hot prop right now he likely wouldn't get a second look from most guys]
4 James // Aug 18, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Wow! I couldn’t disagree more. What a short attention span we have! The man won eight goal medals in a eight events. Its never been done before. So NBC took some time at the beginning of the next night to interview him.
And that is just plain BS posting that he never thanked his relay teammates. Did you see the interviews with Andrea Joyce? He was very complementary.
Honestly, from the blogger who wrote this to some of the posters……Do you look for everything negative in life? I enjoyed watching Michael Phelps. I cheered when he won. I jumped off my couch on Saturday night when he broke the record. And I not looking to rip him off his pedestal. Gosh, how do you people get through life looking for the negative in such a great accomplishment? Eespecially when those moments are so few and far between in life.
Calling him classless is simply ridiculous.
You worked hard Michael - Enjoy it!!!
5 shortysmooth // Aug 19, 2008 at 11:59 am
This guy Phelps and his mother are boring. With those huge ears and that mush mouth please get of the freaking tv. He looks and he sound like he has bricks for a brain.
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