Today is one of those days where it’s technically the weekend, but I have to do so much work around the house that it feels like a workday. Not supposed to be that way, but I have to catch up with stuff that I couldn’t get to when I fell off the ladder in the middle of a rainstorm last month.
Two Olympic video links. If you want to see the women’s gymnastics all-around in its entirety, NBC Olympics.com has it. And here’s the record-tying 100 meter butterfly race won by Michael Phelps by .01.
So I’ll do some quick links now and I should be able to provide you with some posts later on.
Starting with ESPN Ombudsman Le Anne Schreiber goes over the accusation that the Alleged Worldwide Leader has East Coast Bias. Ms. Scheiber also provides some charts from ESPN showing that the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets are among the biggest rating draws.
Neil Best of Newsday recaps Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s last appearance for now on WFAN with Mike Francesa. In his blog, Neil has the transcript of an interview Bob Costas conducted with swimmer Michael Phelps and the man whose record of gold medals he tied, Mark Spitz. I was going to post the transcript, but Neil beat me to it.
Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says the fans will suffer the most from the Mike & the Mad Dog split. Ken would like to see the old ABC Olympics footage on ESPN Classic. I agree with him on this. Finally, Ken wonders why he’s staying up so late to watch Olympics table tennis. I enjoy watching the Olympics, but I won’t go that far.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette gives his thoughts on the Mike & the Mad Dog split.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels Mike Francesa made it known that he will be the star of WFAN. Um, I did not get that impression, but Mushnick has never liked Francesa.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News could not get past Chris Russo breaking down during his farewell yesterday.
Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News writes that Toronto Raptors analyst Jack Armstrong is heading to sports talk radio full time.
Aaron Barnhart of the Kansas City Star writes in his TV Barn blog that NBC is providing nice visuals from Communist China, but is forgetting about the big picture.
Jerry Garcia of the San Antonio Express-News has praise for Bob Costas’ work at the Olympics.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the Metroplex is in the middle of the pack of markets watching the Olympics.
Tom Barnidge of the Contra Costa Times writes that NBC has been its own worst enemy at these Olympic games.
Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle feels NBC is not living up to expectations in its primetime coverage.
Andy Borowitz writes with tongue firmly in cheek in the Seattle Times that an Olympics diver was disqualified because he did not have a compelling enough story for NBC.
James Day in the Oregon Statesman-Journal says NBC ruined the women’s gymnastics all-around with a one-sided broadcast.
Dave Albee of the Marin (CA) Independent Journal has an uplifting story on the daughter of former CNN Headline News sports anchor Matt Morrison who has brain cancer and will compete at the Paralympics in Beijing. And for more on Matt’s courageous daughter, Marin, you can visit her website at marinlove.com.
Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star likes Elliotte Friedman’s work on the sidelines for CBC.
Larry Barrett of Multichannel News says NBC is ahead of Athens’ pace for total viewers for the Olympics.
Barry Garron of the Hollwood Reporter says NBC is providing great pictures from the Olympics, but is also avoiding any mention of controversy.
The lovely Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says NBC’s Olympics ratings on Thursday saw a bump over Wednesday.
Michelle Greppi of TV Week tells us that NBC’s Today show is seeing the benefits of being in Beijing. In his Pressbox blog, Chris Pursell of TV Week says Michael Phelps is adding to the value of the next round of Olympic TV bidding when the 2014 and 2016 are up for grabs.
David Bianculli of Broadcasting & Cable says NBC provided telling replays during last night’s 100 meter butterfly race to show that Michael Phelps won by the slimest of margins.
Ben Grossman of B&C says the Golf Channel is developing a reality show for Charles Barkley.
Mike Shields of Mediaweek writes that ESPN.com and Orbitz are teaming up to develop a sports travel fan site
Alyson Footer of MLB.com says FSN Houston will provide live coverage of Craig Biggio’s retirement ceremony tomorrow.
Luke Decock of the Raleigh (NC) News & Observer says the Carolina Hurricanes get only one national game on Versus this season.
This took longer than I thought. I’ll be back later with more.
