Watching the US-China ment’s basketball game this morning, I almost shed a tear when NBC brought back its old “NBA on NBC” music for timeouts. As usual, Mike Breen and Doug Collins, two NBC originals did a great job on the call. Craig Sager on the sidelines did not wear his usual loud jackets or ties (I’m sure he’s not allowed) and did another bang-up job. And Justin.tv had a few channels which carried the game (naughty!). But I give NBC credit for showing the game in its entirety with limited commercial interruption on TV and also at NBCOlympics.com, albeit without announcers.
Also nice to see the lovely Melissa Stark hosting the Olympics on MSNBC from the NBC studios in New York.
We’ll start off with Neil Best of Newsday who writes that even ESPN was mocking itself for its over-the-top Brett Favre coverage. Over to Neil’s blog, he notes that New York State has now banned non-compete clauses for TV and radio and how that could affect WFAN’s Mike & the Mad Dog.
The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman says NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol will spin the Olympic TV ratings no matter if they’re good or bad. Raissman is sounding more and more bitter these days.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels the increased frequency of the Olympic has only breeded fan apathy. Whatever.
Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says NBC is doing its best to squeeze in live action from Communist China whenever it can.
Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun says NBC is doing the right thing by having its announcers identify if they’re calling action from New York.
Henry Blodget of the Silicon Valley Insider doesn’t like how NBC is delaying the Olympics on the West Coast.
Artie Gigantino of the San Francisco Examiner loved how the Olympics got off to a roaring start.
Ron Judd of the Seattle Times loves watching Olympic handball in HD.
William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail says after the first day, NBC got off to the better start from Communist China than CBC.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has various NFL personalities stating that Brett Favre will be a hit in New York.
The Orlando Sentinel has a poll of favorite sideline reporters including ESPN’s Erin Andrews.
I’ve been trying to find a way to put the Bleacher’s Report Bob Mantz into the links and he’s been crowing about how he had the Brett Favre-to-the-Jets story before anyone else and on Friday, he got a mention on WFAN.
James Joyner of the Outside the Beltway blog did not like having the first part of the Dallas Cowboys-San Diego Chargers game on the NFL Network blacked out.
Joe Amarante of the New Haven (CT) Register talks about the debut of the live ESPN SportsCenter morning block tomorrow.
I’ll end there for now. I’ll be back tonight with the Week Ahead.
