2008 Woodie Awards
Olympics becoming primetime soap opera
By Mike Goodwin
Rocket Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/3/06 Section: Opinion
My life feels much emptier than it did last week. I just don't know how I'll ever get over the idea that Olympic curling is gone for another four years.
Seriously, of all the sports to watch for the past two weeks, I chose to view curling and figure skating the most. Of course, this is coming from a guy who went to see the Curious George movie (and it was great by the way) and watches one too many shows on the WB network. I must come off like the most pathetic, pansy writer ever. But if anyone truly wants to find out, my And 1's are waiting to stomp all over you in defense.
After intently watching as much curling as I could find, I have yet to understand exactly what it is. All I know is that it's somewhat close to shuffleboard on ice. That's my interpretation anyway. It was probably a comical site to witness how mesmerized I was by it. I really tried to figure it out but to no avail.
It's too bad for Sasha Cohen. I suppose it's a lot of pressure to be expected to win big at an event held once every four years. She still fared better then some others. I am more amazed, however, by the smoking bodies of every skater melting that ice. I'm a runner and I can't even touch my toes, yet these skaters can contort their bodies into positions I only wish to see on the Internet.
Such is the Olympics though; an event more awe-inspiring and picturesque than interesting. I found myself enthralled by the feud between Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick until I realized media hype desperately scrambled for ratings fodder and manufactured these two athletes beyond what they actually are; people trying to reach the pinnacle of their respective events. It's a sad sight when sports rely on soap opera drama to illicit more feeling from the viewer than actual performance. Trust the guy from Philadelphia on this one.
The stories revolving around the Olympics mirror other elements of culture. For instance, take Lindsay Jacobellis' crash at the end of her race, thereby handing the gold medal away, instead settling for silver. I appreciate the attempt at honoring fans who have taken the time to watch her, but to the others, it was typical American showboating. I expect people to disagree with that, but please take note, you're most likely ethnocentric. Other cultures are allowed opinions too, especially at a global event.
Seriously, of all the sports to watch for the past two weeks, I chose to view curling and figure skating the most. Of course, this is coming from a guy who went to see the Curious George movie (and it was great by the way) and watches one too many shows on the WB network. I must come off like the most pathetic, pansy writer ever. But if anyone truly wants to find out, my And 1's are waiting to stomp all over you in defense.
After intently watching as much curling as I could find, I have yet to understand exactly what it is. All I know is that it's somewhat close to shuffleboard on ice. That's my interpretation anyway. It was probably a comical site to witness how mesmerized I was by it. I really tried to figure it out but to no avail.
It's too bad for Sasha Cohen. I suppose it's a lot of pressure to be expected to win big at an event held once every four years. She still fared better then some others. I am more amazed, however, by the smoking bodies of every skater melting that ice. I'm a runner and I can't even touch my toes, yet these skaters can contort their bodies into positions I only wish to see on the Internet.
Such is the Olympics though; an event more awe-inspiring and picturesque than interesting. I found myself enthralled by the feud between Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick until I realized media hype desperately scrambled for ratings fodder and manufactured these two athletes beyond what they actually are; people trying to reach the pinnacle of their respective events. It's a sad sight when sports rely on soap opera drama to illicit more feeling from the viewer than actual performance. Trust the guy from Philadelphia on this one.
The stories revolving around the Olympics mirror other elements of culture. For instance, take Lindsay Jacobellis' crash at the end of her race, thereby handing the gold medal away, instead settling for silver. I appreciate the attempt at honoring fans who have taken the time to watch her, but to the others, it was typical American showboating. I expect people to disagree with that, but please take note, you're most likely ethnocentric. Other cultures are allowed opinions too, especially at a global event.
