NBC’s Coverage & Commentary of Gymnast Jordyn Wieber and Aly Raisman Was Unacceptable

July 30, 2012 by 23 Comments

Can we talk about something?

I love the Olympics Games – especially the Summer events. I can’t get enough of Gymnastics, of Swimming, of BeachVolleyball and Women’s Soccer. During the weeks the games grace my TV, I have them on so I can hold my breath as the athletes push their mental and physical limits, as they chase their dreams.

I watch them focus, triumph, falter and grasp for gold, silver and bronze.

I celebrate with them. I cry with them. And I respect them all – for their effort and their team spirit.

And, it is for these reasons, in part, that I am struggling with much of NBC’s coverage of the Olympic Games.

For example, take how they handled gymnasts Jordyn Wieber and Aly Raisman.

What do you think?  Have you been pleased?  Disappointed?  Share your thoughts.

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  • http://twitter.com/JohnLusher John Lusher 

    Well said Danielle, well said. NBC’s coverage of the Olympics is slowly or maybe quickly, ruining the games for the viewing public. Between their anchors acting like the opening ceremonies were being shown to us live; the fact that they aired Ryan Seacrest interviewing Michael Phelps instead showing the tribute to the victims of the London Terrorist bombing; or just the every day lack of respect and stupidity of their anchors, I think it has been a train wreck.  Our viewing habits have changed. Give us the opportunity to stream events live, not watch them 6 hours later in prime-time. But to the point of your video; you have highlighted what I’ve thought for years; the anchors and or producers do not have respect for these athletes and what they go through as they compete in the Olympics. Drama sells, we all know that, but why treat our athletes in that manner? I agree with a lot of what I’ve read about the coverage so far: a colossal fail. 

  • http://awholelotofnothing.net Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]

    Yelling YES with you through the computer!

  • Sarah Kimmel

    Totally agree with the horrible way they handled the Women’s Gymnastics thing.  I was bawling along with Jordyn just because I wanted her to be able to go cry.  Also, USA wasn’t even supposed to win Silver during the relay, they were favored for Bronze, so even getting a Silver medal was AMAZING for them, why can’t we celebrate MEDALING in the Olympic games!  It’s an amazing feat just to get on the podium!  Stop saying what a “disappointing games” Michael Phelps has had.  He’s amazing, he’s trying his hardest, and some people are swimming faster.  Good for them.  Anyway, totally agree.

  • http://www.modernstylemama.com Nicole Laws

    Well said.  I couldn’t agree with you more.  NBC’s commentary has been very poorly done at times.   Focusing on the negative versus celebrating.  Its very disheartening for the fans and the athletes.  
     Thanks for making me smile at the end though.  I have been totally into the Olympics this year to.  I get all teary eyed with them and I’m screaming go go go as they get so close to winning.  Jumping up for joy when they win.  That’s what it’s all about!

  • Freedette

    I absolutely agree with the idea of poor coverage of the Olympics by NBC.  There is most definitely a lack of respect and an arrogance shown by the anchors.  I understand that NBC stated that they ‘tailored’ their commentary for an American audience.  I truly believe that Americans are much smarter and more worldly than NBC gives them credit for.  Perhaps we need another network next time.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=533891478 Heather Goodman

    You nailed it – the coverage is awful for exactly all the reasons you described.  Who is the blonde lady who keeps interviewing these athletes?  Her questions are rude, shallow, and inane.

  • Deb

    Totally agree – we need to give the athletes time to compose themselves – especially teenagers. AND since when is it not okay to get a silver medal? Let’s breathe and put it in perspective.

  • Frances Baye

    Thank-you! Thank-you for putting into words everything I was feeling, regarding the Olympics, starting with the parade of Nations and NBC’s coverage of the basketball players, to the exclusion of just about every other USA olympian. I didn’t get to see the interview with the male swimmers, and also missed the footage regarding Jordyn Wieber, but I heard about it. Unfortunately, this sort of aggrandizement of the drama in sports has the effect of causing a great many to salivate as though they had just rung Pavlov’s bell. I will admit to having searched for the footage, because the news feed only showed the camera zooming in and out on Jordyn, but the sound had been cut away. So all you see is her crying, and no explanation of why. But then, that’s the world of news casters. They’re just one step up from paperazzi, and they really have no remorse for objectifying individuals. Olympians/athletes apparently have no right to emotions, regardless of how old they are.

  • olympicdiva08

    I totally agree.  The TV commentators make me cringe so much I’ve started just muting the TV.  If you want better commentary, the live streaming online is way better.  The gymnastics commentators are more knowledgeable, respectful, and objective.  And for the most part, any other stream with commentary is on the actual sport, not the drama of the “story”.

  • Mkwsbg

    Danielle, I agreed wholeheartedly with most of your commentary; however, you apparently overlooked the impact on Gabby Douglas, the second person to advance to the All Arounds and I believe the lead scorer. This was most profound because I felt that the commentators seemed to dwell on a “lack of mental toughness and nerves”.

  • Wmoleson

    I am most disappointed in NBC’s coverage of gymnastics because they do not always show in the end the scores and how they rank.

  • Jboe07

    Ok smartie pants…you should work for NBC if you are so clever!

  • Danielle Smith

    Fair enough.  I agree that those type of comments are unfair as well.  I will say though, that every time Aly Raisman sees a replay of her ‘winning’ interview, it is going to include both cutaways of Jordyn crying as well as a shot of her over her shoulder – a bit difficult to enjoy the moment when you friend and roommate is so clearly distraught.

  • Danielle Smith

    John – thank you for this.  I must say, I have hoped to see the coverage improving, but haven’t been as impressed as in years past.  And based on much of the conversation and ‘coverage’ of NBC’s coverage, I can see that you and I aren’t the only ones who are monumentally disappointed. 

  • Danielle Smith

    I so agree with you.  I am concerned with the notion that the American audience needs to be catered to in a certain fashion – as though they cannot appreciate an overall worldview.  The Olympics have always felt so truly universal to me – and some of the most remarkable stories happen to and with athletes competing for other countries.  I would love to hear about more than just the same 10 athletes from the same ‘main’ sports.  

  • Danielle Smith

    Her name is Andrea Kremer :) Agree that her questions are inane and shallow.  

  • Danielle Smith

    Thank you, Sarah.  I’m with you.  The accomplishment of COMPETING in the Olympics, let alone winning any medal alone is one that should be celebrated.  When Andrea Kremer said, “Ryan, what happened?”, I wanted to jump through my TV…. What happened?  He just won a silver medal at the Olympics… that’s what.

  • Danielle Smith

    Ahhh…. a snarky comment.  I would be happy to reply and/or would love to hear your thoughts if you think NBC’s coverage is, in fact, not disappointing, but rather, just what you hoped it would be.  

    1) I used to work in Television, as an anchor, a reporter and a producer. (including NBC)

    2) I interviewed athletes in Vancouver in 2010

    3) I would NEVER say, “so what happened?” to an athlete who had just won a silver medal (as though that was a monumental disappointment)

    4) I am well aware of the expectation of getting both the ‘winner’ (Aly Raisman) and the one who ‘was expected to win, but didn’t’ (Jordyn Wieber) on camera – but I think you respect both girls and handle the situation in a different manner.  

    5) Even as a viewer, as a mother, as a human being, I am allowed (smartie pants or not) to have and express an opinion.

    Again, I would love to hear your thoughts on the coverage.  

  • Danielle Smith

    There are moments when I have had to mute the TV as well.  I don’t ever remember having been so confused/disappointed by the commentary.  I have always looked forwrad to watching.  But this year has been so different.

  • Danielle Smith

    Thank you for that, Frances.  Unfortunately, I think people have come to associate news with drama.  In my mind, the two are separate.  I’m certainly familiar with the notion of ‘if it bleeds, it leads’, but I have always believed viewers will be captured by a well-told story.  Anyone watching on this particular night would have been just as riveted by listening first to Aly Raisman – allowing her the moment of joy she deserved for making it. And then next going to Jordyn once she was composed.  By that time, they had already cut to her intital reaction – which was, understandably, bursting in to tears… so certainly, the people at home knew she was crushed.  They also knew both Aly and Jordyn were trying desperately to be respectful of each other – as friends, as teammates, and as roommates.  I only wish the coverage had treated them as kindly.

  • Danielle Smith

    Yes. And Yes.  Teenagers. I would be worried if they DIDN’T cry.  And Silver?  Phenomenal!

  • Danielle Smith

    Nicole – I have been exactly the same way.  You would think I actually have family competing with as excited as I have been.  I hold my breath, I jump, I cry….  I do so love the Olympics.  I always have.  I am certain this is one of the reasons I have been so disappointed.

  • Danielle Smith

    I do adore you.  Thank you for that.