In Atlanta, Sharyn Wizda writes of the Opening Ceremonies on
Friday night: "Any concerns that Atlanta is unworthy of the
world stage seem to have been hushed -- at least for now -- by
the success of the Opening Ceremony" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION,
7/20). Some other reactions:
REVIEWS AND REAX: SI's Alexander Wolff: "The keynote
struck last night sounded just right" (SI OLYMPIC DAILY, 7/20).
In DC, Tony Kornheiser: "I don't want to say the ceremonies
lasted a long time, but Saturday's Olympic schedule includes
skiing" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/20). In S.F., Gwen Knapp writes the
ceremony "uncovered the city's character, its charm, its depth"
(S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/20). In Baltimore, Ken Rosenthal: "Longer,
larger, louder" (Baltimore SUN, 7/20). In Boston, Dan
Shaughnessy: "The Olympics are the biggest TV show of them all"
(BOSTON GLOBE, 7/20). In Orlando, George Diaz: "Georgia
established its legacy in Olympic history" (ORLANDO SENTINEL,
7/20). In Phoenix, David Casstevens: "The festivities were too
long, as always" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/20). In Chicago, Jay
Mariotti: "No one really knows if Atlanta will make America
proud these next two weeks, or leave a sheepish legacy as the Hee
Haw Games, But a fabulous beginning, it certainly was" (CHICAGO
SUN-TIMES, 7/20). In Colorado Springs, Ralph Routon: "Atlanta
succeeded brilliantly" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE-TELEGRAPH,
7/20). In St. Pete, Gary Shelton: "For the first time all week,
there was a hint that somewhere beneath the commercialism ... the
soul of the Games lives" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 7/20). NBC's
Dick Enberg: "I think this one held up to the Barcelona
presentation" (NBC, 7/20).
MIXED REVIEWS FOR NBC: In Orange County, Mark Whicker: "By
the time the march was over, [NBC host Bob] Costas had tweaked,
ridiculed and smeared approximately 16 percent of the world's
population, with Dick Enberg squirming uncomfortably" (O.C.
REGISTER, 7/20). In DC, Tom Shales: "The ceremony was a mad
miasma of stupefying kitsch, and NBC's coverage was right in tune
with that spirit" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/20). In NYC, Richard
Sandomir: "I liked it. Costas, exuberant, wise, witty and fun,
parceled out morsels of information with mastery and restraint"
(N.Y. TIMES, 7/20). In S.F., Bruce Adams writes Costas "couldn't
decide whether he was doing stand-up comedy or teaching a high-
school world affairs class" (S.F. EXAMINER, 7/20).
SOME QUIBBLES: In Philadelphia, Rich Hoffman thought the
pick-up trucks brought up too many negative images of the South,
including "lynching parties" (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 7/20). On Long
Island, Steve Jacobson noted no tribute to the murdered Israeli
athletes from Munich (NEWSDAY, 7/20).
THE GREATEST: In Atlanta, Melissa Turner initially reported
that having Muhammad Ali light the flame was the "inspiration" of
ACOG CEO Billy Payne, who came up with the idea five or six weeks
ago. NBC Sports President Dick Ebersol knew of the surprise, but
announcers Costas and Enberg wanted to remain in the dark so as
to "translate the surprise" to viewers live (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 7/20). But this morning, she notes it was Ebersol
who "lobbied Payne for months to go with Ali" (Melissa Turner,
ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/22). In Chicago, Jay Mariotti: "No
matter what happens the next 16 days and nights, you have seen
the signature moment, a drama that likely cannot be topped"
(CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/20). In Orlando, George Diaz: "A moment
of magic" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/20).
ADVERTISERS ROUND-UP: The following is the list of
advertisers (with number of spots) during the 8pm-midnight
portion of NBC's Opening Ceremony coverage: Coca-Cola (5), BMW
(3), Anheuser-Busch (2), Nike (2), UPS (3), AT&T (4), Kodak (1),
NationsBank (2), GE (2), Visa (2), MCI (1), IBM (2), Excedrin
(1), Lexus (1), McDonald's (2), Delta (2), Tylenol (1), Infiniti
(1), Home Depot (1), BellSouth (1), John Hancock (1), Honda (1),
Champion (1), Northwestern Mutual Life (1), Isuzu (1), Frito-Lay
(2), Acura (1), Reebok (1), NAPA Auto Parts (1), GM (1), Johnson
& Johnson (1), Xerox (1), Chevrolet (1), Saturn (1) (THE DAILY).
