U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio) is asking the USGA "to reconsider its relationship" with NBC following the network's decision "to edit the word 'God' from the Pledge of Allegiance during last weekend's coverage of the U.S. Open," according to Sabrina Eaton of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. In a letter to USGA Exec Dir Mike Davis, Renacci wrote in part, "As an avid fan of the sport and as an American, I would ask that USGA consider reviewing its relationship with NBC in advance of any future events." He added, "Should the USGA decide to partner with NBC again in the future, I would hope that the USGA remain mindful of its role in controlling creative content and work to ensure that an incident as troubling as this one is not repeated in the future" (CLEVELAND.com, 6/21).
THE SHOW MUST GO ON: In L.A., Sam Farmer reports NBC last week in a Hollywood studio "shot its 'Sunday Night Football' intro sung by Faith Hill" for the '11 season. Anticipating that there "might be a lockout at this point, NBC shot extra footage of players in the studio last summer and plans to weave that into this season's intro." Players included are Colts QB Peyton Manning and DE Dwight Freeney, Giants QB Eli Manning, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, Ravens LB Ray Lewis and Eagles WR DeSean Jackson. NBC "SNF" Producer Fred Gaudelli said, "If we would have had an opportunity this year, we probably would have asked for a Mike Vick, a Mark Sanchez, a Darrelle Revis or somebody like that, deserving to be in the open. But with the lockout . . . we just didn't want to be in the predicament of, for instance, we had a guy who would do it but we couldn't get his uniform and the team couldn't send it to us" (L.A. TIMES, 6/22).
TAKE A BOW: In DC, Lisa de Moraes lists NBC's coverage of the Bruins-Canucks Stanley Cup Final among her "winners" in television last week. NBC's broadcast of Game Seven on Wednesday night drew 8.54 million viewers, making it the "most watched NHL telecast in 38 years" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/22).
