Swimming analyst Rowdy Gaines has been "one of NBC's MVPs of these Rio Games," as his analysis was "easily digestible for the viewer who only watches swimming once every four years," according to Tom Jones of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Gaines' "enthusiasm was infectious," and he "has a little Dick Vitale in him." Jones: "That's a good thing. Like Vitale, Gaines gives you plenty of steak with the sizzle" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/15). SI.com's Richard Deitsch reviewed NBC's coverage at the midway point and gave a Gold medal to NBC's swimming team of Gaines and Dan Hicks, as well as the international feed's John McBeth and Nicole Livingstone. Those announcers "have been sensational," as they "explain specifics to viewers while maintaining terrific excitement and passion for the races." Hicks and Gaines "have really done their network well." NBC producer Tommy Roy has also "been on point -- particularly excellent was the addition of a handheld camera in the ready room" (SI.com, 8/12). The AP's David Bauder noted Saturday night "was a mixed night for the excitable Gaines," as he "astutely identified Britain as the only team really capable of challenging [Michael] Phelps' team" in his final race. Great Britian ultimately came in second to the U.S. However, he "seemed too much of a homer in his praise" of U.S. Silver Medalists Simone Manuel and Connor Jaeger, "at the expense of" Gold Medalists Pernille Blume (Denmark) and Gregorio Paltrinieri (Italy) (AP, 8/14).
COVERING THE PITCH: The AP's Bauder noted the "non-stop nature of soccer helped and hindered NBC's Arlo White and Kate Markgraf in their coverage" of the U.S. women's team's surprising quarterfinal lost to Sweden on penalty kicks Friday. White "expertly built the tension throughout the broadcast and reflected the significance of the three-time defending Olympic champions and defending World Cup winners heading home without a medal." However, there were "two huge moments right before the penalty kicks when the Americans and then the Swedes had goals disallowed on what appeared to be questionable offside calls." When the extra time period ended shortly thereafter, NBC immediately "switched to a round of commercials and the controversial calls were not re-examined." Meanwhile, the loss by the U.S., and G Hope Solo's "sour grapes remark that the Swedish team was 'a bunch of cowards'" was the "biggest Olympics story on Friday, at least from an American perspective." It "deserved more than a minute's recap on NBC just before midnight" (AP, 8/13).
STAYING POWER: USA TODAY's Erik Brady noted NBC's Jimmy Roberts "is working his 16th Olympic Games," and he "offers fresh eyes with old bones -- an ideal mix for an essayist." Roberts said, "The thing I get at the Olympics that I don’t get at any other event is a feeling like I’m there for the first time.” Roberts said that the Games "are so oversized that it can be hard to get your arms around them." He said that small-scale stories often "work best." Roberts: "When you wake up, it’s not a question of whether I can find a story, but which one of these great stories do I have the opportunity to tell" (USATODAY.com, 8/14).
COMING OUT SWINGING: YAHOO SPORTS' Kevin Iole noted former Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer "has been critical of NBC’s boxing coverage." Despite the U.S. team’s "hot start, ... boxing hasn’t been a priority" for the net. Schaefer said that he "felt that wasn’t fair" and said that "if NBC isn’t planning to show more boxing in 2020 in Tokyo, it should sell the broadcast rights to someone who would give it better play." Schaefer: "Every time I turn on the TV, everything I see is swimming and those gymnasts, and once in a while soccer. ... I understand Michael Phelps and everything, but there is more to the Olympics than one athlete or one or two events" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/12).
