In Boston, Jack Craig calls the performance of the U.S.
Women's Gymnastics team "a dream come true" for NBC. Craig:
"NBC had approximately four hours to orchestrate the late-
afternoon drama into a prime-time, full-length movie. ... But it
was worth it" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/24). In Chicago, Kevin Williams
also notes the "chronological juggling" of the gymnastics
coverage, asking whether it's "fair." His answer: "Who knows,
but it sure makes for clean, neat television. Besides, NBC told
us in advance they were going to do this" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES,
7/24). USA TODAY notes the reason the finals weren't live is
because of a deal cut with the EBU, which agreed to higher rights
fees than '92 if women's gymnastics were live in Europe (USA
TODAY, 7/24).
THUMBS UP: The L.A. DAILY NEWS' Tom Hoffarth calls John
Tesh "the surprise plum of NBC's Olympic pudding thus far" (L.A.
DAILY NEWS, 7/24). The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES' Kevin Williams:
"NBC's coverage has been outstanding, with people and cameras
seemingly everywhere" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/24). PICKY PANS: In
St. Pete, Ernest Hooper writes, "Don't get me wrong. Many of the
NBC features have been entertaining, but it just seems as if the
network is trying to take advantage of my sensitive side" (ST.
PETERSBURG TIMES, 7/24). The MIAMI HERALD's Barry Jackson writes
it ist "too bad" there is no afternoon cable coverage (MIAMI
HERALD, 7/24). Columnist Tony Kornheiser: "I don't want to
accuse anyone of jingoism, but if NBC wrapped themselves in the
flag any tighter, half the broadcast crew would suffocate"
(WASHINGTON POST, 7/24). The Baltimore SUN's Dan Rodricks, on
Dick Enberg: "Love the man, great announcer. But he's no
Charles Kuralt" (Baltimore SUN, 7/24). SUN colleague Milton Kent
called Jim Gray's grilling of Irish swimmer Michelle Smith on
drug allegations moments after winning her second gold medal "an
ugly and truly embarrassing television moment" (Baltimore SUN,
7/23).
