Lipinksi, Weir first become fan favorites while covering figure skating at '14 Sochi Games on NBCSNGETTY IMAGES
Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir are making their debut as NBC's "lead figure-skating analysts for its primetime telecasts" during the Pyeongchang Games, and their commentary is as "blunt as it gets on broadcast TV," according to Cohen & Radnofsky of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. They have "brutally honest talk rarely heard by fans watching the NFL and NBA on networks that pay billions of dollars for broadcast rights." Lipinski said, "For some reason, we just don’t care. We tell it like it is." Weir added, "We’re not going to pretend somebody is absolutely wonderful when they’re not. The time for that is over." Cohen & Radnofsky noted figure skating "appeals to two distinct types of fans: those who know everything and those who know nothing," and the "vast majority of NBC viewers are the latter." They will "rely on" Lipinski and Weir to inform them, and sharp technical analysis "might not be what they expect to hear from such bubbly commentators." However, Lipinski and Weir believe "criticism is a crucial part of the job." NBC is counting on them "as much as anyone in Pyeongchang," as they are the voices of perhaps the Games' "premier event" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/8).
Audiences will expect Tirico to talk about the tense relations between North and South Korea NBC SPORTS
ALL EYES ON TIRICO: The AP's David Bauder noted NBC has groomed Mike Tirico as Bob Costas' replacement as host of the net's primetime coverage, but whether he is "well-suited for the role and accepted by the audience won't become clear until he does it." The job "requires someone conversant in sports," but he will also "have to deal with unanticipated news events, history and pop culture." He will be "expected to talk about the tense relations between North and South Korea and the absence of the Russian Olympic team because of a doping scandal." While most sports fans know Tirico from his years at ESPN, he is "less visible among the casual viewers who determine whether or not the Olympics are a success" (AP, 2/5). Tirico said, "Nobody is tuning in to see me. They are tuning in to the see the Olympics" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/7). ESPN Senior Communications Dir Bill Hofheimer tweeted, "No one is better suited for this than Mike. He will be great. Can't wait to watch" (TWITTER.com, 2/7).
