Another NBC Criticism

Back in time, after 9-11, the media repeatedly showed the WTC attack video until finally they, or public backlash, decided that it was not in good taste to keep showing the video that recorded so many lives lost. This weekend, NBC brought the footage out and showed it repeatedly during a feature on Newfoundland.

I bring this up because NBC has been making a big effort to tell the viewers that they aren't going to show the luger death video whenever they talk about him (of course this was after several airings in the first day or so after the incident). I wonder just how long NBC's decorum will last this time. Probably until 2014.

They say time heals all wounds. Unfortunately, it also seems to nullify some promises too.

Darn the Stats

I heard on PGA Tour Radio Network today that if Rickie Fowler wins this week he will be the youngest winner on Tour, setting a new record and knocking Tiger off that particular podium. I didn't like Fowler much before, but I might have to cheer for him this week just to see a Tiger record fall.

A Criticism of NBC

I've been watching the Olympics these past couple of weeks and there's been plenty of opportunity to study the NBC coverage of sports and mainstream news. The biggest criticism I have is about the one story they didn't seem to cover at all. The death of actor Andrew Koenig in Vancouver. This happened right in NBC's current backyard and it seemed as though they completely ignored it. For days leading up to the announcement of the actor's death, his parents and friends were pleading with him to contact them. Perhaps if someone from, say a world-wide media powerhouse, would have focused on this story maybe it could have had a different ending. We will never have an answer to that.

Contrast the Koenig story with a story that broke a little over a week ago - that of Tiger Woods' announcement. For this story, NBC interrupted their Olympic coverage and continued rehashing the 'non-statement' for a couple of days afterward.

For centuries people have debated the question: How much is one man's life worth? According to NBC it seems to be not as much as one man's sex life.

Accenture Matchplay

I watched the final today between Ian Poulter and Paul Casey. It was a good final and had some great moments. The consolation match offered little consolation for Sergio as Camilo Villegas won. Some of the things I could have done without - the cold weather this morning. I don't want to see golfers wearing cold weather gloves while on the course. I could do without the desert. One of the reasons I started watching golf was all of the beautiful green grass on the courses.

Some may criticize Sergio for his lackluster performance in the last two matches he played. But, Paul Casey didn't blow anyone off the course in his last two matches either. Only they will know what happened in their matches though. Those of us watching on tv can only guess, and I prefer not to guess at all. Of course it could be said that Ian Poulter is just having a really, really great week. Nothing wrong with giving him his due.

The best statement of all coming out of this tournament is the fact that the top four players at the end of the week were all Non-Americans. Hopefully this is a good omen for the next Ryder Cup and the next Presidents' cup.

Need More Receivers

I need more satellite dish receivers in the house so I can record the Olympics on one, Top Gear on one and watch the Accenture World Matchplay. 4-5pm is going to be tough today. Top Gear vs Sergio. Maybe the local channel will help out by interrupting the golf to air some stupid basketball game. I think I might have to just write down the description of the Top Gear episode and then keep an eye out for a re-run later.

Checking In

I guess the biggest news of the golfing day is the Tiger Woods statement. I was watching the Olympics coverage today and they kept talking about how people felt Tiger was taking attention away from the Olympics and that he shouldn't have done that. Well, if the media wouldn't cover him, then the attention would be on the Olympics. It was so stupid how NBC people were complaining but still showing clips from Tiger's announcement. I'm reminded of the old saying from the '60s: "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem."

More golfing news: Sergio Garcia has made it to the 4th round in the Accenture Matchplay event. He defeated his friend Tim Clark today and when last I heard anything on the PGA Tour network, he was set to face either Oliver Wilson or Luke Donald in the next round. A Garcia-Donald match would be worth watching. Paul Casey is also still in the event.

Olympics: The current controversy is in men's figure skating. The Russian competitor feels strongly that the quad jump should be a requirement for a Gold medal. The guy who won the Gold medal, the US guy, says that if skating was about jumps, then the judges would give you ten seconds to do the best jump you could and there wouldn't be a program with all of the different elements included. I have to agree with the US guy. Not that it's a bad thing to have the quad jump. But there are spins, footwork, and spiral sequences also and those have to be executed well too. It would be like turning golf into a long drive contest and not an 18 hole round of golf.

I've been recording a lot of Olympic coverage this week. Since I go to bed at 9pm, I end up missing out on things like the skating competition. So, I've recorded Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights' coverage. I missed Wednesday because I had to record the TNT show Leverage. I don't know when I'll be able to watch all of this stuff. There's still so much to watch this weekend too.

Interesting timing - House Hunters International on HGTV tonight is showing either the Dominican Republic or Haiti. I missed out on which side of the island they are on. But it's interesting that this is on after the earthquake.

Good Week for Golf

I just read on Facebook that David Duval finished tied for second in his event and that Fred Couples won on the Champions Tour. Yay to both! I really hope Duval can play this well all year long.

Now, back to the Olympics..........

I Hope The News Will Be Good

I just read an article on Sky Sports about Jesper Parnevik and was disheartened to read that Parnevik possibly faces a surgery that might bring about his retirement. Well, I hope the news from his doctors is more positive and he can continue to play for as long as he wants.

New World #2

I just read that with Steve Stricker's win today at the Northern Trust Open, he will move to #2 in the World. It couldn't happen to a nicer, more hard working guy. I missed the final round today. I was watching Mythbusters and Puppy Bowl.

Jimenez Wins

Miguel Angel Jimenez won the Dubai Desert Classic today in a three hole playoff against Lee Westwood. I knew the result ahead of time but I still watched the final round and the playoff. It was exciting. I'm very happy to see Jimenez win. Maybe he'll make the Ryder Cup team this year.

Today's Golf

The PGA Tour event on NBC was interrupted here in my neck of the woods by a college basketball game - I think Kentucky was playing. I hate it when they do that. As if golf isn't as important as any other sport.

As for the Dubai Desert Classic - Miguel Angel Jimenez hit so many flags today in his third round. He was incredible. Going into the final round, he and Alvaro Quiros are tied with Jaidee and Westwood for the lead. So, two chances for a Spaniard to win tomorrow. Can't wait for that.

Dubai Desert Classic

Erik Compton and Tom Watson of the United States have both made the cut this week. I think that's great. Especially for Erik Compton. 16 year old amateur Matteo Manassero has also made another cut. This guy is going to take the European Tour by storm once he turns pro.

What's with Lee Westwood these days? Last week, he had some not so positive comments about Mickelson and Groove-Gate and this week, he's criticising golfers who wear spikes on their shoes. If Westwood stays negative, he isn't going to do well this year.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Jose Maria Olazabal. Hope he's enjoying his day.