Winter Olympics

Post by **brian** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 12:49 am

My only takeaway from the opening ceremonies was that the lone female Thai athlete is smoking hot.

Post by **brian** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 12:53 am

(Though the pic of her on the official IOC website is not that great.)

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 2:41 am

brian wrote:My only takeaway from the opening ceremonies was that the lone female Thai athlete is smoking hot.

That's Vanessa Mae, the famous violinist!!!!!

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 3:06 am

Scottie wrote:
degenerasian wrote:I also like the menu items at the top of the feed like 'standings' and 'startlist'. This is a very good start considering the coverage on CTV of Vancouver and London were a disaster. Hate the CBC all we want and their shows really suck, but they know how to do Olympics.
Absolutely. The one thing (the only thing) that CBC does right is winter sports coverage. It wasn't that long ago that other countries would contract all the remaining CBC camera technicians that weren't taken to the games. CBC local news coverage used to pretty much disappear during those days, there was simply nobody left to film anything.

And don't forget the CBC Olympic theme. 2010 and 2012 CTV's "I Believe" was like nails on a chalkboard, absolutely terrible. Scottie and I have discussed at length how bad that song was.

The CBC theme has been used since 1992. If you heard that music anywhere in Canada, you know it was the Olympics on CBC. I like it because of the different ways it can be played with subtle respect for the host nation. I've complied a list of CBC Openings with this theme with only Turin 2006 missing. There are so many little details in the opening from the graphics to the local language. Past games openings have had writing and symbols in Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Italian and now Russian. Plus there are flags, time clocks.. lots of little details.

1992 Albertville
1996 Atlanta
1998 Nagano
2000 Sydney
2002 Salt Lake City
2004 Athens
2008 Beijing

2014 Sochi

Yard of Junk · Post by **Yard of Junk** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 9:27 am

howard wrote:Why is NBC not showing this shit live on their NBCSports cable channel? Typical bs.

Same thought yesterday...... I flipped over to see what they were showing with the thought that I'm finally going to watch something on this channel. There is a college replay on. They should be running Olympic coverage 24/7 on this.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 11:47 am

Norwegian speedskater Havard Bokko.

cerrano · Post by **cerrano** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 3:38 pm

Johnnie wrote:Norwegian speedskater Havard Bokko.

reminds me of someone's bachelor party.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:19 am

My fave female so far is the Canuck figure skater Katelyn Osmond. Super cute, nice butt (upon which she just fell, sadly.)

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:39 am

So what's the guess on when NBC shows Bode Miller's attempt at the Men's Downhill? I'm guessing 11pm tonight, West Coast Time...which would be almost 24 hours after I watched it live on CBC.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:58 am

I would've guessed Bode Miller was like 50yo. Seems like he has been around forever.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 12:14 pm

DaveInSeattle wrote:So what's the guess on when NBC shows Bode Miller's attempt at the Men's Downhill? I'm guessing 11pm tonight, West Coast Time...which would be almost 24 hours after I watched it live on CBC.

Jokes aside is there a reason why NBC continues to show the Olympics this way? Why hasn't another network taken it away or would they just do the same thing?

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 12:26 pm

degenerasian wrote:
DaveInSeattle wrote:So what's the guess on when NBC shows Bode Miller's attempt at the Men's Downhill? I'm guessing 11pm tonight, West Coast Time...which would be almost 24 hours after I watched it live on CBC.
Jokes aside is there a reason why NBC continues to show the Olympics this way? Why hasn't another network taken it away or would they just do the same thing?

Because the Olympics aren't considered by NBC as "sports". They are "programming/sports-otainment". Why do you think they invented "Team Figure Skating!"? Certainly not for any sports fans out there.

Post by **Shirley** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 4:05 pm

Does not watching the events live really bother you guys that much? I like the Winter Olympics and all, but I couldn't give two shits if the mogul competition is happening right now or 8 hours ago. There's so much down time in a lot of these events, that's it handy to have a little useful editing. I don't have time to watch all four hours of the snowboarding finals - I just want to see the good ones.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 4:59 pm

Shirley wrote:Does not watching the events live really bother you guys that much? I like the Winter Olympics and all, but I couldn't give two shits if the mogul competition is happening right now or 8 hours ago. There's so much down time in a lot of these events, that's it handy to have a little useful editing. I don't have time to watch all four hours of the snowboarding finals - I just want to see the good ones.

I think I've gone to the "anti-judged sports" extreme. I'm having a very hard time working up the enthusiasm I've had about other Olympics for this one. London was kind of the same way I think too.

But that'll all change when I get to watch curling tomorrow morning I think.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:07 pm

Shirley wrote:Does not watching the events live really bother you guys that much? I like the Winter Olympics and all, but I couldn't give two shits if the mogul competition is happening right now or 8 hours ago. There's so much down time in a lot of these events, that's it handy to have a little useful editing. I don't have time to watch all four hours of the snowboarding finals - I just want to see the good ones.

There very little downtime. It's one racer after another. There's more downtime in the super bowl. The entire downhill took 90 minutes.

The snowboarding was in 2 sections semis and final so there was a break. What do they do in that break? Show different live stuff or a feature.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:38 pm

degenerasian wrote:
Shirley wrote:Does not watching the events live really bother you guys that much? I like the Winter Olympics and all, but I couldn't give two shits if the mogul competition is happening right now or 8 hours ago. There's so much down time in a lot of these events, that's it handy to have a little useful editing. I don't have time to watch all four hours of the snowboarding finals - I just want to see the good ones.
There very little downtime. It's one racer after another. There's more downtime in the super bowl. The entire downhill took 90 minutes.

The snowboarding was in 2 sections semis and final so there was a break. What do they do in that break? Show different live stuff or a feature.

I think the key point here is realizing that once again, the swamp is in the minority. This time when it comes to the rest of NBC's viewership.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:16 pm

Brontoburglar wrote:
degenerasian wrote:
Shirley wrote:Does not watching the events live really bother you guys that much? I like the Winter Olympics and all, but I couldn't give two shits if the mogul competition is happening right now or 8 hours ago. There's so much down time in a lot of these events, that's it handy to have a little useful editing. I don't have time to watch all four hours of the snowboarding finals - I just want to see the good ones.
There very little downtime. It's one racer after another. There's more downtime in the super bowl. The entire downhill took 90 minutes.

The snowboarding was in 2 sections semis and final so there was a break. What do they do in that break? Show different live stuff or a feature.
I think the key point here is realizing that once again, the swamp is in the minority. This time when it comes to the rest of NBC's viewership.

The rest of NBC's viewership doesn't know the downhill happened already.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:30 pm

it's hard to find footage but this was performed in the stadium to warm-up the crowd before the opening ceremonies.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 9:37 pm

I may already have Olympics burnout.

We are blessed here in the Great White North to have EVERYTHING broadcast live.

Just a tip for you folks out there, luge loses its excitement factor after about ten runs. And Cross Country skiing? While I appreciate the athleticism, it is boring as all hell to watch.

But "Slopestyle?" That is awesome!

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 9:40 pm

Pruitt wrote:I may already have Olympics burnout.

We are blessed here in the Great White North to have EVERYTHING broadcast live.

Just a tip for you folks out there, luge loses its excitement factor after about ten runs. And Cross Country skiing? While I appreciate the athleticism, it is boring as all hell to watch.

But "Slopestyle?" That is awesome!

yeah luge is boring because the margins are so small and i don't think there were any lead changes. The first 5 guys in the first run ended up being the first 5 guys in the end.

But I like watching cross-country, it's like watching 5000 or 10000m long distance. I like the strategy.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 9:42 pm

degenerasian wrote:
Brontoburglar wrote:
degenerasian wrote:
There very little downtime. It's one racer after another. There's more downtime in the super bowl. The entire downhill took 90 minutes.

The snowboarding was in 2 sections semis and final so there was a break. What do they do in that break? Show different live stuff or a feature.
I think the key point here is realizing that once again, the swamp is in the minority. This time when it comes to the rest of NBC's viewership.

The rest of NBC's viewership doesn't know the downhill happened already.

Yes they do. People are dumb, but a lot of them aren't that dumb. They just aren't connected or monstrous sports fans enough to seek the results out or watch it live. Come on.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:08 pm

I learned today that ski jumping has style points!! Not just who jumps the farthest.

I always thought landing and not dying was good enough.

Brian/Bronto: CBC will show curling at the top of the hour (midnight eastern) Men: Canada vs Germany first draw of the Games
I want to see the women's first draw Wang vs Jones but it's at 3am my time :( I'll have to watch the streamed replay when I get to work.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 10:02 am

degenerasian wrote:I learned today that ski jumping has style points!! Not just who jumps the farthest.

I think I heard that this is the first time style is accounted for in the Olympics. Why add subjectivity of judges to any sport when it isn't necessary? I hate sports that rest in the decision of biased judges. There are always controversies and rumors of bribes.

I wanted to see the Downhill, so I taped it. Fast forwarded probably 2 hours out of the 3. I watched a few minutes of women's figure skating, but the ice dancing bores the crap out of me. I just wanted to see the 15 yo Russian girl, as my father-in-law said she was the best skater he's ever seen. Damned if he wasn't right. Amazingly graceful, fasted spinner, and had a style that was completely unique. Putin came close to a smile when her routine ended. one corner of his mouth twitched.

I saw a couple minutes of slopestyle, which I found to be the least interesting sport. Rail slides? Why? It is obviously an extremely easy trick for these athletes and does nothing except slow them down. The big ramp was kind of cool jumps, but I feel like I've seen the tricks ad nauseam. The only skiing or snowboarding sport with tricks that I like is the one where the go up the enormous ramp that is almost 90 degrees. And even that is getting old.

I really don't care about not seeing the events live. I don't care enough to read about any of the event, so nothing will be spoiled. I'd much rather have downtime edited, so I have less time listening to announcers prattle on to fill time, or insert annoying fluff pieces. The only way I can watch is on DVR to FF through the majority of the coverage. I used to be obsessed with the Winter Games, but every year I am more jaded and less interested. I used to think it was the pinnacle of sports, and the stuff of legends. Now it seems like a 2 week long commercial and a ton of luck deciding the winners. And it most sports it is another race/event in a season. It's just that I am now more aware that these sports occur more often than once every four years. Plus, I am getting old and jaded.

I still think Mary Carrilo is Chris Collinsworth with a bad wig and baggy clothes.

testuser2 · Post by **testuser2** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:00 am

Is the swamp allowed to cheer for all speed skaters? I don't want to be called a racist if the only American I boo happens to be black.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:08 am

testuser2 wrote:Is the swamp allowed to cheer for all speed skaters? I don't want to be called a racist if the only American I boo happens to be black.

If it is because of his mother, it is expected. Were you lurking when TT got in a flame war with her?

rass · Post by **rass** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:10 am

The Sybian wrote:
testuser2 wrote:Is the swamp allowed to cheer for all speed skaters? I don't want to be called a racist if the only American I boo happens to be black.

If it is because of his mother, it is expected. Were you lurking when TT got in a flame war with her?

Quite an assumption you made there, Syb.

Also, it wasn't TT.

testuser2 · Post by **testuser2** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:17 am

The Sybian wrote:If it is because of his mother, it is expected. Were you lurking when TT got in a flame war with her?

I didn't lurk much back then, but that thread was hard to miss. Didn't she join the swamp and troll him for a while?

edit: Unknown's blog is still up... http://unknowncolumn.blogspot.com/2006/ ... shole.html

howard · Post by **howard** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:28 am

I noticed the style component of ski jumping. Obs I don't know shit about this sport, but that seems silly. OTOH, the way they adjust scoring to account for the wind velocity and direction seems very cool and fair.

I care if it is live. The psychological scars of the NBA finals on tape delay (Dr. Fucking J!) are deep.

Sure seems like Shani Davis' momma has been quiet this time around. Gold Star, swamp! (and of course posthumously for Unknown.)

ETA: Skimming over it, I am reminded Unknown's blog was pretty good.

Post by **brian** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:41 am

As far as I know style points have always been a part of ski jumping. At least in the Olympics (the only time I watch ski jumping).

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:47 am

The Biathalon pursuit is fascinating. So much pressure.

About 10 guys get to the final shooting station, after skiing/shooting for about 30 minutes, at the same time and with only 3 medals available you know that if you miss once, you're done. All standing beside each other, it's very tense.

howard · Post by **howard** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:48 am

brian wrote:As far as I know style points have always been a part of ski jumping. At least in the Olympics (the only time I watch ski jumping).

Ah, I wasn't sure if it was new, or if I had not noticed.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:57 am

testuser2 wrote:
The Sybian wrote:If it is because of his mother, it is expected. Were you lurking when TT got in a flame war with her?
I didn't lurk much back then, but that thread was hard to miss. Didn't she join the swamp and troll him for a while?

edit: Unknown's blog is still up... http://unknowncolumn.blogspot.com/2006/ ... shole.html

Wow, Unknown. Hard to believe it's been 7 years. Reread his post, and all he did is report what other people said. What a stupid, stupid lawsuit. I can only assume that it was dismissed. A quick search keeps turning up another Davis v. Google suit, and a few blog posts at the time of the filing of the suit.

howard · Post by **howard** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:57 am

Sliders don't see the course, right? There must be blind luge-ers.

howard · Post by **howard** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:17 pm

Kate Hansen

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:20 pm

She has some guns

howard · Post by **howard** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:35 pm

Lolo Jones Becomes First American To Be Objectified In Both Winter And Summer Events

Johnny Carwash · Post by **Johnny Carwash** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:44 pm

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:06 pm

A white girl who knows how to Dougie. I hope Kate Upton and the rest of the internet is watching.

Post by **brian** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:34 pm

That Swiss curler with the tongue piercing is pretty hawt.

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:39 pm

RULES