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From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher)
Newsgroups: net.rec
Subject: Re: Cathy Rigby-McCoy and Announcing
Message-ID: <708@ihuxk.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 8-Aug-84 13:37:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxk.708
Posted: Wed Aug  8 13:37:47 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 9-Aug-84 04:12:06 EDT
References: <343@watdcsu.UUCP> <1605@druxv.UUCP> <283@ihu1h.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 29

One of the things that critics are getting down on Cathy Rigby-McCoy
for is her gloating over goofs made by other teams.  The tape clip thats run
to illustrate Rigby's bias shows Ecaterina Szabo stumbling after an uneven
bars dismount, as Rigby says, "That's a big break!  The US should make up
some ground here!!"  (I think she actually says "We" when referring to the US.)

When this clip is shown on the news (as in Gary Deeb's critique of ABC's
coverage, on ABC's own Chicago affiliate), the impression given is that Rigby
is saying "That's a big break!" to mean "what a lucky break for the US".
In reality, I think her use of the word "break" is in its gymnastics use,
meaning a break in the flow of a routine.  Thus,  there's nothing wrong with
saying "That's a big break!", as it undeniably was a big break in the routine.

I'm not defending Rigby, in that I feel her tone of voice and the way she
refers to the US team as "we" are offensive enough.  It has been bothering
me a little, however, to see this clip shown repeatedly, with what I feel
is an out-of-context quote.  I also feel a little sympathy for Rigby-McCoy,
as it looks like she has become the brunt of all of the criticism, when she
is merely the most obvious example of US-slanted reporting.  This may
be her last big commentary job.

Bob Schleicher
ihuxk!rs55611


PS - Interestingly, the Australian press has been complaining about
a pro-Australian bias in the telecast they're showing. This indicates that
it's onlyt natural to focus on your own country, especially when the
broadcast is only going out to your own country (for the most part).