Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 beta 3/9/83; site sdcrdcf.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!houxz!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!hplabs!sdcrdcf!shaprkg From: shaprkg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Bob Shapiro) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Olympic Criticism Message-ID: <1242@sdcrdcf.UUCP> Date: Tue, 7-Aug-84 17:01:59 EDT Article-I.D.: sdcrdcf.1242 Posted: Tue Aug 7 17:01:59 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Aug-84 02:22:03 EDT Reply-To: shaprkg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Bob Shapiro) Organization: System Development Corporation, Santa Monica Lines: 44 It seems that some of you out there are having difficulty with the coverage provided by ABC. I've heard complaints ranging from simple slips of the tongue to nationalistic bias or even gross incompetence. I've watched every minute so far that ABC has broadcast (thanks to my friendly video recorder), and while I would have personally preferred certain changes more tailored to my own interests, overall I think they have done a remarkable job. The technical complexity alone rivals that of a major satellite launch. What many of us fail to realize is that ABC is not responsible for educating the viewers, but entertaining them. ABC is a profit-making business, and it has a responsibility to create a show which maximizes the return for its sponsors. ABC is not one person but many all working as a team. During a given day several different people all have the responsibility of deciding what will be fed next to the public. These people are biased by their own views of what we want to see, but the overriding consideration is what they think we want to see not what they think we should see. After all their pay checks are tied to their ratings. ABC won the right to broadcast the Olympics in a very competitive procurement and their profit margin versus the risk involved is not great. If it were the other two biggies would have bid them up a couple of more notches. As to the nationalism expressed by the announcers, one can hardly expect people like Kathy Rigby from taking sides. She is there because she is an expert on the subject of gymnastics and there is no question about that. I listen to her the same way I listen to Chick Hearn doing a Laker game. It is literally impossible to be 100 per cent fair and objective when you have a vested interest and no one will deny that Kathy is an American. Recently, I have bought cable TV in my area which includes stations from Atlanta and New York. It is interesting to switch back and forth when the Braves are playing the Mets. You wonder if it is the same game. Personally, I like to think that the American Olympic team is my team, and I get a thrill every time they have one more success. If you look hard enough you can see me at the wrestling next Thursday evening waving my American flag. There have been many highlights of these Olympics and the story has been told. It matters not whether it is an American wrestler or a Japanese gymnist who is reduced to tears by the enormity of their performance, each has done something special. I have been captivated from the opening day with that magnificent display and eagerly rush home each day to see what new and different adventure awaits me next. My memories will be of an Olympics which has been almost completely free of terrorism, cheating, bad sportsmanship, etc. As an American and a resident of Los Angeles I am proud of what has been accomplished.