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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.