Friday, August 08, 2008
8-8-8-8
The 2008 Summer Olympics begin today, or at least that's what all the major media outlets would have one believe. The number 8, according to one reputable source, is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture, so I suppose from a numerological perspective it makes sense to schedule a significant international event at 8:00 on the eighth day of the eighth month of the 8th year of the millennium.
By the same token, however, I think that the American media has gotten confused about how time differences work. According to the New York Times, ESPN, and the previously referenced reputable source, the big show is supposed to begin at 8 PM in Beijing which corresponds to 8 AM Eastern Standard Time. Yet, much to my surprise, when I woke up this morning the major networks were just carrying on with their insipid morning shows like normal.
Just to be clear, I'm thrilled that the hosts of NBC's Today Show decided it would be worth leaving New York to cover the Olympics, at least for a little bit, but wouldn't it be neat if they were showcasing the actual ceremonies and not what people should wear to the event? Why are we cutting back to Al Roker in New York when there is a supposedly unprecedented pyrotechnic spectacle just waiting to be discussed?
After a few minutes of watching, the answer becomes clear...at least for NBC. The plan seems to be to time-shift the entire event. So even though it is probably happening as I type these words, I will not get to watch the ceremony until 7:30 tonight (approximately 10.5 hours from now).
Why?
Some possible answers:
1. The presumed financial benefits and increased ratings ("The Olympics are all about the spirit of international competition. Also, endorsement deals.")
2. The presumed laziness of the American public ("Can't watch history being made...too busy sleeping")
3. The presumed ignorance of the American public ("If it's on TV now, it must be happening now!")
4. Network confusion about how time zones work ("I understand Eastern and Central, but what do you mean China Standard Time?")
5. Possible coverage on another network of which I am not aware ("These Olympics are only for those with basic cable!")
Oh well. Regardless of the reasons, I suppose I have no choice but to wait like the rest of America to watch the games "begin" later this evening.
UPDATE: It looks like I was right. American networks are timeshifting coverage of the event until a more marketable hour. Further details available from the New York Times:
"NBC is not providing live television coverage of the spectacular opening ceremony from the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing — in fact, you won’t be able to see it on television anywhere in the U.S. until tonight (although in Canada, CBC is showing the ceremony live - and video of the Eurosport feed, with Russian commentary, is available on this Web site). Non-Russian-speakers can read about everything that happens here on the Times Olympic blog right now. Lynn Zinser of the Times is at the stadium, providing periodic updates of the proceedings and describing everything she sees so that you can follow along at home."
The 2008 Summer Olympics begin today, or at least that's what all the major media outlets would have one believe. The number 8, according to one reputable source, is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture, so I suppose from a numerological perspective it makes sense to schedule a significant international event at 8:00 on the eighth day of the eighth month of the 8th year of the millennium.
By the same token, however, I think that the American media has gotten confused about how time differences work. According to the New York Times, ESPN, and the previously referenced reputable source, the big show is supposed to begin at 8 PM in Beijing which corresponds to 8 AM Eastern Standard Time. Yet, much to my surprise, when I woke up this morning the major networks were just carrying on with their insipid morning shows like normal.
Just to be clear, I'm thrilled that the hosts of NBC's Today Show decided it would be worth leaving New York to cover the Olympics, at least for a little bit, but wouldn't it be neat if they were showcasing the actual ceremonies and not what people should wear to the event? Why are we cutting back to Al Roker in New York when there is a supposedly unprecedented pyrotechnic spectacle just waiting to be discussed?
After a few minutes of watching, the answer becomes clear...at least for NBC. The plan seems to be to time-shift the entire event. So even though it is probably happening as I type these words, I will not get to watch the ceremony until 7:30 tonight (approximately 10.5 hours from now).
Why?
Some possible answers:
1. The presumed financial benefits and increased ratings ("The Olympics are all about the spirit of international competition. Also, endorsement deals.")
2. The presumed laziness of the American public ("Can't watch history being made...too busy sleeping")
3. The presumed ignorance of the American public ("If it's on TV now, it must be happening now!")
4. Network confusion about how time zones work ("I understand Eastern and Central, but what do you mean China Standard Time?")
5. Possible coverage on another network of which I am not aware ("These Olympics are only for those with basic cable!")
Oh well. Regardless of the reasons, I suppose I have no choice but to wait like the rest of America to watch the games "begin" later this evening.
UPDATE: It looks like I was right. American networks are timeshifting coverage of the event until a more marketable hour. Further details available from the New York Times:
"NBC is not providing live television coverage of the spectacular opening ceremony from the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing — in fact, you won’t be able to see it on television anywhere in the U.S. until tonight (although in Canada, CBC is showing the ceremony live - and video of the Eurosport feed, with Russian commentary, is available on this Web site). Non-Russian-speakers can read about everything that happens here on the Times Olympic blog right now. Lynn Zinser of the Times is at the stadium, providing periodic updates of the proceedings and describing everything she sees so that you can follow along at home."
Comments:
Did you hear what the truth was about the opening pyrotechnics and the "cute" Chinese girl who sang? Good stuff.
I found the disjoint between the television broadcast and the actual event (both from an audio and a visual perspective) less offensive than the producers' denial that they had done anything misleading.
Of course, if the New York Times is to be believed, then both of those items pale beside the fraud conducted by the Chinese government to skirt the age limits in the women's gymnastics competition. (Anyone care to wager whether the IOC will investigate that matter further after the games are finished?)
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Of course, if the New York Times is to be believed, then both of those items pale beside the fraud conducted by the Chinese government to skirt the age limits in the women's gymnastics competition. (Anyone care to wager whether the IOC will investigate that matter further after the games are finished?)
