Artists lie, cheat, and steal.

Because I'm a dork I sent a complaint e-mail to NBC.  Now unlike other countries, TV stations in the US are privately owned and not funded by the public.  This is why we have commercials and other such non sense in between our shows.  It's why 'primetime' is a time slot so many networks aim to get high viewership for because then they get more sponsors.  And why the network broadcasting the superbowl charges so much for commercials.  Yes, once again the USA is run by money.  A true blessing and curse. This is why more popular Olympic sports and US wins were shown delayed.  However, I have no idea why NBC decided to edit out certain content from the opening and closing ceremonies.  That I can not forgive.



To anyone involved with programming, editing, content inclusion, and airing of the Olympic broadcast --

I hope for the Rio games you learn from your mistakes and actually show the entire Opening and Closing Ceremonies unedited and uninterrupted by your agenda.  Not only is it a slight to your viewers, who have no other choice of US TV network to watch the games, it's an absolute insult to the host country who worked hard and put so much time and planning to create these showcases.  In the world of global connection and instant information, you can no longer deny that you are editing out content.  While I am indifferent to your choice to delay the broadcasts to primetime, I am enraged that you decide what content the American public gets to see without input.  Yes, you have the live streaming available on nbcolympics.com but people work, have school, or the odd hours of the games don't allow for someone to be on the internet 24/7.  And let's be honest, there's something wonderful and social about watching it on a television instead of a computer screen.  It's my belief you are abusing your power as the sole carrier of the Olympics when you decide to edit out content.  The summer games only come around every 4 years and should be what's remembered, not the television network that failed and caused controversy due to editing choices.
  
In general I found your coverage of the games and competitions quite well done.  While some of your commentators had something to be desired (specifically the basketball commentators) having the choice of many TV channels and live streaming was a welcome addition.  I hope that you choose to include the live/online streaming for the winter games. 

One last comment.  I wish you would reconsider your choice to air/buy rights for the Paralympic games broadcast.  While I do not know the reason why you chose not to include it as part of the Olympic coverage, I think you're doing a disservice to these athletes and the American public by not showcasing them.  I think it's terrible that you highlight a South African double amputee participating in the regular games but completely overlook hundreds of similar athletes.  Also, now that I have interest in Oscar, why not show his races in the Paralympic games?  You've got an invested/interested public, follow through.

I hope you take time to think about what went wrong with the 2012 games broadcast and start listening to your viewers; instead of your executives and money.

Regards --
S S    



  

Baseball history happened today my friends!  
It was so epicly exciting!

I'm in the printmaking studio right now.  Working for once this semester.  I was motivated to come back after Tap because I had a failed monotype.  Ink was too tacky, paper too thin, and the press to tight.  So the paper stuck to the plate. 
Anyway, as you can all tell it's about 12:15 am in the morning.  Not too late.  I've been here since 10 pm.  No big, I've done this before (once even to 1 am).
So I'm taking my zinc plate off the hotplate and then 2 state troopers come in.  AH!  I'm pretty sure they were troopers and not university police.  They were decent enough, said 'good morning' and asked for my room pass.  Thank god I always carry it in my wallet.  Though I accidentally gave him my expired one first.  And the other asked his partner if they needed ID.  Without him asking I just handed it over to him.   I know I wasn't doing anything wrong at all.  The thing that scared me a bit is that I have never, ever heard of the police coming in to check if we're (students) allowed to work here.   
(FYI the janitor just walked in and didn't care I was here so ... dunno what the police thing was about)
I'm assuming that they were concerned because to the best of my knowledge I'm the first student to work this late on a weeknight in a long while and seeing lights on in the studio might have raised some flags.   
Just thank god I had my pass!

"How are you?"

"My dog's great"

Oh man, I was just watching the weather with my Dad and they showed the entire country map w/ little snippets of Canada and Mexico above and below. And out of nowhere my Dad says
"We should have taken over Mexico."
I have never heard a more random statement while watching the weather. I'm still laughing.