NBC and Costas Are Given Low Olympic Scores

The Olympic Opening Ceremony was quite wonderful (“And the First Big Winner Is NBC’s Coverage of Opening” by Howard Rosenberg, Olympic Section, July 20). There was a terrific sense of drama and spectacle combined. Don Mischer easily gets a 9.8.

However, NBC’s coverage was mostly annoying. Bob Costas didn’t seem to know when to keep his mouth shut. While there were certainly times when it was appropriate for him to provide commentary, there were times when we didn’t need the narration. And worse, there were times when he would talk over some of the most dramatic points. You would think that, as a sportscaster, Costas should know a little something about timing. NBC and Costas get a 6.5 at the most.

BOB ABRAHAMS

Los Angeles

Whoever invented the concept of “exclusive television rights” ought to be strapped to a chair and forced to watch 10 straight hours of commercials, followed by a few minutes of Amero-centric coverage that devotes 80% air time to American gymnasts while the gold-medalist foreigners are squeezed in like an afterthought. On second thought, we are all suffering through this television torture on NBC, the monopolist broadcaster of these Games.

Oh, how glorious it would’ve been to have had a choice! To have been able to change the channel to ESPN for a different spin on Olympic coverage! If broadcast coverage were subject to a little healthy competition, not only would the quality rise, but the commercial-to-coverage ratio would become a little more bearable. I love the Olympic Games, but I hate having no choice in how I watch them. Stop the torture, please!

BECKY NICOLAIDES

South Pasadena