nbc olympic coverage

Chrono-challenged NBC great for Canada

The following should probably come with some kind of the warning: The words you are about to read are probably a bit late.

Then again, we are discussing the gorilla Olympic network, NBC, so you could say we're right on time.

Just as they have done for the better part of two decades, the network that spent $820 million US for rights fees is taking a prepackaged view of the Vancouver Olympics.

It's no biggie in most of the United States, especially with the network spilling more of its coverage to ancillary channels, which are not available in Canada, and showing a limited amount of live streaming.

But it's got to be hell for viewers on the U.S. west coast once again, waiting for hours to watch events which have already taken place. What worked 20 years ago is apparently still good now.

At least we've gone past the point where announcers no longer warn viewers not to plug their ears if they don't want to hear the results of an event before they are shown.

NBC's Olympics is supposed to be a time of network soothing, perhaps not for parent company shareholders, who were told months ago the Games wouldn't lose $200 million US, but $250 million.

The spin is that American audiences are supposed to forget the Jay Leno-Conan O'Brien faceplant during the next two weeks.

And if it works for NBC, why should we care? Think of NBC as the replay show; the world version of Hockey Night's After Hours.

If there's any reason to watch the American coverage -- and frankly CTV's early work has been so superior there doesn't seem as if there's a need -- it's only because of our curious nature as Canadians to check out how were are being portrayed.

So far, though, NBC has more than gone out of its way to get it right.

We're guessing the network might want to have back the suggestion at the opening ceremony that Olympic flag carrier Betty Fox was the mother of Michael J. Fox.

Otherwise, NBC has been hitting doubles and triples if not home runs the first few days. U.S. ratings are up 25 per cent over four years ago from the less time-friendly Winter Games in Turin.

The netwok's flagship Today show dragged Alexandre Bilodeau up to Grouse Mountain to be interviewed at 4 a.m. Monday even before they talked to American medallists. There wasn't a single moment of cringing, even during the yummy food segments.

Hours after some parts of the continent are discovering the best we have to offer, Americans are getting the right message.

"You all put up a fantastic show of the opening night. Keep it up," an emailer wrote from Orlando, Fla.

Maybe later can be better. Experiencing the Olympics only through TV and the Internet and see something amusing or outrageous? Drop Armchair Olympian a line at lullrich@theprovince.com during the Winter Games.

Model Agyness Deyn – Falls for Sexy Shoes

Credit: Flynet Pictures
Model Agyness Deyn in 7 inch high heel shoes

Well, the economy is a bit tipsy, but with rising heights in woman shoe heels, being a bit tipsy on the catwalk can become a big concern for models.

Walking the catwalk in a towering 7 inch heels can really be a challenge.

Just try crossing one foot across the other in the typical fashion model walk and see how difficult the walk can be.

Than just add a pair of ultra high heel sexy shoes and try the catwalk routine again.

Kind of difficult keeping one's balance, no?

Credit: Flynet Pictures
Model Agyness Deyn decides to go shoeless

During the Fashion for Relief fundraiser fashion show, 26 year old British model Agyness Deyn had a towering experience with a pair of sexy 7 inch Burberry platform shoes.

Halfway down the catwalk, Deyn fell in those towering shoes.

But being a very professional model, she was able to recover and rise again in those high heel shoes.

But a little bit further down the runway, she took a second tumble.

Although she attempted to put on the shoes again, she decided that it would be best to walk back down the catwalk barefoot.

Moral of this story: Sexy shoes are great, but be sure you can walk in them without falling.

If you cannot see the videos and photos in your E-mail or news reader, just go to Model Agyness Deyn – Falls for Sexy Shoes.

westminster dog show

In Madison Square Garden the Westminster Dog Show kicks off today. This is the 134th Dog Show that includes 173 breeds plus three newly recognized by the American Kennel Club. All of them are competing in show for the honor of best. Typically the term ” dogs of Wall Street refers to the year’s worst stocks but on Tuesday it will have the different meaning. During a televised stock exchange tradition some of the nation’s finest canines will be featured including Lola, a Pyrenean shepherd from Salisbury Township owned by Maggie Emmell and Nan Frantz.

New breeds are being spotlighted by the NASDAQ. The dogs are recently accepted in the American Kennel Club and for the first time they are competing for the show. On Tuesday at the NASDAQ Stock Market, Westminster dogs have been invited to ring the closing bell. Now it is to see that at the closure of the market at 4 p.m. which dog will ring the bell? Co-owner and handler of Lola, Emmell said that it was unknown even to the owner of the dogs that who would be the dog that will rang the bell.

CEOs of NASDAQ-listed companies are invited as guest bell ringers. They will sign their name on the electronic board that projects their name on the seven-story-high screen of NASDAQ in Times Square. On the thoroughbred canine calendar the most influential event in the show is that this weekend how the New York Times characterized the show in an article and how bucks and hype determine the winner by playing large roles. CNN and CNBC will televised the closing ceremony.