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I'm sorry, but this critic is way off base about NBC's gymnastics coverage. NBC should be applauded for letting the performances speak for themselves and having the self-restraint to focus on what the gymnasts do well rather than poisoning the mood by expounding on minor imperfections. Additionally, I didn't get a single hint NBC was characterizing these gymnasts as 'teenage pixies,' nor trying to deceive the viewer to ramp up the drama. NBC let the images do the talking, and the US team was a picture of control, power, and intensity. Last night the US had essentially won the competition before the floor exercise, but still, as NBC showed the US gymnasts warm-up, I was overcome with a realization of just how powerful these young American women are and how well they represent the United States to the rest of the world. Tears swelled. After a transcendent Raisman floor routine, NBC showed her parents in the stands. Despite being nervous wrecks in all the previous camera shots, they looked on expressionless, probably coming to an unknowable realization of their own. Raisman eventually walked over to her bag at the side of the arena and the Chinese team basically lined up to pay respect and show their admiration. The crowd started chanting Ali's name, which I've never heard at a gymnastics event. It was high Sport and great TV. I hope the critic wasn't consumed with the inane chatter of the internet during these moments. Then again, here I am engaging in the same. I just wish journalists would stop treating opinions from the internet as representative and worth responding to, particularly those from Twitter. |