TVSquad

The Olympics aren't even over until this Sunday, but you can already order the DVDs.

NBC will release three different DVD sets for the 2008 Beijing Games. The first DVD is titled Michael Phelps: Greatest Olympic Champion - The Inside Story, and will show all of his gold medal-winning races and behind the scenes footage that hasn't been seen before. The second set is titled 2008 Beijing Opening Ceremonies, and will feature two DVDs packed with footage of the expensive, epic opening ceremonies. The last set has the rather uninspired title of 2008 Beijing General Highlight DVD (which I hope and pray gets a better title than that), which will be a recap of the entire Olympic Games. The opening ceremony DVD will be $29.99 and the others will sell for $19.99.

Various polls taken on Monday indicate that approximately 1 billion people, or 15 percent of the world, tuned in to the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Beijing. NBC has certainly scored a much-needed ratings gold mine with this (they held off showing the Opening Ceremonies for 12 hours in order to reach a prime-time audience).

Admittedly, I was hesitant when I heard the Olympics were in Beijing (I still am). They don't have the best record for human rights. I was worried that the revolution would begin sometime during the track and field events.

Amid controversy and the threat of certain world leaders boycotting the upcoming Beijing Olympics, the word came out yesterday that President George W. Bush would attend the opening ceremonies. According to the Hollywood Reporter, this is good news for NBC, and the companies that have bought advertising for the Games.

While I can see how a boycott based on human rights abuses in China and Tibet would be a serious problem for the network -- and it still may lose viewers who choose to individually tune out rather than give positive sanction to China's misdeeds by watching -- I don't see how NBC can think a Bush appearance will bolster ratings.

The Olympics. An event where athletes from every country in the world gather to compete in sports. It's a time of unity. Of heroes. Of peace. Somebody needs to clue Brian Williams in.

He joined Bob Costas as the commentator for the Opening Ceremonies of the Turino, Italy Olympic games last night. And I almost through threw the remote control through the television set. Williams felt the need to share his news knowledge with the rest of us by mentioning some not-so-happy news events related to specific nations as they paraded into Olympic stadium. Denmark? Williams mentions the cartoon that triggered riots in Muslim nations. China? He talks about human rights and environmental standards. Iran? He says that country's leader has called for the destruction of Israel. I much prefer the interesting factoids about the nations, their Olympic history, and notable Olympians.

His comments were unfair to the athletes of those nations. The news and controversy surrounding certain nations lately are not representative of the athletes who are competing.

**Apparently, the Daily Nightly commenters agree.