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Newspaper Guy

February 23, 2010 @ 07:05

I read Chris Zelkovich's column in the Star yesterday and it gave me a chuckle, that's what happens sometimes when newspaper guys write about the electronic media.

Zelkovich has jumped on the anti-cheerleading bandwagon. He doesn't think CTV should be leading the charge for Canadian accomplishment in Vancouver, preferring the old CBC way of playing it more up the middle.

What Zelkovich overlooks is that CTV is in this thing to make money, or at least keep the red as modest as possible. And it seems to be working because ratings are through the roof.

Zelkovich complains about "relentless plugs for upcoming medal ceremonies, reports on the wild-and-crazy pro-Canada crowds and a slew of commercials boosting this nation's hopes."

He wonders at times if he's watching the Olympics or a Tourism Canada infomercial.

I don't see the big problem.

CTV is doing what any private broadcaster has to do. They're playing to their audience to get ratings and I'll repeat, ratings have never been better.

Zelkovich thinks Brian Williams spent too much time on Saturday night telling us about Jon Montgomery's upcoming gold medal presentation and he thinks Jamie Campbell spends too much time talking about Canadian athletes on the ski slopes.

Sorry Chris, but I like it. When I sit down in front of my TV, and I can speak for my wife as well on this point, I want a clear indication of what my Canadian brothers and sisters are up to. I would have been pissed if I had missed Montgomery's medal presentation.

Thanks to Williams, I didn't

During the Olympics, Canadians tend to care about Canadians and I don't know about you, but that seem to be the most asked question from people I'm around when an event is unfolding.

"Is there a Canadian in this?" Or, "how'd the Canadian do?" How dare CTV actually give the people what they want.

But here was the most bizarre comment in Zelkovich's column. "A foreigner watching Saturday night's broadcast on the main CTV network might have wondered, whatever happened to all those self-effacing Canadians who avoid overt displays of patriotism?"

Who gives a flyin' turd what foreigner s think of a Canadian broadcast meant to serve Canadians? It's got to be one of the most ridiculous observations about radio or TV that Zelkovich has ever made, and believe me, there have been a ton of them over the years.

If anyone at CTV designed the broadcast to serve "foreigners" they would have had their ass kicked out the door long before the games started.

Are there flaws in CTV's presentation? Of course, you can't design anything of this magnitude without having some problems, but for the most part, the network has done a solid job and I'll repeat it one more time, if it's so bad in the eyes of Zelkovich, why are people tuning-in in record numbers?

Actually Zelkovich had to eat it a bit today with his latest column.

At the end, newspaper guy says, "call me a dinosaur, but I prefer the old-fashioned quiet Canadian patriotism."

Yea, and given CTV's ratings, you also subscribe to the old fashioned Canadian way of criticising success.

One thing I will give Zelkovich however, is this - following Jon Montgomery's medal presentation on Saturday night, during an interview Michael Landsberg for some ridiculous reason asked Montgomery to sing a few bars of O' Canada.

Montgomery had sung the anthem loud and proud on the podium so Landsberg's request ruined the moment. It was awkward, uncomfortable and stupid.

Category: Sports

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94 Responses to "Newspaper Guy"


JIM
February 23, 2010 / 08:17

I read an article in the the USA today and they talked about how bad the American Coverage has been by the USA Networks they don't think that they have been showing enough US Athletes and enough of the prime time sports
Ski, hockey , ETC

I like the new attitude of we are Canadian and we want to win we don't just want to compete to say we were there
and CTV has brought the same attitude with them and I like it
and having Melissa Grelo doesn't hurt either


El Torpedo
February 23, 2010 / 09:41

The Olymics are in Canada, the "Own the Podium" thing promised tremendous results and built up a lot of anticipation. That combination means that even if CP24 had the broadcasting rights, the ratings would be through the roof. You're giving CTV too much credit.


moonman
February 23, 2010 / 09:42

Can anyone explain the purpose of Zelkovich's column (not just this one but all of them)...is it for the hearing impaired that don't have close caption on their TV's? If not I just don't get it.


JP
February 23, 2010 / 13:12

I agree with Zelkovich. I have hated CTV's coverage of the games. It reminds me of everything I dislike about NBC's coverage.

It's not the media's job to cheerlead. They should try to cover the Olympics with at least a little bit of objectivity.

I really miss CBC's coverage.


Steve
February 23, 2010 / 15:35

Answer: A period, a comma, and sentence structure.

Question: Name three things that JIM has never heard of.


JIM
February 23, 2010 / 16:15

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha too funny Steve you must be American look for peoples mistakes and make fun of them
get a life


Alan G
February 23, 2010 / 19:18

Hey, there's cheerleading on CTV and on NBC and probably on other networks around the world. Big deal!! My wife and I are cheerleading at home. It's all part of rooting for the home team. Sports is rah rah rah entertainment. So have some fun with it. "Old fashioned Canadian patriotism" - phooey! that's the same garbage that lets politicians walk all over us and makes Canada the sad sacks of the world. I say "raise your voice Canada, anytime, anywhere and on any network"


Steve
February 23, 2010 / 20:57

At least you spelled 'too' right, JIM. You're getting better already. 'Peoples' needs an apostrophe, though.


Argie
February 23, 2010 / 22:33

Sorry Freddie, Zelko is right. CTV has been horrible as broadcasters. Even with help from TSN & Sportsnet, I've given up and watch mostly the NBC telecast.

They should start by canning Williams - he's unwatchable.


Alan G
February 24, 2010 / 11:02

CTV is pathetic in the morning. I have no idea of the names of the two co-hosts, but it's like watching Breakfast Television for the Kiddies. It is so juvenile.

Someone suggested canning Brian Williams. I have to disagree with that. He is the consumate professional. However, in my opinion, nobody beats or even comes close to Bob Costas. He's intelligent, professional and sometimes very funny. A joy to watch.


Larry
February 24, 2010 / 12:55

I always thought us Canadians were humble!?!

After watching the 2010 Olympic coverage on CTV, another word has trumped my Canadian perception… Obnoxious!

Guess what? The whole world is watching.

On another note. It makes me sick how the media (CTV included) has been thriving off that poor woman figure skater who’s mother has recently passed away. tisk, tisk


Trish
February 24, 2010 / 15:06

Here's a list of stuff I will not miss once the olympics are over:

-Nikki Yanofsky and I believe (one is as obnoxious as the other)
-helobc.com British Columbia ads starring US employed canadians
-Coke hockey commercial with torturous fiddler music (particularly annoying after the loss to USA)
-"The Bridge" promos (looks like a canadian knock-off of "The Shield")
-the yawning Lisa Laflamme.
-the verbal diarrhea of Rod Black
-Michael Landsbery, Ben Mulroney; Jennifer Bimbo; Seamus O'Regan, and anyone else who stood in Whistler Square and asked stupid questions.


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