NBC responds to Olympic fakery accusations

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The glow of NBC's Olympic ratings victory threatens to be sullied this morning by reports that the Beijing Olympic Committee and the network have been less-than-scrupulous in their presentation of the Summer Games.

Organizers are accused of mixing in fake CGI fireworks during Friday night's opening ceremony, while NBC is said to have added a bogus "Live" stamp to tape-delayed West Coast feed of competition coverage this weekend, and edited the "parade of nations" segment of the opening ceremony to delay the entrance of the U.S. Olympic Team.

Let's take a look at each report, along with a response from NBC Sports.

Accusation: That viewers were misled by the use of CGI fireworks during a sweeping helicopter shot leading up to Bird's Nest National Stadium. Organizers note the fireworks were there, but the footage was created in advance due to the danger of shooting live from a nearby helicopter.

NBC Response: An NBC Sports spokesperson says U.S. viewers were informed of the manipulation. Commentators Matt Lauer and Bob Costas said the fireworks were a digital effect. From the opening ceremony transcript during the fireworks in question:

Lauer: "You're looking at a cinematic device employed by Zhang Yimou here. This is actually almost animation. A footstep a second, 29 in all, to signify the 29 Olympiads."

Costas: "We said earlier that aspects of this Opening Ceremony are almost like cinema in real time. Well this is quite literally cinematic."

Analysis: Mixing real and CGI fireworks during an Olympic event is visually misleading, though NBC did try to address the issue. The question is, during a spectacular-looking shot, do the phrases "cinematic device" and "almost animation" really convey that the image wasn't real? It seems more to hint that something about it wasn't quite literal, while coming shy of saying -- in far more clear and simple terms -- "this is a digitally manufactured shot to represent what's happening right now outside the stadium." (More thoughts on this issue with additional video).

Accusation: That NBC is time stamping West Coast feeds of competition coverage with a "Live" tag even though the coverage is not live.

NBC Response: A spokesperson points out the constant "Live" tag is accompanied by twice-per-hour time stamps that inform West Coast viewers that the event was only live on the East Coast (ex. "10:05 ET").

“The audience makeup of the Olympics is very much like that of ‘American Idol’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’ which have ‘live’ season finales presented in much the same way,” an NBC Sports spokesperson says. “You assume there’s a large amount of intelligence in the viewing audience, so when they see those twice-an-hour time stamps they’ll understand what is being presented.”

Analysis: If a sporting event's feed isn't live, a broadcaster should avoid using an omnipresent "live" tag. The best reason to have this tag on a West Coast feed (and to not put a clear "tape delayed" notice) is for the same reason some are incensed –- it gives viewers an impression of live urgency that isn't quite there. Like with the fireworks, the original complaint is mollified by the facts, to a degree: to a casual viewer the coverage shows one thing, while to somebody paying close attention, it shows something slightly less exciting.

Accusation: That NBC edited the "parade of nations" from the original order to delay the entrance of U.S. athletes.

NBC Response: An NBC Sports spokesman says the order was unchanged.

Analysis: Editing a sporting event like a reality show to save the most eagerly awaited moments for the conclusion would be an issue -- if it were true. As it is, online reports have provided no real evidence.

--- THR.com's complete Summer Games coverage ---

Comments

[John]

Regarding the CGI fireworks - I remember watching it and it was very clear from the conversation that it was not real.... In fact, they didn't even look totally convincing on television - they were "footprints" leading from historical sites to the bird's nest. I didn't feel misled in any way from NBC on this.

Regarding the "LIVE" time-stamp - I live in mountain time zone so it is also delayed - I'm not sure why this is such an issue - The Olympics have been shown this way for year (including when they were in Salt Lake City, one time zone from the West coast) - NBC clearly shows the ED/CT/Beijing time pop up about once an hour.

Watching the 4x100 coverage on NBC an hour after it really occurred made no difference to us - just avoid the internet while watching the Live EST coverage. what's the difference - we were still jumping around the house screaming at the top of our lungs - just an hour delayed.

The NBC extensive coverage has been great so far - Amazing how people come up with so many things to nit-pick.

[Don't Lie to Me NBC]

The issue is authenticity and accuracy. If it truely doesn't matter if it is really "live" or not, then don't say it's live when it isn't. I agree that it "it really occurred made no difference to us ... we were still jumping around the house screaming at the top of our lungs" - if it makes no difference then don't let NBC off the hook for lying to you. Enjoy the Olympics for what it is - great athletic competition and pagentry - and we don't need the NBC "lie" that it is live when it isn't.

[But What About]

You failed to address the biggest NBC fakery of the entire games: Bob Costas' new ill-fitting wig. That's a toupee that could use some digital animation, for sure.

[shrinqrap]

Thanks for delivering, "John". Your agreed-upon check is in the mail. /s/ NBC Public Relations.

Anybody not see THAT coming? lol

[Dougman]

Amen on Bob Costas's new wig! Yikes!!! Can't NBC afford to get him something that fits and looks a little better? Would he look so bad without it? Is this some kind of Howard Cosell tradition thing??? A little honesty and attention here would be most appreciated!

[Charles Miller]

This story -- like the Olympic Games themselves -- is a non-issue.

[Randolph]

NBC's audience is not stupid and year by year we appreciate less and less being misled by the lamestream media. Some of us also value religious freedom (which China lacks) more than a fireworks display. The athletes are worthy of our admiration--unlike NBC, the inhuman tyrants in Beijing, and the Kickback Recipients (unethical Olympics Committee). GO TEAM!!!

[Atlanta Media Guy]

I have worked in Sports Production for 30 years. The cost of taking the LIVE tag off the delayed broadcasts in Mountain and Pacific Time Zones would be enormous. The feeds for those Time Zones are recorded from the Eastern Time Zone feed. This has been going on ever since TV has been created.

The proper question to ask here is, Why isn't the Mountain and Pacific Time Zone affiliates airing the Olympics Live? If I was operating a station in one of those Time Zones I would air the Eastern Feeds when they were actually happening. Just think if Monday Night Football was delayed in the Mountain and Pacific time zones? It would not be the same.

The Summer Olympics come once every four years I see no reason why the NBC affiliates can't air the Games Live in all Time Zones! The rest of the world are watching these games live.

I know, they will tell you that the advertisers are paying for Prime Time ads. I say this is the Super Bowl of amateur sports, have you ever seen the Super Bowl delayed? Just air the Sports Feeds Live so no one can nit pick like this. TIVO is beginning to rule the world, if people on the West Coast is stuck in rush hour traffic they should just tivo or record the game to watch when they can.

[Atlanta Media Guy]

I have worked in Sports Production for 30 years. The cost of taking the LIVE tag off the delayed broadcasts in Mountain and Pacific Time Zones would be enormous. The feeds for those Time Zones are recorded from the Eastern Time Zone feed. This has been going on ever since TV has been created.

The proper question to ask here is, Why isn't the Mountain and Pacific Time Zone affiliates airing the Olympics Live? If I was operating a station in one of those Time Zones I would air the Eastern Feeds when they were actually happening. Just think if Monday Night Football was delayed in the Mountain and Pacific time zones? It would not be the same.

The Summer Olympics come once every four years I see no reason why the NBC affiliates can't air the Games Live in all Time Zones! The rest of the world are watching these games live.

I know, they will tell you that the advertisers are paying for Prime Time ads. I say this is the Super Bowl of amateur sports, have you ever seen the Super Bowl delayed? Just air the Sports Feeds Live so no one can nit pick like this. TIVO is beginning to rule the world, if people on the West Coast is stuck in rush hour traffic they should just tivo or record the game to watch when they can.

[Paul]

NBC obviously doesn't care about viewer choice. Their strategy is to show events at unannounced random times so they can tease viewers into settling in for the entire evening when it's only one or two events the viewer really wants to see. Viewers in other countries see more live events and would not tolerate being lied to. NBC holds US viewers hostage with impunity. It's truly disgusting!

Example: Men's swimming 100X4a freestyle would have been live at 8:26pm west coast time. Perfect! That's just about prime time right? NBC aired it after 11:00 and was giving teasers hours before airing. You can't foul up the Olympics for viewers much more than that. I hate NBC.

[bob mahaney`]

i'm just very happy that the networks do not cover the Tour De France. they would probably make a mess of that also

[Drew]

Wow! Who cares?!? so what if it was fake, it's already come and gone. Just let the ceremony stand and stop trying to tear it down! Why are we constantly dwelling on the past?

[Drew]

Wow! Who cares?!? so what if it was fake, it's already come and gone. Just let the ceremony stand and stop trying to tear it down! Why are we constantly dwelling on the past?

[dan]

I refuse to watch the rest of the olympics now that it's been confirmed that the fireworks were indeed digitally enhanced just like the announcers mentioned. Shame on NBC!

[WestCoastGuy]

phelps relay race not so exciting when the outcome is already known... did not scream or get excited one bit...

sucks to be on the west coast... NBC is run by a bunch of money hungry nazis

THis is nothing new to NBC. Listen closely during the Thanksgiving Day parade coverage and the 4th of July coverage; they "sweeten" up the sound of applause.

[don devan]

GE/NBC is run by a bunch of commies who are used to hiding the truth and minipuling public opinion with lies. That is why NBC/GE/Olberman/Matthews got the gig in the first place. dad vadenia, comrades.

[kevin67]

Forget all that. Can you imagine us dangling Cassius Clay above a stadium like Peter Pan?! Did someone "jump the shark" this time?

[RWordplay]

Welcome to the 21st Century, where real is beside the point.

[Dan]

Real fireworks could have easily been used instead of computer generated fireworks.
I guess it's a lot cheaper and easier to put on a fake show rather than a real show but if that's the case then the entire opening ceremony should have been fake and not just parts of it.
Just do the whole thing on some computer then you don't need to practice for months with thousands of people!

[East Coaster]

Bob Costas interview with President Bush was ridiculous, especially when he says to the President that our country has problems and Bush had to correct him. NBC can't get stop their political bashing. Time for Bob to move on!

[Marc]

I watched the opening ceremony and couldn't figure out whether they were saying the fireworks "footprints" were animation or not. When they said they were cinematic, I first thought they were saying it was fake, but then I thought they meant it as a metaphor. They definitely fudged on this, despite what the first poster "John" said.

In addition, perhaps we should address whether it is acceptable to fake part what is supposed to be documentary coverage. Why was it necessary to include CGI graphics fireworks at all? It leads one to doubt the veracity of anything that's covered on TV.

[Mimi]

What bugs me is I have to switch back and forth between the various broadcasts, and I don't which sports will be on when. I would love seeing some of the more obscure sports, where spirits are high and the competitors not professional athletes.

I am bored to tears with the hours and hours of gymnastics [much of it just showing the imps standing around looking solemn] and ye gads... basketball. If I wanted to watch the NBA, I'd catch games during the season. I don't.

[Ian]

This is fairly ridiculous. I hate the LIVE tag on the west coast. The other two issues don't matter at all. Suck it.

[Art]

Nobody has mentioned the biggest blunder that NBC and Olympics have created. Where I live, the broadcast of these amateurish athletes pre-empted the first pre-season game of some real professional sports action--NFL Football.

[Irondog]

What's so shocking about NBC (or any press medium) faking a live broadcast? It's par for the course.

[William]

NBC faking the news? LMAO Every NBC and MSM broadcast is like a magic show of misdirection from the real truth. Look at how the MSM tried to bury the John Edwards 'CHEATING on his sick wife baby daddy story'. I have never seen such a blatent coverup by the news? media. And, they wonder why the MSM ratings are in a never ending tailspin. Hey MSM, your job is to report the news, not interpret with you're left-wing biased opinions. Get a clue!

[craigermonster]

wow, imagine if NBC were to fake something as 'real' as the olympics imagine to what degree they might got to prop up a fake candidate for US President. They might try to make us believe obama is something more than an empty suit. scarrrryyyy!!!

[Brad]

I understood that the footsteps were not real. I understand that Live was for one timezone.

What I don't understand is why if NBC edited the order of the country's arrival in the ceremony, why wouldn't they edit it so they would NOT go to commercial while the US athletes were still pouring into the building?

They made a big deal before the US showed up about some country w/5 athletes not being cut out, yet they cut out many of the US participants.

People have too much time on their hands to complain about this stuff. Either that or not enough intelligence to comprehend what is being said on the bube tube.

[ask]

craigermonster - OMG - hystrerical ;o) and Totally correct!
"wow, imagine if NBC were to fake something as 'real' as the olympics imagine to what degree they might got to prop up a fake candidate for US President. They might try to make us believe obama is something more than an empty suit. scarrrryyyy!!!"

[john]

Loved when some NBC commentator said the reason why the mens beach volley ball team was getting their asses wiped by a no where team from some where in the middle of central Europe was because the six foot "14" American had "tired legs" from walking in the opening ceremonies"------poor baby!!!!!!!!
Typical US BS.

[Brad]

The French swim team didn't need special effects to look like total losers. They did it on their own.

[Dude]

Here in Seattle I watch the Canadian broadcast. The events are carried live. NBC's delayed coverage of the men's 4x100 was laughable.

[freedomvet]

they'll hopefully come clean & tell us next that the "planes" we "saw" strike the "twin towers" were "quite literally cinematic". hmmm...imagine that! you only see what they create & want you to see. keep up the lies.

[Shades]

Dear NBC Sports spokesperson,

I'm an "intelligent" West Coast viewer. I believe everything you say. I don't mind watching the Olympics with a three hour delay while the rest of the world gets to watch it Live. In fact, if you went Live, I'd miss your great NBC Nightly News broadcast. My cat and I love that show. Little kitty meow-meow's every night at broadcast time. I like you calling me intelligent. It makes me feel good. Don't worry. I'll pretend I'm watching the Olympics Games Live, except for those two very brief moments when you tell me, "Well, not really."

[DeLeftover]

It's almost as bad as the NBC commentators remark about US beaches being covered with cigarette butts and charcoal, or cheering for France when they're playing a US team.

Makes me wish the games were on FOX

[Aconn]

How about the manipulation of that boy's age. You're telling me he's 9 years old, come on!!!

[luluhalls]

Just one of many fakes this olympics including the obvious faked ages of the Chinese womens gymnasts. I feel like I'm watching the WWF. While it's all entertaining, I am feeling very misled and confused.

[jaktheking]

Bob's WIG is terrible. My senses are much more offended at his obviously fake hair-do than by the so-called lies.
I think the CGI effects were great. Fireworks are notoriously difficult to capture on film with the same intensity of the in-person show. It was a great show, and didn't deviate from the spirit of live entertainment. It made the TV viewing experience as great as TV can be using only two of the five senses that one uses when they experience the show in-person.

[D]

What is the problem? IT seems if it is not negative they do not want to talk about it. Reguardless of how it was done it was very nice.
Seems like sour grapes.