Search Results for: blog olympic opening ceremonies spectacular but how much of it was real

A Ton of People Watching TV

TV executives are on top of the world right now, thrilled that you spent at least part of the last few weeks tuning into major sporting and political events. Records were shattered last month when more than two out of three people worldwide watched the Beijing Olympics on TV. According to new numbers just released by Nielsen Media Research, 4.7 billion viewers worldwide tuned into at least some of the 17 days of Olympic TV coverage last month. The audience was one-fifth larger than the 3.9 billion who watched the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, according to the folks at … Continue reading →

Michael Phelps the Comedian?

I suppose if Nancy Kerrigan can do it, why not Michael Phelps? The king of the pool will be stepping into unchartered waters when he hosts the season premiere of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” on September 13th. (We all know the number 8 was great for the swimming sensation in China; now we’ll get to see how 13 treats him.) The golden boy of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China will not only be making his acting debut on the late-night institution, Phelps will also be hooking up with the recording artist whose music motivated him in the … Continue reading →

Olympians Turning Gold to Green

Now that the last of the fireworks has exploded over Beijing and the Olympic flame has been officially extinguished, the world class athletes that made the Summer Games such a huge success are moving onto their next mission: turning their gold medals into green. Cold hard cash—and a ton of it—will welcome golden boy Michael Phelps as he heads back to Baltimore in the coming days. The swimming super star raked in more gold medals than any athlete in Olympic history and if he plays his cards right he could be set for life. Can you say endorsements? Those eight … Continue reading →

Fitness Week in Review for August 18-24, 2008

If you have been swept up in the Summer Olympic Games you are not alone. The awe-inspiring performances displayed by the world’s greatest athletes have served as inspiration for a number of blogs this week. If you missed any of them because you were glued to your set cheering on your home team now is your chance to get caught up. August 18th—-Olympic Inspired Fitness Routines. If you have been one of the millions of viewers tuning into the daily physical drama that is the Summer Olympic Games then you might be itching to go for a swim, turn cartwheels … Continue reading →

Michael Phelps’ Mom Scores Big at the Olympics Too

Swimming sensation Michael Phelps is not the only one in the family who made waves at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The woman who gave birth to the “Baltimore Bullet,” Debbie Phelps, has just been crowned with the title of “Mom of the Olympic Games.” The honor was given by Johnson’s Baby and comes in the form of a hefty check the company plans to donate in Debbie’s name to her favorite children’s charity. The middle school principal from Maryland says she was honored by the award and is pleased that the money will be going to help children … Continue reading →

How Do You Pronounce It?

Is it “Bay-jing,” “Bay-zhing” or “Bay-zheeng”? The 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China are rapidly coming to a close and I have yet to view a day of coverage where broadcasters are on the same page when it comes to pronouncing the host city’s name. Have you noticed this too? Brian Williams spent more than a week anchoring NBC’s “Nightly News” from a place he calls “Bay-jing.” The veteran news anchor makes a concerted effort to place the emphasis on the second syllable and he sounds as though he knows what he is doing. However, lead primetime Olympic anchor … Continue reading →

Making an Edible Bird’s Nest

Much has been made of the most recognizable Olympic venue in Beijing, China. The eye-catching National Stadium, or “Bird’s Nest” was home to the memorable opening ceremony and it is currently housing the track and field events along with men’s soccer. In addition, this Sunday the Bird’s Nest will host the 2008 Olympic closing ceremonies. According to the building’s designer, the hollowed complex allows in maximum sunshine in an effort to make spectators feel like they are in a forest. The designer also noted that the bowl shape was designed specifically to help the audience focus on the bottom center … Continue reading →

Have You Been Pulling Olympic All-Nighters?

I don’t know how Michael Phelps is feeling, but I’m exhausted. The live drama at the pool and in the gym during these Summer Olympic Games has kept me up later than my days as a college student (or at least since those foggy nights breastfeeding my daughter). Olympic viewers on the East Coast have taken the brunt of it. I live in the Midwest and stayed up well past midnight watching Phelps swim to victory (some of his races didn’t get underway until after 10 p.m. Central, 11 p.m. Eastern). Then, there were the nights I forced myself to … Continue reading →

Olympic Closing Ceremony—What Will the Chinese Blow Us Away With Next?

Frankly, I don’t know how it is humanly possible to top the brilliance displayed during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, but according to Chinese officials, viewers can expect another lavish production come Sunday. According to reports, several international stars will converge on Beijing to make the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympics one of the most amazing spectacles the world has ever seen. Included in the all-star line up is world-famous Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, who will reportedly grace the stage in a duet with Chinese soprano star Song Zuying. In addition, insiders confirm that the ceremony will … Continue reading →

Celebrities Unveil New Projects: Olympic Bound Beckham and Animated Lucas

From the soccer field to the roof of one of London’s red double-decker buses, David Beckham will be kicking the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics into high gear this Sunday. According to British newspapers, the international soccer star is on his way to China right now to practice his part in the closing ceremony. When the Games end at Beijing’s National Stadium, the distinction of hosting the Summer Olympics transfers to London in 2012 and Beckham will reportedly be included in the handover segment, which features a surprise finale. The L.A. Galaxy player (and hubby to his spicy wife … Continue reading →