A note from Bob Costas

Norman Charles, NYC — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:43:47 GMT

Let me get this straight, Bob. NBC bullied China into manipulating the times of Olympic events so the most popular events could air live in America's eastern time zone. Michael Phelps and all the other swimmers had to compete at a ridiculously early hour just so NBC could sell more ads at higher rates. And you're apologizing for getting a tiny bit of Springsteen trivia wrong? Give me a break. You should be apologizing to Michael Phelps for making him get up really early every day just so NBC could sell more Coca Cola and Big Macs.

A note from Bob Costas

Ray Lamoureux, Marlborough, CT — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:46:13 GMT

It's sort of like relying on information from retired Pentagon generals who have strong ties to military contractors during the runup to the war in Iraq, and whom you believe to be honorable men, isn't it?

A note from Bob Costas

pat allgood — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:41:16 GMT

Lighten up, Mr. Costas. I hope that you apologized to Mr. Phelps because you hurt him the most.
Lighten up on your coverage. Watching you is like watching a robot now. You used to have a really good
thing going on.

A note from Bob Costas

Keith Igoe, Littleton, CO — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:02:35 GMT

Blinded by the light. It happens to the best of us.

A note from Bob Costas

Kurt Morris, Portland, OR — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:13:08 GMT

It's good of you to apologize, but If you're all such big Springsteen fans, it seems you'd realize that "Born In The USA" isn't some jingoist ditty but a sad commentary on war and how the US treats her veterans. Why, then, in the world would Bruce dedicate this song to Michael Phelps?

Sorry, Bob. I don't think Mr. Springsteen will bail you out in Nashville, St. Louis, or anywhere else.

A note from Bob Costas

Maria Teresa Fleischmann, New York, NY — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:22:01 GMT

"I had every reason to believe this information was accurate": Any person who has bothered to listen to the lyrics of "Born in the U.S.A." knows it is a song about the unfair treatment given to Vietnam war veterans. Why would Mr. Costas think Springsteen would consider it an appropriate tribute to the most succesful olympic athlete of all time?

A note from Bob Costas

JN Los Angeles, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:34:51 GMT

Wait a darned second...u mean a member of the main stream media took a completly fabricated story on the word of a "rusted source" didnt bother to vet it and ran with it anyway!?

SHOCKER!

A note from Bob Costas

Bill — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:52:25 GMT

Bob Costas needs to lighten up period his one sided coverage favoring certain athletes over others has almost ruin what has been a great Olympics. Stick to simple interviews and stop trying to insert yourself and your beliefs in the coverage and you won't have to worry about this type of stuff happening.NBC has done a great job.

A note from Bob Costas

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:20:34 GMT

Bob saying the name of the Boss aka Bruce Springsteen around Brian Williams is like giving candy to a baby. Those of us viewers who have supported Brian for oh so many years know he gets really excited when the name Springsteen is said. As for the apology well as a friend of Brian Williams aka 008 Brian Bond I accept.

A note from Bob Costas

Pastor Moses Brown, Tampa Fl — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:23:54 GMT

Thanks for making life so convenient - I hate getting up early anyway

A note from Bob Costas

Ray Lamoureux, Marlborough, CT — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:41:21 GMT

Lewis Lapham wrote a great essay about the canonizing of Tim Russert as the "consummate journalist" in this month's Harper's magazine, entitled "Elegy For A Rubber Stamp". It's well worth reading. Also, Glenn Greenwald wrote a very good piece for Salon today, illustrating how so-called "journalists" (including the late Mr. Russert) of the mainstream media cozy up to powerful government figures, rather than acting as the "adversarial press" that they SHOULD be.

A note from Bob Costas

Annoyed in Dallas — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:50:23 GMT

Oh back off people- and lighten up. He said he was sorry- now go boo hoo somewhere else.

A note from Bob Costas

manfromochie, kingston, Jamaica — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:45:07 GMT

While we all praise the great performance by Phelps, I like many others have complaints about NBC and you in Particular:
1) Why is NBC not providing coverage of the rest of the Olypics, in particular track and field.
2) Why did you feel it necessary to rip Bolt for his celebration.

Today he set the World record in the 200m as well. Is it sour grapes; why is the US protesting the sweep by the Jamaican ladies; sour grapes; they are volunteering that one of their own team picked; I believe the athletes are trained to run from start unless that second gun goes off.

The Jamaicans have dominated the sprint events as well as the womens 400m hurdles today so as our 100 Gold medalist in the Womens 100m said is Banana dumplin and others have added is the Yam and cassava.

Let our athletes enjoy their success.....

A note from Bob Costas

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:06:03 GMT

Please move on with the Phelps-Springsteen flub. It's not a Dan Rather case - and ohhhh you newsmen are the consummate professionals we all know - no spin - fair coverage and perspective on everything under the sun - and of course not making yourself celebrities with on and on and on about, was it Springsteen - you're fans or something?
Enough.

A note from Bob Costas

Martin E Cobern, Cheshire, CT — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:17:48 GMT

Dear Norman Charles:

I'm glad you consider 8 AM an early hour. The swimmers always compete morning and evening (heats and finals.) Flipping the finals to the morning and the heats to the evening (China time) may have been an advantage to Phelps.

It is true that holding the finals at 8 AM Beijing time inconvenienced those who paid to attend, and NBC has manipulated the timing in other ways, but this one was a no-brainer and benefited the vast majority of viewers (except those on the left coast.)

A note from Bob Costas

Robert Juengst — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:14:16 GMT

Bob, I love ya to death, but if you wish to apologize to anyone about anything regarding the outstanding Mr. Phelps, apologize to the west coast, who NBC made watch a complete marathon, and day old 100 meter qualifiers, before we got to watch the final race. In one word....SHAMEFUL.

A note from Bob Costas

Carl Bacon — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:04:22 GMT

Thanks, Bob. By the way, some of us think you should be the next host of Meet the Press.

A note from Bob Costas

Major Bruce Fan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:09:55 GMT

Listen to the lyrics, Bob and lose the rug!

A note from Bob Costas

NG — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:31:36 GMT

This is to Norman,

If you were ever once a swimmer you would be used to early hour meets, as most meets start around five or six in the morning. So, i don't feel so sorry for them having to get up early.

A note from Bob Costas

Stephanie-Umbro, Maine — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:53:17 GMT

Good to see you on the blog, Bob. Thanks for clarifying the mistake, but if that's the only mistake you guys have made during the Olympics, I think we can forgive you. I do!

A note from Bob Costas

MC, Sunnyvale, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:38:09 GMT

It sure is great to hear Costas take responsibility and apologize for his mistake. This is the decent, mature, adult thing to do, but few celebrities and politicians take this route when they screw up. I hope D.C. is paying attention. Accountability rocks!

A note from Bob Costas

Jade, Vancouver, BC — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:46:50 GMT

Bob, we're halfway through the Olympics and you're still mispronouncing Beijing. It's Bay-Jing. Jing like Jingle. Jack. Jill. Jade. Not like BonJour. Sorry I'm off topic, it's driving me crazy! Listen to the other English speaking broadcasters - Brits, Canadians, Aussies, they say it correctly.

A note from Bob Costas

Mike Bucciferro Amsterdam, Ny — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:00:18 GMT

I have to agree with "Annoyed in Dallas", people need to chill...Brian already appoligized for this.

This wrong bit of info is so trivial, ok. It's not like NBC got some huge story wrong. It really annoys me when people get so angery over little stuff like this.

NBC is doing a fine job with the olympics, and I am anxious for decision 08 coverage!!!

MAB

A note from Bob Costas

Grant Sampson, Jacksonville, FL — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:06:19 GMT

Bob, I used to really enjoy you hosting the Olympics, but this year, I was really annoyed at how much airtime wad given to that idiot Bela Karolyi. He is such a hypocrite and totally biased. I was disappointed about how you handled his tossing around accusations about unfair scoring in gymnastics. You didn't even counter him by asking about his use of underaged gymnasts in the past. He and his wife Martha just need to shut up and be happy that the US team even got medals. And what's up with NBC not showing other sports besides volleyball and the usual popular sports primetime or online at least.

A note from Bob Costas

CAC, Boston, MA — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:16:01 GMT

Never thought I would enjoy reading an apology, and Bob, thanks for lending your wit the the coverage of the Olympics and making the games even more fun to watch. I've been a long-time fan and I agree with Carl Bacon, you'd be a great host of Meet the Press. Your interview of Bush was more thoughtful and revealing than most.

And to some of the critical posts here: Bob isn't responsible for the Olympic programming, event scheduling, NBC ad sales, or the failure of the MSM, so please be fair and play nicer.

A note from Bob Costas

R. B. Saillant, Lake Worth, Florida — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:49:41 GMT

....and Bob,

Those comments of yours during the Opening Ceremonies regarding the headgear worn by the American Team, were so out of touch. Coordinated by Ralph Lauren, those outfits were topped off with English Driving Caps, not berets as you mistakenly said. Get with it.

A note from Bob Costas

Tom C, Mpls, MN — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:59:32 GMT

Now if he would only apologize for the constant babble during the opening ceremonies....and vow not to do the same during the closing ones.

A note from Bob Costas

Marly Brown Bradford — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:38:42 GMT

Apologize for the horrible coverage of the games....Have track and field disappeared. If I see one more dive I think I wwill die of boredom. Jim McKay would roll over in his grave! How can you make a wonderful exciting celbration SUCH A YAWN!!!Where do you go to complain to NBC?????

A note from Bob Costas

Steve — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:26:28 GMT

It would have taken 5 minutes to fact check.

A note from Bob Costas

Christine Cooper, Reston, VA — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:58:39 GMT

I don't care about the Phelps/Springsteen thing. What I want to know is...what the he** is NBC thinking allowing the results of a race that has yet to air to be revealed during the Nightly News? Tonight Brian Williams & Lester Holt revealed the results of the women's 200 meter. What's the point in that? I have not reason to watch now...sorry advertisers!

A note from Bob Costas

F, denver, CO — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:07:53 GMT

I had to mute the TV during the opening ceremony because of the ignorant commentary from both Bob Costas and Matt Lauer. To be honest, Bob Costas, please for everyone's sake, take a break from hosting and commentary. Some of the comments you have are incredibly insensitive and just shows your ignorance about what it really means and takes to be an Olympian. By the way, swimming is not the only event at the Olympics last time I checked. Some times when you have nothing to say, say nothing at all. I really enjoy watching Mary Carillo and Chris Collinsworth. REAL athletes who know how to ask the right questions and not only give a good perspective to the audience without demeaning the athlete. It's time for Bob to exit stage left.

A note from Bob Costas

rhody in massachusetts — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:20:39 GMT

ha ha these comments are great. Bob, do you read this? or did you even post that? Iam assuming your intern did, and none of this is real.

A note from Bob Costas

ANNA, UPSTATE NEW YORK — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:41:08 GMT

after the exciting first few days, nothing but
DIVING, DIVING, DIVING, DIVING, DIVING, DIVING.Where are the rest of the events???? Did NBC make a deal with CHINA in order for them to show off their divers???
HOW TOTALLY BORING HAS THIS BECOME!!! I AM SHUTTING
OFF THE TV NOW.

A note from Bob Costas

manfromochie — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 04:37:29 GMT

More Bolt, a 400x100 world record today, how should he celebrate Bob?

A note from Bob Costas

Steve Tomas — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:14:48 GMT

It's OK Bob.
Loved you on Space Ghost: Coast to Coast!

A note from Bob Costas

Si — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:16:09 GMT

Bob Costas please rake a serious look at yourself and do some self evaluation. First of all NBCs coverage of the Olympics was so biased. Not only did you focus on events that had American athletes, but if an American came second you would not even announce or show who came first some of the times. That is simply crazy. The double standards are amazing. Did you see how Michael Phelps screamed and carried on after he won his relay. Bolt did not perform any freakish dance. His dance moves are extremely popular in Jamaica. The simple fact that you are not familiar with them does not give you the right to call them freakish. When doing so, you are being very egocentirc and small minded. Imagine, calling break dance freakish just becuase you do not participate in this dance form. Have you ever criticized any of the former sprint relay athletes for their behviour, Maurice Green et al. Bob take a good look at yourself, and remember everything must not only be about ratings, we live in a global society and need to take others into considerations. This has been one of the major problems in America. By the way, for all those who know Usian Bolt he is a very nice and humble person who like many young people enjoys himself. Would you rather have him drinking and driving like you know who.

A note from Bob Costas

GoodScout — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:47:29 GMT

NBC and the IOC should apologize for publicly fellating the brutal and corrupt Chinese regime for 17 days straight, not for this!

A note from Bob Costas

John Doe, Seattle, Washington — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:00:25 GMT

Lousy reporting from a once-great journalist turned botoxed hack, groveling at the feet of his corporate GE masters. Clearly doesn't know his Springsteen either. Apology was nice, Bob, but I'm sure it wasn only because you upset Brian. Shame on you for that jingoistic piece of hearsay.

A note from Bob Costas

B Reynolds, Houston, TX — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:34:00 GMT

I have a question for Bob Costas or someone in his group that can find out the answer.
In the Olympics this year, China definitely won more gold medals than any other country. As my wife and I were watching; however, it occured to us that most of the gold medals they were winning were in sports that were judged, not timed or measured. So, in short, it appears that a disproportionate number of gold medals were awarded to China. I would like to know what percentage of "Judged events" China won, and what percentage of "Non judged events" China won, just to see if the comparison rings true. It sure didn't appear to be fair for the non-Chinese this year. Am I the only one that feels this way?

A note from Bob Costas

Biff, San Fran — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:05:05 GMT

GoodScout - AMEN