When NBC announced their commentary lineup for the 2024 Paris Olympic Opening Ceremony, many viewers were scratching their heads.
Instead of opting for a team of former Olympians or seasoned broadcasters, the network chose to feature Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, and commentator Mike Tirico.
While these personalities are certainly well-known, their expertise in Olympic coverage was questionable, leading to some mixed reactions.
Social media buzzed with comments as viewers expressed their confusion.
One person humorously remarked on X, “When I think of a team to guide me through a global cultural celebration, Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson are at the top of my list.”
Another chimed in, saying, “The highlight of this Olympic opening ceremony is watching Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson clearly not having prepared at all.”
A third viewer quipped, “Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning seem like the American tourists Parisians would rather avoid.”
Kelly Clarkson Faces Criticism
Kelly Clarkson, known for her singing career and talk show on NBC, faced a fair share of criticism.
One viewer vented, “Kelly Clarkson, I love you, but you’re terrible at this—didn’t anyone prepare you?” Another joked about her commentary, saying, “Kelly Clarkson’s analysis ranges from ‘this is cool’ to ‘this is SO cool.'”
One person even suggested that the ceremony would be more enjoyable if Clarkson didn’t react to everything as if she were seeing it for the first time.
The Missing Olympians
Many viewers wondered why NBC didn’t opt for former Olympians to host the event.
Questions arose about why athletes like Shaun White or Michael Phelps weren’t chosen, with one viewer asking, “Why are Peyton Manning, Kelly Clarkson, and Snoop Dogg the commentators? Were no Olympians available?”
Simone Biles’ Absence
Another topic of discussion was the absence of Simone Biles, a prominent figure in gymnastics.
Although her fans missed seeing her at the event, her parents provided an explanation during an interview with NBC News’ Hoda Kotb and Snoop Dogg. Biles’ mom, Nellis, clarified, “The first competition is Sunday, which is the Women’s Qualifier.
She needs to rest up before that.” Biles, along with her teammates Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey, was advised to skip the lengthy opening ceremony.
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