Olympic Opening Ceremonies

I'm watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Torino Winter Olympics.

Bob Costas and NBC news anchor Brian Willams are doing the commentary.

At first, I was thrilled that Katie Couric would not be yapping away. I thought anyone would be better than her.

Brian Williams is not better. I can't say he's worse, but he's not an improvement. In fact, he's driving me nuts.

The parade of nations, each country's team coming into the stadium, is going on right now. The soundtrack is an odd recorded mix of American pop music from the 70s and 80s.

As each nation enters, Costas gives some trivia about the country or the team -- typical stuff.

Williams, however, keeps talking politics.

For China, he talked about its powerhouse economy.

When Denmark's team arrived, he brought up the cartoon controversy.

When Iran entered the stadium, he commented on its radical president.

As the Israeli team marched in, Williams mentioned that Steven Spielberg's film Munich was playing in theaters around the world.

For Poland, Williams said the nation is still coming off a time of mourning the death of Pope John Paul II.

He talked about upcoming elections in Serbia and Montenegro.

I think Williams is awful. He doesn't seem to realize this is not the Nightly News.

When the United States came into the stadium, Costas and Williams talked sports, as the camera focused on individual athletes.

I'm surprised Williams didn't bring up "domestic spying" and Bush's approval ratings.