Joannie Rochette and Bob Costas (Video)

On NBC's Friday prime time coverage of the Olympics, Bob Costas interviewed figure skating bronze medalist Joannie Rochette.

Part of the interview aired in prime time and more footage was shown on the late night program.

Watch video of the interview, Part 1.

Watch video of the interview, Part 2.

There's no question that Joannie Rochette's story is very compelling.

The fact that she was able to maintain her composure and concentration and win a medal speaks to what a tremendous, gifted athlete she is.

When she broke down after she completed her short program on Tuesday night, I'm sure viewers all over the world were brought to tears. I was.

I congratulate her for her accomplishments on Olympic ice, and I wish her the best as she deals with the sudden loss of her beloved mom. My heart goes out to her and her family.

Now, I'm beginning to find the way NBC is dwelling on her story, calling it the stuff of Olympic legend, to be a bit too much.

Rochette was on the Today Show Friday morning. Her story merited time on Friday's NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Then, Costas told her story again, the same one we've been hearing for days. He asked many of the same questions she answered on Today and elsewhere in the media.

Apparently, Rochette is such ratings gold that NBC ran the interview with Costas in two parts. It's beginning to feel like exploitation to me.

Want drama? Does anyone remember the name Nodar Kumaritashvili?

I guess a 21-year-old athlete dying during a training run just hours before the Vancouver opening ceremony isn't the sort of drama that brings in viewers.

Want a story of courage and determination, teamwork and friendship?

Mary Carillo did an interview with Nordic Combined athletes and medalists Johnny Spillane and Billy Demong. It aired in the wee small hours of the morning.

Watch the interview that should have been on the prime time program here.

They are such great role models and such good guys.

After Billy won the gold on Thursday and after the medal ceremony, he proposed to his girlfriend, Katie. It's a very sweet story, though not quite good enough for prime time. Better to keep the camera on Lindsey Vonn I guess.

Bottom line: There have been incredible tragedies and triumphs at the Vancouver Olympics, just like in life outside the Olympic bubble and the TV ratings race.

Some of those tragic and triumphant Olympic moments are magnified because of media attention. Some happen quietly, but are no less significant.
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I'm really happy that Team USA chose Billy to be the flag bearer for the closing ceremony.

It's an honor he's earned.

Olympic Nordic combined gold medalist Billy Demong will be flag bearer for the U.S. Olympic team at the closing ceremony on Sunday.

The 29-year-old from Vermontville, N.Y., won a gold medal and proposed to his girlfriend on Thursday before being chosen by his teammates to carry the flag.

"Being chosen as flag bearer is a phenomenal honor," Demong said. "It could have been any one of my teammates, and it is meaningful that our peers are taking notice of what we've achieved."