Back to Prime Time last night--we get the final moments of the US’s Women’s Hockey win, then Tirico (at the Duomo) sends us to the early runs of Figure Skating, including Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito. Neither were in the medal picture after the short program.
We then go back to a review of the hockey game, followed by the Men's 1500m Speed Skating silver for Jason Stolz.
OK--the “Event of the Night”. Tara narrates a final preview of the leaders, and Liu gets her “home movies on a big screen” moment, and later her own segment. During her performance, Tara and Johnny talk about how she doesn’t “care if she gets a medal”, which results in a gold--and NBC gets their big moment.
We got a quick view of the new event, Ski Mountaineering--more of that in a moment. Unfortunately, a storm blew through just as Liu was doing her Tirico interview, and it knocked out my DVR. I switched over to Peacock to see it. I read a review online of NBC’s streaming service, and they were absolutely right. It is CLUNK-Y. Huge lags as you maneuver around the Cheesecake Factory-esque menu, and massive (and repeated) numbers of ads. The network spent billions to get rights to the games, then hired someone’s nephew to build their app.
The US passes Italy in the Medal Count to move into 2nd place--Norway remains firmly in front. Liu’s interview is a breath of fresh air from the seriousness of most winning athletes. They wrap it up with her medal ceremony.
Late night--Taylor hangs out at the US Party House with the Women’s Hockey team. Then it’s off to Women’s Halfpipe Quals. A Canadian boarder goes down hard, and has to be sledded away.
More Hockey party interviews, and a throwback to a 1980’s demonstration event, “Ski Ballet”, before we go to the newest event, Ski Mountaineering aka “Skimo”. Competitors work their way up a large hill side-by-side under their own power, then ski back down. There’s hills, steps, patterns to work through, sections sans skis--it’s a lot. Oh, and they did it in a blizzard. Switzerland takes the gold for the women, Spain for the men.
Back at the party, Taylor interviews Amber Glenn (she wound up in 5th, BTW). Women’s Curling wraps it up.
And for the last time during QISE, the Today Show. A daily review, the Women’s Skaters are interviewed, and then the entire Women’s Hockey team drop by the Duomo. Seth Myers reports from QISE as well--he was at the Hockey game.
Over to Daytime coverage--Lowe sends us straight to Two Women’s Bobsled--Run #1. We’re seeing a few new graphics (or maybe I just missed them)--there’s a small widget onscreen just below the sled showing real time speed. Meanwhile, I just learned that there will be a Men’s Hockey game around 3p, which works great for me, as I have to step out around then for an event.
US Hockey’s Hilary Knight stops by the Duomo to talk to Lowe, followed by the Men’s Aerials Final. China wins it. Alyssa Liu continues her victory tour (she hasn’t checked her phone yet), then off to the Women’s 1500m Speed Skate--the Dutch continue their dominance.
There’s a controversy (or conTRAWvisy, as Lowe puts it) about US Halfpipe athlete Hunter Hess, who said in an interview that he’s not a fan of how the US gov’t is going right now. Of course, Cheetolini immediately called him “a loser”. Well, that loser made it to the finals, flashing an “L” on his forehead. He made it clear he loves America, just not those running it at the moment.
Speaking of the Men’s Ski Halfpipe--an NBD (never been done) attempt results in slamming into the top of the pipe for American Nick Goepper. He walked it off, though. The US won the gold anyway.
OK, it’s the Hockey game and time for me to go. More tomorrow.
#Its_a_me_QISE