If you’ve so far missed the furor, NBC last night played right into its critics’ hands by airing this Today Show promo in primetime, just moments before it finally allowed viewers to see the race it celebrate.
In honor of this broadcasting faux pas extraordinaire, here’s my hastily composed twist on a classic:
‘Twas five minutes to race-time, and all through my place,
Had the tools of technology frozen in place.
The iPhone was nestled quite snug in its cradle;
Notifications on silent; the ringer, disabled.
I’d logged out of Facebook, put Twitter away.
I’d sworn off of email, if just for one day.
Done all that I could to not hear, read or see…
And had just settled down to turn on the TV.
Well, there’s no way I could have done anything more
I pulled down the curtains and bolted the door.
The excitement had built, tension hardly diminished.
Even though in the real world the race was long finished.
When how were my news-virgin eyes so abused!
The Today Show promoting the next morning’s news.
Athlete’s family, so merry… the hugging, the kiss…
Her gold medal mocking my ignorant bliss.
I spoke not a word, but fell back in my chair,
Not believing that promo had actually been there.
And I swear just a flicker had crossed my TV
Of a smug peacock thumbing its nose right at me.
And then to the race — the programming resumed…
But with all electricity sucked from my room.
As I heard them exclaim, ‘fore I turned off my set:
“It is these kinds of moments you’ll never forget.”
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
