costas

NBC has announced its full list of network anchors for their Olympic coverage.  The list includes no real surprises with Bob Costas anchoring in primetime for the ninth time, Al Michaels and Dan Patrick (making his first appearance) hosting daytime, and Mary Carillo returns to host late night.  Here’s the details on each via NBC

“· The 2012 London Games will be Bob Costas’ 10th for NBC and his ninth as primetime host. After serving as late night host in 1988 from Seoul, South Korea, Costas earned acclaim for his work as primetime host from Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Salt Lake City, Athens, Torino, Beijing and Vancouver. Costas, who has the longest tenure of the network’s sports commentators, joined NBC in 1980.

· Al Michaels, one of the most renowned commentators of all-time and whose legendary “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” call at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games 32 years ago stands as one of the most famous calls in sports history, will work his second straight Olympics for NBC, serving as host of NBC’s live weekend and weekday daytime coverage from London. Michaels was the daytime host at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games in 2010, his first Olympic broadcast assignment in 22 years, when he covered hockey and hosted the Closing Ceremony at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics for ABC.

· Dan Patrick will make his Olympic hosting debut joining Michaels as host of NBC’s live weekday and weekend daytime coverage from London. Patrick, host of Football Night in America and the Dan Patrick Show, served as an Olympic correspondent for NBC in Vancouver.

· Mary Carillo will host NBC’s late-night coverage for the third time, reprising her role from Beijing and Vancouver. Carillo will also serve as an Olympic correspondent and provide a look into life in the United Kingdom through a collection of features done in her own inimitable style, similar to her acclaimed work during the Beijing and Vancouver Games. London is Carillo’s 11th Olympic Games and eighth for NBC.”

In addition, Ryan Seacrest will have some role in the coverage as a “contributor” along with John McEnroe and former gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi.  Except for Seacrest, the roster is very solid with established and respected sports anchors and commentators.  And, as a contributor, at least Seacrest won’t likely have a domineering presence on the primetime telecasts like we initially feared.  Besides, as a fan of the sports themselves, I’ll likely be watching as much of the action live during the morning and afternoon when the broadcast is in the capable hands of Michaels and Patrick.  The full list of announcers and cable anchors will likely be released at a later date.  It’s hard to believe, but the Olympics are only three months away.