The Paris Olympics opening ceremony featured some bizarre moments, from the city’s spooky catacombs to a death metal band to a singing, beheaded Marie Antoinette.
Yet one of the main topics of conversation on social media involved Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson, who joined broadcast veteran Mike Tirico in the NBC Sports booth.
The broadcast trio drew mixed reviews for their performance. The consensus on Tirico was not surprising. One of the most respected play-by-play announcers of this generation, he drew high marks for his deft handling of the ceremony.
Manning and Clarkson, on the other hand, did not impress many fans. Joshua Johnson, a former host with MSNBC and NBC News Now, posted on X, “Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning sound like the American tourists Parisians dread. Please, y’all. Less.”
I love that the #Paris2024 #OpeningCeremony is commercial-free on @NBC.
I wish it was commentary-free.
Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning sound like the American tourists Parisians dread. Please, y’all. Less.— Joshua Johnson (@joshualistening) July 26, 2024
Manning drew the stronger reviews of the two, but there were haters.
Why is Peyton Manning doing Olympics coverage? He’s … not good.
— Janet Johnson (@JJohnsonLaw) July 26, 2024
The legendary quarterback seemed to get more comfortable as the broadcast progressed. He did get off a Spygate joke. And another moment that stood out is when he displayed a QB-style wristband that he claimed had information on all 10,000 athletes from the games.
Peyton Manning being Peyton Manning. pic.twitter.com/3t2c4r6v5b
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) July 26, 2024
Clarkson, however, drew more harsh reviews, with many fans calling out her over-usage of exclamations such as “wow” and “cool” whenever the ceremony entered a new phase.
These opening ceremonies would be more fun if Kelly Clarkson didn’t react to everything that’s happened like she’s never left her house before.
— Dan (@DanSparano) July 26, 2024
Is there going to be a point where Kelly Clarkson stops talking?
I’d rather listen to Peyton talk about Baguettes non stop than hearing her say “this is so cool” over and over….#olympics
— Zachary Setter (@z_setter) July 26, 2024
One small firework goes off randomly in the Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Kelly Clarkson immediately: “Wow! This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen! Amazing!”
— Yes (@SportsIsLife234) July 26, 2024
Kelly Clarkson… wow, just wow. Was she not prepped at all?! I have had better commentary sitting in my living room on my couch.
— RP (@mna4852) July 26, 2024
In events of this magnitude, there’s a fine line between letting the moment speak for itself, and explaining something viewers may not understand. Tirico, with his extensive broadcast experience, seemed to understand that balance.
Also, it shows how much of a pro Mike Tirico is. Sometimes, the best thing to do during a live broadcast like this with so much going on is nothing. Let the images ride – don’t fill the air with words for no reason. Peyton is doing it well, too. Kelly can’t help herself. Lol
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) July 26, 2024
Hopefully, Clarkson has been taking notes.
[Image from NBCSportsPR on X/Twitter]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.