In This Poll, NBC Gets Low Ratings

Don Ohlmeyer, in his letter of Aug. 4, truly proved that the Peter Principle (or the Dilbert Principle) is in full effect--neutralize someone’s incompetence by putting them high enough in an organization so no harm can come to the organization.

JOHN HAYTOL

Newport Beach

*

What planet or solar system is NBC’s Don Ohlmeyer from? The reason 193 million people tuned into NBC was not their “terrific storytelling, compelling pictures, and the emotional involvement of the audience,” but rather a lack of alternatives. Since when does one choice indicate satisfaction? I am willing to bet that Larry Stewart’s “straw poll” is a more accurate assessment of “viewer satisfaction” than NBC will acknowledge.

KEVIN PAINTON

Los Angeles

*

Don Ohlmeyer’s logic in defending his network’s convoluted presentation of the Olympics has more holes in it than 10 pounds of Swiss cheese.

Jim McKay, where are you?

PHILLIP MARSHALL

Ventura

*

My own straw poll at work showed 100 people thinking NBC’s coverage stunk and found no one who liked it. Ohlmeyer’s claim that the ratings speak for themselves is rather self-serving in light of the monopoly NBC enjoyed. This would be like saying that since the U.S. Postal Service delivers the most mail, it must be the best. But I bet NBC uses Fed-Ex when it’s real important.

JAMES B. BURKE

Lancaster

*

So NBC spokesman Ed Markey feels the Olympics “isn’t really a sports event. It’s a drama with a sports theme.” Listen, Ed, if I want to watch a drama, I’ll watch “ER.” If I want to watch a sports event, I’ll watch ESPN.

HELEN ROBINSON

Santa Monica

*

Do the top NBC policy makers honestly and genuinely believe that the American TV audience is dumb, narrow minded, uneducated in sports and only hungry for tabloids, gossips and melodramas? Or, what is more ominous, are they deliberately using TV as an extremely powerful tool to brainwash Americans to be that way?

ANDREW N. ALEXANDER

Lakewood

*

When did NBC change the Olympic motto from “Faster, Higher, Stronger” to “More Glitz, More Greed, More Garbage”?

JON BLATT

Los Angeles

*

It was fitting that NBC devoted 20 minutes to the last-place finisher in the men’s marathon, because that is exactly where NBC finished in the Olympics.

D.V. SHUTER

Mission Viejo

*

I wanted to watch the Olympics, but unfortunately, my television only gets NBC.

WAYNE TAVETIAN

Los Angeles

*

One good thing about the NBC Olympic coverage: It’s over.

GIL CRAIG

Torrance

*

Good thing NBC doesn’t cover the Dodgers. I can hear Bob Costas: “Coming up in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on base is Mike Piazza. But before we see Mike bat, let’s take an NBC moment with Mike at home and his special relationship with his dog.”

AL SHEAHEN

Van Nuys

*

I think back on all those times I felt so left out as I stood on the sidelines watching my brothers play AYSO soccer, back when girls’ soccer didn’t exist. Thanks, NBC, for making me feel left out again.

MAUREEN TOAL

Newport Beach

*

NBC’s programming was like a smorgasbord--too much of some things and not enough of others. But considering the number of athletes involved and the number of events, I found NBC’s menu quite satisfying.

MARYLYN TABER

Chatsworth

*

A simple postscript to NBC and ACOG: Bigger does not always mean better and even tasteless things can be highly profitable.

MONA JOHANSSON

Los Angeles