open letter to NBC

Dear American Friends at NBC

We know it is hard for you to consider that there is a world outside the USA, and harder still to believe that it matters. But every once in a while, give it a try. The opening of an Olympic Games, for example, would be a perfect opportunity for you to just ever so slightly widen your horizon.

Because imagine it had happened the other way round: 


New York wins the bid to host the Olympic Games. The New York Organising Committee (probably spelling itself with a 'z'; we forgive you for that) appoints a director who may not be to everyone's taste but who is highly respected in your country and has many admirers across the world, say Stephen Spielberg, to direct the Opening Ceremony. He does so and includes in the ceremony a segment to honour the victims of 9/11. 


And now the BBC (that's our British Broadcasting Corporation, in case you wonder) decides: 'Actually, that slow moment there, where nothing really happens except somebody's singing a hymn and there are some dancers doing their thing, and pictures of some dead people are shown, that's just some boring stuff about a bunch of murdered Americans and not really relevant to our British audience, we'll cut to an interview with Rebecca Adlington instead'. 


The more sensitive among you might find this a touch upsetting. But rather than apologise, imagine now the BBC turning around, saying: 'You know what, it's a credit to this "producer" [by which they mean the director] that we only had to cut such a small bit. Well done, Mr Spielberg, you nearly managed to give us exactly what we think makes a for good Opening Ceremony.' 


Now do you see how preposterous that is? And how wrong? Because of course 9/11 affects people all over the world. Just as 7/7 does. It's only the order of magnitude that's different. And that isn't even the point. The point is that anyone, anywhere can relate to a moment of reflection for fellow human beings who cannot be with us when we celebrate. And it is not for you to decide what's relevant to this ceremony, or the people watching it, and what isn't. That's not good programming, that's just arrogance.  


So please do the decent thing and apologise. To Danny Boyle, to the artists and performers, to London, to everyone who has lost friends, family, loved ones anywhere in the world who was being remembered and honoured in the 'dull bit' that you felt would best be replaced by an interview with Michael Phelps, charming man though he may be (I don't know him personally, and I have no cavil with him). 

And please: try not to be so unbelievably patronising. As you can tell from reading this letter, it's deeply annoying. And whether you think we matter or not, we - the 6.7 billion or so people in the world who are not Americans - exist and your attitude on an occasion like this is just breathtakingly offensive to us; and really quite insulting to your 'American audience' too: because not only will you find that many people living in your country are really from somewhere else, you're also implying that all Americans are as ignorant and crass as you are. And we all know for a fact that that's not the case. So even if you can't bring yourself to give us a second thought, at least show your own audience some respect.

In the Olympic Spirit, from London
Sebastian Michael


The cut segment (not best quality - if you know of a better clip, please let me know)



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