Michael Phelps’ mom received so much TV time during the Olympics that Regis Philbin and Ryan Seacrest are insanely jealous.

Could NBC have possibly shown more cut-ins of Phelps’ mom? They’ll probably break into local programming to show Phelps’ mom return home from Beijing. Picking up her held mail probably deserves a special report. Those Red Sox fans who did their best Robert De Niros for the FOX cameras during that curse-breaking World Series (Stephen King still deserves an Emmy for his performance) think things got a little ridiculous in China.

It all brings back to mind modern golf’s great photo-op pursuer, Phil Mickelson. For a few years there whenever Mickelson did anything in a tournament, you’d have his kids getting released to run around for the cameras on cue. Those parents who make their 5-year-olds wear makeup and compete in beauty pageants wondered if it all wasn’t a little too choreographed.

But the Mickelsons have nothing on what Michael Phelps’ mom pulled off in these Olympics. She just hated being on camera too.

Can we get back to sporting events where the camera cuts-ins are not more set-up in advance than the invasions of most countries?

Yes, your kid won eight gold medals. But does that mean you have to try and hog the Olympic spotlight with a zeal that Terrell Owens would appreciate?

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