Aug 18

Olympics hero Michael Phelps gives us a mom who is even more annoying than Phil Mickelson's release-the-kids photo-op routine

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?

« Usain Bolt more exciting than Michael Phelps in Olympics like Sergio Garcia is more exciting than Padraig Harrington in golf

Tiger Woods should concede Player of the Year to Padraig Harrington »

7 comments

§ Brandon Tucker® said on : 2008-08-18 @ 06:02
I'm sure NBC producers were all over her 24/7. It's not her fault she was a tad overexposed.

I think she did a great job, but I'm not crazy about NBC playing up Phelps' ADHD. That's not exactly a Forrest Gump-type crutch.
§ Joe Cool said on : 2008-08-18 @ 21:28
Chris, I had always thought you were a complete idiot, now I am certain you are after you insult Phelp's Mother. Your blog is a waste of my time. Get a life you poor little boy!
§ John said on : 2008-08-19 @ 13:37
God you're a moron Chris. Whoever has the television contract for the Olympics ALWAYS shows the families of the winners. Phelps won or was part of a winning relay team EIGHT times. He WAS the big story of the Olympics so far. This is neither pandering, abnormal, or anything for you to whine about - except you always whine.
§ Chris Baldwin® said on : 2008-08-19 @ 13:43
I'm not seeing LeBron James' mom ad nauseum at the Olympics. Nor Usain Bolt's mom. (And Bolt's story is arguably even cooler than Phelps). Nor any other athlete's mom, girlfriend, former high school coach or maid anywhere close to the degree we got Phelps' mom.

It's definitely far beyond the usual. You can love every minute of it if you want. Just don't pretend it's not a serious camera love on Phelps' mom's part too.
§ Rohan said on : 2008-08-20 @ 20:51
It's part of NBC's great big Phelps orgy. They even found time to interview in the primetime broadcast one night. What she has to do with swimming fast in a pool only God knows. But NBC is a gang of mediawhores so it's what they do. They started their orgy from before the Olympics and had one hug orgasm the whole fricking week.
§ John said on : 2008-08-23 @ 20:45
Geez Chris you must be as blind as you are stupid. I saw Bolt's mom every time he ran.
§ Rohan said on : 2008-08-24 @ 03:01
The point wasnt whether or not NBC was showing athletes' loved ones in the stands. They showed a lot of relatives of all the athletes. The point was their obsession with Debbie Phelps bordered on insanity. Like I said it was a Phelps orgy. Thinking critically isnt a strong suit if people can't see the difference between say seeing Lauryn Williams mom and the giant all encompassing worship of Debbie Phelps