I'm writing this on Wednesday morning. It's day 13 of the Vancouver Winter Games. There are several days of events to come and the future is uncertain on several fronts. By the time you read this, Canada is either dealing with the defeat of the men's hockey team or relieved and rooting for an underdog team that's clawing its way to a possible medal.
I've just watched a segment on CTV with Jeanne Beker talking to Johnny Weir. It was utterly surreal: the fashionista chatting with the flamboyant and emphatically-camp skater. The other day, when Weir skated and then sat, wearing a crown of gorgeous red roses on his head, some TV commentators joked and sneered. Nothing like that happened with Beker.
They joked as Weir had his hair and makeup done. "I know I turn a lot of people off," Weir said, waving off the critics. Then he quoted Diana, Princess of Wales: "I know I'll never be the Queen, but I want to be the queen of people's hearts."
It was great TV, a vignette full of humour and respect for an original character. It made me think about how these Games have gradually become inclusive, celebratory of oddballs and misfits, not merely the athletes promoted as stars in the pre-Games hoopla. It made me think about how these Olympics should end. Herewith, a wish list and suggestions:
Joannie Rochette wins a medal
Her skate on Tuesday, the first since her mother's sudden death this past weekend, was astonishing to watch. Her composure held until she finished and then her face crumbling, finally. Then bouquet after bouquet being thrown to the ice in her honour. It was poignant. And she came third in contention for a medal. The narrative demands that she finish (that happens tonight) in the top three.
The talking cars shut up
Really, that horrible, irritating commercial is the worst aspect of watching the Games.
The word "medal" is no longer a verb. Also, "podium" is no longer a verb.
Assaulting the English language is not a sport worth playing.
Canada's women's curlers win gold and are officially acknowledged as hot
Last week, some readers got all humourless and disapproving when I suggested that women's curling was the dead-sexiest thing at the Olympics. Since then, mind you, both The Huffington Post and Zap2it have done photo features on sexy curlers.
CTV pours on the promos for three - count 'em, three - new Canadian shows arriving next week
There have been regular ads for Hiccups, Dan for Mayor and The Bridge. As they all start next week, reminders are an excellent idea.
We are promised that nobody on U.S. TV will talk about Lindsey Vonn for at least six weeks
According to NBC, Vonn is the most important living American after Barack Obama. Yeah, we get it. She's comely and a champ.
We are also promised that we don't have to hear about the temperamental weather in Whistler for a very long time
Even Whistler residents must have had enough by now.
We get to hear Maëlle Ricker, the gold medal snowboarder, giggle again
Best giggle in Canada. And while we're at it, we get to hear Ashleigh McIvor, gold medal winner in women's ski cross, go "wah-haaa-ha!" again. That whoop and holler when she won was priceless and endearing.
Everybody realizes that the emphasis on the men's hockey team was a big mistake
Athletes who are thrilled to celebrate their participation or wins (you know, by giggling or hollering) are a lot more captivating than millionaire NHL players who already get tons of praise.
Also airing:
The Health Care Summit (CNN and various U.S. all-news channels, 10 a.m.) goes on all-day, live on TV. President Barack Obama pitches his plan and various parties debate it. This happens at the White House. Call it a PR stunt if you want but its very presence, live on TV, reminds us that the Canadian Parliament has been shut down for ages now. Question Period? What Question Period?
Important Things with Demetri Martin (Comedy, 10 p.m.) is new, apparently. Martin's low-key comedy is not to everyone's taste - it is high on drollery and sometimes it is charmingly irrational. But much of it is childish and, at its height, it's adolescent. If you want comedy, note that it's followed by The Sarah Silverman Program (Comedy, 10:30 p.m.) which is also new. Ms. Silverman does what she does - alternates between cute and gross. She says this new season of her show illustrates that her comedy has "matured but is extra-dumb."