Aug 8 2008 04:35 PM ET

NOW, are you excited for the Olympics?

Categories: Olympics, Sports, Television

Michaelphelps_lThe Olympics have officially opened in Beijing, and though we will have to wait until midnight ET tonight — after NBC’s four-and-a-half hour broadcast — to name our favorite moments from the opening ceremony, I’m prepared to say the "illuminated dancers" make the cut.

Sports, some say, is the ultimate reality TV, so naturally PopWatch will be watching. Our coverage plans: Olympic Stud of the Day, a daily tribute to the man or woman who, as Annie puts it, "flamed our torch" the night before. He or she can do this by winning gold, fighting the good fight, cracking us up, or looking hellahot. (We do not discriminate on the basis of talent. Hey, this is just like reality TV!). We’ll also have a best/worst moments of the opening ceremony item posted on Saturday morning. (Oh, will the mascots be as cute as we hope?)

Which athletes do you already have your eye on? (We’ll take note.) And will you miss U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps’ porn ’stache? We’re assuming Phelps, pictured, will shave before he competes. Wouldn’t want that resistance to stand between him and those eight gold medals.

Comments (1-22) of 22 Add your comment

  • AA

    Just wondering… how many opening “ceremonies” are there?

  • AA

    (Sorry, don’t mean to be snarky. It’s just one of my Olympic pet peeves.)

  • jaime

    OMG I AM MORE EXCITED ABOUT THIS THAN ANY ONE I KNOW. . .MY DVR IS GOING TO BE ON OVERLOAD! I CANT WAIT FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY AND FOR THE EVENTS THAT WILL UNFOLD THROUGH OUT THE 17days IT IS THE BEST FORM OF REALITY TV B/C YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. WILL SOMEONE TRIP WILL SOMEONE MAKE A POLITICAL STATEMENT WILL THEIR BE ANY TYPE OF TERRORIST ATTACK. . .YOU HAVE ALL TYPES OF SUSPENSE!

  • Snarf

    Am I excited? Well after looking at that pic….

  • Catherine

    How I love the swimming competition…

  • jaime

    AA – ONLY ONE OPENING CEREMONY(Hense “opening” they only start once) and then CLOCING CEREMONY (they only end once)

  • jaime

    For stud of the day keep an eye out for Ryk Neethling he is from South Africa and omg he is BEAUTIFUL seriously he is in swimming…google image him or go to his web page trust you wont regret it.
    On a serious note im looking fwd to see Raj Bhavasar perform for the USA Gymnastics team, he is from HOUSTON TX and was named in alternate but now that Paul Hamm wont be performing he is. HE IS A GREAT GYMNAST AND GLAD HE IS GETTING HIS CHANCE.

  • Dawn

    Pieter van den Hoogenband is my favorite swimmer, not only because his name is freakin’ awesome, but he’s a great athlete.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieter_van_den_Hoogenband

  • Catherine

    I was in Melbourne last year for the FINA…Good times!!

  • Sarah C

    I’ve got dibs on Aaron Peirsol (backstroke swimmer). And I’m looking forward to seeing Eamon Sullivan from Australia.

  • AA

    Thanks Jaime: it’s my ongoing quest to get the media to stop referring to the Opening Ceremony in the plural! Mission accomplished on this blog entry–thanks Mandi! And my vote for an athlete to watch? Adam van Koeverden: Canadian kayaker. Yummmmmmmm.

  • please

    Your depth continues to amaze.

  • bunnyhop

    YEAH PHELPS! TAKE IT ALL OFF! (and I’m not referring to the pornstache.)

  • jaime

    Oh wow AA that guy is cute. . .lol you need to go to Ryk Neethling web page and go to his gallery OMG HE IS BEAUTIFUL!

  • Crystal

    It’s Olympics time! I’m ready for diving, pole vault, fencing and equestrian shenanigans.
    Like all caps Jaime, I had a big heart to heart with my TiVo and cleared off a LOT of stuff to make way for the NBC invasion.

  • AA

    Agreed, Jaime, Ryk is also pretty smokin’.

  • BrandonK

    I nominate Yao Ming as the Stud of the Day from the opening ceremony. He’s so impressive, and he was so cute with the kid who survived the earthquake. (I would have nominated him, but I guess he’s not technically an athlete…and he was 10?! He looked 5!)

  • Kelly

    I am inclined to echo the vote for Adam van Koeverden, he was on the cover of a few Canadian newspapers yesterday. I think everyone who saw it couldn’t help but say ‘damn!’

  • Nathan

    The good news for China is that even if they don’t win the most medals, they’ll probably end up with the most stabbings.

  • ?

    Michael Phelps!

  • luxury watch

    It’s good! rolex watch?
    luxury watch?

  • luxury watch

    It’s good! rolex watch?
    luxury watch?

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