Like millions of Americans, I spent many hours the last couple of weeks of weeks watching the Olympics. Generally speaking, it was a good show.

However, that doesn’t stop me from offering a few comments and suggestions.

1. Italy gave the world a beautiful opening ceremony and nearly as good closing ceremony.  France would be wise to learn from Italy and avoid another mess like the Paris Olympics performances.
2. NBC tried to cover multiple events at the same time and did a reasonable job most of the time.  I could do without the skating commentator guy dressed like a girl and the general promotion of gay relationships.  We need to promote real boys and real girls.
3. I tried to watch curling a couple times.  I don’t think it is a sport worthy of the Olympics.  If it is, then so are billiards, bowling, croquet, bocce, bags, horseshoes, and darts.
4. Should the American dance pair have received the gold instead of silver?  Probably. But I’m biased and don’t understand the complicated scoring system.  During the Cold War, scoring in the Olympics was a joke.  Judges from communist countries scored Western competitors lower than communist competitors – and it was obvious. So, if there was cheating in Italy, it was amateur.
5. I was proud of the American hockey teams – male and female – winning gold medals.  The Canadians are not quite so proud, losing both finals in overtime.  Some Canadians have struggled a bit with being good sports. There are lots of complaints about the 3 x 3 overtime format, as if it isn’t “real” hockey.  Frankly, I’d prefer they played at full strength until someone scores or everyone drops from exhaustion. But the “new” format has been in place for a decade.  And when I was a kid, hockey players didn’t wear helmets or face masks.  But times change.  Tennis players gave up wood rackets and white balls. Football players embraced helmets and shoulder pads. NASCAR adopted multiple safety measures over the years.  Times change and the new rules are the same for everyone.
6. There isn’t a single sport in the Winter Olympics that I’m good at.  Oh, I’ve done a little cross-country skiing – but old school with long skies and bamboo poles.  And I don’t do spandex uniforms. However, I think I could to the Stanley Tucci assignment, visiting various restaurants and experiencing glorious Italian foods. I’m no expert, but I know what I like.