I'm not a big Olympics fan - but every night I find myself getting hooked into watching it for hours.  I'm not alone the ratings are strong across the country - really strong!

I think the draw is the Olympics is the ultimate reality TV program.  It is all about the DRAMA of the Olympics.  I am rooting for Michael Phelps to get 8 gold medals.  The DRAMA of the 4X100 relay the other night was incredible!

I'm not a gymnastics fan but the DRAMA of the U.S. Men's team trying to gut out a medal after one of their best had to drop out was great theatre.  I once again was hooked all night.

NBC has two things going for it during these Olympic games.  First, the scheduling of the Phelps' swimming events, the gymnastics etc. live in prime time makes us want to tune in.  The DRAMA would be lost if we had heard, or read that Phelps won a gold medal 6 hours ago.

Secondly, NBC is doing an excellent job of putting little information nuggets on the screen during prime time - "Michael Phelps goes for gold live in 34 minutes."  It hooks me to either stick around - or come back in half an hour.

So, I am confessing that while I told my wife I was not going to watch the Olympics - I am hooked on the DRAMA and in front of the set each night.  At least I am in good company as the same thing is happening all across the land.

Now - if programmers could only match the same kind of DRAMA outside the Olympics. 

Jim