Japan's Bob Costas

With the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics winding down, I wanted to take a quick moment to reflect on the games from our perspective here in Japan. In all honesty, it was quite a treat. Because of the time difference, the majority of the games happened during the morning to early afternoon hours here. Although it would have been a welcome distraction for my wife during the day, she made sure not to tune in or pay attention to internet headlines so that we could enjoy the recap coverage together sandwiched around the evening news.

Every day for the past two weeks, I've raced home to catch the coverage after work. Like I said, it's really been a treat because its nice to settle in with a routine on TV. Something we haven't really had the opportunity to do with Japanese dramas, game shows, or comedies. Struggling with the language has a lot to do with that.

Neither of us speak well enough to understand the commentators, but we did enjoy watching the clips of the day's events. For the most part, the recaps focused on how the Japanese performers did in a certain competition, aired their interviews, and medal ceremony if they were winners. The clips also provided the winners and top performers in each event, so we did get to see our fair share of our home country's success (Congrats USA)!! I just feel as though I watched way more curling and figure skating than usual (two of Japan's strong events), and not enough luge, bobsled, or downhill. Oh well, at least our coverage was never short of human-sized puppets.  There was a new one almost every night! Definitely made up for the lack of fire-side chats with Bob Costas.  I like this guys excitement.  He could hardly contain himself during the segment.  It looks as if the poor guy's gonna race to the bathroom once the segment is done!