Why did NBC turn the Kentucky Derby into an effeminant showcase of stars?

Question

I thought it was about the horses?

Answer 1

Ratings, more people who don't even care about the Kentucky Derby will watch because they are interested in the stars. What their wearing and who they think will win.

Answer 2

You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!  When I read your question, I LMAO!  We think alike.

Of the historic 3 big networks, NBC currently has the lowest overall ratings.  They paid a pretty penny for the rights to broadcast the Kentucky Derby so they are leveraging this unusually big audience (the "Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports") to hock their programs.  But they've gotten RIDICULOUS!  They are interviewing celebrities and other near-knowns for their strategies on betting, as if these people really know anything about horse racing.  I think the worst was when they had the two Red Carpet Fashion experts proclaim they were betting their money based on WHO HAD THE MOST FASHIONABLE SILKS!  Gimme a Break!

ESPN broadcast a LITTLE more serious sports evaluation of the Kentucky Derby in the hours prior to when NBC had exclusive rights of broadcast.  But even ESPN had one of their lead commentators launching into really lame comedy bits, making comparisons to "Dancing with the Stars" (since this commentator competed there once and lost miserably) as well as to a call for the Federal Reserve to come bail out one of the Owners who has had a horse in the Kentucky Derby for years and never won, and somehow bailing this guy out would help save the horse racing industry.   Really bad, lame attempt at humor and I was embarrassed for ESPN that they would stoop to this level of self-promotion (just like NBC), thinking they are "cute" when they are just being moronic.

NBC is hurting for more viewers in general so they pull a stupid (but now more common) stunt in an effort to draw a larger audience.  I'd say "nice try"...but it wasn't even that.  It was DUMB.  And NBC's credibility as a "serious" sports coverage entity has suffered, at least in my eyes.   I'm like you...it's supposed to be about the horses and the race...not about other TV programs pandering for more viewers or the careers of has-been celebrities, Hollywood, and wannabes.

Answer 3

yeah i know

but it was cool seeing good ol Vince McMahon

Answer 4

All of these big events are full of hype and a who's who of stars. It's unfortunate because all of this hype and nonsense take away from the actual event. But, it is simply reality. You see the same thing during the Superbowl where they show the famous former athletes there. Well, let's hope for a good race.

Answer 5

I agree.  Luckily, ESPN still had coverage until 5.  Maybe NBC will be better now that ESPN isn't covering the horses.  Everytime I turned on NBC I turned it right off again because they were talking to someone I didn't care about.