From CNN: Commentary: Olympics on NBC must-flee TV

Yep, I’m with him. Thank heavens the other networks are counter-programming, so there’s still good stuff to watch while some people waste time on this.

The recent discussion on the Internet OTR Digest about the “greatest entertainer” gives me an excuse to talk about this. Just like this discussion, every once in a while, someone on the Digest will propose polling everyone to determine the list’s “favorite show,” or OTR’s “greatest show.” And every time it comes up, I work really hard to discourage it.

Why? Well, in the first place, “favorite” is naturally subjective; everyone has different tastes (why there’s vanilla as well as chocolate ice cream), so my “favorite” probably won’t match yours, and even if it does, you can bet our second-favorites will be different. In the second place, I love I Love a Mystery and Burns and Allen, but I’d be hard-pressed to pick a “favorite” between the two, since they are so wildly different - sorta like choosing between steak and lollipops. All depends on what I’m hungry for.

But the biggest reason is…everyone is “right.” Your personal favorite is the greatest OTR show ever aired…so is mine, and so is the next guy’s. Whenever there’s a poll that arbitrarily chooses a “best” anyone who disagrees with that choice feels somehow they are “wrong,” and ‘taint so, McGee. One of the beautiful things about OTR is that everyone’s favorite is correct, at least for them. So if you love The Avenger, you can feel comforted in the simple fact that it is the greatest OTR show ever made.

(Hum…I have to admit I don’t think I ever expected to see “The Avenger” and “greatest” in the same sentence. But anyway…)

So don’t be surprised when there’s no “official” best or worst list on the OTR Digest. Just feel free to talk about your favorite show there, while not being dismissive of someone else’s - remember, to them, it’s the greatest!