Viewers of the Olympic Opening Ceremony were stunned by NBC’s decision to hire Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning as commentators for the major international event.
Instead of hiring a panel of former Olympians or traditional presenters for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the two-time Super Bowl champion and Grammy-winning singer were joined by commentator Mike Tirico.
The trio had little expertise to offer during the coverage of this star-studded event.
“When I look for a broadcast team to accompany me through a unique cultural moment of international festivities, I immediately think of Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson,” joked one viewer on X.
Another hilariously said: ‘The cool thing about the Olympic opening ceremony is that Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson apparently didn’t prepare.’
Olympic viewers were stunned by NBC’s decision to interview Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning
The Super Bowl champion and Grammy-winning singer was joined by commentator Mike Tirico
“Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning sound like the American tourists Parisians fear,” added a third viewer.
Clarkson, a former American Idol winner and now an NBC talk show host, faced even more criticism.
“Kelly Clarkson I love you but you are so bad at this. Did NO ONE prepare you at NBC?!?!!,” one viewer wrote.
Another joked: ‘Kelly Clarkson is amazing during the opening ceremony broadcast, with interesting analysis that ranges from ‘this is cool’ to ‘this is SO cool.’
“This opening ceremony would be more fun if Kelly Clarkson didn’t react to everything that happens like she’s never left her house,” a third person said.
“Kelly Clarkson I love you but you are so bad at this,” one fan brutally wrote on X
“Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning sound like American tourists,” one viewer added
The star-studded ceremony took place on Friday evening on the Seine in Paris
Others wondered why the channel had not asked former athletes to host the star-studded event, which was held on the Seine on Friday evening.
‘Very confused why Peyton Manning, Kelly Clarkson and Snoop are commentators?!? Like there are no Olympians?? Maybe Shaun White? Michael Phelps? Were they unavailable??’ one person wrote.
Viewers watching the ceremony at home also noticed one thing: One familiar face was noticeably absent from the gathering: Simone Biles.
The superstar gymnast has chosen not to attend the event, hoWeaver’s parents were quick to explain her absence during an interview with NBC News Hoda Kotb And Snoop Dogg.
“The first race is Sunday,” her mother Nellis explained, “and that’s the Women’s Qualifier. And of course she has to rest for that race.”
The 27-year-old was advised to skip the lengthy meeting, along with her teammates Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey.