Olympics Day 1: Opening Ceremonies kick off the PyeongChang Games
Bob Costas
NBC will broadcast the Ceremonies again in prime time tonight  at 8 p.m. Eastern. This version will have commentary from hosts Katie Couric  who was tapped to place Matt Lauer after his firing  and Mike Tirico  who replaced  Bob Costas  as NBC’s prime-time host after a nearly three-decade run.
Tirico made his prime-time debut Thursday night. The Washington Post’s Rick Maese caught up with him before the Games to learn more about his new high-profile assignment. “I think trying to be  Bob  would be stupid. And that was one of  his  bits of advice: Be yourself ” Tirico said. “So I’m going to try to do that.” For the full Q&A  scroll down to the “Olympics Corner” section of this newsletter.
For 11 straight Summer and Winter Games — dating back to 1992 —  Bob Costas  served as the familiar and reliable face of the Olympics. But  Costas  is sitting out the PyeongChang Games and has passed the torch to Tirico  who will serve as NBC’s prime-time host  starting with Friday’s Opening Ceremonies. Tirico joined the network in 2016 after more than two decades at ESPN and was a daytime host of the Rio Games. He recently spoke with The Washington Post’s Rick Maese about his new high-profile assignment.
Q: It’s not like you’re a newcomer to this broadcasting game  but did you seek out  Costas  for any advice?
A: There’s been a longtime friendship there. I don’t think that’s overstating it. And I can’t imagine this job changing hands more smoothly.  Bob  has been unbelievable in making  himself  available  if I have any questions. I know I can pick up the phone during the Games  and if I have a question  I know I’ll get an honest answer.  Bob ’s the all-time best.  Bob  set a standard for the amount of times  he  did this and the way  he  did it that likely won’t be matched ever again. So I’m not replacing  him ; I’m following  him . I think trying to be  Bob  would be stupid. And that was one of  his  bits of advice: Be yourself. So I’m going to try to do that.
 Bob Costas  served as NBC’s prime time host for 11 straight Olympics  but has passed the torch to Mike Tirico for the PyeongChang Games. (Courtesy photo/NBC Sports)
A: The best piece of advice that I got from  Bob  and from Al [Michaels] before the Rio Games working daytime: You don’t have to know everything about everyone. It’s impossible. The experts at each sport have that covered. In the host role  you just need to have the overriding story lines. I’m trying to get to the top of the surface. It’s like one of those fancy Starbucks drinks — you do want to get some of the coffee  but you want to make sure you get all foam. But how has my life changed? I’m sitting in my office right now. Two years ago  I certainly would be watching a replay of a Big Ten or an NBA game from the night before. And right now I’m watching the women’s skeleton competition from Germany. And it’s the fourth different Olympic event that I’ve watched since I’ve been up this morning.
NBC will broadcast the Ceremonies again in prime time tonight  at 8 p.m. Eastern. This version will have commentary from hosts Katie Couric  who was tapped to place Matt Lauer after his firing  and Mike Tirico  who replaced  [TGT]as NBC’s prime-time host after a nearly three-decade run.
Tirico made his prime-time debut Thursday night. The Washington Post’s Rick Maese caught up with him before the Games to learn more about his new high-profile assignment. “I think trying to be  Bob  would be stupid. And that was one of  his  bits of advice: Be yourself ” Tirico said. “So I’m going to try to do that.” For the full Q&A  scroll down to the “Olympics Corner” section of this newsletter.
For 11 straight Summer and Winter Games — dating back to 1992 —  [TGT]served as the familiar and reliable face of the Olympics. But  [TGT]is sitting out the PyeongChang Games and has passed the torch to Tirico  who will serve as NBC’s prime-time host  starting with Friday’s Opening Ceremonies. Tirico joined the network in 2016 after more than two decades at ESPN and was a daytime host of the Rio Games. He recently spoke with The Washington Post’s Rick Maese about his new high-profile assignment.
Q: It’s not like you’re a newcomer to this broadcasting game  but did you seek out  [TGT]for any advice?
A: There’s been a longtime friendship there. I don’t think that’s overstating it. And I can’t imagine this job changing hands more smoothly.  [TGT]has been unbelievable in making  [TGT]  available  if I have any questions. I know I can pick up the phone during the Games  and if I have a question  I know I’ll get an honest answer.  [TGT] ’s the all-time best.  [TGT]set a standard for the amount of times  [TGT]  did this and the way  [TGT]  did it that likely won’t be matched ever again. So I’m not replacing  [TGT] ; I’m following  him . I think trying to be  [TGT]would be stupid. And that was one of  [TGT]  bits of advice: Be yourself. So I’m going to try to do that.
 Bob Costas  served as NBC’s prime time host for 11 straight Olympics  but has passed the torch to Mike Tirico for the PyeongChang Games. (Courtesy photo/NBC Sports)
A: The best piece of advice that I got from  [TGT]and from Al [Michaels] before the Rio Games working daytime: You don’t have to know everything about everyone. It’s impossible. The experts at each sport have that covered. In the host role  you just need to have the overriding story lines. I’m trying to get to the top of the surface. It’s like one of those fancy Starbucks drinks — you do want to get some of the coffee  but you want to make sure you get all foam. But how has my life changed? I’m sitting in my office right now. Two years ago  I certainly would be watching a replay of a Big Ten or an NBA game from the night before. And right now I’m watching the women’s skeleton competition from Germany. And it’s the fourth different Olympic event that I’ve watched since I’ve been up this morning.