If you have watched any of the 2016 Rio Olympic coverage from NBC, you (like every other American) have taken a one-way ticket to Snoozeville (30mi North of Sucktown). Seriously… it’s terrible.
I just really want to emphasize this : NBC commentating has been TERRIBLE — like casting-Matt-Damon-in-a-movie-about-the-Great-Wall-of-China terrible (haha, no seriously. It’s a real movie).
Luckily, we live in a world where anyone can be a commentator. Here’s where Leslie Jones (SNL, Ghostbusters) steps in. You know Leslie. Ghostbuster. SNL cast member. Social Media Badass. (Note: if you’re a GOT fan and haven’t seen her live tweets, get on it)
We all know… with the right channel and the right audience anyone can make an impact, and Leslie has done just that. In the last 48 hours, Leslie has gone from listening to the TERRIBLE NBC commentary (have I said how terrible it’s been? because it’s terrible). Uh… sorry… where was I? Oh yeah, Leslie has gone from muting the terrible NBC commentary in her living room sporting the American flag from head to toe…
…to being invited to join the rest of the NBC crew in RIO. YAAASSS!!!
How did it start?
Leslie has been adding her own perspective on the games via Twitter (and a bit on instagram). Here are a few of my favorites
Mike Shoemaker (producer for a bunch of shows ― SNL, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers) offered his friends over at NBC a simple suggestion and then… BAM! Just like that Leslie is going to Rio. (I know there was probably a bunch more conversations going on behind-the-scenes, but who cares about that, right?)
Yes, Jim. That is what good Twitter feels like. If only more companies would listen to their audience and adapt as quickly as you have, all would be right in the world.
The real takeaway here is that YOU just need to hustle and create content. Companies are becoming more willing to listen and seek out talent, but they’ll never find you unless you’re willing to put yourself out there. Hell, that’s what made me write my first blog post. That and I think Leslie is slayin’ it right now!
In a world full of lazyasses, here’s to you, Leslie, for hustlin’ hard and giving me hope that I can watch the Olympics without muting the commentary. USA! USA! USA!
If you know what’s good for you, you’ll follow Leslie on Twitter: @Lesdoggg
This post was originally published on Medium on August 8, 2016
