First, the lack of an HD version of MSNBC on DirecTV or Verizon FiOS means that some events do not get the benefit of high-definition coverage. For instance, last night’s US vs. Canada men’s hockey matchup, which NBC’s website declared as “the most anticipated game of the tournament so far”, was broadcast on MSNBC. CNBC and USA had limited curling coverage and no Olympic coverage, respectively, but they have HD channels. Since many sports bars and homes use DirecTV or Verizon as their provider, many people were stuck watching the game in standard definition. In 2010, this fact is unacceptable. High-definition coverage has changed the way that sports are watched and for a game of that magnitude to be broadcast in such a manner is ridiculous.

Making matters worse was the fact that NBC was broadcasting ice dancing, the redheaded stepchild of figure skating, while the hockey game was played. Instead of seeing a game that pundits have declared an instant classic, NBC thought it was more appropriate to show a sport whose biggest story was that a pair’s costumes offended Australian aborigines. This decision should have been an easy one for NBC: its home country was facing off against the hockey-crazed hosts. Yet, as we’ve seen with the Conan O’Brien/Jay Leno saga, when NBC has an easy decision they will drop the ball every time.

Does this event really make for better television than hockey?

Second, and most importantly, the use of tape delay in the events has ruined the desire to watch the Olympics. NBC faces a dilemma: they have valuable primetime space, but many of the events occur in the daytime. Thus, it has decided to broadcast many of the popular events on a tape delay so that they can gain valuable ratings. However, there is a problem with this decision. The primetime broadcasts are not geared with sports fans in mind. Many times, there is very little sports action and instead there are human-interest features about polar bears. Does anyone really tune into the Olympics to hear about polar bears? No! Put the sports on the screen; that’s why the viewers watch a sporting event.

Furthermore, because these events happen live, other major news organizations will tell the results of the events before NBC gets around to broadcasting them on tape delay. Major news sites like ESPN and social networks like Twitter will often have the results of the events anyone wants to watch before he or she can watch them. It’s frustrating for a sports fan to watch the events, which are built on drama and excitement, with suspense removed. What’s even more egregious is the fact that NBC also spoils the events. An anchor on the NBC evening news last night told me to “look away” if I didn’t want to know the results of the events that already happened but would be broadcasted later in the evening. I never thought that the news would require a “spoiler alert”, but thanks to NBC it’s a common occurrence.

The worst part about this practice is how unnecessary it is. These Winter Olympics are not in a place where the time difference makes it prohibitive to show the events live (like when the 2002 World Cup was in South Korea). They are on the West Coast. There is no reason why the events should be tape delayed for people in the United States, especially those who live on the West Coast (like the opening ceremonies were). This practice serves only to frustrate viewers who want to watch the games as they happen live.

If NBC really believes that the only way that they can attract viewers is through irrelevant, tape-delayed features, then there is a simple solution: broadcast the events live on its cable networks (USA, CNBC, MSNBC) and on the Internet. Then, in primetime, run the package of highlights and features, while having more live matchups on its cable networks. However, this solution would require NBC to embrace new media and the opportunities it provides. A sports fan’s best hope is that NBC, who Conan O’Brien gleefully reminded us is losing $200 million on these Olympics, decides to abandon the Olympics altogether. Then a real sports network could take over and give the viewers the coverage that they want (an ABC bid, using all of its many ESPN outlets, comes to mind). Until then, enjoy tape delays, standard definition, and ice dancing!

Unfortunately, there are times when you leave drunk messages which really come back to haunt you.  Such was the case in this week’s episode of Community in which Britta makes a drunken call to Jeff.  Playing this message for her completely changes the dynamics of the relationship. Britta initially blocked all of Jeff attempts at romance but recently she has begun to have her own romantic inclinations towards him. The message put all of this in the open.

Jeff has the upper hand in the relationship, but he doesn’t want to destroy the playful banter of their interactions. How to fix it? Abed and Jeff decide to get completely plastered and make a call to Britta so it will re-balance things.  In a montage involving alcohol, dancing and a pizza deliveryman, the two achieve their goals, but they can’t remember what Jeff said in his two conversations with Britta and his girlfriend, Michelle.

The hilarity ensues at the Valentines Day dance where Jeff discovers that he called Michelle but hung up when it wasn’t Britta. Suspicious, Michelle gives him the cold shoulder while Britta arrives at the dance saying that she was so flattered that he had invited her to the dance.

In regular Community fashion, the cast of characters at dance is absurd. Professor Chang dresses up like “Beat It” Michael Jackson and dances with Pierce and Troy who have been forced to wear light fitting ladies pant suits after lying in Spanish class about having girlfriends.  The awkwardness of the love triangle is assuaged by the ridiculousness of the dance.

This episode proves to me once again that Community has hit its stride. The new comedy has established the relationship dynamics that provide for an intoxicating comedy.

This criticism was rebuked with last night’s episode. The meeting between David Wallace (Andy Buckley) and Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) signaled a return to workplace-based stories. This is unfortunate for Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) who was driven crazy by not being included in the meeting. He didn’t understand what was happening and being the hypersensitive and paranoid man that he is, tried to figure it out. Michael walked into the meeting, questioned Pam (Jenna Fischer) and even hid under a makeshift cheese cart in order to hear the conversation.

Alas, none of his antics worked. Afraid for his own job, Michael negated all of Jim’s strengths when speaking to David. Disappointed, David tells him that the plan was to promote both of them to higher positions. Michael has screwed himself out of a promotion once again. Jim and Michael speak about the messy situation and convince David to “promote both of them” to co-managers of the Scranton branch.

The episode included a lot of funny moments, most of them coming from the Michael’s attempts to listen-in on the meeting. Andy’s (Ed Helms) speech about the finer points about the processed cheeses taken from the break room was the real highlight:

“Oui oui monsieur. From the Wisconsin region, a nice, firm cheddar. Also from the great state of Wisconsin, an aged Parmesan. Here you will find a cheddar-style spread, which has reacted nicely with the air to form a light rind, which I believe you will find both challenging and delicious. At that point, I would recommend you take a quick trip south of the border to the great state of Illinois where you will find this fine blue cheese dressing. If I may be so bold, it’s a lot of fun to let the goldfish take a little swim in the blue cheese. Bon appetite.” –Andy Bernard

In addition to the main story line there were two other story arcs although they were far less captivating.  Pam began handing out invitations to the wedding that will happen later this season and Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Toby (Paul Lieberstein) attempt to prove that Darryl (Craig Robinson) filed a false work-accident report about a broken ankle. The latter included a comical scene of mistaken identity between Darryl and his sister, but on the whole wasn’t particularly interesting.

Neither came close to the importance or the hilarity surrounding the promotion of Jim to co-manager of the branch. Obviously this means some major changes for the dynamics of the office and some workers are not thrilled, especially Dwight, who finished end the show with a hysterical scream of anguish.  TV viewers will be happy to know that The Office is moving forward with intriguing plot developments while keeping its award-winning comedic elements.