Janice R. Andrews
One to remember was the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris opening ceremony. For the first time in the history of the Olympics, the parade of nations was held outside on a body of water rather than inside an Olympic Stadium, even in the midst of intense rain in Paris. LeBron James and the United States were among the athletes and nations that cruised along the Seine River to officially open the Summer Games.
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, country music singer Kelly Clarkson, and NBC’s Mike Tirico have garnered mixed reviews for their commentary on the opening ceremony; Manning and Clarkson have drawn the most attention.
2024 Summer Olympics in Paris: Get to Know the USA Team Members
With his “Monday Night Football” ManningCast on ESPN, Manning has carved out an impressive post-retirement broadcasting career. He has drawn praise for showing off his football side during the coverage by pulling out a playbook wristband sleeve. Throughout the lengthy ceremony, which lasted more than three hours, Clarkson—who hosts her talk show during the day on NBC—drew notice for her frequent remarks.
A large portion of NBC’s coverage was carried by Tirico, Manning, and Clarkson due to bad weather. After the ceremony’s first hour, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb of TODAY were nowhere to be seen along the Seine.
Social Media Reactions to Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning
Social media users’ reactions to Manning and Clarkson’s performance were not uniform.
- @NBCOlympics: “Mike Tirico, Kelly Clarkson, and Peyton Manning kick it off from Paris! 🤩 📺 #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock.” [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
- @FakeRudyMartzke: “Worst Timing Award: NBC/Peacock’s Kelly Clarkson’s reactions to the Opening Ceremony are genuine, but her constant cut-ins in the middle of performances keep viewers from feeling the atmosphere being portrayed.” [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
- @nrarmour: “The procession of athletes and the ceremony is great. (Wacky at times, but excellent.) NBC’s commentary, on the other hand, is dreadful. Clarkson and Peyton add nothing.” [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
- @DanSparano: “These opening ceremonies would be more fun if Kelly Clarkson didn’t react to everything that’s happened like she’s never left her house before.” [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
- @thatdevinfield: “When I’m looking for a broadcasting team to guide me through a unique cultural moment of international celebration, I immediately think of Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson.” [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
- @YoMrFrank: “Kelly Clarkson literally talking over the music to say ‘can we talk about all the different kinds of music’ is really the perfect encapsulation of how NBC pays billions of dollars just to mess up the Olympic broadcast every time.” [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
- @CameronSonger: “The opening ceremony production on NBC is so bad. I know it’s challenging to present a lengthy parade in a cohesive manner, but the prepackaged show elements are strange and jumbled. Additionally, Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, and Mike Tirico’s commentary team was terrible before it disbanded. [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
@TheGunzShow: “If anyone wants to put it on, the #OpeningCeremony for the USA is airing on NBC next. In actuality, Ceremony has been a really well-produced and wild event. Peyton Manning has performed admirably while receiving a lot of playing time. [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
- @franfraschilla: “Peyton Manning being Peyton Manning.” [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
- @PeterHamby: “Peyton Manning in Paris.” [Twitter, July 26, 2024]
@Scotty_G6: “Peyton Manning is a ready player at all times 😂” To host the Olympic opening ceremonies, he’s sporting a QB wristband filled with notes! 🏈🤣 #9sports.” [July 26, 2024] on Twitter
“Peyton Manning is always ready 😂 #OpeningCeremony,” wrote @DraftKings. [July 26, 2024] on Twitter
The mixture of praise, critique, and humor draws attention to the wide range of viewpoints held by those watching the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The spectacle of the parade on the Seine River is still remembered as a highlight of these Games, despite the differing opinions.
