Those commercials drive my engineer husband crazy. He feels they make GE look stodgy and odd. Maybe they create a buzz which is what advertising likes to do.
And the nerdy borderline Asperger’s boy? I wince every time he opens his mouth. I loathe that commercials. Thanks for the stereotypes guys.
Wasn’t there a TV show about nerds that the kids liked? Maybe they took their casting call in that direction…but generally yes engineers get stereotyped…and many do fit that stereotype, not all but many. The irony is that it is airing during the Olympics…the world’s celebration of all things athletic something not generally associated with nerds.
In Lochtegate news, swimmer Jimmy Feigen had to make a contribution of $11,000 in order to leave Rio.
Yesterday we had the medal ceremonies for American track athletes who won gold and silver in the men’s shot put and all three medals in the women’s 400m hurdles, and NONE of those five medalists put their hands over their hearts during the Star Spangled Banner.
And not a peep about it on TV or online today. Nada. I wouldn’t blame Gabby Douglas for thinking there must be some kind of double standard operating here.
Charitable donation in lieu of charges, something I read can be an option for lesser charges in Brazil. The other two never made any false reports or claims so were free to go after giving testimony as witnesses. Wonder where that leaves Lochte…
I was always taught that the hand over heart is for the Pledge of Allegiance and not for the Star Spangled Banner.
Synchronized swimming is such an odd sport but entertaining to watch. Nice to have a change from all that volleyball coverage. 
Anyone else see the debate on Today between the new host and Al Roker? I had wondered if, and how, Today would address it since the new guy helped to break the story based upon his private conversation with Lochte. It cannot have helped the new guys career the way it is all shaking out. He defended his source and tried to convince all that Lochte could have perceived what happened in the way he described it to his Mom and others. Al firmly believes he simply lied. It may have all been staged to make the inexperienced host look like he could learn from the veteran but I am not sure. Al seemed genuinely upset. One more thing for the new guy to learn: When someone is upset, and especially that someone is senior to you on such matters, do not tell them to “calm down”. It sounds disrespectful and cocky. Natalie also agreed with Al.
“I was always taught that the hand over heart is for the Pledge of Allegiance and not for the Star Spangled Banner.”
Yeah, a lot of people remember it that way too. But that didn’t stop some others from generating a firestorm of criticism of Gabby Douglas when she didn’t put her hand on heart during the anthem. Where are those people now? They should be totally apoplectic over the shot putters and hurdlers.
Scipio, I think there wasn’t a peep because people learned something from the Gabby Douglas episode. But, yeah, I noticed that, too – no hands over hearts, no criticism.
Doschicos, I find synchronized swimming utterly ridiculous. I can’t watch. I think this might be the only thing we’ve ever disagreed on! :x
I wish I had seen the exchange you’re talking about, Cheeringsection. I think Lochte needs to not be heard from for a while.
Lochte has released an apology. I can’t link from my phone, but he said he wanted to wait for his teammates to be released from the police. Whatever…
But, @Youdon’tsay, it’s SOOO entertaining! I enjoy the giggles as a watch.
Lochte needs to be heard from for a sincere apology to Brazil and his fellow olympians. Then he can shut up and go away.
I wonder if the more recent “no hands over heart” folks purposefully did not to support Gabby. Unless they just are not aware of all the uproar over her situation.
I wondered that, too. Personally, I like a hand over the heart and when the person sings, but that’s me.
I am a fan of Gabby Douglas and have enjoyed watching her since the 2012 Olympics. I do not believe it is more patriotic to place your hand over your heart than to stand at attention. When I watched the medal ceremony, she stood out because she was different from the others and it was noticeable. If I remember correctly, she also had a very intense look on her face, not the usual huge Gabby smile. I wondered if something was wrong but the outrage was ridiculous. Very few people can truly understand what it is like to stand on the Olympic podium to receive a medal. Can you imagine her thoughts? Her team had just won the gold but she is now overshadowed by a woman who is being called the greatest gymnast ever and she wasn’t going to be defending her all-around due to the two gymnast rule. It is sad that teammates have to compete against each other.
I do hope that the USOC decides that they will not allow any of the four swimmers involved in the incident to swim in any future international meets including Olympics. IMO they should not be allowed to represent the US again. And Lochte should arrange to send a donation in to a charity chosen by the Rio police department today.
And I have no problem whatsoever with Gabby Douglas not putting her hand over her heart. As long as one is respectful when the anthem is played, I’m perfectly fine with it.
Bravo to the Canadian women who are bronze medal repeats in soccer! A 2-1 win over Brazil, outplaying the host country’s team for most of the game.
@Cheeringsection, I saw the exchange you are talking about. The new guy is Billy Bush and he’s been around for a while. He’s the host of Access Hollywood, but when I googled him, it looks like he’s new to the Today show.
My google search says that there seems to be tension between him and the other Today show hosts. He is the one who got the scoop and interview with Lochte the day after the incident. But yea, Al Rocker was not happy with Billy. We will see how long he lasts.
Is anyone watching the men’s volleyball match. So exciting!
This is the video clip with Al Roker and Billy Bush. I’m with Al on this one.