GOLD MEDAL MEL

Mary Lou Retton at the USA House

NBC Truce, Tom Brokaw brokered deal

The homestretch...

I had an "issue" with NBC. I vlogged about it, jokingly. It was, however, a serious snafu. NBC's Senior VP emailed me, more than once, requesting that I take certain content down. Bottomline: Anything shot inside the CUBE is NBC-owned.

The Senior Veep is an old friend. He started his career at NBC Sports back at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, when I won. He was only a lowly analyst. I'm not sure if that's the correct title, but I believe his job was researching and fact checking for the TV production, a job you get right out of college. He was 22, had semi-big hair and an open-faced expression that was so innocent at the time. Honestly, he could've passed for a senior in high school.

Not anymore. He's neat and polished. He looks the part. We've communicated some as the Games approached. He's always lightning fast! He has all the answers to any questions. In sum, he's a pro.... I'm not going to stop poking fun at NBC. They do seem incredibly tight about their rights. I know they have to protect their $3.6 billon dollar investment, but if anything, I thought my vlog only promoted their production.

An interesting side note, the Veep really is a nice guy. I do think of him fondly. His face is a part of my best memories. The interesting part, he's on FaceBook with us, among us, and he's in the Gold Medal Mel group, taking our Olympic tour... I hope, despite the "rights issue," he's enjoying it as well.

Up later, a Mark Spitz vlog about the Olympics and money, and Olympic legend costs and fees. If you didn't read the latest news, Mark's been grumbling about not being "invited" to the Games to witness Michael Phelps make history. Mark got slammed in the media. Some are calling it a hatchet job. In truth, the reporter that got the scoop on Mark's bitterness was just doing his job. I'm almost certain he simply printed exactly what Mark said. In Mark's defense, his points are all correct. Mark should be here in Beijing, up in the stands, perhaps hanging that 8th gold medal around Michael's neck.

Unfortunately Mark can be a bit of a diva. I can't blame him. If I had won 7 gold medals, my ego would be certainly be tough to keep in check. On the dollar side, getting Mark Spitz here to do the whole media thing would cost upwards of $160k. My vlog with my buddy Chris, coming up in 24 hours, will break it down to every penny... The Olympic appearance and hosting game is a high-cost, high dollar biz. It's interesting, especially since Michael's pushing everyone's fee through the roof... More to come... Stay tuned.... Swimmers are finishing their races and showing up at the USA House and Club Bud. They're be in the NBC-free zone, where I can shoot...

Hitting the Great Wall, and getting hit back...

Hit the wall a little bit today (literally and figuratively--video proof below)--took some downtime. There will be new videos and vlogs up today. Yesterday, NBC took down any video I had that showed the races--now they've started taking down anything from inside the venue--including interviews where the venue is unrecognizable. I've been doing some work with AP--links to those videos below, as well as a new episode from swimnetwork.com and CHLORINATION as "Mel Week" continues... Associated Press videos here.

Love Letter from the Great Wall

GREATEST RELAY THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN

Coming up for air...

Apologies for my being M.I.A. these last couple days. It has been crazy--the trip from our hotel to the Water Cube can take up to two hours each way, even though it's only a few miles. We're going to prelims and finals, so do the math...

So to catch up. Michael Phelps 400 IM: does it get any better? Yes, it does: Jones, Weber-Gale, Lezak and Phelps blew the roof off in the 4x100. The Cube was going nuts. Best. Relay. Ever. Ran into Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines in the lobby after finals, and they were both hoarse. Hoff: So close in the 400 free. I think we're all disappointed for Hansen, but he says "he's not going out like that" so we have more swims to look forward to from him in the future.

So much more to talk about. I'll get back with more soon--this week is a marathon and I'm trying to pace myself. I'm working for the Associated Press in between morning and evening sessions, so watch for some more video--I'll be putting them up here as I get them.

Mel out.

The Mel & Chris Show

Michael Phelps 400IM Final

Chris Coleman, bobsledder, photographer extraordinaire

Rowdy spills some secrets...

Beijing massage parlor (G rated!)

And now, for something completely different...

Tiffany (Mel's wife) here! Mel is tied up right now with a cold beverage, getting a foot massage as he watches the Opening Ceremonies preparations on a big screen. I'm not kidding. And I'm not bitter. I'm not. Since he is tied up, I'm going to be giving you your daily dose of all things Gold Medal Mel. Don't worry: He and Chris and their bathrobes will be vlogging tonight. But there is news, my friends, and Mel doesn't want to leave you hanging.

If you watched last night's vlog , you'll remember that Mel and Chris referenced the "happiest newspaper on the planet," the China Daily. All good news, all the time. They mentioned that their earlier comments about the "apocalyptic" smog may have been in error; the China Daily says that there is no smog--it is just really, really foggy in Beijing. And in nearly every other city mentioned in the China Daily...you guessed it: fog. Not smog. Chris spoke into the "spy pineapple," and asked anyone who might have been listening to please forgive their lapse in judgement of mistaking fog for smog.

Apparently someone heard. The next morning, when Mel and Chris awoke and went to pick up their fresh China Daily from outside their hotel room door, it wasn't there. In front of every other door, up and down the hallway, a China Daily. Outside Chris and Mel's door, nothin'.

Mel and Chris would just like to say that the air quality has improved immensely, and in fact, is looking quite misty. They offer their sincere apologies if they have offended, and would please like to have their China Daily delivery resumed...

Look, an adorable kid!

This is Bayley and her new Build-a-Bear, "Katie Hoff", born 8/8/08. Yes, those are real goggles. It even has a little USA warm-up suit.

In other news: Dave Marsh, of SwimMAC and Cullen Jones' coach, gets into Beijing today. You'll be seeing Dave and Cullen's mom on an upcoming vlog.

Now for something truly special, a little treat for you loyal GMM readers. It is officially GOLD MEDAL MEL Week at Swimnetwork.com. The ridiculously talented duo of Chris Michael and Mike Gustafson of Chlorination dropped in for a visit with our family, and the result is several wonderful, crazy and occasionally frightening videos. Here's the first one, "Welcome to Mel Week." Enjoy!

The Pearl Market

I'm on the run now, writing fast! Been cutting videos when I can. Trying to grab great on the ground stuff...

Right now I'm hooking up with all of the USA Swimming Staff. Most got in last night. My roomie, Chris LaBianco is now here. He crashed out for 11 hours after his flight, but not before he made me go to Tiananmen Square.... Glad he did.  Check out the vid below...

Today, we're rounding up tickets to other events. Swimming sessions are covered, of course, but we need to tickets for everything to entertain the parents of Olympic swimmers who are here. Josh Davis, 3-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming and my good buddy, is also rolling in to town to help out.

Scoping out the parties tonight. The Olympics is all about the parties. Sports Illustrated use to host the best  Olympic parties, but they're no longer a sponsor. Now "Club Bud" is apparently the place to be. Marketwatch  says "Club Bud will host eight theme parties with live performances from international DJs and cubista dancers as well as a few other surprises. The guest list will include Olympic athletes, sports legends, music and movie stars, and some very lucky consumers."  I'll see tonight and let you know. It's supposed to be rocking.  They have food!!! And they have an open bar!!! I am there...

The competition is days away and the tension's mounting. You can feel it. Michael Phelps is all over the Chinese media; front-page newspapers, magazines, and on the tube nonstop. I'll see him tomorrow...