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The 'Winner' Olympics And A Changing TV Picture

Time To Cheer: American Paul Turek watches the USA hockey game against Canada in Vancouver. The success of U.S. athletes at the 2010 Olympics have helped draw large audiences in the United States. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Opinion

Sweetness And Light

The 'Winner' Olympics And A Changing TV Picture

The Winter Olympics are basically a TV show — and a successful one. Lindsey Vonn and other U.S. medal winners even helped NBC's telecast win a ratings battle with American Idol. But Frank Deford says the whole spectacle could shift to ESPN by the time we get to Sochi in 2014.

The 'Winner' Olympics And A Changing TV Picture

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Opinion

Sweetness And Light

UConn Women's Team Excels; Will America Notice?

The University of Connecticut women's basketball team is on the verge of breaking its own record for consecutive wins. Still, commentator Frank Deford says the Huskies' remarkable achievements as a team are often overlooked, even as female athletes are getting more attention for their individual triumphs.

UConn Women's Team Excels; Will America Notice?

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Opinion

Simon Says

The Kindness Of Cleveland

Host Scott Simon has been away for several weeks after undergoing cervical spinal surgery at Ohio's Cleveland Clinic. Now he's back and shares his thoughts on being a patient at the revered hospital.

The Kindness Of Cleveland

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Opinion

Simon Says

Last Call For Good-Time Charlie Wilson

In his own jolly and outrageous way, the former congressman's career reminds us of what electoral politics is supposed to be about: not just standing by your ideas, but learning and changing, too.

Last Call For Good-Time Charlie Wilson

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Opinion

Sweetness And Light

Figure Skating: The Olympics' Broken Sport

Not long ago, figure skating was beset by spats among skaters and alleged corruption among judges. A new scoring system was meant to solve those problems. But instead, the complex ratings bewilder fans — and may be taking the soul out of the sport.

Figure Skating: The Olympics' Broken Sport

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Opinion

The Tea Party In America

Nashville's Original Activists

While the Tea Party convention meets, another group of activists is meeting in Nashville, Tenn., to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the civil rights sit-in movement.

Nashville's Original Activists

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Opinion

Sweetness And Light

Super Bowl XLIV, By The Numerals

The Super Bowl has always had a fondness for Roman numerals. Commentator Frank Deford takes a look at noteworthy numbers in pro football — and has a message for anyone who thinks the commercials are more fun than the game.

Super Bowl XLIV, By The Numerals

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Opinion

Rest In Privacy, J.D. Salinger

He lived on the other side of the world from Brangelina and Octomom. In a culture where people dream of fame for the sake of fame alone, the reclusive novelist, who died this week at 91, was the anti-celebrity.

Rest In Privacy, J.D. Salinger

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Port-Au-Prince Journal: It's The Living Who Haunt

NPR correspondent Jason Beaubien reports from an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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Opinion

Haiti Quake: Ruin And Recovery

Port-Au-Prince Journal: It's The Living Who Haunt

NPR's Jason Beaubien has been covering the aftermath of the massive earthquake that decimated Haiti on Jan. 12. He says corpses are so common both on the street and oozing out of the wreckage, that it's the living who haunt him. For the country to be reborn, and to avoid becoming a wasteland kept alive on international aid, he says the living need to heal — and dream of a new future.

Port-Au-Prince Journal: It's The Living Who Haunt

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Opinion

Sweetness And Light

Athletes: Don't Orate. Just Tweet Away (Please)

Years ago, quarterback Joe Namath told reporters, "We're going to win Sunday. I guarantee it." Muhammad Ali said, "It's not bragging if you can back it up." But that doesn't explain why we give such weight to the big talk of professional athletes.

Athletes: Don't Orate. Just Tweet Away (Please)

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Opinion

Sweetness And Light

College Sports Turmoil: The New Normal?

New stories about abusive coaches, outrageous salaries and alleged rules violations in collegiate football and basketball seem to be coming out every week. But the negative reports are unlikely to lead to meaningful change.

College Sports Turmoil: The New Normal?

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Opinion

Simon Says

Haiti And The Hand Of God

It's hard to detect God's loving touch in the Rev. Pat Robertson's dotty remarks. Better to focus on the bravery and grace of the Haitian people and the love and kindness in the world's response.

Haiti And The Hand Of God

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