Dispatch Snoop to the Convention: Lessons for Political Media from the Olympics
Integrating more celebrities into political reporting could enhance its energy and potentially increase its informative value.
TroibNews 
The Olympics are typically a thrilling event, but this year they seem more fun and appealing to a wider audience than ever before. While the athletes, including pommel horse competitor, Turkish air-pistol shooter, and Simone Biles, are impressive on their own, another key element has been the appearance of non-sports celebrities throughout the broadcasts. Comedians Kenan Thompson and Kevin Hart are entertaining their offstage crew as they recap Olympic highlights. Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost has provided witty surfing commentary from Tahiti, despite being sidelined by a stepping-on-coral injury. Then there's podcasting sensation Alex Cooper, who’s watching women’s gymnastics while wearing an Uncle Sam top hat. Snoop Dogg pops up everywhere—from the soccer stands to enjoying dressage with Martha Stewart and swimming laps with Michael Phelps.
Celebrities have become a cornerstone of NBC’s 2024 Olympics programming strategy. This approach aims not only to improve the disappointing viewership of the pandemic-delayed, almost crowdless Tokyo games but also to explore cross-promotional opportunities (Snoop will soon join the cast of The Voice). Their presence adds more than just a ratings boost; it introduces a unique vibe and an alternative way to engage with the events. This approach helps break free from the traditional sports reporting style filled with clinical analyses and standard sideline questions, capturing the distinctive energy of fandom.
Political television, on the other hand, seems to have hit a wall. Since former President Donald Trump entered the political arena nearly a decade ago, his unconventional style has become routine, leading many voters to feel fatigued as they anticipate the next election—especially after months of a seemingly monotonous race between familiar candidates. However, the recent entry of Vice President Kamala Harris into the campaign could reignite interest—and there’s potential for the next few weeks of coverage to be more vibrant. As programming teams plan for the upcoming elections, why not follow NBC's lead by integrating celebrities into political coverage?
It’s true that celebrities have always had a presence in politics, from the ensemble cast of The West Wing to conservative singer Lee Greenwood, who performed “God Bless the U.S.A.” at the Republican convention. Politicians also routinely endure the playful jabs of late-night hosts. Yet, NBC is utilizing its stars in a distinct manner— not as partisans with agendas or merely safe comedic figures, but as relatable stand-ins reflecting the audience’s sentiments.
Consider Alex Cooper, whose Call Her Daddy podcast features candid discussions about relationships and sex, drawing in around 5 million listeners weekly, primarily twenty-something women. While she has conducted traditional studio interviews for NBC, her interactive “watch parties” feel like a YouTube livestream: Cooper's image occupies a corner of the screen, her animated facial expressions and exclamations conveying as much as her words. After watching Simone Biles' floor routine, she exclaimed, “Oh my god, she’s so good it’s nasty. It’s literally inappropriate how good she is.”
This energetic commentary diverges from conventional sports analysis. But while some purists may disapprove, a valuable audience is captivated. A recent article in The Everygirl, targeted at Gen Z professionals, declared, “Alex Cooper is Hosting an Olympics Show and It’s The Only Way I Want To Watch The Games.” The writer lauded Cooper's ability to interpret soccer coverage through the lens of Taylor Swift eras and Love Island references, striking a balance between sufficient knowledge (she played Division I college soccer) and refreshing honesty. “If there’s one thing I really can’t stand,” she stated, “it’s being mansplained to.”
To engage audiences like hers, political coverage would need some adjustments. While the seriousness of major news networks is justified—given high-stakes issues from healthcare to national security—the nature of political campaigns has shifted dramatically. New media and Trump’s knack for drama have transformed the political landscape, yet much of TV news still operates within outdated frameworks. The serious anchors, the overly cautious panel discussions, and the tedious policy coverage reflect habits from decades past. The mainstream media continues to grapple with how to address Trump’s controversies and connect with his supporters.
Conversely, the celebrities at the Olympics embody spontaneity and excitement. In their lighthearted Los Angeles-based highlights show—which has garnered acclaim from the Guardian and the Wall Street Journal—Thompson and Hart frequently use humor and challenge taboos, voicing what some viewers may think about more obscure sports. Thompson humorously noted, “When it comes to fencing, it’s impossible to understand what I’m watching. It’s like jazz. People say it’s good, but there’s really no way to know for sure.”
Imagine if Hart and Thompson had been in attendance at a significant political event—what hilarious commentary might they have offered on the extravagant backdrop of JD Vance's speech or the quiet presence of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump? Consider the younger audience members who typically wouldn’t tune into traditional Democratic convention broadcasts—yet might click to see Alex Cooper discussing Harris’ footwear while donning a Statue of Liberty outfit.
These celebrity interviewers could also provide more engaging political dialogue. Free of the well-worn media narrative and access pressures, they might prompt politicians to break from their rehearsed talking points. When beloved celebrities ask the tough questions, it's likely politicians would respond differently than they do to journalists, whom many Americans view skeptically. It could alter dynamics even for Trump, who may feel more constrained when faced with a celebrity like Snoop Dogg rather than a traditional journalist.
Additionally, these celebrity interviewers might encourage politicians to give more candid responses. In a time when candidates are often desperate for attention, stars could provide them with a platform to reach audiences they'd struggle to connect with otherwise. A striking instance was comedian Ziwe Fumudoh's YouTube interview with George Santos last December, where she referred to him as “a messy bitch who lives for drama,” and he essentially agreed. It would be interesting to see a similar approach applied to figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene.
This is not to suggest that standard political coverage should vanish. Just as Olympic viewers benefit from experts breaking down the nuances of pole vaulting, politics requires a diligent fourth estate. However, there are times when the political discourse could benefit from a shift in tone. Just as viewers might discover the thrill of speed climbing through NBC's lively celebrity presence, innovative political coverage could draw casual voters to engage with a process they might typically overlook. Audiences would appreciate figures who can resonate with those who don’t closely follow polls or spend hours glued to political commentary but possess strong opinions worth exploring. At the very least, such an approach would entertain. Let the games begin.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Celebrities have become a cornerstone of NBC’s 2024 Olympics programming strategy. This approach aims not only to improve the disappointing viewership of the pandemic-delayed, almost crowdless Tokyo games but also to explore cross-promotional opportunities (Snoop will soon join the cast of The Voice). Their presence adds more than just a ratings boost; it introduces a unique vibe and an alternative way to engage with the events. This approach helps break free from the traditional sports reporting style filled with clinical analyses and standard sideline questions, capturing the distinctive energy of fandom.
Political television, on the other hand, seems to have hit a wall. Since former President Donald Trump entered the political arena nearly a decade ago, his unconventional style has become routine, leading many voters to feel fatigued as they anticipate the next election—especially after months of a seemingly monotonous race between familiar candidates. However, the recent entry of Vice President Kamala Harris into the campaign could reignite interest—and there’s potential for the next few weeks of coverage to be more vibrant. As programming teams plan for the upcoming elections, why not follow NBC's lead by integrating celebrities into political coverage?
It’s true that celebrities have always had a presence in politics, from the ensemble cast of The West Wing to conservative singer Lee Greenwood, who performed “God Bless the U.S.A.” at the Republican convention. Politicians also routinely endure the playful jabs of late-night hosts. Yet, NBC is utilizing its stars in a distinct manner— not as partisans with agendas or merely safe comedic figures, but as relatable stand-ins reflecting the audience’s sentiments.
Consider Alex Cooper, whose Call Her Daddy podcast features candid discussions about relationships and sex, drawing in around 5 million listeners weekly, primarily twenty-something women. While she has conducted traditional studio interviews for NBC, her interactive “watch parties” feel like a YouTube livestream: Cooper's image occupies a corner of the screen, her animated facial expressions and exclamations conveying as much as her words. After watching Simone Biles' floor routine, she exclaimed, “Oh my god, she’s so good it’s nasty. It’s literally inappropriate how good she is.”
This energetic commentary diverges from conventional sports analysis. But while some purists may disapprove, a valuable audience is captivated. A recent article in The Everygirl, targeted at Gen Z professionals, declared, “Alex Cooper is Hosting an Olympics Show and It’s The Only Way I Want To Watch The Games.” The writer lauded Cooper's ability to interpret soccer coverage through the lens of Taylor Swift eras and Love Island references, striking a balance between sufficient knowledge (she played Division I college soccer) and refreshing honesty. “If there’s one thing I really can’t stand,” she stated, “it’s being mansplained to.”
To engage audiences like hers, political coverage would need some adjustments. While the seriousness of major news networks is justified—given high-stakes issues from healthcare to national security—the nature of political campaigns has shifted dramatically. New media and Trump’s knack for drama have transformed the political landscape, yet much of TV news still operates within outdated frameworks. The serious anchors, the overly cautious panel discussions, and the tedious policy coverage reflect habits from decades past. The mainstream media continues to grapple with how to address Trump’s controversies and connect with his supporters.
Conversely, the celebrities at the Olympics embody spontaneity and excitement. In their lighthearted Los Angeles-based highlights show—which has garnered acclaim from the Guardian and the Wall Street Journal—Thompson and Hart frequently use humor and challenge taboos, voicing what some viewers may think about more obscure sports. Thompson humorously noted, “When it comes to fencing, it’s impossible to understand what I’m watching. It’s like jazz. People say it’s good, but there’s really no way to know for sure.”
Imagine if Hart and Thompson had been in attendance at a significant political event—what hilarious commentary might they have offered on the extravagant backdrop of JD Vance's speech or the quiet presence of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump? Consider the younger audience members who typically wouldn’t tune into traditional Democratic convention broadcasts—yet might click to see Alex Cooper discussing Harris’ footwear while donning a Statue of Liberty outfit.
These celebrity interviewers could also provide more engaging political dialogue. Free of the well-worn media narrative and access pressures, they might prompt politicians to break from their rehearsed talking points. When beloved celebrities ask the tough questions, it's likely politicians would respond differently than they do to journalists, whom many Americans view skeptically. It could alter dynamics even for Trump, who may feel more constrained when faced with a celebrity like Snoop Dogg rather than a traditional journalist.
Additionally, these celebrity interviewers might encourage politicians to give more candid responses. In a time when candidates are often desperate for attention, stars could provide them with a platform to reach audiences they'd struggle to connect with otherwise. A striking instance was comedian Ziwe Fumudoh's YouTube interview with George Santos last December, where she referred to him as “a messy bitch who lives for drama,” and he essentially agreed. It would be interesting to see a similar approach applied to figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene.
This is not to suggest that standard political coverage should vanish. Just as Olympic viewers benefit from experts breaking down the nuances of pole vaulting, politics requires a diligent fourth estate. However, there are times when the political discourse could benefit from a shift in tone. Just as viewers might discover the thrill of speed climbing through NBC's lively celebrity presence, innovative political coverage could draw casual voters to engage with a process they might typically overlook. Audiences would appreciate figures who can resonate with those who don’t closely follow polls or spend hours glued to political commentary but possess strong opinions worth exploring. At the very least, such an approach would entertain. Let the games begin.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
