For Michael Phelps and NBC's Olympics Coverage, Eight is Enough

Eight is enough.

Michael Phelps, his U.S. swimming teammates, fate and not a little luck -- they all combined to make all of the athlete's big-dream dreams come true. Eight races. Eight gold medals. Seven world records, and one Olympic record, in the bargain.

Not bad for week one.

The truth is, we've been witness to the full-blown coronation of a new sports hero for a new generation. Despite all he had accomplished four years ago, Phelps was no household name, no role model, no one who could boast Kobe Bryant and LeBron James among his personal cheering section. Now he can.

It's a truly great Olympic feat, and made for a truly great Olympics telecast. When Jason Lezak -- another impressive swimmer immortalized by the XXIX Summer Olympics -- ran his final lap to secure his team the gold and Phelps his table-running eight-for-eight, I was yelling at my television set. I haven't done that since watching another NBC offering, Baby Borrowers... but for completely different reasons.

And these Olympics are far from over. Usain Bolt, running the 100-m. and claiming the title of fastest man in the world, ran with such ease and glee that he began celebrating when there was still a third of the race to run. That's a talent, and a joy, that won't soon be forgotten.

So bring on week two.

Diane Werts, in FOR BETTER OR WERTS, can navigate you through the trickier time slots and online offerings, so keep checking with her as well. The name of this site is TV WORTH WATCHING -- and the Olympics, wherever you find them, certainly qualifies.