If it wasn't enough that security concerns are keeping a number of American athletes away, or that most of us will be able to find out contest results hours before they air on network television, now there's another reason many of us in the States may be tuning in to anything but the Olympics:
Icelandic singer Björk will open the Olympic Games in Athens tomorrow.
The eccentric star will perform before 70,000 spectators at the Greek capital's new Olympic Stadium and a worldwide TV audience of four billion at the four-hour opening ceremony.
The centre of the stadium will be turned into a lake for the event, which will also feature important symbols of Greek mythology, including a giant Trojan horse, a statue of the goddess Athena and a centaur shooting an arrow.
I vaguely remember when the Sugarcubes were the hip "college" band to listen to (I was in college at the time, which makes it all right), and so I gave Björk and company a listen. It wasn't really my bag - didn't like the music and her voice gives me facial tics - so I quickly retreated to my regular diet of Frank Zappa, TV show themes, and whatever Norwegian black metal band the guy across the hall was playing.
My tastes aside, many may wonder if Bjork is a big enough artist to open an event as majestic as the Olympics. I would point out to these people that similar concerns were expressed at the prospect of a certain Lionel Richie performing at the 1996 opening ceremonies in Atlanta, and who among us can forget his moving rendition of "All Night Long?"
Maybe this was the best Iceland could do for a representative at the Summer Games.
Karen Alfrey is a big Bjork fan, and she's sort of turned me on to Bjork. I've got a couple of her CDs and tend to either love or hate the songs on them.
I think she's an acquired taste, but when she's good, she's really good. On the other hand, when she's not good, sometimes she's tooth-grindingly difficult to listen to.
I think the idea of having her do a big stage show for the Olympics is really funny, and I'm sorry I'm going to miss it.
I think Björk is ecclectic enough to open the games. I would much rather see her perform than someone like Rod Stewart or Sting.
But I am biassed. I've loved her since...well, forever.
Bjork is far, far better than Lionel Richie (ugh)! Too bad she didn't do a Sugarcubes song or "I Miss You."
She can be a bit, er, artsy, but yes, Bjork is an acquired taste. When Bjork is good, she's really good.
Ugh, Rod Stewart. He always looks like he needs a bath.
Can't wait for Glass Tiger to open the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.