NBC's Mike Tirico: Trying to be Bob Costas 'would be stupid'
For 11 straight Summer and Winter Games - dating back to 1992 - Bob Costas served as the familiar and reliable face of the Olympics. But Costas is sitting out the Pyeongchang Games and has passed the torch to Mike Tirico, who will serve as NBC's prime time host, starting with Friday's Opening Ceremonies. Tirico joined the network in 2016 and was a daytime host of the Rio Games. He recently spoke with The Post about his new high-profile assignment.
Q: It's not like you're a newcomer to this broadcasting game, but did you seek out Costas for any advice?
A: There's been a longtime friendship there. I don't think that's overstating it. And I can't imagine this job changing hands more smoothly. Bob has been unbelievable in making himself available, if I have any questions. I know I can pick up the phone during the games, and if I have a question, I know I'll get an honest answer. Bob's the all-time best. Bob set a standard for the amount of times he did this and the way he did it that likely won't be matched ever again. So I'm not replacing him; I'm following him. I think trying to be Bob would be stupid. And that was one of his bits of advice: Be yourself. So I'm going to try to do that.
Q: He's so identifiable with the Olympics. Are you worried about the inevitable comparisons?
A: You're human - of course comparisons matter. But it's not going to affect what I do or how I do it. Here's my opinion - nobody will be sitting in Bethesda [Maryland] on the second Tuesday of the games, saying, 'I need to watch Mike on the Olympics.' They say, 'I'm going to watch to the Olympics.' Nobody tunes in for the person sitting in Studio A at the International Broadcast Center. They tune in for Mikaela Shiffrin or Nathan Chen or Lindsey Vonn or Chloe Kim. Nobody's watching the games because I'm sitting in the chair at 8:05 ET to send you off to Terry Gannon and Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski.
Q: Given your busy fall and winter schedule, how were you able to follow all these different sports and athletes - particularly the ones that for many people only pop up once every four years?
A: The best piece of advice that I got from Bob and from Al before the Rio Games working daytime: You don't have to know everything about everyone. It's impossible. The experts at each sport have that covered. In the host role, you just need to have the overriding storylines. I'm trying to get to the top of the surface. It's like one of those fancy Starbucks drinks - you do want to get some of the coffee, but you want to make sure you get all foam.
But how has my life changed? I'm sitting in my office right now. Two years ago, I certainly would be watching a replay of a Big Ten or an NBA game from the night before. And right now I'm watching the women's skeleton competition from Germany. And it's the fourth different Olympic event that I've watched since I've been up this morning.
Q: NBC seems to pride itself in identifying the characters and story lines that move an audience. Who do you think will emerge from these Games and really connect with people back home?
A: I think there's almost a beginning, middle and end, where you have Chloe Kim and Nathan Chen in snowboard and men's figure skating. They look like they belong with the best of the world and now here's their first opportunity on the Olympic stage to do it. I think those two on the youth side.
On the end of the scale a little bit, Lindsey Vonn who's kind of pieced herself back together. It's been eight years and she is doing everything she can to be in the right place physically and mentally to go do it again. So the back end is Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White - can they do it one last time? Chloe and Nathan - can they do it for the first time?
And in the middle is Mikaela Shiffrin. If Mikaela takes on a heavy program, we could be looking at a very special Olympic Games. So it's the new kids, it's the old guard back for one more shot at it, and in the middle, somebody who's in the prime of what looks like a great career with a chance to have an Olympics that they'll talk about for generations.
Q: They're talking about Pyeongchang being one of the coldest Winter Games ever. Are you prepared for the freezing temperatures?
A: I don't think I'll be as cold as Heather Cox, who's going to be at the bottom of the hill doing the interviews in the alpine mixed zone. I won't be as cold as Heather will be. But I hope to get out. I'm sure if we can physically walk somewhere during the day, I will. I went to college in Syracuse, [New York] and I live in Michigan. So cold is just something you deal with. It's not something that me bothers me at all. It's cold. I love that. This is the Winter Olympics.
This interview was edited for length.