Winter Olympics
8/7c NBC
Olympic organizers must believe first impressions set the tone, as there's a stellar lineup of action tonight that includes two of the marquee names of the U.S. team. Short-track speedskating gets underway, with Apolo Ohno attempting to tie Bonnie Blair as the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympic athlete ever (six medals) in the men's 1500m. "The teams will be the strongest in the history of the sport," says Ohno. "You'll see star athletes from every country." On the snow, Bode Miller is back, tackling Whistler Mountain (and Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal) in Alpine skiing's big event, the men's downhill. Also on the slopes, the women's mogul final features the U.S. freestyle skiers taking on a tough Canadian team on their home turf. The afternoon highlight is the men's 5000m speedskating final, with defending gold medalist Chad Hedrick. "I owe my 5000 gold to the energy of the (2006) Opening Ceremonies," says Hedrick, who made it a point of pride to attend an event some athletes skip.
Read on for previews of Elevator Girl, Survivors, NBA All-Star Saturday Night and Bill Maher: But I'm Not Wrong.
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