"Brian Williams is what can be best described as 'awkwardly' co-hosting the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on NBC," an e-mailer critiqued last night. "Bob Costas is smooth as ever, interpreting the heavy symbolism of the perenially goofy opening ceremonies. Newsman Brian Williams -- thrust in to this NBC Sports/Entertainment program -- is trying to maintain some semblance of journalistic integrity by keeping his exceedingly rare comments focused on 'newsy' topics.

At the top, he was trying to talk about how the Olympics are a global event and quickly jumping deep in to the North/South Korean conflict -- those comments aren't as compelling when there is a dancing cow on stage in the background."

While Costas talks about the meaning of the colors of the Italian flag, Williams chimes in with 'Italy is the third largest contributor of troops to the coalition forces in Iraq.'

During the parade of nations as Denmark entered the stadium, as if to remind everyone why he's there, Brian Williams used the phrase 'they find themselves in the news...' not once but twice in regards to the Danish cartoonists/Muslim controversy. I'm sure Katie Couric would have said something about cheese danishes."

> Also: A couple Daily Nightly commenters also weigh in...