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2008 winner Sameer Mishra - Source: Reuters -
Related
W... H... Y... Why? That's what I'm asking myself while watching coverage of the annual Scripps Spelling Bee on ESPN.
ESPN is covering the Spelling Bee live this weekend as American kids attempt to spell their way to a $US40,000 prize.
To be brutally honest I have no idea why.
How the heck is this on an international SPORTS network, let alone television at all?
But the Americans love their 'sports' and it's a fact that they have warmed to the annual Spelling Bee which draws large television audiences every year.
Despite the brain numbing prospect of watching children painstakingly ask - "may I please have the definition", the Spelling Bee has always provided a few laughs.
Check out the videos below for a sample of what I'm talking about.
In this one a competitor hears the word he's been asked to
tackle, faints, then gets straight back up and takes to the
microphone. Champion!
Then this one where the poor kid gets totally confused about the
word he is meant to be thinking off.
Sport it sure isn't, but who knew spelling could be so
entertaining?!
New Zealand was represented by 13 year-old Christopher
Jury.
What do you reckon? Comment on our message board
below!
Add a Comment:
Post new commentsarahp said on 2009-05-29 @ 12:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
The US spelling bee is great TV - all that drama and stressed out, crying kids - has a train wreck quality. But I agree it's not a sport ... it's there cos it earns ESPN lotsa money!
RedLady said on 2009-05-29 @ 12:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hahahahahahahahah....hahahahahah! That fainting kid is one of the FUNNIEST things I have EVER seen! Beats the MSL, Lingerie GridIron, and a whole host of American 'sports' HANDS DOWN! I hope that kid won. He is a HERO!
gfunk said on 2009-05-29 @ 11:58 NZDT: Report abusive post
it's pretty classic how seriously the yanks take this! like seriously, who cares
The kids are alright said on 2009-05-29 @ 11:54 NZDT: Report abusive post
Not sure what Whiting is on about here! Unlike many other over-hyped American sports where it's all about trash talk, timeouts, tattoos, spiky hair, $5000 sneakers and "who's the man - I'm the man" - this is real, intense, dramatic head to head competiton where it's all about holding your nerves rather than folding the cash. ESPN is on to a winner!