Hot. Cold. Sochi. Week 1.

Sochi_Winter_Olympic_Opening_22 (Photo credit: KOREA.NET - Official page of the Republic of Korea)

So far, so good at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.  Terrorists have yet to attack, and President Vladimir Putin has yet to take off his shirt.  Although it is warm enough there to do so.

What's not so good are reports of stray dogs being shot near the Olympic venues where their families used to be.  Unfinished buildings, unsanitary conditions and other rotten accommodations have also been reported, which is not a problem if you happen to work for NBC, its affiliates and sponsors.  Dissidents being carted off to prison for the crime of raining on Putin's parade.  And we haven't heard much "propaganda" from the gay and lesbian contingent.

The weather in Sochi has been much balmier than anyone anticipated, which makes certain portions of the United States envious.  Temperatures are way above freezing, which makes the snow on the mountains soft, creating hazardous conditions for some of the athletes. 

Through the first week of competition, the Americans are tied for second in the medal count with the Netherlands with 12 (four golds, three silver and five bronze).  Norway has the most with 13.  Host country Russia has 11.  Canada has ten.

You will notice that most of the American medals have so far been won by snowboarders and freestyle skiers.  The ones who were supposed to pose proudly with medals have not:  Bode Miller (men's downhill), Shani Davis (men's speed skating), Julie Mancuso (women's downhill) and Shaun White (snowboarding).  There is still another week to go, but this does not look like a good Olympics for the United States.

The unofficial Olympic sport of NBC-bashing has been toned down somewhat, with the network allowing live coverage of most events online and on its numerous cable channels.  But NBC still gets to save the best stuff for its prime time coverage, such as figure skating and any sport in which the U.S. medals.  It's as if people realized that NBC cares more about attracting female eyeballs than regular sports fans, and don't give two hoots about what you think of their coverage as long as you keep watching.

Bob Costas, who has anchored every Olympics NBC has had the rights to since 1992, has had to step aside for a few nights because of an eye infection.  Looking like Harry Potter after an all-nighter (or three) and drinking vodka on the air didn't help matters, either. 

When NBC could have chosen Al Michaels or Dan Patrick to fill in for Costas, they went with Matt Lauer instead.  Despite his news background, "Today" show baggage and viewer complaints about his beard, Lauer's not that bad, actually.  With the prime time emphasis on manipulative sports coverage and gauzy profiles, Lauer should feel right at home here.  Until Costas wants his job back when his eyes clear up.

As we enter Week 2 in Sochi, there is still a sense that something big is going to happen.  Whether that comes from an Olympic athlete or not, it had better happen soon before the snow melts.  Like 48 hours from now.