Introducing Bode Call: Let the Games begin! Plus: Britney sort of apologizes, celebrity offspring embarrass, and Page Six pats self on back.

Feb. 10, 2006 |

Introducing Bode Call! With the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on Friday, we draw your attention to the most colorful personality among this year's athletes: Bode Miller. The downhill-skiing champ became particularly popular with media finger waggers last month after he told "60 Minutes," "There have been times when I've been in really tough shape at the top of the course ... Talk about a hard challenge right there  I mean, if you've ever tried to ski when you're wasted, it's not easy. Try to ski a slalom when the gates are [makes a wavy hand motion]. You hit a gate less than every one second, so it's risky, you know. You're putting your life at risk there. It's like driving drunk only there's no rules about it in ski racing."

And with that, sports columnists across the country went berserk, pundits everywhere leapt at the chance to reprimand him, and Miller appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek -- beneath the cover lines "American Rebel" and "Miller Time," respectively. There was even talk by U.S. ski coach Phil McNichol that Bode might have to leave the team. Though Miller's personal sponsors, Barilla pasta, Atomic skis and Nike, voiced no concern about his comments, Miller later apologized to his supporters, stating, "Because of the way I made those comments in the '60 Minutes' interview, it caused a lot of confusion and pain for all those people, and obviously that is nothing I want to do, so firstly I'd like to apologize to them."

But there's something endearing about Miller's iconoclastic style, his hippie childhood, his love of organic potato farming (he owns a farm near his hometown of Franconia, N.H.) and, yes, his penchant for partying. Besides, it's not as if he's running for president (or getting arrested for DUI). But undoubtedly the scolds will keep heaping indignation until he has passed his last Olympic gate. And we're going to document their comments throughout the Games -- starting with the biggest bloviations to date:

"Miller's confession to skiing drunk was highly uncouth, and it makes you want to slap the guy upside the head. He clearly either fails to grasp, or just doesn't care, that like it or not, he's a role model."

-- Ron Judd, Seattle Times, Jan. 10

"This is no longer about free speech. Nor is it about the moral issue -- is he or isn't he a role model? This is a practical issue. It's about business ... The team isn't footing the bill so Miller can party his way up to the starting gate."

-- Ann Tatko-Peterson, Contra Costa Times, Jan. 11

"Brash, fast and stupid is no way to go through life ... Bode is skiing's reigning capitalist with a smart mouth and tie-dyed parents ... Boys will be boys. Ski bums will be ski bums."

-- Gil LeBreton, Dallas Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jan. 11

"Miller's 'look ma -- no sense' interview went too far. Forget about all the 'role model to kids' stuff that has long since left the job description of sports icon. How about a role model to full-grown adults? Drunken skiing -- believe it or not -- is a serious problem on ski slopes from Vermont to Vail. Twenty-somethings careening down the slopes after a few brewskis at lunch cause serious injuries to themselves and others. All these yahoos need is a booze-hound hero."

-- Rob Simmelkjaer on ABC's "Good Morning America" online edition, Jan. 12

"Miller's independent streak is deeply ingrained. He was raised in New Hampshire where his parents built a mountain home without electricity or indoor plumbing and home-schooled their son  Now, his remarks have gotten him in hot water, and he should make amends  If anyone knows how to get up from a reckless spill, it's Bode Miller."

-- Editorial, Denver Post, Jan. 12

"Tell me, please, why anyone would go before millions of viewers and brag about being 'wasted' in the start gate? Brag about wins and an unconventional style, or about an interesting upbringing, but racing while drunk? What he failed to address is whether or not he won while intoxicated. My guess is he didn't win. Miller has had his share of poor showings. As reigning downhill champion, he hasn't won a race this season."

-- Ray Grass, Deseret Morning News, Jan. 12

"American skier Bode Miller may have tons of talent on the slopes, but he's boorish and a bad example off them. By boasting about skiing while drunk, he has violated a tenet of the U.S. Olympics team -- to represent his country and his sport honorably ... Miller is a role model to young men who love extreme sports, so be prepared for more stories about kids skateboarding while drunk, snowboarding while drunk or just being ridiculously drunk."

-- Editorial, Tampa Tribune, Jan. 12

"Thanks, Bode. There's a seriously bored portion of America that might tune in to your races because you might be drunk. Meanwhile, the rest of us will just sit here, ashamed that the best American skier to come along in years has just committed PR suicide."

-- J.P. Hoornstra, Vallejo Times-Herald, Jan. 15

"I think it's one of those things where he really didn't realize the magnitude of his comments  this isn't a great message to send kids. And I think he realizes that now."

-- Mike Wise, sports columnist for the Washington Post, on CNN's "Reliable Sources," Jan. 29

-- Joe DiMento

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