NBC Olympics Host Bob Costas Out Due To Eye Infection, Matt Lauer To Fill In
Anyone following the NBC Olympics coverage has noticed that host Bob Costas’ eye infection appears to be getting worse rather than better.
The eye infection has made headlines and people are even talking about it in social media, some comments less than kind. After all it’s not the guy’s fault, anyone can get pink eye in the middle of Olympic coverage.
Somebody on Twitter created the account @BobCostasEyes, which has over 300 followers.
On Tuesday, Bob Costas announced that he will be taking the day off from the NBC Olympic coverage and will be replaced by Today co-host Matt Lauer, who he said is coming from the “bullpen” to fill in.
The veteran sports commentator — who has hosted NBC’s Olympic coverage since 1992, nine in all — has been struggling with an infection he got in his left eye, which has now spread to the right.
He normally doesn’t wear glasses, but due to the severity of the infection and the fact that it doesn’t look very appealing for viewers to stare at it, he has been sporting glasses the last few nights.
Matt Lauer, who saw Costas earlier on Tuesday said the NBC Olympics late night host looked “even worse” than before, with the infection spreading.
Goodness did Bob Costas put the yellow Sochi water IN his eye? #SochiProblems #Olympics2014 pic.twitter.com/qi1Zw8uJQI
— Katie Truong (@katiepenny21) February 7, 2014
Russian housekeepers involved in pillow farting scandal after Bob Costas appears with serious case of pink eye #Sochi pic.twitter.com/42weX9qL3t
— Trillie Mayes Haze (@TheRealFonzz) February 11, 2014
During the Tuesday edition of the Today show, Bob Costas joked with Lauer about his new gig in a phone interview:
“Reluctantly, I was trying to throw a complete game here, but I think we’re going to have to go to the bullpen, and I don’t know if you’re aware of this or not, but you’re Mariano Rivera, at least tonight. Let’s hope it’s only tonight. I’m walking around, I might as well be playing ‘Marco Polo.’ I have no idea where I am.”
The NBC Olympics host is considered a staple by viewers, but his eye problems have certainly hindered his performance so far. The infection reportedly brought on by pink eye.
During the network’s coverage of the Sochi opening ceremony last Friday, Bob Costas took the bull by the horn, so to speak, and filled viewers in on what was going on with his eye, hoping that the problem will clear quickly.
Obviously, that hasn’t been the case and things have gotten progressively worse of the NBC Olympics host. It is not clear if he will return on Wednesday.
[Image via L.A. Times]
