NBC’s Description of Soviet-Era Communism Stuns Marco Rubio, Other Viewers During Olympics Coverage

During NBC’s coverage of the opening ceremony of the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, a narrator described Soviet-era communism as a “pivotal experiment.” Many viewers objected to the reference and were quick to point out the mass suffering and death endured under communist leaders like Joseph Stalin.

Here’s the text of what viewers heard during NBC’s opening ceremony coverage, reportedly narrated by "Game of Thrones" actor Peter Dinklage:

The towering presence, the empire that ascended to affirm a colossal footprint. The revolution that birthed one of modern history's pivotal experiments. But if politics has long shaped our sense of who they are, it's passion that endures. As a more reliable right to their collective heart. What they build in aspirations, lifted by imagination. What they craft, through the wonder of every last detail. How magical the fusion of sound and movement can be. How much a glass of distilled perfection and an overflowing table can matter. Discover the Russian people through these indelible signatures. Discover what we share with them through the games that open here tonight.

MRCTV has the video:

As Dinklage referenced "one of modern history's pivotal experiments," this is the image that viewers saw:

(NBC)

According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, pivotal is defined as “of, relating to, or constituting a pivot” or “vitally important.”

We tracked some the outrage that ensued on Twitter Friday night:

The #nbcolympics intro is absurd. The Soviet Union was a "pivotal experiment"? Really? No, it was an #evilempire that murdered & oppressed.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 8, 2014

Looks like #nbcolympics intro was written by #Putin himself. When is the segment on his murder and jailing of his opponents going to run?

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio)

February 8, 2014

I'm sure the 1,000 priests and nuns killed in Barcelona by communists during the Civil War were pleased to die for a "pivotal experiment."

— William Newton (@wbdnewton) February 8, 2014

By "pivotal experiment" you mean "industrialized oppression and crushing out the lives and hopes of millions."

— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson)

February 8, 2014

I'll bet @NBCOlympics is bummed they didn't cover the 1936 Summer Games. That nation also ran a #PivotalExperiment.

— jon gabriel (@exjon) February 8, 2014

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this pivotal experiment!"

— Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) February 8, 2014

NBC Olympics coverage called Soviet Communism a "pivotal experiment"? #wtf #nbc #epicfail

— CA_McGowan (@CA_McGowan) February 8, 2014

Me too. RT: @ironick: I threw up in my mouth a little hearing #NBCOlympics refer to post-revolution era as a "pivotal experiment" #NBCFail

— Listy H (@wandering_fox) February 8, 2014

Seriously @nbc communism=pivotal experiment? You guys are so out of touch. millions died under stalin, including some of my family! #idiots

— johanna ihli (@johannaihli) February 8, 2014

(H/T: Twitchy)

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