The first Saturday in May has always been fascinating to me as someone who's only observed the Kentucky Derby from afar. No matter where you live it's hard to escape the network's coverage of the derby that day in May, and for the non-racing enthusiasts, the broadcast always felt stodgy and elitist.
No doubt it's difficult to fill six or more hours of air time about sports figures — nope, not having this debate today — who can't talk so it's natural that there's additional focus on betting schemes and live odds.
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But NBC's decision to throw former Olympic ice skaters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir as the derby's "fashion and lifestyle correspondents" into the mix injected life into a sport generally targeted to the nation's most privileged viewers. The Kentucky Derby is synonymous with high fashion and higher hats. As the first leg of the Triple Crown, the atmosphere at the Twin Spires is more performance art than performance itself, so why not bring in two of the experts?
What's refreshing about watching Weir and Lipinski during the hours-long broadcast is how, even when they're dressed in some outrageous getup they're still relatable. Weir had a neon pink, braided pony tail — not to be confused with a ponytail — hanging from the right side of his derby crown. They act like brother and sister and they're not afraid to have a little fun in the network's "Peacock Paddock."
My hat for 2016: @JohnnyGWeir is My Little Pony! With a feather crown as a nod to the upcoming Olympics! @NBCSports pic.twitter.com/B3ywZ7qKNX
— KERIN ROSE GOLD (@KERINROSEGOLD) May 7, 2016
Weir wore a massive lapel pin with a pink-tailed unicorn named Lawrence that lit up and galloped every time someone on Twitter typed the phrase "#WatchMeNeighNeigh," which is the equine version of the Silento song "Watch me (whip/nae nae)."
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.@JohnnyGWeir is wearing a tweet powered brooch at the #KyDerby. Use #WatchMeNeighNeigh to make it go! 🐎🐎🐎 pic.twitter.com/1cbSuYNfA8
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 7, 2016
Lipinski opted for a red and white dress with a giant scarlet, veiled fascinator hat but completed the look with a rhinestone-encrusted microphone. The duo joked earlier in the week that they'd bring 20 suitcases a piece to Louisville, but instead opted for a suitcase for each day they were in town. Totally reasonable for any fashion expert worth his or her salt.
One of the best quips of the afternoon was Weir's tidbit on derby hats: "It's like a game of Pac-Man when you watch these ladies try to circulate through Churchill Downs," Weir said on the broadcast, explaining his view of the massive headpieces from above.
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The two teamed up to make a $25,000 pecan-dusted mint julep served in a gold-plated and diamond-encrusted julep cup. The individually numbered cups, whose proceeds benefited the disabled jockeys fund, were sold out, according to the broadcast.
In the moments that should have felt stuffy — who can rightly afford one $25,000 mint julep? — Lipinski and Weir were able to bring levity by being themselves. Sure, the Kentucky Derby is about horse racing. But it's just as much about the culture of horse racing: the signature drink, fashion and fun. That's what the pair does best.
As more networks trip all over themselves for the coveted Milennial viewership, NBC seems to have it figured out: call Johnny and Tara.