How the World's Biggest Stars Are Bringing the 2024 Paris Olympics to New Audiences
From Snoop Dogg to Jimmy Fallon to Dolly Parton, see how NBCUniversal's diverse and talented stars are delivering their unique spin and fanbases to promote and cover the iconic sports event.
April 23, 2024
With the countdown to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 underway, NBCUniversal has unveiled an all-star team of talent to connect audiences to its coverage in new ways. Unique voices who resonate with the American public will be joining our coverage of these celebrations from the moment Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, and Mike Tirico host the Opening Ceremony on Friday July 26, until August 11th's Closing Ceremony with Jimmy Fallon, Mike Tirico, Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinski, and Johnny Weir, and so much more in-between. See the list below to read more about who NBCUniversal will be working with on-screen and online for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games.
Kelly Clarkson – Opening Ceremony Co-Host
This is the first time Clarkson is joining NBCU’s Olympic coverage. Clarkson, the original American Idol, currently hosts and produces The Kelly Clarkson Show, distributed by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios. Watch as Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning and Mike Tirico share the exciting news that they’re hosting the Summer Olympic opening ceremony in Paris.
Lily Collins - Promo Star
Emily in Paris’ Lily Collins stars in a fun and fizzy commercial promoting NBC’s coverage of the Summer 2024 Olympics in Paris.
In character as Emily Cooper, an American media strategist in the popular series, Collins totally sticks the landing as she pitches network marketing executives on a head-turning uniform for Team USA sprinter Noah Lyles.
Lyles won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. His 100 meter win last summer at the World Athletics Championship earned him the title of “the fastest man alive.” So the race-day ensemble Emily hawks is appropriately extra.
Alex Cooper - Host of Watch with Alex Cooper
Alex Cooper, the multi-hyphenate creator, host, and executive producer of Call Her Daddy, the most listened-to podcast by women globally, will be at the Paris Olympic Games this summer to host Watch with Alex Cooper, a series of live interactive watch parties streaming on Peacock.
With her signature style, Cooper, who will be joined by soon-to-be-announced special guests, will regale viewers with her take on some of the most high-profile Team USA events at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, including soccer, gymnastics and basketball. The Watch with Alex Cooper interactive program will feature Cooper and friends live in a seamless picture-in-picture view sharing their thoughts and insights on the Olympic event and answering questions from fans on social in real time – all of which will add to the communal viewing experience and excitement around the Games.
Snoop Dogg - Olympics Special Correspondent
Snoop Dogg is joining NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 this summer. The global megastar will be on site in Paris to provide regular reports for the Olympic Primetime Show beginning July 26 on NBC and Peacock.
Throughout the Games, Snoop will speak with NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico and provide the large primetime U.S. audience with his unique take on what’s happening in Paris. He’ll explore the city’s iconic landmarks, attend Olympic competitions and events, and visit with the athletes, their friends, and families.
“I grew up watching the Olympics and am thrilled to see the incredible athletes bring their A-game to Paris. It’s a celebration of skill, dedication, and the pursuit of greatness,” said Snoop Dogg. “We’re going to have some amazing competitions and, of course, I will be bringing that Snoop style to the mix. It’s going to be the most epic Olympics ever, so stay tuned, and keep it locked. Let’s elevate, celebrate, and make these games unforgettable, smoke the competition, and may the best shine like gold. Peace and Olympic LOVE, ya dig?” 🏅👊🏾
“Snoop is already an Olympic gold medal commentator, generating tens of millions of views for his highlights commentary on Peacock of the dressage competition during the Tokyo Olympics,” said Molly Solomon, Executive Producer and President, NBC Olympics Production. “That performance alone has earned Snoop a job as our Special Correspondent in Paris. We don’t know what the heck is going to happen every day, but we know he will add his unique perspective to our re-imagined Olympic primetime show.”
Jimmy Fallon - Closing Ceremony Co-Host
Jimmy Fallon, Emmy Award-winning host of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, will join two-time Sports Emmy Award-winner and NBC Olympics primetime host Mike Tirico to host NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Closing Ceremony of the Games. Joining Jimmy and Mike will be Terry Gannon, 1998 Nagano Olympic figure skating gold medalist Tara Lipinski, and two-time Olympian in figure skating, Johnny Weir, who will be calling their fourth Closing Ceremony together.
NBC and Peacock will present live coverage of the Closing Ceremony from the Stade de France, the country’s national stadium, on Sunday, August 11, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Primetime coverage will begin at 7 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.
Fallon will make his Olympics debut as a commentator this summer in Paris, 10 years after The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon launched during the second week of the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Fallon has contributed to prior NBC Olympics presentations, beginning in Vancouver in 2010, when he performed at the Whistler Mountain skiing venue medals plaza.
Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb - Opening Ceremony Commentators
The Olympic veterans will be stationed together on a bridge along the route, reporting on the pageantry and excitement as the athletes sail by. Clarkson, Manning, and Tirico will be positioned at the Trocadero near the ceremony’s finish, with spectacular views of The Seine and Eiffel Tower. Additional Opening Ceremony commentators will be announced soon.
Paris Hilton - Promo Star
Paris Hilton made her surprise appearance in a 20-second promo during NBC’s 2023 coverage of an NFL Wild Card Playoff Game.
The spot opens in a dreamy, sun-bathed room as a voice says, “Next summer, the eyes of the world will be on...” and we see a woman, in a long gown, cross the floor to open a pair of terrace doors. Finally, the woman turns and says, “Paris,” and Paris Hilton is revealed.
After a flurry of Olympic highlights the camera returns to a disappointed Hilton as she realizes the attention will be on the world’s athletes competing in the French capital, and not her, in the summer of 2024.
Peyton Manning - Promo Star and Opening Ceremony Co-Host
Peyton Manning starred in a promotional spot that kicked off NBCUniversal’s 2023 fall campaign to promote its coverage of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad. The promo debuted on TODAY and aired during NBC Sports’ coverage of NFL Kickoff 2023.
The spot begins with Manning riding in a giant baguette blimp that is flying high above Paris while holding a glass of red wine. “Welcome to Paris. Home to French bread, wine, and now, the Olympics,” says Manning, while sky divers leap from the blimp to form Olympic rings over the city. Viewers are then abruptly transitioned from Paris to a board room, where it’s revealed that Manning is merely pitching this fanciful idea to a group of perplexed marketing executives.
Manning will also co-host NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony.
Dolly Parton - Olympic Anthem
Dolly Parton, a global icon, collaborated with NBCUniversal on the video for her new song “We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You,” which is being used to promote NBCU’s coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You” is Parton’s cover of the famous rock anthems by Queen and a new song from her upcoming album Rockstar, which was inspired by her 2022 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
A huge fan of the Olympics and Team USA, Parton aligned with NBCU to produce an Olympic-themed video that celebrates the athletes and gets people excited about next year’s Games in Paris.
“I love the Olympics! I do my best to plan my schedule to watch as much of it as I possibly can,” says Parton. “I tape it just in case I miss the live action on a certain day and watch it back as soon as possible. I laugh, I cry, I scream, there are no losers in the Olympics as they have all spent a lifetime preparing but I celebrate with the ones that go away with the gold, silver, and bronze medals.”
Megan Thee Stallion - Promo Star
Three-time GRAMMY-winning recording artist Megan Thee Stallion stars in the second promotional spot of NBCUniversal’s fall campaign. The promo debuted during NBCU’s Thanksgiving Day programming and encored during NBC Sports’ coverage of the Seattle Seahawks hosting the San Francisco 49ers on NBC and Peacock.
The spot welcomes viewers to “Thee Paris Olympics”, as Megan performs at the Palace of Versailles – the host of this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic equestrian competitions – with U.S. High Performance dressage horses as her backup dancers. She is then joined by her own fire-breathing, talking horse. Viewers are quickly transitioned from the fantastical scene at Versailles to an executive board room, where a group of skeptical marketing executives listens to Megan proclaim, “And that is Thee Olympics, Hot Girl Style.”
Mike Tirico - Opening and Closing Ceremony Co-Host
Mike Tirico, who will host his fourth Opening Ceremony this summer, has been honored with the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality – Studio Host in each of the last two years, highlighted by his role as primetime host of the Beijing Olympics (2022) and Tokyo Olympics (2021). Tirico also hosted the PyeongChang Opening Ceremony in 2018 and the Closing Ceremony for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Elmo, Cookie Monster and Their 'Sesame Street' Pals
Cookie Monster and his pals will be incorporated into NBC Sports’ coverage as part of a partnership between Sesame Street and NBCUniversal.
During his visit to TODAY, Cookie Monster revealed how he’s preparing for his hot air balloon ride across the Atlantic, discussed the French foods he’s excited to eat, and devoured a plate of macarons.
Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson - Hosts of Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson
The comedians will host the new Peacock series Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson, which will offer a timely look at the biggest and most memorable moments from the 2024 Paris Games. From swimming to boxing, the duo will chime in with their unique and hilarious commentary on it all.
"We can’t wait to be a part of the Paris Olympics and help hype up the audience with highlights from the best moments of the Games. We’re going for gold, everybody!" said Hart, an executive producer on the series.
Thompson, also an executive producer, added, "Kev and I are super excited to be part of the Paris Olympics by recapping performances from some of the world's best athletes. Let’s go Team U.S.A.!"
Dwyane Wade - Analyst for Team USA's Mens Basketball Team
Dwyane Wade is packing his bags and headed to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
For the first time in his career, Wade, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and 13-time NBA All-Star, will join NBC's prestigious group of commentators at the upcoming Summer Games. He will serve as an analyst for Team USA's mens basketball team.
“I’m thrilled to join NBC Sports as a commentator for Team USA Men’s Basketball games,” said Wade in a statement. “The Olympics are the world’s greatest sporting competition with elite athletes competing at the highest level on the world’s largest stage. I have tremendous pride when I look back at my time competing as an Olympic athlete. I have the utmost respect for these players and their commitment to greatness. It will be an honor to witness their journey in person and share this special experience with viewers while we unite to celebrate their pursuit of the gold.”
Leslie Jones - Chief Superfan Commentator
Comedian and actress Leslie Jones is on board to cover the Summer Olympics as “chief superfan commentator” throughout the games for NBC and Peacock. The SNL alum will be on the ground in Paris, meeting with athletes and attending live events. Jones is already spreading the love for The Olympics in a press release for the announcement, and her enthusiasm is infectious: “USA!! SLAY ALL DAY!! LET'S GOOOOOO!!” she exclaimed.
Sabrina Carpenter - Promo Star
Olympic fans can finally get their caffeine fix, as pop artist Sabrina Carpenter, the singer of Billboard Top 100 song, "Espresso", stars in the latest NBC Olympics promo for the 2024 Paris Games.
In the promotional spot, Carpenter is at a Parisian café enjoying espresso, causing her to imagine a bird who she converses with about her excitement for the Olympic Games. As she reviews what events and stars she's most looking forward to watching in Paris, her song "Espresso" begins to play and captures the electricity around the Games.
"What am I doing in Paris? Isn't it obvious? The Olympics." Carpenter informs her imaginary new friend. "I've never been more excited for anything in my life."
Last May, NBCU announced that the NBC broadcast network and streaming service Peacock will be the company’s primary platforms for its coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, scheduled for July 26-Aug. 11. Click here for more programming information.
NBCU owns the U.S. media rights to the Olympic Games through 2032, which are scheduled for Paris (2024), Milan Cortina (2026), Los Angeles (2028) and Brisbane (2032). The host city for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games has not yet been chosen.
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