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May 27, 2012

The spelling bee kids don't need the pressure of prime time

by Joel Keller, posted May 29th 2009 1:07PM

Spelling Bee winner Kavya ShivashankarFlipping around last night, I caught the last half-dozen or so rounds of the National Spelling Bee on ABC. It was all there in primetime glitz and glory: bright lights, flashy ESPN graphics that show the participants' best finish in previous bees, the lovely Erin Andrews prowling the backstage area, and Tom Bergeron making lame quips during the "play by play."

It was quite a slick production. Then I remembered something: They're kids.

I mean, they're under enough pressure as it is, and it's not always from the competition itself (ever see Spellbound, the movie that spurred the bee's popularity? Some of those parents were pretty harsh). Why add to the pressure by having them try to spell these difficult words on live primetime television?

Some of the contestants I saw, like winner Kavya Shivashankar -- who endearingly spelled the words out on her hand before spelling them out loud -- and fellow finalist Aishwarya Eshwar, had the poise to make it through the television gauntlet.

Others? Well, let's just say that the words "socially awkward" don't quite describe some of these kids. And that's ok... I was pretty socially awkward when I was their age too (shocker!). But I'm pretty sure I would have thrown up if I was under those hot lights trying to spell a word like "neufatchel Neufchâtel." The fact that most of them stayed cool under what was tremendous pressure should be commended. But is that extra pressure really necessary?

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Linda

These kids deserve recognition for their hard work, and most of them make a goal of staying in the competition until the TV coverage starts.
I've been involved with the spelling bee for 20 years, and I prefer the current format. In the days of hit-or-miss coverage, the tension was way too high near the end. As the numbers dwindled and spellers realized they were nearing the end, many of them would lose their concentration and rush through a spelling carelessly. Now with interruptions for commercials and such, the kids have time to compose themselves and even get a pat on the back from their parents before facing their next words.

June 01 2009 at 9:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
navin

Totally disagree! This broadcast was done very tasteful and entertaining.

Joel, its because of people like you, and your perceived concern for kids and the lowering of pressure/standards that eight of thirteen kids come from immigrant homes. They learn the old fashioned way with lot of extra pressure and hardwork. One more thing, you have to admire their confidence.

May 29 2009 at 3:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to navin's comment
Joel Keller

I wouldn't go that far with the "people like you" remark. There's a difference between the "everybody wins!" mentality some parents have and the pressure on a kid when he or she is on national TV. My guess at this point is that they know what they're getting into, so if they can handle it, more power to them. Still, the primetime network slot seems a bit exploitative to me.

May 29 2009 at 4:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
karen

Talking from experience, these kids don't feel any pressure being on TV..they love it.
SPELLING to them is FUN..like my son said, it's fun to beat the odds.The harder and the weirder were the words, the more exciting it gets. THe only thing that bothered him were the photographer's flashes while he was trying to spell.
Other than that, it's the BEST EXPERIENCE EVER in his life and my life to be in national spelling bee.

May 29 2009 at 3:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
karen

It is great to finally show that it is KOOL to be SMART!!...

!We just don't have to watch all these garbages on TV, just the LEBRONs,KOBE, etc..they can't even know how to speak correct ENGLISH.
My son was in the Natl.Spelling BEE for 3 yrs. and one of the reasons why he wanted to do well was he was going to be on ESPN..for smart kids like him, being on TV was an ice cream on a cake.
So, THANK YOU ESPN and ABC for recognizing these brainy children that we have.

May 29 2009 at 3:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to karen's comment
Edward

ESPN also shows the Scrabble National Championship. The smart kids also get that.

May 29 2009 at 3:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PB

Hah -- I can't help but point out that you misspelled 'neufchatel' :-)

May 29 2009 at 2:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to PB's comment
Joel Keller

I had a feeling I'd get that wrong... when you can't spell a word right, sometimes Google reinforces your misspelling instead of suggesting the right spelling. And I tried finding the spelling at the Kraft foods site, since they make a lot of light cream cheeses, and the word doesn't seem to exist to them. Oh, well. It'll be fixed.

May 29 2009 at 4:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jess

I think it's great that children who have no athletic ability can still have some sort of equivalent recognition. Although the "stage mom" type of parent might ruin the innocence of a simple spelling competition. I see a reality tv show coming on...
http://www.newsy.com/videos/about_the_buzzing_bee

May 29 2009 at 2:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chadwick hansford

It was great! Congrads to Kavya Shivashankar. The Best National Spelling Bee Champion ever! Bring on ESPN, Fox, Opera, 60 Minutes, whom ever. Hah!

May 29 2009 at 2:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
snforrester

Heartily disagree... the kids were cute and charming. I loved seeing the so-called awkward kids prove that they were fierce competitors. The snapshots into their lives were interesting and showed that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

These kids are great role models for other kids. They deserved the chance to be on TV. In fact, the competition left me thinking that there should be MORE kids on TV. I don't think those kids were exploited in the least.

I'd love to see this post again when the Olympics are on. Some of those gymnasts and ice skaters really are exploited since millions of dollars ride on the outcome of their performances.

May 29 2009 at 1:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sean

I disagree. I think the spelling bees should be on TV. That was school age children can see that "book smart" will get them something. This little girl won $40k with dignity. There are so many tarts on reality TV and that's all the children have to watch. All of the spelling bee children should be an inspiration to their peers. I only hope that if televisied, they do not make the cameras the main focus and start following the kids around. This should be an educational program that parents are prouod to have their kids watch.

May 29 2009 at 1:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David

100% disagree. I admire the way CNN and then ESPN/ABC have featured the semi-final and final rounds for 2 decades now. This is their 15-minutes, and if you watch every year, you'll see these kids handle it TERRIFICALLY! Don't take it away from them.

May 29 2009 at 1:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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