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SNL alum Leslie Jones was given the green light to resume social media coverage of the 2022 Winter Olympics through her hilarious commentary after a misunderstanding with NBC.
She had previously announced she may no longer continue her live tweets because she was growing weary of the powers that be on social media constantly blocking her videos.
"I'm starting to feel like this should be my last olympics i live tweet," she wrote early Monday morning, adding, "I know i know, another celebrity b*tching."
"But i’m tired of fighting the folks who don’t want me to do it. They block my videos and they get folks who think they can do it like me. And I’m tired of fighting them."
"I love the athletes and they love me doing it. And I know y’all love it. But now it’s just gotten too hard. And no one is fighting for or with me."
"Soooo I guess I’ll leave it to the professionals. But thank you for all the love #uptoyallnow"
Leslie Jones does it stay anywhere I\u2019m not welcomed. #uptoyallnowpic.twitter.com/jark0Joc0N— Leslie Jones \ud83e\udd8b (@Leslie Jones \ud83e\udd8b) 1644218986
But on Monday night, NBC spokesman Greg Hughes explained some of Jones’ videos that were blocked were because of a “third-party error” and not NBC.
Hughes told the Associated Press:
“We have resolved the situation. She is free to do her social media posts as she has done in the past."
“She is a super fan of the Olympics and we are super fans of her.”
Said super fans expressed their support for their favorite narrator for the Olympics.
Leslie \u2013 NBC just announced it was a mixup and they are literally asking you to get back on the air so please go and give us your amazing take on the Olympics. You are amazing!!https://www.marketwatch.com/story/leslie-jones-free-to-live-tweet-winter-olympics-after-third-party-mixup-01644292102\u00a0\u2026— David (@David) 1644293223
Welcome back baby girl https://twitter.com/ap/status/1490892530208190465?s=21\u00a0\u2026— Megan (@Megan) 1644296327
https://twitter.com/AmyKup/status/1490592571286073346\u00a0\u2026\n\nThey certainly cannot replace you with "just anyone"— M R B (@M R B) 1644265110
I have to admit that when the Olympics were on ABC I was an avid watcher. When the broadcast was bought by NBC I slowly started to lose interest. There is something missing from the NBC telecasts and I think that\u2019s Leslie Jones.— Mish Mosh (@Mish Mosh) 1644246886
She is \u201cfree\u201d to post NOW?! Hire her & Pay her @Lesdoggg #OlympicGames #uptoyallnowhttps://twitter.com/michelewrighttv/status/1490763187528126466\u00a0\u2026— Michele Wright\ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89 #SomeGoodNews | #loveFL (@Michele Wright\ud83d\ude37\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89\ud83d\udc89 #SomeGoodNews | #loveFL) 1644328912
Your commentary and live tweets are a DELIGHT!! They are, in fact, the only thing that makes me want to go and watch @nbc\u2019s actual coverage of the Olympics. Your wonder at these athletes\u2019 achievements is so genuine, joyous, and infectious. They should be PAYING, not punishing!— Snowden Becker (@Snowden Becker) 1644219715
The media outlet explained that some of the comedian's Olympic commentary videos were blocked due to "increased policing of taped video displayed by social media companies."
On May 7, 2014, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded NBCUniversal the U.S. media rights of the Olympic Games through 2032. The agreement was for $7.75 billion.
As a result, NBC highlights rights are stringent. Non-NBC affiliates are not allowed to run highlight footage from the Olympics until after NBC finishes their coverage for the night, which can run as late as 2:30 a.m. EST.
There is also a limit to the duration of the videos shown, specifics of which weren't mentioned in the article. The clips Jones shared of the Games with her commentary usually lasted nearly a minute-long.
People remained skeptical about the motivation behind NBC's 180 of the situation.
Translation: the NBC comms and legal departments had to slap a patch on that bad pr flood.pic.twitter.com/g9ZzBGrEiK— Torraine Walker (@Torraine Walker) 1644324815
"Third party error."pic.twitter.com/dROVPkjKVa— CharM (@CharM) 1644324725
Yes I'm sure it was all a big accidentpic.twitter.com/bjSswlj42Y— A Sentient Pile of Garbage (@A Sentient Pile of Garbage) 1644328720
On Sunday, the comedian explained when her passion for the Olympics took root.
I have watched olympics since I could walk lol. Me and my dad. So this is from my heart. Y\u2019all should be asking @NBCSports why they don\u2019t see that. And think they can replace me with just anyone. Again not saying I was first just saying it\u2019s frustrating. @TeamUSApic.twitter.com/uhomVaOuvK— Leslie Jones \ud83e\udd8b (@Leslie Jones \ud83e\udd8b) 1644211962
“I have watched Olympics since I could walk lol,” Jones said. “Me and my dad. So this is from my heart.
"Y’all should be asking @NBCSports why they don’t see that. And think they can replace me with just anyone. Again not saying I was first just saying it’s frustrating."
In one of her clips during Team USA's Karen Chen skating, Jones said of her passion:
"I do this because I really enjoy watching the Olympics. I really love you guys' reactions … this is like everybody coming together, no matter what's going on. … When I'm doing this, my spirit is totally in it. … I do this with real passion."