And to think I had mixed feelings last year, when the Scripps National Spelling Bee came to network TV. Yes, a Nerd Sport came to network TV, so huzzah! … but really? Isn’t this going to go downhill?

Why, yes! Yes, it is!

Try an opening ‘comedic’ monologue by Tom Bergeron.

ETA: More on the Bee and the Bee Winner to follow.