No skating rink collapse, judging scandal or childhood triumph over adversity could compete with the melodrama broiling inside NBC as it launched its coverage of the 2006 Winter Games. The agita — set off by rumors that Couric might defect to anchor the "CBS Evening News" — cut right through the network's opening ceremony extravaganza. Bob Costas was once again the NBC host, but he had a new partner at his side, the anchorman Brian Williams, stiffly dignified even though he wore a navy sweater over his shirt and tie. Neither man mentioned Couric, who played host to the last...