Honestly, who would have thought that a legendary West Coast rapper and a vertically-challenged comedy powerhouse would become the faces of Olympic dressage? It sounds like a fever dream or a bad pitch for a buddy-cop movie. But when Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart first sat down in front of those monitors for the Tokyo 2020 Games (which actually happened in 2021, thanks to the pandemic), something just clicked. They weren't just funny. They were essential.
Before they showed up, Olympic commentary was, well, a bit stuffy. You had experts talking about "cadence" and "technical execution." Then Snoop and Kevin walked in. Suddenly, we weren't watching a horse trot; we were watching a horse "Crip Walking."
That one moment changed everything.
The Viral Moment: It’s Not Just a Horse
The clip of Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart reacting to equestrian events is probably one of the most shared pieces of sports media in the last decade. If you haven't seen it, Snoop basically loses his mind watching a horse move laterally. "This horse is Crip Walking, cuh! Do you see that?" he yells, while Kevin is doubled over in his chair.
It was raw. It was unscripted. Most importantly, it was relatable.
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Most of us watching the Olympics have no idea how scoring works for sports like trampoline or Greco-Roman wrestling. We’re just fans of the spectacle. By leaning into their own ignorance about the rules, the duo created a bridge for the average viewer. They were us. They just happened to have better seats and a production budget from Peacock.
Beyond the Laughter: Why the Pairing Works
Why does this specific duo work so well? It’s the classic "Odd Couple" dynamic, but with a modern twist. You’ve got Snoop, who is the epitome of "chill." He’s the cool uncle who’s seen it all and isn't impressed by much—except apparently a very talented horse.
Then you have Kevin Hart. Kevin is high-energy, neurotic, and loud. He provides the "straight man" reactions to Snoop’s laid-back observations.
They also have a genuine friendship that predates their Peacock specials. They’ve worked together on movies like Soul Plane and have done countless interviews where they just roast each other for forty minutes straight. That history means they aren't afraid to step on each other’s toes or call out a bad joke.
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The Evolution of the Partnership
It didn't stop at Tokyo. NBC and Peacock realized they’d struck gold. This led to their year-end special, 2021 and Done, where they tackled everything from politics to space billionaires.
- They proved that sports commentary doesn't have to be formal to be effective.
- They showed that "non-experts" can often drive more engagement than the pros.
- They paved the way for the "alternate broadcast" trend we see now with things like the ManningCast on ESPN.
What Happened in Paris 2024?
By the time the 2024 Paris Olympics rolled around, things shifted slightly. Snoop Dogg became a full-blown ambassador for NBC, appearing everywhere from the opening ceremony to the swimming heats with Michael Phelps' family. He was basically the unofficial mascot of the Games.
Kevin Hart, meanwhile, teamed up with Kenan Thompson for the Olympic Highlights show. While the Snoop/Kevin duo wasn't the primary focus in Paris the way it was in Tokyo, the blueprint they created was all over the coverage. The "infotainment" style they pioneered—mixing genuine athlete interviews with absurdist comedy—became the standard operating procedure for the network.
The Cultural Impact
Let’s be real: the Olympics has a "young person" problem. Gen Z and Alpha aren't exactly lining up to watch three hours of rhythmic gymnastics on a Tuesday afternoon.
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Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart fixed that. They turned the Olympics into meme fodder. When a sport becomes a meme, it stays relevant. It gets shared on TikTok. It gets talked about in group chats.
Critics might say it "disrespects" the athletes, but the athletes actually love it. Getting a shoutout from Snoop or Kevin is a badge of honor. It brings eyes to sports that usually only get attention once every four years.
Actionable Takeaways for Content Creators
If you're looking at why this worked and trying to apply it to your own brand or project, here's the deal:
- Authenticity beats polish. People didn't watch for the high-def cameras; they watched for the genuine reactions. Don't be afraid to be "un-expert" if it makes you more relatable.
- Lean into the "Odd Couple." If you're pairing talent, find people with contrasting energies. High energy + Low energy = Comedy gold.
- Micro-content is king. The full episodes were great, but the 30-second clips are what built the legacy. Always create with the "clip-ability" in mind.
The partnership between these two isn't just a flash in the pan. It’s a case study in how to revitalize a legacy brand—like the Olympics—without losing its soul. As we look toward the 2028 Games in Los Angeles (Snoop’s backyard!), you can bet that this duo, in some capacity, will be right back at that desk, probably losing their minds over something equally ridiculous.
To keep up with their latest projects, you should check out the archives of Olympic Highlights on Peacock or follow their social channels, where they still regularly post "unfiltered" takes on current events. Watching their 2021 retrospective is a great way to see how they transitioned from just "funny guys" to legitimate media moguls.