Rio has long had the reputation as one of the world's most sensual cities, which seems to be holding up in the 2016 Olympics. Athletes everywhere are going for the climactic gold, so much so that a late-night romp with a sexy canoeist ruined a Brazilian diving duo's chances for an actual medal. (Hot photos here!) It isn't just sex in the Marvelous City air, however; there is also love. And Caipirinha. And Brahma. And multiple world media outlets. And it all came together in a global fairy tale on BBC Four.A few nights ago, a fully greased "hen do" (British slang for a bachelorette party) came strolling down Copacabana Beach and tosspot-of-honor Maria decided to crash anchor Dan Walker's set. It appears to be well into a night that started early, but Maria is still charming as hell. She shouts out her friends, fiancee, Walker, and even gets her fellow hens squawking "BBC" in unison. What could have been a disaster turned into a great Olympic moment. Good on Walker for taking that television risk. And why not? Networks have a lot of airtime to fill, and BBC Four is more free-wheeling than its stiff-upper-lip counterparts. Walker says so himself with a laugh. "You don't get that on BBC One, do you?"The confab between the lovely boozy bride-to-be and the smitten newschap took off, getting millions of social media hits, and leading to a follow-up interview with Maria's mother, Hercilia De Cezar. She, too, is delightful—and nails her five minutes—especially with thoughts on the XXXI Olympiad. Pointing out Brazil is "not very wow in the competition," but "we won gold medals." When it comes to breaking news, Hercilia was on it. Shortly beforehand, former vegetable seller turned lightweight Robson Conceicao had won Brazil's first ever boxing gold in front of a frenzied crowd taunting France's Sofiane Oumiha with the Axl Rose-esque "you're gonna die!"Hercilia scooped Walker, but he took it in stride because he's a pro who knows a good story when he's in the middle of one. Thus, he must accept Maria and Hercilia's invitation to the September 17th Copacabana Beach nuptials. It will make for award-winning TV as the world says to those two kids, Parabéns Pelo Casamento. Bottoms up.h/t SI
Advertisement