"Just think of NBC’s full-sepia treatment as Lindsey Vonn zoomed past the finish line and into the arms of her ear-muffed boyfriend, Tiger Woods."

As a big fan of the Winter Olympics and NBC's coverage, the news of Lindsey Vonn's absence is a bummer.

However, after this NY Times unbylined item on stars to watch in the post-Lindsey era, I'm not feeling as sad about her absence.

Admit it: You were dying to watch that 17-day made-for-TV “Lindsey & Tiger” special otherwise known as the Sochi Winter Olympics. Just think of NBC’s full-sepia treatment as Lindsey Vonn zoomed past the finish line and into the arms of her ear-muffed boyfriend, Tiger Woods.

Faster. Higher. Stronger. Cheesier.

It was too good to be true. Vonn announced Tuesday that a knee injury would prevent her from competing in Sochi. Whom should we watch now?

Hey, and even better news, this allows Tiger to play Riviera in the Northern Trust Open!