Romano Maniscalco Boost Olympics
The road to the 2026 Winter Olympics just got a little funnierand a lot more Italian. As Italy prepares to host the world’s biggest showcase of snow, speed, and sparkling medals in Milano-Cortina, two of America’s favorite sons of Italian descentRay Romano and Sebastian Maniscalcohave joined the effort to stir excitement, spotlight the host country, and kickstart the countdown with a dash of comedy and culture.
Two Comedians, One Olympic Ring Toss
Once known mostly for its pizzas, piazzas, and passionate football fans, Italy’s winter sports scene is stepping confidently onto the world’s stage. At the recent 2026 Winter Olympics preview event in Milan, Romano and Maniscalco brought their signature blend of grumpy charm and animated storytelling to a prime video special aimed at reigniting Olympic buzz and showcasing the upcoming Games.
Romano, beloved for his Emmy-winning role in Everybody Loves Raymond, and Maniscalco, a stand-up powerhouse whose rants about social etiquette have sold out arenas coast-to-coast, might seem like unusual choices to promote competitive skiing and figure skating. But their tag-team performancepart travelogue, part comedy sketch, and part heartfelt homagehit just the right notes with a crowd eager to see how Italy will mix timeless tradition with world-class spectacle come February 2026.
Gelato, Gondolas, and Giggles
The short film, which aired during NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby and is now available on Peacock, follows the duo as they gallivant across the Italian Alps and down into the bustling heart of Milanpoking fun at themselves, the language barrier, and their own (non-existent) skiing prowess.
“My idea of a winter sport is trying not to fall when I’m walking through the snow to get my car,” Romano jokes. Meanwhile, Maniscalcowho calls himself “indoor people”adds, “The only ice I usually interact with is in my cocktail.”
But beneath the laughs is a real tenderness: for Italy, their shared heritage, and for the spirit of the Games. They pay tribute to local athletes, team up with aspiring Olympians, and marvel at the majestic venues nestled in the Dolomitesall while gleefully embracing the fish-out-of-water role assigned to them.
Stars Align for Milano-Cortina 2026
The promotional specialwhich serves as a soft-launch of sorts for Olympic marketing effortsis part of a growing trend. Think less stolid ceremony, more Saturday Night Live-meets Rick Steves: Italy. It reflects the IOC’s desire to connect with a wider, younger, and perhaps more skeptical audience through entertainment-first experiences.
As Italy readies state-of-the-art venues across Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and surrounding alpine villagesincluding renovations to the historic ice rink used during the 1956 Winter Olympicsthe call to blend culture with competition is coming through loud and clear. And Romano and Maniscalco are, intentionally or not, the perfect torchbearers for this effort: deeply Italian-American, deeply funny, and deeply relatable.
From Stand-Up to Slope-Down
While they’re not trained Olympiansunless sarcasm becomes a medal eventRomano and Maniscalco offer something even rarer than athletic precision: the ability to make people feel connected. With sharp observation, comic timing, and a visible affection for their roots, they’ve helped remind a global audience that the Games are more than just golds and silversthey’re stories, shared moments, laughs, pride, and people.
And that’s a win on any podium.
Beyond the Laughs: A Cultural Sprint
This early Olympic promo isn’t just about ratings spikes and viral videosit’s part of a strategic attempt to melt the ice between mega-events and mainstream accessibility. And the move seems to be working. Social media buzz following the NBC broadcast showed overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many viewers praising the duo’s chemistry, authenticity, and Italy’s visual splendor.
As Maniscalco deadpanned in the piece when asked if he could see himself joining Team USA: “Only if they need bidet installation technicians.”
Final Lap: The Countdown Begins
With fewer than two years to the cauldron being lit in northern Italy, the Milano-Cortina Games are shaping up not only to be scenic and sustainablebut cinematic. And if the early help from Hollywood’s finest funny men is an indicator of things to come, there’s a good chance this Olympics delivers both avalanche-level action and warm-hearted appeal.
So here’s to ski jumps, speed skatesand stood-up dads from Queens doing cannonballs into Lake Como. The 2026 Winter Olympics just got a whole lot more entertaining.
Romano-Maniscalco Winter Olympics preview special is currently streaming on Peacock and available for replay during select NBC Sports segments. Milano-Cortina 2026 opens February 6 and runs through February 22, 2026.
