Not everyone will watch, of course, but most TV viewers will tune in for at least a few events. There's just something about the Olympics that has even nonsports fans captivated during its two-week run.

I believe part of the reason for that is the Olympics transcends athletics. The games are as much about the stories behind the competitors as the competitions themselves. There are underdog stories and comeback stories, stories of triumph, hardship, inspiration and heart. The Olympics is the culmination of years of hard work for them, and at least for me, it's hard not to be at least a little inspired as I watch them.

Whether you're seeking specific events or just want to know what you'll catch while channel surfing, here's a look at what's going on this week at the games:

Friday

NBC: Opening ceremony, 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Includes a performance by Paul McCartney.

Saturday

NBC primetime: swimming, men's gymnastics and women's beach volleyball, 8 p.m. to midnight.

NBC: cycling, 5 to 11 a.m.; swimming, rowing, men's beach volleyball and women's basketball and volleyball, 11 to 6 p.m.; men's gymnastics and weightlifting, 12:30 to 1:30 a.m.

NBC Sports: women's volleyball and soccer, beach volleyball, archery, table tennis, shooting, equestrian and handball, 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MSNBC: women's soccer, men's beach volleyball, handball, fencing, badminton and table tennis, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Bravo: tennis, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CNBC: boxing, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Sunday

NBC primetime: swimming, diving and women's gymnastics, 7 p.m. to midnight.

NBC: cycling, 7 to 11 a.m.; swimming, rowing, beach volleyball, women's gymnastics and men's volleyball and water polo, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and women's gymnastics and canoeing, 12:35 to 1:35 a.m.

NBC Sports: beach volleyball, badminton, shooting, archery, weightlifting, equestrian, women's field hockey and men's basketball, 4 a.m. to 7 p.m.

MSNBC: table tennis, badminton, handball and men's volleyball, soccer and water polo, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bravo: tennis, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CNBC: boxing, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Monday

NBC primetime: swimming, diving and men's gymnastics, 8 p.m. to midnight.

NBC: swimming, rowing, canoeing, women's volleyball and water polo and men's beach volleyball, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and swimming and canoeing, 12:35 to 1:35 a.m.

NBC Sports: beach volleyball, badminton, archery, equestrian, boxing, shooting, men's field hockey and women's volleyball and basketball, 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MSNBC: handball, table tennis, badminton, weightlifting, men's field hockey and women's water polo, basketball and beach volleyball, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bravo: tennis, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CNBC: boxing, 5 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday

NBC primetime: swimming, diving and women's gymnastics, 8 p.m. to midnight.

NBC: swimming, rowing, canoeing and men's volleyball, water polo and beach volleyball, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and swimming and women's beach volleyball, 12:35 to 1:35 a.m.

NBC Sports: beach volleyball, boxing, equestrian, shooting, women's soccer and men's basketball and water polo, 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MSNBC: table tennis, badminton, archery, weightlifting and women's soccer and field hockey, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bravo: tennis, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CNBC: boxing, 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday

NBC primetime: swimming, diving, men's gymnastics and beach volleyball, 8 p.m. to midnight.

NBC: swimming, beach volleyball, cycling, canoeing, rowing and women's volleyball and water polo, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and swimming and cycling, 12:35 to 1:35 a.m.

NBC Sports:beach volleyball, archery,cycling, badminton, men's field hockey and soccer, and women's water polo and basketball, 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MSNBC: boxing, fencing, table tennis, weightlifting, handball and men's soccer, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bravo: tennis, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CNBC: boxing, 5 to 8 p.m.

•••

Series premieres: "Code: 9," 8 p.m. Thursday Disney (kids prank parents); "3," 10 p.m. Thursday, CBS (dating show); "All the Right Moves," 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oxygen (forming a contemporary dance company).

Season finales: "Take Me Out," 8 p.m. Thursday, Fox; "Jane By Design," 9 p.m. Tuesday, ABC Family; "Workaholics," 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Comedy Central.

Specials: "Sport Science: 2012 Summer Games Special," 5 p.m. Friday, ESPN (analysis); "The Philadelphia Experiment," 9 p.m. Saturday, Syfy (remake of 1984 film).

Tribute: TV Land honors Sherman Hemsley with a block of "The Jeffersons" episodes, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Reach Amy Robinson at flips...@wvgazette.com.