DON'T EXPECT NBC TO PUT THE HEAT ON ATHLETES.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH

Expectations can be high - almost unrealistically so - when a nation full of flag-waving viewers invests its leisure time to watch a bunch of Coca-Cola ads interrupted by athletic events.

For instance:

During Friday night's Orange Bowl halftime show disguised as the Opening Ceremonies, right between the parade of silver pickups with gun racks and Evander Holyfield lighting the torch, admit that you expected to see:

a) Kelsey Grammer to recite the Olympic oath.

b) Jeff Foxworthy do five minutes for his ``redneck'' constituents.

c) Bob Costas to Fosbury from his chair to the countertop and burst into a rendition of ``It's A Small World.''

At least, you could have expected Paul Maguire to tell us what to expect from the second half.

So that the rest of the NBC production doesn't get you too anxious, we suggest you bring your expectation level down a notch. It'll make things easier over the next 16 days.

Here's a guideline:

Expect: NBC commentators to comment on the heat and humidity at every time of day, at every opportunity, at every venue, with every fiber of their being.

Don't expect: Any sympathy.

The San Fernando Valley in early August is no glacial wonderland. Get a 12-pack of Hawaiian Punch, some Otter Pops and a battery-operated fan and suck it up like the rest of us.

Expect: The first living room cries of ``Hey, this isn't live

'' sometime this afternoon, when NBC plans to follow Amy Van Dyken's attempt at the 100 meter freestyle but steps on other afternoon events after another, like men's gymnastics, volleyball, boxing and wrestling, which will be taped and shown when convenient to move a story along.

Don't expect: Dick Enberg, assigned to ``Dick Enberg's Moments,'' to pick up the slack.

Expect: Renewed West Coast interest in the Dream Team, now that one of our own - Shaquille O'Neal - is there.

Don't expect: Smitten East Coast viewers to wait up all night for Dream Team results. As if they matter. The first four U.S. men's basketball games have 10 p.m. (EDT) tipoffs. The Aug. 3 gold-medal game should end after midnight local time.

Catch all the Charles Barkley vs. the Angolan team member closest-to-his-flying-elbow on the replays.

Expect: The NBC broadcasters to break through the talking-head mess to be Elfi Schlegel on gymnastics, Mike Breen and Cheryl Miller on women's hoops and, especially, Tom Hammond and Dwight Stones on track and field.

Don't expect: Much from pizazz-deficient Dan Hicks (doing both swimming and diving) or Bob ``Hans'' Trumpy and Phil ``Franz'' Simms (at the weightlifting venue).

Nor should one expect much from Charlie Jones. We hate to beat a dead hoarse voice, but remember when he blew that track call in the '88 Games? Then he was reassigned to the not-so-bad swimming and diving in '92?

This year, Jones wears one of those big orange lifejackets at incredibly unnewsworthy flatwater canoeing, kayak and rowing sites.

Sorry, Charlie.

Expect: To hear the Gloria Estafan song, ``Reach'' so many times, you'll want to reach for your remote control.

Don't expect: Estafan included in the 140-or-so Up Close and Personal profiles NBC has pre-taped to show.

Expect: Ahmad Rashad, the weekend daytime host, to break loose and do some reporting.

Don't expect: Ahmad Rashad, the weekend daytime host, to break loose and do some reporting.

Expect: Announcers to use the phrase ``gone with the wind'' whenever apropos (or even not apropos).

Don't expect: Announcers to use the phrase ``this really blows.''

Expect: KNBC Channel 4 to ride the peacock feathers of this thing as long as possible. They've sent 31 members of the crack news staff to 'lanta for this ``local'' show. That's ``Gritz'' Coleman over there in Savanna telling us about the weather in Santa Ana.

Don't expect: Much of substance from Fred Roggin, who somehow snaked an all-access press credential and a few free NBC sweaters and will go aroamin' around like a big shot.

Y'know Fred will put that nutty, look-at-me-I'm-a-putz slant on anything he can legally touch.

(Friday, Freddie reported on the huge magic moment singer Celine Dion received before the Opening Ceremonies - meeting Nadia Comaneci!)

Expect: KNBC Channel 4 to unmercifully shrink the screen at about 7:03 p.m. each night - even if there's a world record event in progress - to give the Fantasy 5 and Daily 3 numbers from the California Lottery.

Don't expect: To win.

MEMO: Staff writer Tom Hoffarth's media column appears daily during the Olympic Games. His e-mail address is sptmediaaol.com.