This is the way Nintendo is banking people will want to play. It's the whole design behind the Wii so don't look for them to abandon it. You can use the Wii Classic Controller for Virtual Console games, and the Gamecube controller can be connected to the Wii also for Gamecube games.
As for the internet. The Wii has a built-in wireless internet, so if you have a wireless router connection, you're good to go, but if you want to plug into the Wii with an Ethernet cable, you will have to buy the LAN adapter.
On a side note: I got in my Wii component cables from Nintendo today. It appears they rushed them out in order for people to have them in time for the launch. They are also available from Nintendo's Online Store for $29.95.