Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB (Post 2162695)

I think people forget what most opening ceremonies are like. Beijing was the exception. Most OCs have been like this one - a history of the host country.

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06 (Post 2162699)

I had no problem with the history aspect of it. I agree, that's exactly what it should be about. However, the way it was put together was strange, many things needed too much of an explanation, and things like the texting portion of it has nothing to do with the country's history.

Originally Posted by KDCat (Post 2162482)

I loved it. I think it's the best opening ceremony that I've ever seen. I'm a huge Anglophile and the "just so BRITISH" was absolutely fabulous.

What I loved: the opening hymn: "Oh, Jerusalem" is a very traditional hymn in Britain. Every kid in Britain knows it, the way we know "America the Beautiful" or something similar.

I loved the kids' choruses showing all four countries in the UK.

I loved the industrial forging of the Olympic ring and the rings rising to the center of the stadium.

I loved that it included a ton of Brit Lit, including Shakespeare and J.K. Rowling and Peter Pan.

I loved that it included so much British pop music.

I loved that all of the flags were planted on a hill together. I also loved that the hill symbolized Glastonbury Tor, which is where King Arthur is supposed to buried and is the mythological heart of Britain.

I loved that the cauldron was made of petals, one petal for each team at the Olympics.

I loved the Queen for having a sense of humor and agreeing to the Bond sequence.

I loved the flame coming up the Thames on a boat.

I loved the rings and fireworks on London Bridge.

I loved the construction workers lining the tunnel as the flame came in. The ceremony did a very, very good job representing every aspect of British society from the Queen to the workes who built the stadium.

It wasn't the extravaganza that Beijing was, but it was perfect.

Originally Posted by Senusret I (Post 2162462)

I agree with all of this.

I actually loved the opening ceremony, particularly the love story/decades dance.

I also liked the tearing away of the earth and the rising of the smokestacks.

The whole thing was just so BRITISH... I can't describe it any better. And I guess I'm a bit of an anglophile.

Originally Posted by ellebud (Post 2162457)

Frankly, mediocre at best. The National health service more importent than Britian's contribution to World World 2? Seriously?

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB (Post 2162744)

I remember thinking the Salt Lake City OC was reeeeeally hokey. Covered wagons and prairie dresses. "Waltzing Matilda." The 1980 men's hockey team that beat the USSR. The U.S. flag from the top of the World Trade Center being carried into the arena. Now, I don't find all of that hokey, but imagine what people in other countries were thinking. Now imagine what the U.S. reaction would have been if we heard that the BBC cut out the flag memorial bit from its broadcast - that is what NBC did at this OC in London.

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06 (Post 2162699)

I had no problem with the history aspect of it. I agree, that's exactly what it should be about. However, the way it was put together was strange, many things needed too much of an explanation, and things like the texting portion of it has nothing to do with the country's history.

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses (Post 2162788)

And FWIW, my favorite opening ceremony was Calgary in 1988. Yup. I'm old.

Originally Posted by AXOmom (Post 2162786)

1) I consider myself pretty good at geography, but despite having seen many, many Olympic parade of nations there are still at least 15 countries I've never heard of that march through.

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses (Post 2162788)

I am old enough to remember when ABC had the Olympics, and in my mind, Jim McKay will forever be the best person at commenting on the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Originally Posted by Tulip86 (Post 2162756)

I just love all the countries in their stylish uniforms. Loved the US,Italy, Netherlands (only they can pull off orange and cobalt in one outfit) Belgium was great as well. Spain looked like Fast Food employees.

Originally Posted by MysticCat (Post 2162802)

ETA: I know I keep editing and adding stuff . . . sorry . . . but I just read that NBC omitted an entire performance from the Opening Ceremonies. Just before the Parade of Nations there was a tribute to terrorism victims, particularly those of 7/7. NBC didn't air any of it, but it can be seen here.