Beijing: 08-08-2008 - Page 3

ZTABullwinkle · #31 08-09-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

This DOES bug.

I was bugged by a lot of the comments during the parade of nations.

For example, the announcer said at one point... "The Central African Republic is a republic in Central Africa" with little to no sense of irony. UM, WHAT?

There were a lot of comments that I perceived as demeaning made about smaller nations. It was really offensive to me. Some of the poorest commentating I've seen at an opening ceremony. On par with John Tesh commentating gymnastics at the Atlanta games... oh, the horror!

Ugh! I remember John Tesh. Unfortunately, Al Trautwig is no better! He is always looking for the drama. Gymnastics is drama-filled enough, no need to go hunting for it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetteDavisEyes

I was annoyed at some stupid comment Bob Costas was making about one country (I forgot which one) that criticized NBC for cutting away when they came out at the last Olympics thus, their countrymen were unable to cheer for their athletes as they were announced b/c of a stupid commercial.

He was talking about Canada.

RedefinedDiva · #32 08-09-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

He was talking about Canada.

He was actually talking about a little country that comes immediately before or after Canada in alphabetical order. However, since China has no such thing as alphabetical order, the country came in a lot sooner. I can't remember the name of the country, but it was really small.

I remember visualizing people sitting around their TV sets, holding flags and waiting to see their countrymen, only to get a tiny snippet of them when NBC returned from commercials. Maybe I was being too sentimental or dramatic, but Bob Costas REPEATEDLY said himself that some of these people don't advance or even make it anywhere near getting metals. So, it's safe to presume that their country will never see them compete. The least they could do is show the folks entering Olympic Stadium waving their country's flag proudly. I don't know much about advertising dollars and all that good stuff, but I thought once or twice that NBC surely could have aired the Parade of Nations with no or limited interruption.

DaffyKD · #33 08-09-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

He was talking about Canada.

He was talking about the Cayman Islands who entered the stadium immediately behind Canada. They did cut to a commercial right after the Cayman Islands came in.

I wish they would quit doing commercials during the entrance of the countries. I love to see how all the countries dress and see the size of their teams, their timing makes it feel like some of these countries are not "worthy" of our note. As was mentioned several times, some countries have teams that know they basically have no chance of winning medals, so the entrance into the stadium is their shining moment. Why cut them out of that one small moment?

Well, off my soap box. I am really frustrated since the events are delayed almost a day here and they they call it "Live" coverage .

DaffyKD

Benzgirl · #34 08-09-2008, 11:23 AM

I've decided I'm taking up sailing. There were so hot sailors out there last night.

As for Kobe, I don't think anyone took a picture of him. This morning I read that Kobe was walking with his bodyguard so that no one could high-five him. " American basketball player Kobe Bryant marched with his bodyguard who prevented other participants from high-fiving him." (Cleveland Plain Dealer) I saw Jason Kidd and a couple of other BB players having their pictures taken.

Well this time I didn't cry when USA came out, but did when the Chinese entered. The story of the little boy walking with Yao Ming was incredible. He was so innocent walking next to the giant -- sort of a juxtaposition. It was cute watchin Yao watch over him in the infield too.

I also loved that Iran had a female flag-bearer. Maybe there are better times ahead for women in Iran.

I had to turn it off after the parade of nations. I was dozing off. I'll watch the ending today before watching Michael Phelps compete tonight.

RedefinedDiva · #35 08-09-2008, 11:45 AM

Kobe took a few pictures with people when they were in the center of the stadium. They did a close-up of people from other countries taking pictures with him and some of the other US Basketball team members. I'm not surprised at him acting snotty, but I hate that he represents our country like that.

epchick · #36 08-09-2008, 02:06 PM

The family of an ex-Olympian and the in-laws of the current U.S. men's volleyball coach were attacked today in Beijing.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/oly_china_american_killed

Quote:

A Chinese man stabbed the in-laws of the U.S. Olympic men's volleyball coach, killing one and injuring the other while they visited a Beijing tourist site near the main venue where Olympic competitions began Saturday.

Todd and Barbara Bachman of Lakeville, Minn. — parents of 2004 volleyball Olympian Elisabeth "Wiz" Bachman and in-laws of U.S. men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon — were attacked by a Chinese man while visiting the 13th-century Drum Tower.

The U.S. Olympic Committee confirmed Bachman died from knife wounds and that Barbara Bachman suffered life-threatening injuries. She and their Chinese tour guide, who was also injured in the attack, were being treated in a Beijing hospital.

Benzgirl · #37 08-09-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick

The family of an ex-Olympian and the in-laws of the current U.S. men's volleyball coach were attacked today in Beijing.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/oly_china_american_killed

I heard of the attack and that it was tied to the volleyball team, but I didn't know of the association with an ex-Olympian

SoCalGirl · #38 08-09-2008, 02:36 PM

Re Kobe: After he took pictures with other athletes he was asking how to say "thank you". I think he'll never have the image that he use to have but I don't think he's as much of a primadonna as some people would like you to believe.

DeltAlum · #39 08-09-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

I think the bar for the opening ceremonies for 2010 in Vancouver has been RAISED SKY HIGH. Holy crap we have a lot to live up to!

I'd say so. What struck me was the marriage of super high tech with the remarkable coordination of thousands of human beings (arguably low or non-tech) to create an amazing "cinimatic" presentation.

I really hate the overuse of the word awesome, but this really was.

breathesgelatin · #40 08-09-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetteDavisEyes

I was annoyed at some stupid comment Bob Costas was making about one country (I forgot which one) that criticized NBC for cutting away when they came out at the last Olympics thus, their countrymen were unable to cheer for their athletes as they were announced b/c of a stupid commercial.

They were doing that a lot still this year and also (perhaps more offensive than cutaways for commercials actually) if a big country (USA/Canada/Germany etc) was about to appear, they would skip even mentioning a smaller country's delegation or giving ANY info about them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedefinedDiva

I remember visualizing people sitting around their TV sets, holding flags and waiting to see their countrymen, only to get a tiny snippet of them when NBC returned from commercials. Maybe I was being too sentimental or dramatic, but Bob Costas REPEATEDLY said himself that some of these people don't advance or even make it anywhere near getting metals. So, it's safe to presume that their country will never see them compete. The least they could do is show the folks entering Olympic Stadium waving their country's flag proudly. I don't know much about advertising dollars and all that good stuff, but I thought once or twice that NBC surely could have aired the Parade of Nations with no or limited interruption.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaffyKD

I wish they would quit doing commercials during the entrance of the countries. I love to see how all the countries dress and see the size of their teams, their timing makes it feel like some of these countries are not "worthy" of our note. As was mentioned several times, some countries have teams that know they basically have no chance of winning medals, so the entrance into the stadium is their shining moment. Why cut them out of that one small moment?

Totally agreed with both of you. I also disliked how they almost scoffed at some countries. It's like "You live in a weenie country with no chances of winning! hahahahaha!" Granted, half the time it came off like that and half the time they did seem to be emphasizing how important it was to these people to even be there. But one of the commentators was really driving home how they all had no chance and were pitiful or whatever. It just seems really imperialist to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

Ugh! I remember John Tesh. Unfortunately, Al Trautwig is no better! He is always looking for the drama. Gymnastics is drama-filled enough, no need to go hunting for it!

LOL. I am glad someone else remembers the suck of John Tesh and gymastics. He literally could not get anything right - even important details about the events themselves!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

The first time he said it was with irony. Now he says it out of tradition.

Ah, OK. I was half paying attention to some parts of the parade in a futile attempt to finish my masters thesis. I didn't realize it was a "thing." I just think it's a stupid and borderline offensive thing to say. Where does the USA think it can get off on publicly mocking other countries? I just really seemed to notice a barely disguised contempt for smaller or lesser known nations this year.

I missed the first half of the ceremony and I'm really bummed. Vancouver will have a lot to live up to - and even more so London I think.

ZTABullwinkle · #41 08-09-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

LOL. I am glad someone else remembers the suck of John Tesh and gymastics. He literally could not get anything right - even important details about the events themselves!

Actually, at least John Tesh didn't go looking for drama where there wasn't any. I can't tell you how many times I yell at him to shut up when I watch gymnastics on NBC. I imagine that both Tim and Elfie are rolling their eyes as much as I am at his so-called "commentary."

cuteASAbug · #42 08-09-2008, 10:14 PM

The opening ceremony itself was spectacular, and that little boy was too sweet, especially walking alongside Yao Min. However, in terms of the actual torch lighting, to me, it still doesn't hold a candle (pun not intended) to Barcelona in 1992.

CutiePie2000 · #43 08-10-2008, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaffyKD

He was talking about the Cayman Islands who entered the stadium immediately behind Canada. They did cut to a commercial right after the Cayman Islands came in.

Yes, you have it right.

breathesgelatin · #44 08-10-2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuteASAbug

The opening ceremony itself was spectacular, and that little boy was too sweet, especially walking alongside Yao Min. However, in terms of the actual torch lighting, to me, it still doesn't hold a candle (pun not intended) to Barcelona in 1992.

Yeah, that was cool.

I think my personal favorite is still Lillehammer though.

DeltAlum · #45 08-10-2008, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaffyKD

I wish they would quit doing commercials during the entrance of the countries.

And others wish there would be no commercials during (fill in the blank).

How do you (all) suppose that they recoup the hundreds of millions of dollars in rights fees, production costs, equipment purchase and rental, crews, satellite transmission, travel and all of the other associated costs?

Like it or not, television is a business.