Olympic Opening Ceremony

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

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.

I agree the texting thing was weird. I liked the rural-industrial storyline, though, especially with everything transforming right before our eyes.

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.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

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.

We're not discussing Salt Lake's opening ceremonies. I'm not even sure I remember them.

And I didn't even know any of it was cut out until now. But I'm not sure what this has to do with liking the ceremony anyway.

Again, I agree that they should show their history.. I just didn't care for the way they did it. Too many things needed to be interpreted, and giant babies and texting teenagers aren't what I think of when I think of London.

[AXOmom]

Like MysticCat I have to say that I don't remember much of the opening ceremonies for most Olympics and about the only thing I remember from Beijing is the drums. Must be something about drums. I remembered the arrow lighting the torch in Barcelona only after someone on here mentioned it - that was a cool moment.

As for this one - pretty much what's been said. I liked some parts (LOVED Rowan Atkinson, always like Kenneth Brannagh reading Shakespeare and liked the music, particlarly the kids' choirs), but a lot of it - didn't really get. It wasn't quite as confusing as the French opening many, many years back, but I expected weird semi-existentionalist stuff from the French - I guess I expected the English to be a little more... hmm...straightforward about the whole thing. It seemed to me like there were too many ideas and somebody needed to edit it a bit, but I apparently won't remember it in two months anyway, so whatever.


I was reminded of two things while watching:

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.

2) During the opening ceremonies is the one time every four years (because I don't watch the winter Olympics as much) that it sucks to live in a country that starts with a U.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

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.

I disagree on the texting. The riots last summer were organized almost completely over BBM. The UK, especially London, is extremely "digital," if that makes sense. I thought it was a fun nod to how things are now.

[Tulip86]

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.

[ForeverRoses]

I think Olympic Opening Ceremonies are supposed to be hokey. It's the rule. I thought this one was fun- and definitely British.

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

[Always AlphaGam]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

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

Well, Barcelona 1992 was one of my favorites, so I'm right up there with you!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

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.

Yes!

My two favorite torch lightings: Barcelona (1992 summer) and Lillehammer (1994 winter).

Originally Posted by Tulip86

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.

And the UK uniforms looked like something out of a really bad sci-fi movie. What were they thinking?


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.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

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.

NBC's response to the controversy surrounding their edit was equally as insulting. "Our broadcast is tailored for an American audience." That's why I noted up thread that if we had heard the BBC did that to our 9/11 memorial in the OC for the Salt Lake games, we would have been outraged...and yet NBC thought it was OK to edit in a lame Michael Phelps-Ryan Seacrest interview.

I was also shocked at some of the commentary - from Bob Costas especially - during the OC. He said some really disrespectful things about certain countries during the parade of nations.

NBC has gotten nothing but bad PR over Twitter since Friday. This is going to be a long two weeks for them. It seems they put their whole Olympics strategy together YEARS ago and haven't made any changes to account for social media and all things digital. I really wish ABC or CBS will outbid them at the next opportunity. I'm tried of NBC and their insulting coverage.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

NBC's response to the controversy surrounding their edit was equally as insulting. "Our broadcast is tailored for an American audience." That's why I noted up thread that if we had heard the BBC did that to our 9/11 memorial in the OC for the Salt Lake games, we would have been outraged...and yet NBC thought it was OK to edit in a lame Michael Phelps-Ryan Seacrest interview.rtunity.

I'm not so sure I'd be mad if the BBC decided not to air a 9/11 tribute.. But I AM upset that NBC decided not to show the American people the entire ceremony. You would think that the US would truly appreciate such a tribute, maybe more so than some other countries.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I'm not so sure I'd be mad if the BBC decided not to air a 9/11 tribute.. But I AM upset that NBC decided not to show the American people the entire ceremony. You would think that the US would truly appreciate such a tribute, maybe more so than some other countries.

You think the USA wouldn't have gone ape$#!% crazy if the BBC had cut out the USA 9/11 flag being carried into the Salt Lake City games as a memorial tribute to the victims of terrorism? I'm not talking about a random tribute on TV, I'm talking about a part of the Opening Ceremonies that was purposely cut out for the national TV audience because the broadcaster decided that their country didn't need/want to see it.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

That's why I noted up thread that if we had heard the BBC did that to our 9/11 memorial in the OC for the Salt Lake games, we would have been outraged...and yet NBC thought it was OK to edit in a lame Michael Phelps-Ryan Seacrest interview.

Somehow I missed that part of your post. Sorry. But I think you're exactly right.

And I agree that the commentary on NBC left much to be desired.

[SWTXBelle]

Every four years I mourn the loss of ABC's coverage of the Olympics.

YES I AM OLD. I HAVE MADE MY PEACE WITH IT.

[ForeverRoses]

Speaking of the uniforms, the Czech Republic outfits made me laugh. not sure how comfy the Wellies were after standing around for 6 hours though...

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/201...ION0727-5.html

[Tulip86]

I always watch the BBC feed, just so much better. Prefer watching the actual games on BBC as well, I like the commentary.