Olympic Opening Ceremony

[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.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

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.

I guess the country as a whole could be upset, but I wouldn't be (which is what I indicated in my other post). What do I care if the media in another country decided not to show the entire ceremony?

But again, that could just be me.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I guess the country as a whole could be upset, but I wouldn't be (which is what I indicated in my other post). What do I care if the media in another country decided not to show the entire ceremony?

But again, that could just be me.

Another forum I frequent is Ship of Fools, a site focused on faith based in Britain and where probably most of the posters are Brits, although there are posters from around the world. SoF has a "Hell" forum ("asbestos underwear recommened"), where posters and others can get flamed. I saw this thread there this morning: British Olympic Opening Ceremony Not American Enough ... From the OP of that thread:

The Olympic Opening Ceremony was a suitably bonkers celebration of British life … Taking in everything from Jerusalem, maypoles and cricket via the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian captain’s of industry to the foundation of the NHS, Windrush, a tribute to the fallen in wars and terrorist attacks to heroes and villains of children’s literature, ET redux, the Queen becoming a Bond girl, a UK greatest hits mega-mix and a celebration of the digital age …Plus the construction of the torch using a kettle representing each nation and the neat by-passing of the debate about who is our greatest Olympian by getting them all along.

. . . . I hope Shipmates from other elsewhere enjoyed it as well. In most places the ceremony was played in full, in it’s unedited glory. Except in the US, where NBC aired an edited version. Many US viewers didn’t get to see Jerusalem or the Sex Pistols or Windrush or find out who Sir Tim Berners-Lee was … [Although the suggestion that they Google him was deliciously ironic].

. . . . It strikes me as sad that NBC truly believes that the majority of US viewers can’t cope with the celebration of another nation’s culture or that they would be more interesting in watching celebs than honouring another nation’s dead. Or are incapable of using the space offered to reflect on stuff closer to home.

I’m also trying to imagine reaction in the US if the BBC had cut away from a tribute to 9/11 or even the Aurora shooting to watch Tom Daley having a chin wag with Holly Willowby … But it’s likely to involve the US Ambassador popping down to Number 10 and asking for someone's head on a platter.

NBC = No Bloody Clue.

An interesting discussion, mostly from a British perspective, follows.

[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.

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thank you Belle. This perfectly sums up my feelings!