Olympic Opening Ceremony

[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 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.

[Tulip86]

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

[AGDee]

Here in Detroit, we used to get Canadian coverage when it was on CBC and it was MUCH better coverage of everything. They showed us much more than just the US stuff. Lots more equestrian coverage, curling in the winter games, etc. But, a different Canadian network has the contract now and I'm really missing their coverage

[pshsx1]

I watched the OC online, so I saw the whole thing, with the tribute (which I thought was very somber and touching).

The OC just felt soooo looong. The transition from rural to industrial just seemed to drag on and on for me. It just seemed like a million people doing a million things as the stadium slowly transitioned periods.

Also, to me, the performances didn't flow into one another. I felt like I was watching a series on TV, but I missed every other episode. I was very unimpressed by the NHS portion and the lack of a tribute to the Royal Navy. I mean, that was a huge reason that the "sun never set on the British Empire."

Also, Her Majesty's face during the parade of nations screamed "I wish I still owned these countries" and "please let me go to bed."

[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!

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by Tulip86

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

^^^^^
BIG ditto.


The BBC feed during special 9/11 memorial ceremonies in Great Britain, and 1997's Diana funeral, were also much better than U.S. network feeds. No chitter-chatter; concentration on subject at hand; music heard and enjoyed; etc.

BTW those multiple Mary Poppins' during Olympic Opening Ceremonies reminded me of GC'c Mary Poppins!

NBC's Costas is a constant MUTE push at our house.

[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.

[PeppyGPhiB]

I hope the Brits understand that NBC's opinion does not equal America's opinion.