Olympic Opening Ceremony

[Kheldarson]

Maybe BBC One then? There's got to be somebody.

[Andara Bledin]

I tried to watch stuff at NBC.com, but it's all behind a paywall. If you don't subscribe to some sort of TV service, you're SOL.

^-.-^

[kansasgal]

I loved the opening ceremony, and felt Britain did a fantastic job. The Queen's entrance, the rings being forged, all of it, but I think what they did with the Olympic flag was the best. Normally, the host country has athletes carry the flag, but this time they had human rights people carry it, with emphasis on children and poverty workers, which I thought was fantastic.

The lighting the torch was great as well, and I liked the whole passing on to the next generation theme.

Rowan Atkinson was DIVINE! I love him anyway. Paul McCartney was also great, and I liked how he got choked up at the beginning of Hey Jude.

The Brits pulled it off and did a great job, can't wait to see the closing ceremony. Kudos to Danny Boyle for a fantastic job with great music and effect!

[Slayer]

Normally the torch bearers are a tribute to the past, but since the whole rest of the ceremony was that, I think the concept was completed with a nod to the future as well.

The torch bearers at one point had contact with the older generation who had nominated the younger generation to carry the torch. I thought that was amazing.

[phoenixv07]

I loved that Paul McCartney - who's been on huge stages everywhere, one of the most famous rock stars ever - seemed like he was just a little bit in awe at playing the opening ceremonies. It's kind of like seeing all of the athletes as they march in - so many of them have this look of wonder on their faces that they're a part of this huge moment.

Rowan Atkinson was funny, but that part didn't quite land with me. The tone just seemed a bit off.

I did like the torch lighting, especially the torch bearers. Normally the torch bearers are a tribute to the past, but since the whole rest of the ceremony was that, I think the concept was completed with a nod to the future as well.

[MoonCat]

I thought it was pretty cool. I loved the history part of it, especially the marching suffragettes. If there was a mention of Doctor Who, I missed it. The book parts were good but how could they not include Tolkien?? Thought the torch was great! And so, so, soooo very glad that for once the American athletes weren't wearing stupid cowboy hats!!

[Kheldarson]

it was censored in the US, we got more commercials, different music, and NBC decided the tribute to the 2007 bombing victims, and the couple second kiss were "offensive".

What are you talking about? They showed the kiss when I was watching.

[fireheart]

For Aussies, Channel Nine/WIN have the broadcasting rights for the Olympics and have been doing mostly round-the-clock coverage (and unlike the last two olympics, they HAVE done some human interest stories, but they're for around 2-3 minutes and involve live interviews).

They are also broadcasting the Olympics on GEM, but not on GO for some reason.

[BlaqueKatt]

So, a question to all the non brits around. What were your thoughts on the opening ceremony, it made sense to me but then I'm British & 'got it'. Was it easy enough to follow for anyone else though?

it was censored in the US, we got more commercials, different music, and NBC decided the tribute to the 2007 bombing victims, and the couple second kiss were "offensive".

[Kheldarson]

Try NBC.com. They've got the filming rights apparently.

And I enjoyed the opening, especially Her Majesty's entrance. Wish they'd been able to include a bigger bit for Doctor Who though *pouts* But I liked it just fine.

Agreeing about the commentators though. Although I had a more annoying issue. We had a storm front moving in, so guess what kept happening every 10 minutes or so?

[Akasa]

Is there somewhere I can watch the Olympics online? BTW I'm exactly 12 hours behind England so live stream wouldn't work I'm sure.

[dragon_wings]

I missed it (been woefully out of depth with the world for the past few days) but wish I had. Anyone know of a good online replay. I'm a huge anglophile and Harry Potter fan so I was pleased to find out they had a section with JK Rowlings and the huge Voldermort puppet thingie.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I'm really thinking there should be an Olympics hosted in Wisconsin.

It'd be great! We'd skip over the whole "culture" thing (since most people here don't have a whole hell of a lot of it anyway) and go straight to the kegger. Two choices of things to wear: blaze orange and/or Packers gear. The Olympic torch would be used to grill brats. We'd fire up some polka music or the BoDeans and throw footballs around in the middle of the field.

Then we'd pass out drunk halfway into the parade of nations and sleep through the first three days of competition.

[Jester]

I taped it and watched it this morning, and thought it was extraordinarily well done. Knowing that it would be impossible to top what they did in Beijing four years ago, the producers went at it from a different angle, and it worked. I was very impressed.

I didn't think it was difficult to follow at all. Here in the US there were announcers describing things (which was annoying because the husband and I know a bit about British history and just wanted them to shut up!).

I don't know that much about British history, but I still found those announcers annoying as hell. I didn't mind so much that they would interject with some information from time to time, but there were so many times when there was no need for them to be speaking, and they'd be talking over some of the best parts, including the children's choir near the beginning. NBC, for the love of the sports gods, teach your announcers that they don't HAVE to be talking all the time! I wanted to duct tape their mouths shut!

I'm one of those weirdos who actually likes the parade of nations and will sit and watch that part from start to finish.

I was certain that I was going to fast forward through that part, but it drew me in, and I watched the entire thing. And the announcers (who never shut up) were right, it was about the fastest parade I've ever seen at the Olympics. Made it less dull than usual. Even learned a few things I didn't know before; and of course I paid special attention to the rum-producing nations I've become such a fan of over the last few years! LOL!

I was especially interested to see that there were four independent athletes in attendance. They seemed to be having a blast, too. (And one trains in my home state of Arizona, which was cool.)

All in all, I thought it was a job well done (other than the annoying NBC announcers--did I mention that they wouldn't shut up?). Well done, Britain!

[42_42_42]

Opening Ceremony is always my favorite part. Then, I'm one of those weirdos who actually likes the parade of nations and will sit and watch that part from start to finish.

I thought this year's ceremony was terrific. Would have enjoyed it more if the stupid commentators had shut up. I'm an American, but I'm also the Anglophile daughter of an Anglophile mother, so I didn't need any explanations....except for the guy who's credited with the WWW, that I didn't know. Love that they incorporated the Tor! Wish they'd started earlier in the history. Would've loved to see a Boudicca, Arther/Merlin, Aelfred the Great, Chaucer, etc.