2012 Olympics: Opening Ceremony Thread

[Rasho Brezec]

Yeah, so ... started really slow and kind of weird. Mr. Bean was a riot. Picked up as it went along, I guess... still hope they won't neglect commemorating Munich '72 at some point... let the games begin.

Rogge did the right thing by refusing that minute of silence during the opening ceremony. This wasn't the time or place for it. The most vicious lobbying came from the US, not Israel, anyways. You think it's a coincidence NBC didn't broadcast it live?

Not to mention the hypocrisy of demands while they're still "importing democracy" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Oh, and then there's this.

http://deadspin.com/5929778/heres-the-o ... you-to-see

[suckfish]

What do you want from an opening ceremony? I thought it was very good.

[Sofia]

Was I really the only one who caught that awkward nazi like salute from the German guy in the stands?

Yes! I lost my **** when I saw that.

[3gbrrrfkyt]

[Sofia]

I watched the replay in Aus, as to watch live I would have to get up at 5.30am. Glad I didn't. A few highlights, but overall, ehhh. Quite boring in some parts.

[G R E Y]

Yeah, so ... started really slow and kind of weird. Mr. Bean was a riot. Picked up as it went along, I guess... still hope they won't neglect commemorating Munich '72 at some point... let the games begin.

Rogge did the right thing by refusing that minute of silence during the opening ceremony. This wasn't the time or place for it. The most vicious lobbying came from the US, not Israel, anyways. You think it's a coincidence NBC didn't broadcast it live?

Not to mention the hypocrisy of demands while they're still "importing democracy" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Oh, and then there's this.

http://deadspin.com/5929778/heres-the-o ... you-to-see

Well, see, it's strange that commemorating the London bombing victims was appropriate but Munich victims was not, particularly given that the latter happened at the Olympics. IOC's reasoning just doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

And I don't entirely disagree with the rest of what you're saying, but my point is simply that hopefully they do something to acknowledge it, as they did so well with 7/7.

There's been a lot of complaints about NBC's editing. Luckily we got to see pretty much the whole thing.

[Rasho Brezec]

Commemorating London bombing victims with a performance during the ceremony in London is certainly more appropriate than a moment of silence for Munich victims 40 years ago which is what the Americans demanded.

Rogge already said they're preparing a memorial service for the 6th of August, during the Olympics, and another in Germany on the 5th of September, on the anniversary of attacks. IOC handled the situation incredibly well, as opposed to the Americans. I guess they just need to remind the world they have presidental elections coming up.

[schnakenpopanz]

you can alwys see when elections are on the way. lobbyism at its best. for every party.
you can take any group you want. jews, arabs, oil, weapons, banks,.... the list is endless

[DelaneyRudd]

Everyone who said it was slow and boring, is this the first opening ceremonies you've ever seen? Beijing had the best synchronized big group numbers ever, but there was still a lot of filler. I liked the fact they brought in more pop culture to this one. Didn't want 3 hours of opera singers in ball gowns.

[Apollo64]

I thought it was merely ok, too much recent pop culture which isn't what Great Britain is all about imo, though i enjoyed the music medley. I may be biased since i am Greek but i think the artistic heights of the Athens ceremony cannot be topped easily.

[phoenixx]

If it were called the British Opening Ceremony, I would rate it 9/10. But since it's the Olympics Opening Ceremony, something that is supposed to appeal to and welcome the whole world, I wouldn't give the opening ceremony more than a 4/10. It was very confusing, and thus boring, to the rest of the world. It also looked sloppy.

[G R E Y]

Well ok if they're doing something to acknowledge Munich then that's good - that's the point, acknowledgement. I agree that the inclusion of 7/7 was appropriate, but we disagree on whether something ought to have been done for '72, ok fine. Not sure, though, Rasho, why you keep going on about 'the Americans' or it being an election year. I can't see this being such a huge issue; it's not like there aren't bigger ones that people will be focusing about. And many others have commented about excluding Munich - like Brian Williams, all leaders of Canadian political parties (in a rare display of unity).

Really good point, phoenixx, about the difference between British and Olympic opening ceremonies. Nailed it. Although the bits with the queen and Mr. Bean were great, a blend of Britishness in the context of other countries would have been more inclusive and effective. Nevertheless, that's the angle they chose and it's done. Looking forward to the competitions.

[miltk]

What do you want from an opening ceremony? I thought it was very good.

me, i want an "opening ceremony", not a broadway play and music review. jousting and some drawn and quartering would have been keen.

[Sofia]

I hated the lost phone bit. How the **** you gonna call her, SHE LOST HER PHONE

[Geddy]

I didn't mind the opening ceremony at all and thought the pop culture bits were acceptable since host countries show off aspects of their own land. The only issue I had was that the stadium floor looked empty at times which made it seem not as spectacular when compared to Beijing's ceremony.

[DelaneyRudd]

In 2002 a few months after 9-11 SLC only included a memorial in the Pre-Ceremonies. It starred R. Kelley who peed on ladies. I don't know if that made any difference, but it was not in the actual ceremony.

[DelaneyRudd]

Also, I think the UK focusing on what the world likes about them rather than the years they were jerks is fantastic. They kept away from the Empire for pretty obvious reasons.