London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

[DanaC]

So....what did people think?

I have to admit, having spent the last few weeks convinced that we were about to present the last word in naff, I rather liked it.

[Lamplighter]

Yea Brits... Well Done

My wife and I watched the Opening Ceremonies in between all the
TV commercials that NBC inserted, and even then we enjoyed it.

Before it started our neighbors were talking about whether
anyone could top the Openings that the Chinese put on.
Each of us felt there was no way to top what they did.

But I think by changing the theme direction, it set up a whole
different measuring stick, and it came off very well.

I was impressed by the number of actors, their costumes, and how well organized it was.
And to give such a salute to the country's Health Services
... now that was special, and the kids with their Sisters were a lot of fun.

[DanaC]

Those dancers were actual NHS staff as well

I'm still slightly stunned that Her Maj. was game for the Bond skit. And with her corgis too!

I totally loved the pastoral scene giving way to the industrial revolution. I thought that really captured how we as the nation we currently are came about. It's such a fundamental part of us, good and bad. The horrors of displacement, enclosure and city slums and the ancient history it overlays.

Most of all I loved its irreverence. If anything encapsulates British culture it is that.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I watched live on streaming BBC, without commercials, and thought it was well done. I was amazed at the props, in variety and size. The Bond/Queen bit was very clever, and although I'm not a fan, Mr Bean was good too.

Oh, and very clever torch.

[glatt]

It was well done.

[footfootfoot]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I watched live on streaming BBC, without commercials, and thought it was well done. I was amazed at the props, in variety and size. The Bond/Queen bit was very clever, and although I'm not a fan, Mr Bean was good too.

Oh, and very clever torch.

How are you watching it? Everytime I try to see something on BBC I get the "content not available in your area"

I've been messing around with proxy servers but they don't seem to make a difference.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

How are you watching it? Everytime I try to see something on BBC I get the "content not available in your area"

I've been messing around with proxy servers but they don't seem to make a difference.

http://tvpc.com/Channel.php?ChannelID=3
Had to install their plug-in, carefully declining a shit load of toolbars and crap, but it worked. Now when I go to the bookmark I get a 30 second commercial but then it's cool. You can full screen it too.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

http://tvpc.com/Channel.php?ChannelID=3
Had to install their plug-in, carefully declining a shit load of toolbars and crap, but it worked. Now when I go to the bookmark I get a 30 second commercial but then it's cool. You can full screen it too.

Brilliant, thanks Bruce!

[zippyt]

I thought it was well done to

[Undertoad]

I loved it!

[Griff]

Dang, no women home so I was able to opt out this time. I've been pretty gun shy since Albertville.

[Sundae]

I was so happy with it.
The boy did good.

I want to watch it all over again from multiple angles. I saw the Jarrow Marchers in a still photo; missed them on the night. What else did I miss?!

I loved the creepy child stalky stuff.
I loved Kenny B's smug expression (we had him down as Dickens, Brunel or Blake when he first turned up. I was right with Brunel, but shaky on identifying him as Branagh)

Loved the whole musical montage.
When Born Slippy came on I said, "Oh Danny, you didn't!" and was rewarded by clips from Trainspotting. This impressed the 'rents who believed they had never heard of him.

Did you read about the stupid Tory bigot who moaned it was leftie multicultural crap? Apparently "all these rappers" (WTF? What was HE watching? MTV?) really narked him about multiculturalism. Yup. Because Dizzee Rascal with his E3 jacket was all about being foreign and nothing to do with being a proud Bow-born Brit. Oh sorry, he's BLACK. That makes his appearance about political correctness.

He also said children and nurses were bouncing on beds for 20 minutes (the leftie bit I guess).
Again, no idea what he was watching. The segment focused on children's literature.
Okay maybe it was leftie. After all it wasn't about nurses letting people die of dehydration or leaving people in corridors. NB the last two experiences I have had of NHS hospitals have been poor to exceptionally poor. If I can enjoy that section I think anyone should be able to. Choir of deaf children? Tears.

So anyway. Sat down and watched it en famille. Apart from Mum getting on her high horse about Brunel being demonised (?) we all enjoyed it. Wonderful. And so much less abstract that most I remember seeing. No-one riding around on a giant prawn. And just a beautiful spectacle.

[Trilby]

I really enjoyed it. Esp. the rock and roll!

On to more serious matters: there is a US female volleyball player with the very unfortunate name of Destinee Hooker.

Very unfortunate indeed. Good thing she doesn't play basketball for Rutgers!

[Griff]

She is a fabulous player, but yeah someone needs to talk to her Mom.

[Undertoad]

I don't follow the sport... is she Jewish?