I half-watched the first of the Opening Ceremony online at the office today – I have two monitors, so it’s easy enough to do while still getting work done – but I decided to watch at home tonight to see what I had missed, and to see how it looked in HD. (My laptop monitor of work is… well, low-def will suffice, but it’s something less than that.) About an hour in, I realized I had nothing for a blog post tonight and decided I’d share some of my random observations. I tweeted some of these, so if you follow me there, I apologize in advance for the duplication – and for quitting at some point before the ceremony actually ends. Because really, this is gonna go on forever.
- The pastoral scene reminds me more of Hobbiton than old-timey England.
- “Danny Boy” as the musical selection for Northern Ireland? Really? Ugh!
- I loved the forging of the Olympic rings during the “Industrial Revolution” sequence – it was cool looking as well as beautiful.
- When I was at work, I didn’t realize at first that the James Bond sequence was part of the show. I thought it was a commercial – but then realized the BBC feed didn’t have commercials. (Not a big Bond fan, obvs.)
- The dancing nurses were adorable. Apparently it is possible to love socialized medicine.
- The “Chariots of Fire” theme always reminds me of my 11th birthday, the first time I ever saw three movies in one day – one of which was Chariots, which I did not understand. In the 30 years since, I’ve never watched it again.
- I don’t love Mr. Bean. Never have. There. I said it.
- I do, however, love that there’s an entire sequence that’s an appreciation for the creation of the web. Thanks, Tim, indeed!
- David Beckham. On a boat. Need I say more?
- Why is Ryan Seacrest part of the Olympics? Is there any way we can make him not be, like immediately?
- How do people not cry when they’re the flag bearer for their country? Maybe I’m a total ninny, but I would be absolutely overcome, if it were me.
- “Denmark is the most competitive non-Asian nation in badminton.” Just an example of the weird-ass trivia they come up with for the parade of nations.
- The parade was up to Kenya before I noticed that there was a tiny map that popped up next to the name of the country each time a new one entered. And by “noticed” I mean my sister pointed it out to me.
- This is the first Olympics where every nation has a woman representing it, which is pretty awesome.
One thing I thought about throughout – what if these were DC’s Olympics? We were of the finalists during the selection process, and while I’m pretty relieved we didn’t get them in a lot of ways, I can’t help but wonder what our opening ceremonies would have looked – and sounded – like. I have a mental image of hundreds of people banging out a go-go beat on bucket drums, but somehow suspect the ceremony would have ended up more “Washington” and less “DC.” Which would be such a shame.
Who else watched? What did you think?
The US team just entered. I don’t care that the uniforms were made in China* but I care that they’re hideously ugly and the women are wearing French flags as scarves. WTH?
* and I don’t care because, hello!!!, did no one know/ask/figure out along the way that Ralph Lauren manufactures in China?? If not, then the USOC is in much worse shape than I thought.
I noticed the map in the corner right away, only b/c I purchased an interactive globe / flag / stats contraption for the kids just for tonight, and fortunately that map was flashed so quickly that they could still use it w/o “cheating.” Yes, country ID is a bit of a competition here.
The ring forging/flying in forced me to quote Lord of the Rings.
I don’t like Mr. Bean either, but this part didn’t bother me so much. Kind of reminded me of his role in Four Weddings & a Funeral.
I liked the kid lit bit and the doctors dancing.
I was unaware of the nation of Comoros, which marched in, but elicited no commentary from the talking heads, so I was forced to look them up on my own. Of course, at first I couldn’t recall their name and thought it was Camorra, which turns out to be a Neapolitan mob family. Different.
I liked the opening film montage and the live open. Actually, in general, I liked the whole thing. Go Brits!
Loved the rings, too! Totally agree on frumpy American outfits. Of all the designers we have to chose from, WHY HIM?? Otherwise, ceremony so grandiose. When is the one-ups-man-ship gonna stop???
I really enjoyed the whole extravaganza; some parts more than others. The Queen sequence was such fun; they say she has a great sense of humor; so-why didn’t she smile the rest of the night?!
American “costumes” were ridiculous, regardless of where they were made. Better luck next time.
I loved the whole idea of the British timeline. I wish I could see a slo-mo of the pastoral scene being dismantled and the Industrial Revolution being built. And the National Healthcare thing – they celebrate it while we can’t agree on taking care of our own. Sad.
I love Sir Paul and I don’t expect him to sound like he used to. But I just didn’t get the whole Hey Jude thing for a finale. Tell me what I’m missing.