Huzzah for the Olympics

[StraferJack]

Atkinson sequence was aimed more at intrrnational audiences I think. Mr bean is massive everywhere

Not saying that's a good thing, but it will have pleased millions

[Alan Medic]

What made you cringe Jeremy? He is a disgrace for doing what?

[cookie]

I thought the opening ceremony was a triumph; felt quite emotional throughout. Not usually a fan of Mr Bean, but loved the Chariots of Fire segment. The Bond sequence even made me feel fond of The Queen which is unusual for me. I was hoping that they'd do something other than the obvious celebrity/sports personality for the the torch lighting, so was chuffed to see up and coming youths do the honours rather than Stephen Redgrave. The torch itself was a masterpiece. Can't wait until next week to visit the olympic park. Only got tickets to handball, which I don't even know the rules for, but at least they'll get me into the park. Huzzah indeed.

[red devil]

The Olympic cauldron was an inspired design by Thomas Heatherwick.

Overall I thought it was a brilliant ceremony. We were never going to better Beijing for the wow factor, instead we showed our inventive and quirky nature.

The carrying of the Olympic flag was the most cringeworthy moment for me, it all went a bit schmaltzy...I hoped you all sang along to the Olympic anthem...and how did 'humanitarian icon' Shami-Leather Rent-a-Gob Chakrabarti get in on the act? And please stop wheeling out Muhammad Ali, he's not a well man.

But the highs far outweighed the lows, and a big well done to all the local volunteers...fantabulosa! :)

[*Bob*]

It could have been so, so awful, but it just wasn't.

The best music score and selection I think I've ever heard put together for the kind of global event that could have so easily (and usually does) sound corporate, pompous - and populist.. in the wrong way. If Macca had just done 'The End' and walked off, I probably would have lunged to my feet and applauded. I have already pretended I didn't hear Hey Jude.

There were some genuinely great and moving bits.. And some filler, but ?27m can't buy everything. Comparisons with the gaudy Chinese showboat affair are pointless.. $100m buys you a lot more in China than ?27m buys you in London. There was heart and thought in the show. I'll take that over six hours of continuous fireworks and an ultrabright LED nailed to every available surface.

Boyle supped from the poison chalice and came-up with the goods, flipping the moaners the bird. Good on yer.

[Cassius]

Macca was vile but it could have been worse - it could have been Cliff........

Also not impressed by the very bling team GB outfit.

[*Bob*]

I liked the GB outfits. Angelic Astronaut Chic, with a hint of Asda. Makes a change to the usual look (British Airways steward meets John Lewis shop assistant).

The continual wheeling-out (literally) of Ali at these things is starting to feel mighty uncomfortable though.

[Annette Curtain]

I liked the GB outfits too.

Though Stell' Macca design team put out a notice; essentially disowning the white and gold thang http://uk.eonline.com/news/333808/olympic-opening-ceremony-fashion-stella-mccartney-disavows-great-britain-s-suits-and-other-highs-and-lows?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories

Still we liked it & that's what counts !

Oh yeah...loving the gymnastics on BBC3.

I'm not going to get much done in the next few weeks, I can see that

Netts

[Ladygooner]

Loved the opening ceremony - only spoiled by Paul McCartney at the end. Watching swimming and olympics this morning and have to say slight amazed by the number of empty seats in the arenas - after all the ticket allocation rumpus - did not all the tickets get sold?

[nashoi]

I agree the OC was better than expected, let's hope the empty seats and quieter streets than usual in the centre are temporary issues.

[PeckhamRose]

Really enjoyed the whole thing, except indeed Hey Jude and I thoroughly agree that if he was going to be brought on, he should have just done The End. Loved the inclusion of Muse music and Thomas Heatherwick is a marvel. The camera beneath the copper things as they came together to make one big fire was so beautiful. And I need to go to his exhibition if it is still on at Wellcome Institute. His little bridge at Little Venice is great! The five rings coming from the cauldron was inspired too. Was a bit bleeeugh about the far too many verses of Abide with Me at the end of the section.

When the House lifted and Tim Berners-Lee was underneath that was excellent. He GAVE it to the world. Excellent.

Mr Bean was fun, not a problem with that.

Oh Danny Boyle, the lights, the lights!!!!!!!!!

[Atticus]

BBC's Jill Douglas' first 'question' to to newly crowned Olympic champion... 'it's not what the British public wanted but congratulations'

Sue Barker did exactly the same to Federer after he'd demolished Murray in Wimbledon final.

The Beeb really need reign in this jingoism and let the events do the talking regardless of the winner's nationality.

Still Huzzah for the Olympics though.

[Loz]

Best part of the opening ceremony was... I got a close up for a few seconds!!! My clockwork device, lever pulling skills have finally got the attention they deserved.

I am now a global megastar.

[Jeremy]

Alan Medic Wrote:

------------------------------------------------

> What made you cringe Jeremy? He is a disgrace for

> doing what?

I already said, the Rowan Atkinson section made me cringe. It was just awful.

The disgraceful part is the fact that he has previously done some fairly witty comedy, but has chosen to dumb down. And this crap is put on display as representative of our country.

[Alan Medic]

Jeremy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Alan Medic Wrote:

> ------------------------------------------------

> > What made you cringe Jeremy? He is a disgrace

> for

> > doing what?

>

> I already said, the Rowan Atkinson section made me

> cringe. It was just awful.

>

> The disgraceful part is the fact that he has

> previously done some fairly witty comedy, but has

> chosen to dumb down. And this crap is put on

> display as representative of our country.

I know what section made you cringe. I can read.

I wondered what was it about it made you cringe. You've answered and I totally disagree with you. The ability not to take oneself too seriously is a great trait,which the Brits have in spades. That was hardly dumbing down for Mr.Bean. He's always like that anytime I've watched him.

What made it really funny was that it was so unexpected in what appeared to be a serious piece of orchestral music.

[Jeremy]

Well I guess it's good that some people didn't find it completely embarrassing.

[Alan Medic]

Well it's not my country so I guess not. I'm just a visitor to this planet.

[Townleygreen]

>>>>Well I guess it's good that some people didn't find it completely embarrassing.

It wasn't embarrassing at all! It was good to poke a little fun at that point. I've only seen/heard positive reactions from people until yours...

[civilservant]

Something for just about everyone. The whole thing with the torch was just splendid.

I was completely expecting to be underwhelmed, in spite of Danny Boyle being in charge - very pleased to be proved wrong!

reaction from most people aged under 13 - the best bit was Mr Bean

reaction from most people full stop - not Macca AGAIN!

And good on Her Maj to abseil in - my daughter thinks that she really did, and I'm not so sure she didn't myself!

(I too wondered about the dodgy German salute when the German team came on)

[PaulK]

Is that NHS nonsense the best example of 'Britishness' we could come up with? Perhaps if they'd put some dehydrated pensioners in the beds, or had a load of people running around dressed as MRSA bugs it might have been nearer the point. But nurses actually caring for their patients - whoever wrote that must be living in hogwarts

[Michael Palaeologus]

Great ceremony, I did pass comment a few times that it would have the right wing of the Conservative Party frothing at the mouth, and so it did. Good.

Cringed a bit at the Bond/Queen thing and could have done without the far too passed it McCartney finish.

These did not spoil the fact that it succeeded in raised the bar marvellously and injected humour into what is normally a rather grandiose and worthy event.

Boyle richly deserve the Knighthood that he will undoubtedly get.

[woodrot]

PaulK Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Is that NHS nonsense the best example of

> 'Britishness' we could come up with? Perhaps if

> they'd put some dehydrated pensioners in the beds,

> or had a load of people running around dressed as

> MRSA bugs it might have been nearer the point. But

> nurses actually caring for their patients -

> whoever wrote that must be living in hogwarts

*Yawn*...If you are going to post shite, then try at least to make original shite

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2180124/Olympics-opening-ceremony-NHS-disgracefully-glorified.html

[Fabricio the Guido]

Ok, I was wrong. I did enjoy the OC!

[titch juicy]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It could have been so, so awful, but it just

> wasn't.

>

> The best music score and selection I think I've

> ever heard put together for the kind of global

> event that could have so easily (and usually does)

> sound corporate, pompous - and populist.. in the

> wrong way. If Macca had just done 'The End' and

> walked off, I probably would have lunged to my

> feet and applauded. I have already pretended I

> didn't hear Hey Jude.

>

> There were some genuinely great and moving bits..

> And some filler, but ?27m can't buy everything.

> Comparisons with the gaudy Chinese showboat affair

> are pointless.. $100m buys you a lot more in China

> than ?27m buys you in London. There was heart and

> thought in the show. I'll take that over six hours

> of continuous fireworks and an ultrabright LED

> nailed to every available surface.

>

> Boyle supped from the poison chalice and came-up

> with the goods, flipping the moaners the bird.

> Good on yer.

Agree with more or less every word; but i don't think it was ever going to be anything but good.

[Pam50]

Me too!

and here's that music to hum...or whistle!