Not sure what Danny Boyle is going for

[eweissenbach]

but I am not feeling it. (The Olympic Opening Ceremonies)

[lanabanana73]

I am not, as well. I'm comparing it to how magical I thought the Beijing opening ceremonies were. How did you like the Queen jumping out of the helicopter???

[gerryann]

I love it!!!

[Patty55]

I'm not getting it.

[delima2000]

I'm not getting it too.:icon_bored:

[perrjojo]

I'm not getting it too.:icon_bored:

I loved the Queen jumping out of the Helicopter but now I am going to bed early....just don't get it?:icon_bored:

[Madelaine Amee]

but I am not feeling it. (The Olympic Opening Ceremonies)

It's Rubbish and very disappointing.

[natickdan]

I'm watching and I just don't get the feeling of excitement that was delivered in the 2008 opening ceremony.

[njbchbum]

glad i'm not the only one not getting it - but i did like the queen/007 and i liked mr bean, too! :)

[gmcneill]

I didn't expect something equal to the magnificence of the Beijing opening but I did anticipate something very good. I am...disappointed, underwhelmed.

Already looking forward to the Rio opening!

I can do w/out the dopey commentary/cutesy narratives from the NBC anchors.

But absolutely loved the Queen's "arrival"!

[lightworker888]

I watched after the Parade of Athletes and saw the torch which was stunning. Then I watched the first part and it really was a massive undertaking although not as inspiring as the Beijing was. I think Danny Boyle was showcasing the history of England and the music through the years, but I don't think it was as relevant to the television audience as it was to Brits. But I kept thinking about all the coordination that had to go on and the practicing and the fact that it was all done in the same circle that the torch was later lit in and I couldn't help but be impressed with the design and use of the "set". However it didn't have the overall "wow" factor for me, except for the torch.


LW888

[wendyquat]

Me either! I've already switched channels! Glad you posted this as I thought it was just me!

[kb8tpw]

I had so looked forward to the Olympics, but this turned me completely off. TV is off, I'm on computer and headed for bed in a quick moment.

[jimbo2012]

It's odd to say the least, it was well done but out of place perhaps???

see what happens, the fat lady didn't sing yet

[RichieLion]

Count me into the group who thought this was extremely hard to even stay awake for.

So boring.

[getdul981]

I think it's just waaaayyyy tooooooo much!!

[Joaniesmom]

I didn't expect something equal to the magnificence of the Beijing opening but I did anticipate something very good. I am...disappointed, underwhelmed.

Already looking forward to the Rio opening!

I can do w/out the dopey commentary/cutesy narratives from the NBC anchors.

But absolutely loved the Queen's "arrival"!

Agree with everyone that this was "disappointing." Maybe typical British understatement.

But I just GASPED at the bit when the Queen jumped out of the helicopter. Good on ya, Girl! Didn't suspect she had such a sweet sense of humor.

Anyone want to give up on this and share your favorites?
OK. I'll start. :)

1: China
2: Norway
3: France

What are yours?

I think the comments by the, er, commentators are their attempts to add a little interest to the evening. But, it wasn't all bad. Any night the Queen of England jumps out of a helicpoter can't be written off as a complete loss! :a040:

Awwwww, cmon. I know she didn't really jump!

[Patty55]

Awwwww, cmon. I know she didn't really jump!

HUH? She didn't?

[NotGolfer]

Currently watching/listening to Paul McCartney singing(?) "Hey Jude"! GAH!! He should have lip-sinc-ed it!! He definately is past his prime in that area! The Queen looked a bit over-dressed for the event. Just saying.......

[jimbo2012]

Well now that it's over it was pretty ok, the finish with Sir James Paul McCartney was a nice touch.

The Queen jumping will be remembered for years to come.

[BritParrothead]

We thought it was wonderfull!! So tongue in cheek :thumbup:
Paul MacCartney should have stayed at home with his cocoa, sadly his voice has left the building!
The lighting of the torch was amazing, it looked beautiful, and, a friend of ours ws taking part in the torch ceremony!! He was one of the older Olympians from the 60's :BigApplause:

[ssmith]

Loved the torch and the rings in the air with the molten steel making the rings. I did like the James Bond and the queen thing. I liked the special effects of the kids and the dreams just not sure about it being a part of the ceremony but I do get that it was the Brits being proud of their heritage thing. Not a fan of the whole boy meets girl thing. So so on the Industrial revolution thing. Mr Bean very funny. Would have been nice to see Sir Elton John.

My favorite I think was France...the first time they did the Cirque De Soleil approach. At the time of it I was not a fan but it does stick out in my memory. Beijing was good too. Most are unremarkable, weird or boring. This one had a few good moments.

[Avista]

Interesting to tead these comments. I loved the opening ceremonies and watched every minute.

[SoccerCoach]

They're British......can't compete with the SPECTACULAR.......so you try HUMOR!

[Taltarzac725]

but I am not feeling it. (The Olympic Opening Ceremonies)

It was geared to the citizens of the United Kindgom than viewers from around the world except for the Parade of Nations part.

The musical section dragged out but I loved the Mr. Bean dreams during the playing of Chariots of Fire, the "Queen's" entrance, and the metamorphosis from agrarian to industrial revolutions.

The politics was kind of slapped on very hard though in the Health Care System bit. Michelle Obama should be pleased as would be Chief Justice Roberts.

[George Bieniaszek]

Currently watching/listening to Paul McCartney singing(?) "Hey Jude"! GAH!! He should have lip-sinc-ed it!! He definately is past his prime in that area! The Queen looked a bit over-dressed for the event. Just saying.......

Totally agree with your assessment of Paul McCartney's "performance". He was BAD and off-key. The Queen could smile once in a while. Looks like she was in dire need for some Ex-Lax to help put a smile on her face.

[BritParrothead]

the queen could smile once in a while. Looks like she was in dire need for some ex-lax to help put a smile on her face.

:) :) :)

[Taltarzac725]

Totally agree with your assessment of Paul McCartney's "performance". He was BAD and off-key. The Queen could smile once in a while. Looks like she was in dire need for some Ex-Lax to help put a smile on her face.

She was probably all wound up from having James Bond push her off that helicopter. :throwtomatoes:

[kathyzapp]

glad i'm not the only one not getting it - but i did like the queen/007 and i liked mr bean, too! :)

:agree:

[kathyzapp]

Currently watching/listening to Paul McCartney singing(?) "Hey Jude"! GAH!! He should have lip-sinc-ed it!! He definately is past his prime in that area! The Queen looked a bit over-dressed for the event. Just saying.......

The commentators said that Paul McCartney was choked up when he began to sing. What an excuse!

[BritParrothead]

sadly he can not sing anymore! Someone with a voice should have been up there!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

sadly he can not sing anymore! Someone with a voice should have been up there!

I disagree. I agree that his voice in not what it used to be. I've been saying it for years. But the point is that it doesn't matter. He's Beatle Paul and millions of people will continue to attend his concerts because of who he is and what he has done. In that vein, he is a British National treasure and perhaps the most famous Englishman in the past 200 years. As such was given the honor close the ceremony.
I do believe that he was choked up at the very beginning. His voice really sounded terrible on the first several notes but improved after that.
Elton John? He's not even close when it comes to celebrity and status in the UK or the world. And if you think Paul's voice is gone, you haven't heard Sir Elton sing live lately. He literally has nothing left at all.

[BobKat1]

As much as I dislike lip syncing at live events, I agree that they should have considered it for Paul especially for an event of this magnatude. Classic song though.

[Taltarzac725]

I disagree. I agree that his voice in not what it used to be. I've been saying it for years. But the point is that it doesn't matter. He's Beatle Paul and millions of people will continue to attend his concerts because of who he is and what he has done. In that vein, he is a British National treasure and perhaps the most famous Englishman in the past 200 years. As such was given the honor close the ceremony.
I do believe that he was choked up at the very beginning. His voice really sounded terrible on the first several notes but improved after that.
Elton John? He's not even close when it comes to celebrity and status in the UK or the world. And if you think Paul's voice is gone, you haven't heard Sir Elton sing live lately. He literally has nothing left at all.

Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill, the Duke of Wellington, Lord Nelson, Lawrence of Arabia, come to mind quicker than the Beatles for famous Englishmen. That's after the various Kings, Queens, Princes, too.

Funny, the most famous Englishman is probably fictional--- Harry Potter would probably be the first thing out of someone's mouth if you asked them to name something coming out of the UK.

[bigalibaba]

I am not, as well. I'm comparing it to how magical I thought the Beijing opening ceremonies were. How did you like the Queen jumping out of the helicopter???

One was show biz. This one is sincere, historical and memorable. By the way, it's not MADE In CHINA!

[memason]

I disagree. I agree that his voice in not what it used to be. I've been saying it for years. But the point is that it doesn't matter. He's Beatle Paul and millions of people will continue to attend his concerts because of who he is and what he has done. In that vein, he is a British National treasure and perhaps the most famous Englishman in the past 200 years. As such was given the honor close the ceremony.
I do believe that he was choked up at the very beginning. His voice really sounded terrible on the first several notes but improved after that.
Elton John? He's not even close when it comes to celebrity and status in the UK or the world. And if you think Paul's voice is gone, you haven't heard Sir Elton sing live lately. He literally has nothing left at all.

I'm with Dr. Winston on this one... I just finished watching, after reading some of the comments on here. I was expecting the worst, but was pleasantly surprised.

What saddened me the most was Mohammad Ali at the Olympic flag. Parkinson's is a horrible disease.

[eweissenbach]

When I made the original post I was in the middle of the show, and just was kind of lost. It was obviously spectacular, but not being a Brit, and not seeing it in person, it lacked the wow factor for me. Here is how my favorite writer, Joe Posnanski saw it, and kind of sums it up for me.

But it was hard for me to really get into it. Emotionally, I mean. Again, yes, this is my limitation, but I just expected to walk away wowed. This is London — and I love London, the history … the music … the writers … the humor … the drama … I expected to be swept away by it all. I have been looking forward to these Games for a long time. But it didn’t quite do that for me. There were cool moments, of course, like when J.K. Rowling read from “Peter Pan,” and when the giant rings came together to form the Olympic symbol. But …

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I'm with Dr. Winston on this one... I just finished watching, after reading some of the comments on here. I was expecting the worst, but was pleasantly surprised.

What saddened me the most was Mohammad Ali at the Olympic flag. Parkinson's is a horrible disease.

I found it a bit strange that they had him standing there and made a big fuss about the flag going by him. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect and admiration for Muhammed Ali, but the rest of the program seemed to be all about England. He seemed out of place and unrelated to everything else.

[wendyquat]

Aha, that is what I saw from beginning to end!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Charles Darwin, Winston Churchill, the Duke of Wellington, Lord Nelson, Lawrence of Arabia, come to mind quicker than the Beatles for famous Englishmen. That's after the various Kings, Queens, Princes, too.

Funny, the most famous Englishman is probably fictional--- Harry Potter would probably be the first thing out of someone's mouth if you asked them to name something coming out of the UK.

I think that you might find that for people under the age of 75 the first thing they think of from England is The Beatles.

The Duke of Wellington? Lord Nelson? I would bet that if you asked 1,000 people who they are, 700 wouldn't know.

[rhredd1654]

Hate to burst your bubble, but it wasn't the queen that jumped out of the helicopter...just a stunt double. I agree that the opening ceremonies were boring...I shut it off after a while.

[BritParrothead]

I disagree. And if you think Paul's voice is gone, you haven't heard Sir Elton sing live lately. He literally has nothing left at all.

Sadly I have heard Elton John singing recently! We were in our back garden, we heard a lot of loud singing and music, thought it was a party, no it was Elton John performing at our local football (soccer) ground, about a mile from where we were living. I am so glad we did not pay to go and listen!