General Chat

As I have said on Lynda's thread.

Amazing

Will someone pass me a tissue please. :-D

a brilliant do, shame about Stella's dad though

Aw Lesley...here you are, bless you. l still have to watch the earlier events:)

Stray...do hope thats not a grimace....lol :-D
nite nite
jude x

Definitely didn't think it was rubbish! Had some spectacular scenes!

I loved the James Bond bit, Olympic rings fusing together and the huge flame made from the copper petals was very clever.
A lot of hard work and effort to produce,worth staying up for but didn't think 'the party' shoud have finished with Sir Paul....:-S

But I always like to see the athletes coming in to represent their countries,some of the costumes are stunning!

Mau

I loved it loved all those that took part loved that they highlighted our heritage and all that loved the children. loved the Queen ( hasnt she put on weight and look like Queen Victoria) and she didnt look well to me. even loved the parade was so proud when the young ones actually lighting the flame our next generation and the I wanted the ground to swallow me up whilst I died...flipping Paul McCartney why why why I ask he is well passed his sell by date he cant sing I hate the song Hey Jude ( one of his worse) all the talent on the UK and choose him what a let down... :-(

I found it quite embarasing. Its time they stoped rolling out Paul mcCartney
enough is enough,

I haven't seen any of it.

and I deliberately have not read this thread to see what the general opinion is.


They are not showing it live here (afternoon, everyone at work, etc etc) ............... taped show starts at 7 pm


all I think is that anyone who planned an Opening Ceremony where the Athletes Parade did not start until 10 pm, and where the ceremony did not end until after midnight did NOT have the athletes' welfare in mind.


Less than half of the athletes appear to have walked ............... certainly that applies to Canada, and I hear also to the UK.


I bet you that the athletes will not be back in the Athletes Village and to bed before 1 am at the very earliest .........................


................ no wonder so many of them opted not to walk. Their results could be jeopardised by such upset of their routine.



What I have heard on the radio and on internet news reports does not incline me to give up my evening to watch the "show" ....................



which means it will the first Opening Ceremony that I have not watched since the 1970s.


The major word in news reports here is that anyone who does not have an English (British) background will not understand the show and its meanings.


Pity if that is the case.


You might have missed the biggest opportunity in years. There are over 300 million people in the US ..........

....... most have not heard of David Beckham, never heard of Mr Bean, names of singers were not even mentioned on radio reports


so any reports will probably centre on the fireworks and light spectacles.



Of course ............ that is nothing new! Most Olympic Opening Ceremonies feature people who mean little or nothing to the rest of the world!!!

I agree Butch its either Paul McCartney Cliff Richard or flipping Elton John :-(

Couldn't face the 3+ hours. Watched it from half way thu the athletes entering the stadium. Loved the lighting of the cauldrum. Not to sure about all that hugging. Very disappointed in Paul McCartney.

Vera

Absolutely Brilliant..!!
Well done Danny Boyle and all those that took part.
Everyone looked relaxed and even the Olympic Chairman had good words to say about us and our appreciation of sport.
Nothing wrong with showing pride in our history and the efforts of the working classes. I thought that was done well, not the usual perfectly turned out Opera singers and professional dancers but performers looking as though they were enjoying themselves as were the athletes and the children.

Thankfully It didn't rain :-D :-D :-D

Mary there are plenty of beds........I know someone who is never refused entry anytime.........and gets to stay,,,,,,,,,,, but also know someone whos had a vital life save op cancelled twice-----as no spare bed,!!,,,,,,,go figure......

Methinks its not the actual beds that are scarce.........its the staff needed to run them thats missing,at times

Well, we watched the Canadian feed from the "show" ............. taped for showing during prime time evening.

Loved the first part

Really disliked, almost to the point of hating, the middle part of music and dancing and strobe lighting .................. I had to keep looking away and covering my eyes. I found it to be migraine-inducing for me

Loved the Athletes Parade, and the way in which they were allowed to mix with other countries.


And thought the cauldron was magnificent!


The last time young athletes were chosen to light the Olympic Cauldron was in Montreal in 1976, when 2 young athletes did it. A young girl was chosen to represent English Canadian youngsters and a boy represented the French Canadian young athletes.



Over all, my impression was overly long, with almost a Broadway or Hollywood production in the middle part.


Why oh why didn't they do more on the English history or peoples who have caused Britain to be what it is???





sylvia

Enjoyed most of it; maybe just a bit too much singing and dancing for me though - but that's probably an age thing!


I know it didn't have the precision of Beijing but it needed to be something totally different. It would be very boring to watch the same type of military precision each time.


I think the fact that we portrayed some of our history in various ways; that it showed some truly 'Great' British moments that changed the world; that excited children were involved; that there was some humour and, that there were so many happy, smiling faces was just what was needed in this troubled world of ours.



:-D :-D :-D

Lots of energy, happy faces and a great 'feel good' atmosphere. Thoroughly enjoyed it, although couldn't stand the pace as I felt it was too long. Thank goodness I missed Paul McCartney bit but loved the Queen (yes, Hayley, thought she was looking a bit pale) and James Bond bit. What a huge amount of hard work and well done Danny Boyle. :-D

And, of course, David Beckham looked gorgeous <3

I haven't seen it all, cos it started here at 5.30am :-D

I've seen a few bits & pieces on the internet, some good some, errr, went on a bit too long. Laughed at HerMaj pickering her nails :-D

Was thrilled to bits to see Chris Hoy as the GB Flag Bearer :-D

Hopefully there will be a replay, see it properly on a tv rather than a small computer screen.

I thought the whole show would have been more fitting as part of the Queens diamond jubilee celebrations.. e.g.The British Isles history throughout the decades....I am also glad though that the show was not in competition with Bejing's presentation because I hate the 'follow the leader' mentally to outdo the other!... all in all an excellent show and well presented.

Seen clips on tv this morning,,,,,,

what a pleasure to see David Beckham.............not being pawed and mauled and slobbered over by the wife.

:-D :-D :-D.

light displayes are always good and without doubt anything that involes children taking part is lovely.

to watch the games wont be on the agenda though. :-)

I was also disappointed at McCartney's appearance......I can think of 100s I'd have chosen to close the event over him.....real cringeworthy stuff.

Apart from that...i was dead proud...thought we put on a superb show for everyone. favourite bits were the Queen and James Bond and Mr Bean....my girls roared with laughter at him !!!

Well done to all involved !!! x

BRILLIANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Well, we did watch it, only from 9 o'clock, mind!

It wasn't what I expected at all as bits that I can remember from other opening ceremonies were more 'large' spectaculars which focused the eye on one scene.

It was all rather 'busy' with many things going on at once and if it weren't for the commentary we wouldn't have understood what was being portrayed. That's 'modern art' for you. May be if we were spectators in the arena we would have appreciated the over all effect better,

High lights for us were Mr Bean and HM + James Bond :-D
Despite SylviainCanada's comments, we were under the impression that Mr Bean was known through out most of the world as his character relies on facial expressions rather than speech. An older lady we know who can hardly speak English added 'Yay Mr Bean!' to facebook, bless her.

I really don't think they should have rolled out Mohammed Ali as he looked as if he didn't know what was going on, or what was expected of him. There must be other older sporting heros who could have been asked. Nice touch having up-and-coming young athletes to light the Torch. If nothing else it saved arguements about who should light it - they would have upset the supporters of the ones rejected.

Now then. Can anyone find a news channel which is NOT concentratiing on the Olympics? :-D