Olympics Opening Ceremony….Still Going?
Was I the only one who thought the ceremony would last for days, not hours? Yes, some of the spectacle was eye-popping as advertised, and the tribute to the fallen Georgian luger was genuinely moving. But the actual opening – the part where each country enters the stadium in alphabetical order – was borderline torturous and reminded me of the Miss America pageant. Listening to Matt Lauer and Bob Costas compare small foreign lands to various U.S. states (“Andorra is one-sixth the size of Rhode Island,” etc.) became tedious, and by the time China came on the scene, I said to my husband, “They’re only at ‘C?'” But what really burned me was the way NBC delayed the ceremony. It was supposed to air at 7:30 but didn’t start until 9. Talk about a tease.
Here’s John Stewart’s take on the proceedings in case anyone missed it.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Opening Ceremony | ||||
| http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:107812 | ||||
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I know. I know. He was talking about the Salt Lake City Olympics. Is there baseball yet? Please?
Confessions of a She-Fan 
I couldn’t get myself excited about the Olympics this year. I probably would have fallen asleep during the opening ceremonies!!
http://catlovesthedodgers.mlblogs.com
Well, no matter that it was SLC, and dated — that spot was HILARIOUS — thank you, Jane!
Here at Ice Station Zebra (soon to be the locale for a remake of “The Shining”), we were too damn sore & tired to stay up and watch either…wife Andy was zonked out by 9pm…the Canadian in me wanted to watch, but the American hibernating bear won out…
Now, I must confess…we here in D.C. are TERRIBLY conflicted this time around when it comes to Olympic Hockey. Our very best players (including Ovechkin) will be playing for RUSSIA. We have one star player with Sweden, too…so here’s our dilemma…what if the USA or Canada (my birthplace, and starring our arch-NHL enemy Sidney Crosby), plays Russia in the gold medal game? Personally, I’m rooting for a Japan vs. Mongolia final, and all good teams to get knocked out early…and absolutely NO injuries (except maybe Crosby), PLEEZ? Sound at all like the World Baseball Classic to you?? Sigh…signing out to shovel…
I used to love the opening ceremonies, but now I agree that they go on for-ev-er.
With all our talk about signings, I thought everyone would be interested in yet another wonderful article by Doug Glanville in the NY Times.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/mad-hatters/
Melissa
It’s the Olympics, so they must have an Olympian sized ceremony.
http://bravesred.mlblogs.com
I didn’t watch it… nor will I. There’s nothing about the Winter Olympics interesting to me… except Costas. He keeps me on my toes, but he doesn’t have my attention this time to do it. I’m with ya… let’s start spring training already.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
OH.MY.GOD. It was painful to watch.
I got up and said to my husband that I just can’t watch another painful minute of this as I poured another glass of wine and grabbed the remote. He told me that Sarah Palin was going to call me unpatriotic so I better be careful. Well that was the best laugh/entertainment of the night.
I am so not into the Olympics this year. I think that may be the most I’ll see.
Honestly is it March 3rd yet?
Peg
You would have fallen asleep, Cat. It really dragged on and on. I finally said, “Enough!” And then I turned it off.
So glad you checked in from Ice Station Zebra, Dave! They should have held the Olympics in your backyard. Is it true that there’s yet another storm predicted for today or tomorrow? I can understand your divided loyalties, having been born in Canada. Me? I’m only interested in figure skating.
Loved the Glanville article, Melissa. The subject of all those hats was an interesting one. LOL-ed at his line about Saks Fifth Avenue.
I don’t mind an Olympian-sized ceremony, Joe. I just mind when it’s boring and repetitious and the big acts don’t really go anywhere. How many choruses of “Both Sides Now” did they need?
Costas was pretty funny at times, Jeff. He did a bit about the Bermuda “team” and their Bermuda shorts. And his thing about how Andorra “inexplicably” made a big to host the Olympics even though they have a population of, like, 2 was priceless.
I think what bothered me the most, Peg, besides the endlessness of the ceremony was the relentless promo for Canada. We got it! It’s a beautiful, varied, multi-cultural country and we should all visit! But it all seemed too much like a travel promo.
You’re zoned out all right, Paul. Did you know the Oscars were last week? (Just kidding. They’re in March.)
I not only forgot about the Olympics, I forgot about the Super Bowl too. That’s how zoned out I am.
http://www.paullebowitz.com/
http://princeofny.blogspot.com/
I.C. Zebra checking back in…had to go back down to Mother-in-Law’s house to re-dig and re-shovel, after the plow came for the FIRST time there in a week…never used a pick-axe so much in my life…even the wife chipped in (literally)…almost too sore to type…but how great that baseball beckons, and SOON…we’ll be going to Florida the week before you, Jane (I know…it’s killing me…but it was the best/cheapest Andy could do)…everyone stay warm and well — especially YOU, Peg…if I wake up by tomorrow, I’ll sign in again.
Best Regards,
Sgt. Preston (remember him? and Yukon King?)
College really is a bubble for me … I didn’t realize the Olympics were approaching until, like, two days ago. Four years ago I was all over it!The only thing I’ve really heard about it thus far is about the ridiculous opening ceremony and the luge guy … poor luge guy…Anaenternight.mlblogs.com
I hear ya Jane. I live in Canada, and can say that I can’t relate to anything in that entire opening ceremony. Actually I might have met one aboriginal-Canadian … maybe? The way the opening ceremony was presented, once again reinforced how highly political the Olympics is. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone in Vancouver greeting you by saying “Welcome” and “Bienvenue.” All I heard was Canada is blah, blah ‘vast, diverse, mulit-culural’. Ya, and a complete mystery even to people that live in Canada.
Your right, Canada has a serious ‘inferiority complex’ to be constantly promoting itself in a ceremony like that. It was just political nonsense, like everything involve in the Olympics.
http://homerfoodandhistory.mlblogs.com/
Dave, I hope you’re being careful with all the shoveling and taking breaks to give your body a rest. Sorry you won’t be going to FL at the same time as we are. I think a few others here are going the same week you are. Chesirecat, for instance? Hang in, Sgt. Preston.
Don’t feel bad, Ana. The Olympics seem to have slipped a lot of people’s minds. Very sad about the luge guy. Sounds like they’re going to investigate the conditions there and see if they’re safe. Maybe they should have done it BEFORE the event?
I actually thought of you while I was watching last night, Jeremy, and wondered how you were feeling about the ceremony, since you’re Canadian. I guess you had the same reaction I did. While I think it’s appropriate for the host country to introduce the public to local customs and people and put their best foot forward, last night just seemed over the top. Interesting that the Canada they portrayed isn’t the Canada you know.
Enough of all this ceremony fluff, lets get to the curling!!!
http://section316.mlblogs.com
I thought some parts of the ceremony was so beautiful! I was stunned by the effects and just wow! However I do agree on your sentiments about how NBC just teased us! I thought it would start at 6 but then it starts at 9! I was looking forward to this and building up all that energy then I had to wait another 3 hours. What a bummer. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t watch the entire thing. I partly wanted to watch it because of the debut of the new “We are the World” video/song. 🙂 However I love watching the Olympics very much and am enjoying most of the events! Hope you are too! Though we are THIIIIIIS close to Spring Training!
I thought some parts of the ceremony was so beautiful! I was stunned by the effects and just wow! However I do agree on your sentiments about how NBC just teased us! I thought it would start at 6 but then it starts at 9! I was looking forward to this and building up all that energy then I had to wait another 3 hours. What a bummer. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t watch the entire thing. I partly wanted to watch it because of the debut of the new “We are the World” video/song. 🙂 However I love watching the Olympics very much and am enjoying most of the events! Hope you are too! Though we are THIIIIIIS close to Spring Training!
http://mimi.mlblogs.com
Actually, I’m watching the pairs skating right now, steveu12. It’s pretty entertaining!
The effects were beautiful, Mimi. I just thought they went on too long. And those of us on the west coast were on tape delay, so we had to wait…and wait. I loved the “We Are the World” video. It was fun trying to spot everybody!
After reading the above (generally American) comments; I really do have to wonder what would please anyone. Why can’t people just enjoy the “good”, instead of critizing all they can? There is a legacy happening, as there was in Salt Lake City. Nothing in this world is perfect; we just try our best. And today, next month, and years will provide the overall benefits; NOT just to Canada, but world harmony. Critics, give your head a shake, look at the BIG picture, and the tremendous time, money, and effort that has been given by so many thousands. Or sit in your chair and complain….you choose.
It is a pleasure to work hard to make all participants and visitors most welcome to our country (without apology).