Here's what the Mayor of London has to say about the opening ceremonies:
London Mayor Boris Johnson says he spent all night dreaming about the opening ceremony and thinks it was better than China's stunning show four years ago.
"Call me chauvinistic, call me jingoistic, but I think we knocked the spots off Beijing last night," Johnson said.
"From the beginning I was crying like a baby. I just thought it was brilliant."
He lauded the cultural complexity of Danny Boyle's production.
"We weren't just Beefeaters and Big Ben. It was the real story of this country," he said.
Yeah, brilliant. That's the word I was looking for... But somehow I kept coming up with "bullshit" instead.
I talked up the opening ceremonies around Chateau Squatlo yesterday because I was hoping to drum up a little enthusiasm for the Games, thus making them a part of the television schedule in the next two weeks. My lovely (and dangerous) wife would probably prefer to lock the remote control onto the "Law and Order" network (there must be at least one of those, because "bonk-bonk" is on 24 hours a day, seven days a week) so I like to prime the well in advance if I know there's something coming up I'd like to watch.
So I made a big deal about getting dinner off of the grill in time for the opening ceremony. We sat back, adult beverages in hand, prepared for the extravaganza.
But it turns out we weren't prepared at all.
About five minutes into the broadcast NBC had started the "up close and personal" interviews with a couple of American gymnasts, with Bob Costas telling them he had a package to deliver to them from Justin Beiber. I did an audible face palm at that moment. The network went to commercial break. They came back. It got worse.
Half an hour into the actual opening ceremony my wife (bless her heart for being THIS patient) looked over at me and said, and this is a direct quote: "Do we really have to watch this shit?"
Yep. It's historic. Only happens every four years, like presidential elections. We should be able to say we watched the Opening Ceremonies from London. We shall attempt to watch this shit, at least until the athletes are introduced in the Parade of Nations. Be patient, dear, perhaps it will get better.
It didn't.
I want my two hours back.
And now my wife won't let me touch the remote control anymore.
I think I hate England.
(heavy sigh...)
11 comments:
I was very disappointed also. My friend Lea in California said thanks for telling her it didn't get any better and she was going to bed. She said China and their brilliant opening event didn't have to worry about being outdone by the British. Of all the beautiful ceremony and history that England has, they bring out Mary Poppins, sheep and a cigar smoking, snarky business man?????? Pleeeeeese.
Did you know you have to go to a pay channnel to get the best events??? Doncha just love NBC. Good luck with that remote!
See if you can get the CBC via the internet. The Canadians always do a much better job of covering the Olympics than NBC does. NBC does such a horrible job that I'm surprised anyone bothers watching their coverage anymore.
No one will top China - if the ever have the Olympics there again and I am alive (no chance) I will watch - otherwise I am with your wife...Do we have to watch this shit?
the Ol'Buzzard
It sucked as did NBCs commentary but I am sure NBC'll find some way of blamming the crappy opening ceremony and their coverage of it on Bush......
Squat. We watched reruns of F Troop. Who gives a shit about what amounts to a 3-hour Super Bowl halftime?
To Mooner, at least @ the soooper bowl you might get to see some bare tit!
Theo, blaming Bush isn't just an NBC thing. Notice all those Romney/Bush public events lately? How 'bout the Romney/Cheney behind-fences-no-press-or-cameras-allowed fundraiser?
Those assholes are pariahs on the world stage, and no one wants to be reminded of their reign of error. Thanks for bringing politics into the only non-political post I've written in a while.
Randy, I don't think I would have wanted to see Mary Poppins' tits, at least not the Mary Poppins who were floating around London last night. Now, Julie Andrews in her prime? Nuther story completely!!!
Thanks for letting me know what I'm missing by going cold turkey on TV about a year ago. Although... James Bond? Mary Poppins?? Sheep???
Squatlo, are you puttin' us on? They didn't, did they?
C, it was all that and more. Ask anyone. I'm hearing that some folks thought it was great. Go figure...
There was a lot of time spent watching a wealthy guy chomping on a cigar and looking all prosperous as the workers toiled, too. Somehow that was to remind everyone that England led the way in the industrial revolution. Sort of a 99% moment for the Occupy folks, I guess.
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