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08 August 2008

olympics opening ceremony :( →[More:]What a waste. I hated the NBC slash and burn method their editors undertook with the opening ceremony of the Olympics. How horrible, we all know this is prerecorded, why did they have to cut so much out of the once in a lifetime show? I'm more than happy to sit through commercials, why butcher the show for what some BAD editor thinks is only important? Why cut out the rhythmic transitions and end of vignettes? What was the point of that? The result was choppy, distracting and downright disappointing! I hope NBC does not get the Olympic filming contracts next time so that maybe in another four years I'll be able to actually watch the WHOLE SHOW. Oh! And what was with that ridiculous commentary? Those commentors couldn't shut up! How could I ever lived without such insightful reflections as "Again, water is very important... culturally" and "They're doing karate" (they were doing Tai Chi) Couldn't they have kept quiet a moment? Very bad form guys. /cry
post by: eatdonuts at: 20:51 | 117 comments
dude, it's just a bunch of people in dippy outfits walking around a stadium.
posted by jonmc 08 August | 20:56
I've been switching back and forth between the ceremony and the Steelers game but I've heard enough to remind me what a complete twit Bob Costas is. Like ZOMG, they don't have the Latin alphabet in China so the countries aren't in English alphabetic order; I think that he's explained that five times now.
posted by octothorpe 08 August | 20:58
Not to me. :( I like the opening ceremonies, and rarely watch TV anymore. I really look forward to the Olympics.
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 20:58
That's why I get bored during things like this- I get that they're cool, but the drama is bigger than can be contained on my TV, so I quickly lose interest.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 21:02
jonmc, eatdonuts is talking about the show China put on. It was spectacular. The less Matt Lauer talks the better. I thought it was great. Of course, I'd like to see it commercial free. The BBC has a huge presence there. I think this is one of BBC's largest Olympics coverage to date. There are thousands from the BBC team in China, plus they have a big office there. Maybe the people in the UK got a better show than NBC viewers. Either way, I thought it was still good. And the ABC guy, the Chinese expert and commentator, he knew it was Tai Chi. He was saying something like, You American viewers at home may be wondering why a bunch of people are doing Karate around a group of schoolchildren. He was trying to explain what was going on. I think he was using Karate like as a general term, something we dumb Americans can understand.
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 21:05
It's nice and pretty and all, but never forget--these people put peepee in your Coke.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:08
Oh, yeah, the teevee talking heads are definitely a pair of dinks, and the coverage is crummy, but I'm still a fan of stuff like this--the scale, and the sheer humanity of it, mostly, I think.
posted by box 08 August | 21:09
but I'm still a fan of stuff like this--the scale, and the sheer humanity of it, mostly, I think.

Exactly.
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 21:11
I am having a good time watching the parade of nations- I can't believe how many of the countries have populations less than the population of my neighborhood, it's really wild. I'm loving the clothes each country has chosen- some of the designs from this week's episode of "Project Runway" aren't looking so bad, in retrospect.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 21:16
Meanwhile, the president of the US could not look more bored without laying on the floor and kicking his legs. At least Mrs. Bush is sitting tall and putting on a happy face.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 21:18
Haha, TPS.

I imagine George W. Bush is thinking, "As soon as the USA walks by, we're outta here, Laura!"
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 21:19
I shouldn't make fun, I can't say I wouldn't feel the same, particularly in that heat. At least I have lots of distractions here.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 21:22
What's with the 14 year old diver from Great Britian??? I thought you had to be 16 to go to the Olympics?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 21:24
some of the designs from this week's episode of "Project Runway" aren't looking so bad

Ha! I just turned to my husband and said, "Those outfits would bore Nina. DON'T BORE NINA!!"

I agree that the talking heads were obnoxious. Part of the reason that I haven't watched the olympics in years is the coverage. It's all so overwrought. When EVERY athlete has an amazing, touching back story the impact is completely lost.

Also...Am I the only one who can't hear mention of Albania without singing, "Albania, Albania,you border on the Adriatic..."
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 21:26
I can't believe how many of the countries have populations less than the population of my neighborhood,

and our neighborhood being what it is, there's probably a few people from each of those countries living here.
posted by jonmc 08 August | 21:27
Did you see Bush sitting in that slouchy airing-out-his-junk posture earlier? Total boor.

Also, I wish the parade organizers encouraged the cyclists to ride their bikes in it.
posted by box 08 August | 21:28
The cheerleaders really are amazing. They're going to sustain repetitive stress injuries.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:29
I never learned those fancy geography songs, jrossi.

Yeah, they're all sweating, TPS. Sarkozy is sweating bullets.

Poland! Yay mdonley! Poland is looking good!
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 21:29
Jesus! Did you see that ENORMOUS Polish woman?
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:32
What's with the 14 year old diver from Great Britian??? I thought you had to be 16 to go to the Olympics?

Apparently not: "It was initially claimed by the British media that in competing he would become the youngest-ever male British Olympian, but it was later realised that Ken Lester, cox to the rowing pair at the 1960 Olympic Games, was only 13 years and 144 days old at the time."
posted by CKmtl 08 August | 21:33
Dammit. Special Olympics Coke commercial made me misty.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:34
I must have been glancing away at that moment, missed her.

USA almost here! What did Ralph Lauren do this year?
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 21:34
I cried too, ColdChef.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 21:35
Did they just say that the Russian Olympic team doesn't know about the fighting in Georgia?
posted by box 08 August | 21:35
Ugh, those HATS. Not feeling it.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 21:36
Ralph Lauren designed the USA suits based on designs derived from the British runners from "Chariots of Fire". How gauche!
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:37
When they announced Tyson Gay, I re-announced him as Tyson Homosexual, just as a reflex.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 21:38
Oh come on, sourpusses, that was the most spectacular spectacle ever inspected.

Weird about the commercial edits though. Coming back from one commercial the NBC guy says, "you at home have missed a couple of hundred years of Chinese history over the break, but we pick up with.. what is this now? the seventies?"

I also got a kick out of the beginning when the NBC guy says, "the official languages of the Olympics are French and English, and all official announcements will be in French, English, and uh, China."

I'm going to look for the official DVD in Chinatown. The bootleg has probably been on sale for two weeks.
posted by StickyCarpet 08 August | 21:39
My grandmother just called me and asked why the USA team is wearing "Nookie Bookie" hats. That's her phrase for pimps.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:39
Laura Bush looks like the Joker. Why so serious, Laura?
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:43
LOL Nookie Bookie hats.

Project Runway: the official outfits weren't as good as some of the competitors, they totally should have gone with the red, white and blue tube top.

who was the 60 year old woman in the USA team with glasses? what's her event? i lol'd.
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 21:44
btw, they cut out japan in the march of nations. :( i totally wanted to see their cosplay outfits!
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 21:44
Oh come on, sourpusses, that was the most spectacular spectacle ever inspected.
Oh it was. Totally. Even the baby was transfixed. And our six year old was mesmerized. She even went and got her stuffed panda so he could see images of his homeland. :-)

I'm so yoinking the term "Nookie Bookie."

posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 21:44
Y'all are cracking me up. I'm just glad that the Americans weren't jumping around like fools and smacking too much gum. They did pretty well. Although, I like the countries that hold their flag high and wave. Pride, people, pride! Our flag was dipping down a bit, hoist it up! Tusnia and Thailand know how to hold a flag.
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 21:45
The Ethiopian marathoner decided to run a shorter event, because he's concerned about the air quality in Beijing.
posted by box 08 August | 21:48
Lesotho thought it was a costume party.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:48
I love seeing all the athletes in the parade with cellphones and cameras and whatnot--I wish they were all my YouTube/Flickr friends.
posted by box 08 August | 21:48
Micronesia Dude! Untuck the party shirt.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:56
Am I the only one who didn't stop watching after the USA team came out?
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:58
I think I like Russia's outfits the best. Very colorful and festive.

I am very impressed with the Chinese cheerleaders in their high heeled boots. They've been dancing and waving for a long time.
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 21:59
Boo, Portugal, boo.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 21:59
They said that Lichtenstein and Haiti had the same flag and never noticed it until the last Olympics, 'cause y'know, "who from Lichtenstein hangs out in Haiti." So Lichtenstein added some doodad this year.
posted by StickyCarpet 08 August | 22:00
Wow, Cameroon.
posted by box 08 August | 22:01
I'm still watching. South Korea!

I had to put the kiddies to bed after USA walked. I missed some.

Cameroon!
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 22:01
Anyone watch the opening ceremony for the Puppy Games(Animal Planet). Right now They've finished the soccer match and are back t the swimming competition. The commentary is the best.
posted by MonkeyButter 08 August | 22:02
North Korea, with suits designed by DELTA Airlines.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:02
uh, north korea is mostly old men? are they friends of korean elvis then?

where's scotland?! i can hear the bagpipes!
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 22:03
I'm still here!
I think Austria's drunk.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 22:04
Puppy Games
posted by MonkeyButter 08 August | 22:04
Scotland has already walked.

Sweden. Beautiful, Sweden!
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 22:05
Nauru!
posted by box 08 August | 22:06
I think some of these countries are imaginary.

Coming up next: Narnia!
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:06
There is a big two inch Ralph Lauren polo horse on the USA jacket. No!
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 22:06
NEW ZEALAND! I swear, I saw one of the athletes mouth the words "We love you, gaspode!"
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 22:07
Yeah. They're just making shit up now.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 22:08
Ha..I was replying to ColdChef. Not TPS. NZ does totally love gaspode.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 22:08
HAHA, TPS!
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 22:09
Mexico!!
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 22:14
They're really stressing that where-x-and-the-olympics-intersect angle.
posted by box 08 August | 22:14
German team is shitfaced.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:15
lol morgan freeman commercials. is anyone having as bad of a week as him? eeek, poor guy.
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 22:18
Monaco's back to party!
posted by box 08 August | 22:20
W was totally airing his nuts. If I have my way he's going to face the noose for war crimes, but if I also have my way they'll let him put down a bottle of Jack D before he dances with the rope just because he has the balls to air out his balls.

Why are they playing the fucking paddys day bagpipes all the time? For me? Thanks China.
posted by Divine_Wino 08 August | 22:22
John Edwards would probably trade places with Morgan Freeman right about now, but I think he's the only one.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:23
Yeah the Germans were fucking done up on beers, bless them.
posted by Divine_Wino 08 August | 22:23
Aw...Earthquake kid. Fuck. I'm weeping.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:24
Oh...darling earthquake survivor! What a sweetie!
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 22:24
awww, the little boy next to ming! what a great little hero!
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 22:24
This is beautiful. I'm crying over that little boy's story.
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 22:25
The kid looks, like, amazed at the enormity of it, too.
posted by box 08 August | 22:26
China is rocking a sort of Mcdonalds rig out, no?
posted by Divine_Wino 08 August | 22:27
Except for the white pants, which can be easily explained--it's before Labor Day.
posted by box 08 August | 22:28
They are. It looks like Yao Ming had more Big Macs than the rest of the team.
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 22:30
Is there any high-quality video of the opening ceremonies online? It's being deleted from YouTube with incredible speed. We don't get any broadcast television (stupid digital broadcast and our old TV), and this is the first time I'm regretting not paying for cable. And it's too late to invite myself over to a friend's house.

I remember spending all evening in my parents' bed watching the opening ceremonies with my mom so my dad could watch his shows in the living room.
posted by rhapsodie 08 August | 22:30
I love the Olympics. Well the summer ones anyway.
posted by Divine_Wino 08 August | 22:30
Okay, seriously. Enough about the kid's heroism. You're kind of trivializing it at this point, commentators.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:31
Twenty bucks says they light the torch with a pack of Black Cats.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:33
Also yes, the NBC commentary has inspired me to a new level of contempt for idiots who are allowed to somehow speak through my television. I didn't know I had a new level of contempt in me.
posted by Divine_Wino 08 August | 22:33
I liked it better when the whole shebang was every four years. Now it feels like there's always some kind of Olympic something going on.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 22:33
rhapsodie: Maybe here?
posted by box 08 August | 22:35
Maybe not.
posted by box 08 August | 22:37
who has it in 2012? london?
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 22:39
london.
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 22:40
Wait. Tivo won't let me record individual events? That's bullshit, man.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:41
TORCH!
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:44
omg, i have an idea! metachat should totally try to get as many of us as we can to run the olympic flag next run! i think normal people can apply to run the flag! anyone knows the details? i totally want to run it once in my life and attend a game, woot! new life goals.
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 22:46
Another one? Jeez, China, get on with it.
posted by box 08 August | 22:47
I carried the torch in 1984 when it came through my town. I was nine.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:47
Oops. Make that eight.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:47
The torch came through Astoria when the Olympics were in Greece, just around the corner from my house. It really was exciting to see.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero 08 August | 22:50
it's done with wires.
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 22:50
Fuck! I thought he was falling!
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:51
Now lighting the torch...Spiderman.
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:51
OMG! That's so high! I'm freaking out just watching it.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 22:52
omg, i almost crapped myself when his wire snapped.
posted by eatdonuts 08 August | 22:52
Ooh, yeah, more fireworks!
posted by box 08 August | 22:55
The Chinaman is not the issue!
posted by ColdChef 08 August | 22:55
Well that there was pretty fucking awesome. It must be said.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 22:55
No wonder the air's so dirty.
posted by box 08 August | 22:55
That is one of the most amazing, beautiful, spectacular things I have ever seen in my life. Bravo, China! Absolutely wonderful. I wish I was there.
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 22:57
What's this awful song?
posted by box 08 August | 23:02
Ha, box! I just said, "What is this shit song?"
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 23:03
A quick Google reveals that it's a song by the guy who won American Idol this year. Why am I not surprised?
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 23:04
I'm not surprised, but I can still manage to be a little disgusted.

I agree, though--that was one gigantic incredible spectacle.
posted by box 08 August | 23:05
Photographs of the opening ceremonies today.
posted by nickyskye 08 August | 23:05
Just got back from watching it with a bunch of my Chinese friends. They were reminiscing about all the early medal wins in the 80s. They were also pissed about the ad breaks missing various dynasties. Don't blame them.
posted by gaspode 08 August | 23:23
Crazy. Absolutely crazy. China is very much about exploiting its immense human resources for immense spectacle.

I still think no torch lighting will ever beat Barcelona's where they lit a fire arrow and shot it into the cauldron. So clean and elegant, none of this wire-fu fussing around. That one Winter Olympics where they lit it via ski jump (Lillehammer?) was pretty neat too.

NBC commentary sucks so hard. All this "ancient philosophy" and "cultural significance" and "harmony with nature, oh those wacky inscrutable Chinese" crap.
posted by casarkos 08 August | 23:29
I can see your point, casarkos. I like a spectacle, though.

I remember the arrow at Barcelona. That was beautiful.
posted by LoriFLA 08 August | 23:49
(God I'm late to the party.) My dad remembered the arrow thing too. He said that must've been a real pucker moment.
posted by sperose 09 August | 00:40
I'm boycotting the whole thing. China stinks at human rights and I think it's an abomination that they got the Olympics.

Not that I care about the Olympics, either.
posted by bunnyfire 09 August | 07:58
Gah, our cable was out until this morning so we missed the whole thing :(

I, too, remember sitting up late with my folks to watch the Parade of Nations. Watching the barcelona torch lighting is one of my earliest memories.

(Incidentally, our cable was out because our new neighbors jacked the line while trying to steal cable. It's going to be a long two months until we move out...)
posted by muddgirl 09 August | 08:31
Is it still a boycott when it's something that you don't care about anyway?
posted by box 09 August | 08:48
Ireland is the fastest growing country in Europe. I did not know this. Learned it last night on the parade.
posted by LoriFLA 09 August | 09:36
oops I see what I did there. Not trying to say it wasn't fantastic to watch (fireworks! yay!), but it's the sort of thing I can only describe afterwards as craaaazy.

I mean, when they were doing the movable type thing, I was thinking "sweet, huge-ass array of programmed motors"...and then it ended and people popped out of the blocks and I went O_o

my family is from taiwan (or, as it is forced to call itself at these things, Chinese Taipei) so i totally admit to bias :P
posted by casarkos 09 August | 10:18
I just have to point out that the final torch runners had their shirts untucked. Before the relay went to Hong Kong, all runners were told to tuck in their shirts. When they got to Hong Kong, a bunch of the Canto Pop stars complained that this was a fashion disaster. Looks like their complaints were noted.

That is all.
posted by sleslie 09 August | 12:45
I thought you had to be 16 to go to the Olympics?

Ugh, that reminds me of a bad moment where I was being an ass. My SO's parents friends daughter was the flag bearer for Luxenburg at the Olympics last, and my SO brought out the camera (as he does at all hours taking pictures of stuff that may or not be related to what we're doing at the time). So he's like "there she is!" and holding the camera up. I couldn't help being as bitter as I was at the time so I go, "aaw, look at the cute little fourteen year old holding the flag at the opening ceremony... This will probably be the highlight of her life. It's downhill from here... Soon you'll be an old woman with nothing else to show for it" (or something equally sarcastic) My SO is silent by gives me huge eyes, and what I didn't know was that he was using his still camera to film this moment in order to send it to his dad. My talking ruined it. shoot. kick my big mouth!

I'm not watching these olympics.
posted by dabitch 09 August | 16:19
Dabitch, I like you.
posted by bunnyfire 09 August | 18:42
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