I must admit, then, to mixed feelings about the opening ceremony but one thing was for sure. It was brilliantly staged and once again showed that when it comes to great public occasions - be it state affairs such as funerals, or popular celebrations such as the Jubilee - the British truly have few equals.
I felt, however, as the hosts we could have put a bit more emphasis on our guests. Giving a captive global audience an unexpected history lesson, to me at least, was not quite in keeping with our tradition of modesty and self-effacement - the same show but presented during the Jubilee and offered to a worldwide audience invited to join us would have been better.
We know that as a nation we had our turn for a couple of centuries pedalling hard at the front but now we are slowly dropping back into the pelaton. How are we to be remembered - for the astonishing achievements of the Empire and all we have contributed to the world, or for Bean and Bond ? London is not populated exclusively by Dick Van Dyke, bobbies in tall hats, Beefeaters, Chelsea Pensioners or Pearly Kings and Queens - that belongs to Hollywood, not Cricklewood. We may currently have a buffoon as Mayor (or should that be 'mare ?) but I think we do ourselves a disservice at times with our irreverence. Oh dear, I really must be getting old.
The legacy is indeed clear to see - the next generations are eager to take their turn to carry the torch and the baton forward, and the re-generation and investment will be immensely valuable (unless, like the Dome, the benefits are thrown away or neglected). I still think the show found us at times past our best, typified by the performance of Paul McCartney and the appearance of our stone-faced monarch who could not apparently raise any enthusiasm even when Team GB proudly marched by.
Rest assured my glass was not at all half-empty .... it was a great night to call yourself British and (if applicable) a Londoner. The sights of London, and earlier the whole country with the torch relay, have been fabulous. Let's leave it at that.
Fair enough, but I would like to make just two friendly comments. "A bit more emphasis on our guests"... With 204 competing nations how would you do that? A two minute vignette on each country? That's over six hours. Or choose some favourite allies and upset everyone else?
We are to be remembered for the astonishing feats of the empire ( as depicted in the first 20 minutes of the ceremony ) AND Bean and Bond. It is all part of Britain's contribution to the world, many more people globally would identify those British icons ahead of Brunel and the Windrush.
Let the yanks go to Disneyland. No country in the world could top that.
Exactly, couldn't give a toss what the thick as pig shit yanks think, it was fantastic. Agree that macca's voice not 100% but come on, it's a Beatle singing Beatle songs ffs!
Don't get this at all. I'm from Forest Hill, have lived in The States for a good number of years. Every "Yank" I've spoken to thought the ceremonies were the best they've ever seen and have a great respect for the British and our accomplishments.
Let the yanks go to Disneyland. No country in the world could top that.
Exactly, couldn't give a toss what the thick as pig shit yanks think, it was fantastic. Agree that macca's voice not 100% but come on, it's a Beatle singing Beatle songs ffs!
Don't get this at all. I'm from Forest Hill, have lived in The States for a good number of years. Every "Yank" I've spoken to thought the ceremonies were the best they've ever seen and have a great respect for the British and our accomplishments.
Comments were directed at those making comments as opposed to yanks in general.
Great show - good to remind ourselves of just how great and influential Britain has been and is and how London really is still the greatest city in the world. London must be the most diverse and culturaly tolerant place on the planet - If you are truly strong, you rise above the inadequacies of others and give a helping hand and thats what we do - our culture, ethics and just general way that true Londoners do the right thing is what makes us great - we don't need to get all petty and eye for an eye like so many around the world and even other parts of Britain. We are lucky - we are from the greatest place in the world and to top it all, we are also responsible, as a nation for most of the great music and comedy in the world. The history lesson was fantastic and the music and comedy show that followed added the razamatazz. Fireworks and visual displays are great but no other country have the history and culture that we have and we have every right to show it off and remind everybody. We will always be the envy of the world.
Let the yanks go to Disneyland. No country in the world could top that.
Exactly, couldn't give a toss what the thick as pig shit yanks think, it was fantastic. Agree that macca's voice not 100% but come on, it's a Beatle singing Beatle songs ffs!
Don't get this at all. I'm from Forest Hill, have lived in The States for a good number of years. Every "Yank" I've spoken to thought the ceremonies were the best they've ever seen and have a great respect for the British and our accomplishments.
Comments were directed at those making comments as opposed to yanks in general.
How can you portray Dizzee Rascal as great British music and exclude Oasis?
Think Dizzee was intended to represent current East London - thought it was fair enough but my sister (now a Yank with slightly rose tinted memories of the UK) did have the same view as you.
Let the yanks go to Disneyland. No country in the world could top that.
Exactly, couldn't give a toss what the thick as pig shit yanks think, it was fantastic. Agree that macca's voice not 100% but come on, it's a Beatle singing Beatle songs ffs!
Don't get this at all. I'm from Forest Hill, have lived in The States for a good number of years. Every "Yank" I've spoken to thought the ceremonies were the best they've ever seen and have a great respect for the British and our accomplishments.
Comments were directed at those making comments as opposed to yanks in general.
Who were those making the comments? Just asking.
There was a link earlier in this thread to comments on espn's site but I guess they're mainly from the same knuckleheads who think that American Football is the centre of world sport.
Dizzee Rascal may love Bow but he's been living in Kemnal road, Chislehurst for the last 5 or so years - 2 doors up from my brother who gets his post by mistake sometimes. Probably contains lyrics being delivered from a middle class songwriter in Surrey - like most of the gangster rappers lyrics are.
A very good point made by Cardinal Sin in his blog " where was the Pub" if we agree it was about the people then where was the pub ? surely it is the one thing that all across the World is a British Institution?
Dizzee Rascal may love Bow but he's been living in Kemnal road, Chislehurst for the last 5 or so years - 2 doors up from my brother who gets his post by mistake sometimes. Probably contains lyrics being delivered from a middle class songwriter in Surrey - like most of the gangster rappers lyrics are.
Dizzee Rascal may love Bow but he's been living in Kemnal road, Chislehurst for the last 5 or so years - 2 doors up from my brother who gets his post by mistake sometimes. Probably contains lyrics being delivered from a middle class songwriter in Surrey - like most of the gangster rappers lyrics are.
A very good point made by Cardinal Sin in his blog " where was the Pub" if we agree it was about the people then where was the pub ? surely it is the one thing that all across the World is a British Institution?
And as pubs everywhere are closing down to be replaced by McDonald's, they could show the next stage of the story by getting all the St Ormond's kids to eat a giant McFlurry... and the McFlurry tub would rise up into the sky where it would be joined by four others to form the Olympic logo.
Comments
We are to be remembered for the astonishing feats of the empire ( as depicted in the first 20 minutes of the ceremony ) AND Bean and Bond. It is all part of Britain's contribution to the world, many more people globally would identify those British icons ahead of Brunel and the Windrush.
Comments were directed at those making comments as opposed to yanks in general.
How can you portray Dizzee Rascal as great British music and exclude Oasis?
He has made it and still "represents LDN to the max" So fair play to him.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2285926/Danny-Boyle-turning-knighthood-persuaded-Queen-join-Olympic-fun.html
I thought the boy done good but,Some of the comments at the bottom! ?! ?
;-)