I watched the Olympics Opening Ceremony with visiting English friends and I’m sure it won’t surprise you to hear that they were shocked and appalled by the totally bowdlerized, time-delayed, insipidly narrated spectacle NBC managed to nearly ruin. I say ’nearly’ because I think it was still possible -despite the asinine editorial jolts from Matt and Meredith – to appreciate the quirky and magisterial British soul. It took me a while to get into it but I think it was basically a big success.
And what a beautiful counterpoint to China’s muscular and riveting but deeply unsettling display four years ago.
Here’s Alex Wolff’s analysis:
With The Queen in the house, we heard music from the Sex Pistols, the same band whose God Save the Queen was banned by the BBC. Boyle meant for us to take to heart that line from The Tempest, read early in the evening by Kenneth Branagh: “Be not afeard: the isle is full of noises.”
On these isles of wonder, tumult is a good thing.
It’s too bad the dopes at NBC couldn’t tolerate a little “tumult” and had to treat us all like confused toddlers.
Somewhere on the Web, I read that only two countries could not watch the opening ceremonies live: North Korea and the United States of America.
Unbelievable!! Even if this turns out not to be true, the fact that it’s plausible is so depressing.
I truly enjoyed the opening ceremonies! I lived the tourch runners and the symbolism between past and future. I live how the Olympic flame was broken up and then brought back together, raised so unexpectedly and beautifully to the sky.
Paul McCarthy’s voice broke, the fireworks…and you are so right. The amazing mix of music.
I lived in England for 5 years as they debated how to define “British-ness” for the schools. Between the humor, majesty and bridge between past and present…I thin they found their answer.
I am excited they are competing this year as a whole county…well done Great Britain! Well done!
Love, loved… Sorry on my phone with fat fingers