[Gymnarnemia]

It is thursday 8:20 EST did I miss the opening? I don't see the thread about it...someone plsease let me know...Thank you!!!

[picinaRefadia]

You didn't miss anything. The Opening Ceremony will be tomorrow night at 7:30pm ET on NBC.

[k5wTvu9f]

thanks blue-i know it won't be like Beging but I love London and will be happy with any effort. I wonder if we will see Jane and Chris in the crowd?

[invest7manager]

I believe Chris already ran with the torch but that they have been involved with the games for a while...

Kinda glad London won't look like Beijing's... it sounds like it's going to be fantastic.

[Menierofe]

Toni, the director of the O ceremonies said we have "peaked with Bejing's OTT big wingding---it was wild...so I think they will go for something far less grand in size. He is the director of Slum Dog Millionaire-don't recall his name. I just saw that pic, most of it a few days ago. India makes me cry. It was amazing. I find it hard to watch, and was happy when the van found the kids only to plan exploitation. I never knew about the eye thing, did not get all the subtitles on the screen. I pray that is fiction and not currently allowed as India becomes a modern wealthy country. I recall it won best picture. It certainly was unique when so much Hollywood stuff is re-takes or copycat safe films. At least a happy ending for two.

I don't recall India ever holding a summer Olympics but it might not be far off. I know lots who have gone-they say they were thrilled to go, but would not go back. The colors are intoxicicating in that movie.

[vTLWqa1l]

yes I saw his interview on the Today Show. I have my own opinions on the opening ceremonies from Bejing, which I won't go into here out of respect for others, it was an impressive feat... however I think I will enjoy London's more if rumors and hype turn out to be true...

[GlictStiply]

Yeah, I liked Vancouver's opening ceremonies, and they were deliberately small-scale and not trying to compete with Beijing. They still provided some wonderfully memorable moments, such as that beautiful "flying boy" in the aerial harness, to the tune of Joni Mitchell's "Clouds," and the singing and speaking voices of so many well-known Canadians like Donald Sutherland and Michael J. Fox. The human scale of it gave the feeling of friendly intimacy.

It'll be interesting to see whether the Brits do anything to reflect their history and culture. I mean, I don't expect a procession of dukes and lords and such. Gee, if they decide to show medieval knights, they could use armor dating from the era! I do hear that Paul McCartney will take part, so I assume there will be other pop music giants. If there are, I hope Tom Jones sings. His voice just knocked me over when he sang at the Queen's Jubilee concert. He's 71 years old, and his voice is still a powerhouse. And he would represent Wales with distinction!

Maybe some of our favorite British actors might recite something...that would be a treat to hear Ian McKellen or Maggie Smith.

[Podborodok]

I'm watching the opening ceremony right now. It is SO BORING! Kinda disappointed.

[YTmWSOA5]

I am here too Diane. So far, the video intro was nice. Meredith Viera and matt lauer are doing commentary. Danny Boyle of "Slum Dog Millionaire" is the director. My mum was so tired, she went home. So I am trying to pad my chair with pillows. Now they are interviewinh Gabby and jordan! Oh I loved 1996 Atlanta! I hope these girls go well. Why 5 not seven? Anyone know? I have been asking....

[8jIDXQ80]

I am here too Diane. So far, the video intro was nice. Meredith Viera and matt lauer are doing commentary. Danny Boyle of "Slum Dog Millionaire" is the director. My mum was so tired, she went home. So I am trying to pad my chair with pillows. Now they are interviewinh Gabby and jordan! Oh I loved 1996 Atlanta! I hope these girls go well. Why 5 not seven? Anyone know? I have been asking....

You mean why there are five gymnasts instead of seven? It was 6 in Beijing and they made it 5 this year. They are doing it to make it harder pretty much - there is little room for specialists. Almost every girl has to be an all-arounder. I think it was a stupid decision.

[K0aM7urg]

I agree that it was silly. Gymnastics is tough enough! Let's not make it so these poor kids expire right there in the arena. I think seven, with a few specialists, is ideal.

I guessed right about the torch! Steven Redgrave, the 5-gold-medal-winning rower (in five consecutive Olympics!), is carrying the torch into the arena. Then the final ones who light it are young athletes, a bunch of them, who signify the next generation. I remember they did that in the Montreal Olympics, with two young athletes. But some previous heroes will be standing at the end of the torch relay as well, including Daley Thompson (decathlon) and Mary Peters (women's pentathlon).

I think I just saw Christopher Dean!

[Paiblyelaxy]

The opening ceremonies wasn't as visually stunning as others, but it did represent the UK's contributions to the world, excluding colonialism. After all, it wouldn't be prudent to point out how many current countries were once under British rule.

Visually, I enjoyed the molten rings forging into the Olympic rings and showering sparks.

The torch would've been more dramatic if the smaller flames had suddenly lit a much larger flame IMHO The concept was very nice though. Read today that the flame is not visible from outside of the stadium - so, no attendees will be able to view it unless they have tickets to Track and Field event that start next week.

I also appreciated the Queen's participation with James Bond. At the actual opening, she seemd 'tired'. Prince Phillip was smiling a great deal more. I thought it was funny - the NBC commentator was saying how the Queen was applauding enthusiastically, but when the camera cut to her, she was just sitting silent and stoic - so the camera cut away very quickly.

The opening did remind me how much Britain has contributed to pop music culture. Wht most of the viewing audience didn't realize was the athletes entered to a medley of various songs from British artists - discovered that while reading aYahoo recap. I wonder why Sir Paul selected Hey Jude.