Olympic Opening Party

[Phil D. Rolls]

Wah-hey, Danny Boyle did the biz last night. As good a stab at defining Britain as you'll get.

[lucky]

It was absolutely stunning. A lot of Tory MPs not happy though. Just shows how out of touch they are with modern Britain.
Danny Boyle is definitely Hibs class

[One Day Soon]

Maybe just my generation but I thought Boyle told the story of my country superbly. I found it moving, uplifting and exciting. I'm proud to be British and Scottish anyway but watching that made me feel at home with our history and our culture.

Boyle held a mirror up to our country and told a better story of ourselves than any politician has managed for a very, very long time. And the Queen with James Bond? Class on her part and brilliant creativity on Boyle's.

Worth its tourism weight in gold with the 1 billion global audience from start to finish. Against the miserable and depressing economic backdrop the whole show was a triumph of spirit, energy and imagination to lift your sights.

Plus those Tories must have hated that tribute to the NHS.

[hibsbollah]

If you didnt appreciate Danny Boyle's creative genius last night you are a miserable, sourfaced curmudgeon. Physically stunning and emotionally moving.

[easty]

How long was it? I didn't watch, just not really interested in the Olympics, but it's been getting some really good reviews so might take a look today.

[Scouse Hibee]

Superb opening, all we need now is to get off to a good start today in the swimming.

[Hibby_Paul]

How long was it? I didn't watch, just not really interested in the Olympics, but it's been getting some really good reviews so might take a look today.

The programme was on for about 3.5 hrs at least! Although a large chunk of that is all countries athelttes coming on after each other, a-z . Goes on for Ages! I taped it from lash night and found myself fast forwarding through that bit as went on so long!

[danhibees1875]

Watched until they started bringing out the atheltes.

Found it boring. :greengrin Mr. Bean was funny, a lot of it was just a tad weird though.

Pretty confident I'll be in the minority here though.

[PeeJay]

Simply fantastic, enjoyed every second - the UK at its best - some thoughtful, lovely and poignant moments coupled with the usual mix of British humour and self irony.

Here in Germany the Queen as a "Bond Girl" has gone down particularly well!

The Olympic flame-lighting idea was also right out of the blue with the 7 youngsters and the flame itself - brilliant - this was great PR for the UK!

[Betty Boop]

Maybe just my generation but I thought Boyle told the story of my country superbly. I found it moving, uplifting and exciting. I'm proud to be British and Scottish anyway but watching that made me feel at home with our history and our culture.

Boyle held a mirror up to our country and told a better story of ourselves than any politician has managed for a very, very long time. And the Queen with James Bond? Class on her part and brilliant creativity on Boyle's.

Worth its tourism weight in gold with the 1 billion global audience from start to finish. Against the miserable and depressing economic backdrop the whole show was a triumph of spirit, energy and imagination to lift your sights.

Plus those Tories must have hated that tribute to the NHS.

Especially Aiden Burley.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jul/28/olympics-opening-ceremony-multicultural-crap-tory-mp?newsfeed=true

[Phil D. Rolls]

Especially Aiden Burley.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jul/28/olympics-opening-ceremony-multicultural-crap-tory-mp?newsfeed=true

If people can't see that the NHS is one of this countries greatest achievements - they can't see. Time to bring back free eye tests.

Seriously, we knock it - and it has to deliver a lot more than was forseen in 1942 - but that is something we should be telling the world about. The NHS is what we are as a nation.

As for the Queen, I thought it was some clever CGI, but was stunned to find out she actually did it. Fair play, and she was pretty good at her line as well. I thought I could detect a sense of pride from her last night, almost a GIRUY.

Mind you I don't think the suits in the box with her had been briefed on protocol, and that is something that embarrases her. All in all though, who cares what the rest of the world thought - that's us, mad as a bag of snakes!

Glasgow is going to have to go some to top that! :greengrin

[heretoday]

It went on much too long. We were nodding off by the time Redgrave handed over the torch.

They could have cut a lot of the music section, including Paul McCartney.

Nothing's perfect though and over all it was a great spectacle and a triumph of one guy's imagination.

Can you believe Andy Carroll cost more than that show?

[Beefster]

Especially Aiden Burley.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jul/28/olympics-opening-ceremony-multicultural-crap-tory-mp?newsfeed=true

Burley's a bellend by all accounts and the ceremony was stunning but I do find the repeated faux outrage on Twitter (and in the Guardian) about some comments from some nobody almost as boring as the original nobody.

[steakbake]

Maybe just my generation but I thought Boyle told the story of my country superbly. I found it moving, uplifting and exciting. I'm proud to be British and Scottish anyway but watching that made me feel at home with our history and our culture.

Boyle held a mirror up to our country and told a better story of ourselves than any politician has managed for a very, very long time. And the Queen with James Bond? Class on her part and brilliant creativity on Boyle's.

Worth its tourism weight in gold with the 1 billion global audience from start to finish. Against the miserable and depressing economic backdrop the whole show was a triumph of spirit, energy and imagination to lift your sights.

Plus those Tories must have hated that tribute to the NHS.

Not often I agree with you ODS, and certainly I'd never stoop so low as to anything as scurrilous as a twinge of patriotic pride however, I thought the story portrayed of the people and history of our islands was awe inspiring and a timely reminder of what an innovative and progressive country we can be.

Shouldn't let Burley and his ilk ruin it.

My only criticism: no need for McCartney.

[Sir David Gray]

Thought some of the live music was poor but otherwise, it was a brilliant opening to the Games and an excellent showcase for Britain.

Really enjoyed it last night.

The idea to create the cauldron with all those petals and then to raise them all into the air to bring the cauldron together was fantastic.

[BroxburnHibee]

I thought it was outstanding.

205 countries is always going to drag it out and as for McCartney......

Time to retire Paul

[HKhibby]

Maybe just my generation but I thought Boyle told the story of my country superbly. I found it moving, uplifting and exciting. I'm proud to be British and Scottish anyway but watching that made me feel at home with our history and our culture.

Boyle held a mirror up to our country and told a better story of ourselves than any politician has managed for a very, very long time. And the Queen with James Bond? Class on her part and brilliant creativity on Boyle's.

Worth its tourism weight in gold with the 1 billion global audience from start to finish. Against the miserable and depressing economic backdrop the whole show was a triumph of spirit, energy and imagination to lift your sights.

Plus those Tories must have hated that tribute to the NHS.

Considering the UK government has an in-put into the opening ceremony...i doubt that they would hated the tribute!

Same old same old! blame the Conservatives and then it will be the English fault for this and for that and the next, try looking at the party that Scotland seems to love...good old Labour!, what did they do for the UK?...billions of pounds of debt?, at least the present UK govt are trying to get rid of it and bring it down to enable investment in the UK.
I live in Asia, ask any one here, Foreign investers or expat will say the same, until it is brought down, companies and individuals dont want to invest...look at Europe that tells you all, inward thinking and still blaming everyone else for a false economy.

[CropleyWasGod]

Considering the UK government has an in-put into the opening ceremony...i doubt that they would hated the tribute!

Same old same old! blame the Conservatives and then it will be the English fault for this and for that and the next, try looking at the party that Scotland seems to love...good old Labour!, what did they do for the UK?...billions of pounds of debt?, at least the present UK govt are trying to get rid of it and bring it down to enable investment in the UK.
I live in Asia, ask any one here, Foreign investers or expat will say the same, until it is brought down, companies and individuals dont want to invest...look at Europe that tells you all, inward thinking and still blaming everyone else for a false economy.

What did you think of the ceremony, Mr. Griffin?

[easty]

I live in Asia, ask any one here

no need, we believe you. :greengrin

[marinello59]

Considering the UK government has an in-put into the opening ceremony...i doubt that they would hated the tribute!

Same old same old! blame the Conservatives and then it will be the English fault for this and for that and the next, try looking at the party that Scotland seems to love...good old Labour!, what did they do for the UK?...billions of pounds of debt?, at least the present UK govt are trying to get rid of it and bring it down to enable investment in the UK.
I live in Asia, ask any one here, Foreign investers or expat will say the same, until it is brought down, companies and individuals dont want to invest...look at Europe that tells you all, inward thinking and still blaming everyone else for a false economy.

:faf:

OK, own up. Who is really writing this stuff? And they said satire was dead.

[Just Alf]

Considering the UK government has an in-put into the opening ceremony...i doubt that they would hated the tribute!

.

I wonder why it's only conservative MPs that are being carpeted for saying it was "leftie crap" then

:dunno:

[CropleyWasGod]

I wonder why it's only conservative MPs that are being carpeted for saying it was "leftie crap" then

:dunno:

Relax, Alf.... HK is our resident Meldrew/Griffin/Farage/Garnett parody. "He" allows us to have a wee giggle at ourselves now and again. :greengrin

[Just Alf]

Relax, Alf.... HK is our resident Meldrew/Griffin/Farage/Garnett parody. "He" allows us to have a wee giggle at ourselves now and again. :greengrin

LOL

:greengrin

[heretoday]

I wouldn't be surprised if that Tory MP was instructed to give his "leftie" remarks to the media.

[RyeSloan]

I thought it was outstanding.

205 countries is always going to drag it out and as for McCartney......

Time to retire Paul

McCartney did his best to ruin the event but thankfully failed.

Cracking opening...the ability to pull something like together is Olympian in itself.

[marinello59]

McCartney did his best to ruin the event but thankfully failed.

Cracking opening...the ability to pull something like together is Olympian in itself.

If he had wanted to do his best to ruin things he would have played "Give Ireland Back to the Irish"
Actually, that might have been quite good.:devil:

[CropleyWasGod]

If he had wanted to do his best to ruin things he would have played "Give Ireland Back to the Irish"
Actually, that might have been quite good.:devil:

On that subject, the pedant in me was wondering WTF were the U2 songs doing in the ceremony?

[Beefster]

I wouldn't be surprised if that Tory MP was instructed to give his "leftie" remarks to the media.

I wouldn't be surprised if JFK was shot by aliens.

[Phil D. Rolls]

Considering the UK government has an in-put into the opening ceremony...i doubt that they would hated the tribute!

Same old same old! blame the Conservatives and then it will be the English fault for this and for that and the next, try looking at the party that Scotland seems to love...good old Labour!, what did they do for the UK?...billions of pounds of debt?, at least the present UK govt are trying to get rid of it and bring it down to enable investment in the UK.
I live in Asia, ask any one here, Foreign investers or expat will say the same, until it is brought down, companies and individuals dont want to invest...look at Europe that tells you all, inward thinking and still blaming everyone else for a false economy.

Yes.

[One Day Soon]

Yes.

Yes? Really? In that case WTF does his post actually say/mean?

[RyeSloan]

On that subject, the pedant in me was wondering WTF were the U2 songs doing in the ceremony?

Glad it wasn't only me thinking that!

[Steve-O]

On that subject, the pedant in me was wondering WTF were the U2 songs doing in the ceremony?

When? I don't recall hearing any?

[CropleyWasGod]

When? I don't recall hearing any?

I think it was on the backing music when the teams were walking in. Beautiful Day, IIRC.

[RyeSloan]

I think it was on the backing music when the teams were walking in. Beautiful Day, IIRC.

There was defo another before that as well..can't remember exactly which but streets have no name or the like.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Considering the UK government has an in-put into the opening ceremony...i doubt that they would hated the tribute!

Same old same old! blame the Conservatives and then it will be the English fault for this and for that and the next, try looking at the party that Scotland seems to love...good old Labour!, what did they do for the UK?...billions of pounds of debt?, at least the present UK govt are trying to get rid of it and bring it down to enable investment in the UK.
I live in Asia, ask any one here, Foreign investers or expat will say the same, until it is brought down, companies and individuals dont want to invest...look at Europe that tells you all, inward thinking and still blaming everyone else for a false economy.

Thats funny! I was just thinking last week that we hadn't seen one of these for a while.

The Olympics Opening Ceremony to The Scottish nations love of The Labour Party in the space of one post, quality effort!

[lyonhibs]

Considering the UK government has an in-put into the opening ceremony...i doubt that they would hated the tribute!

Same old same old! blame the Conservatives and then it will be the English fault for this and for that and the next, try looking at the party that Scotland seems to love...good old Labour!, what did they do for the UK?...billions of pounds of debt?, at least the present UK govt are trying to get rid of it and bring it down to enable investment in the UK.
I live in Asia, ask any one here, Foreign investers or expat will say the same, until it is brought down, companies and individuals dont want to invest...look at Europe that tells you all, inward thinking and still blaming everyone else for a false economy.

Oh, that's a good one. One of your very ripest.

Care to expand it a little bit. I think we'd all love to hear just a little bit more on the thinking behind it.

[Phil D. Rolls]

Yes? Really? In that case WTF does his post actually say/mean?

I don't know, but I was trying to encourage him to expand on it.

[Twa Cairpets]

Considering the UK government has an in-put into the opening ceremony...i doubt that they would hated the tribute!

Same old same old! blame the Conservatives and then it will be the English fault for this and for that and the next, try looking at the party that Scotland seems to love...good old Labour!, what did they do for the UK?...billions of pounds of debt?, at least the present UK govt are trying to get rid of it and bring it down to enable investment in the UK.
I live in Asia, ask any one here, Foreign investers or expat will say the same, until it is brought down, companies and individuals dont want to invest...look at Europe that tells you all, inward thinking and still blaming everyone else for a false economy.

What the hell is going on!!!

I read your post! and your exclamation mark count is way down on normal! Only two! I usually look for at least five(!) or six(!) in your posts! Are your trading exclamation marks for an overabundance of ellipsis...?!

[Alec Splode]

On that subject, the pedant in me was wondering WTF were the U2 songs doing in the ceremony?

..and the I'll bet the Japanese athletes weren't whistling along to Enola Gay either. :rolleyes:

[Future17]

What the hell is going on!!!

I read your post! and your exclamation mark count is way down on normal! Only two! I usually look for at least five(!) or six(!) in your posts! Are your trading exclamation marks for an overabundance of ellipsis...?!

Try and say that fast 100 times! :greengrin

[Steve-O]

I think it was on the backing music when the teams were walking in. Beautiful Day, IIRC.

Ah...I was fast-forwarding at that part!

I didn't really take that bit as being part of the 'main' opening ceremony anyway to be honest.

[Lucius Apuleius]

http://www.nbcolympics.com/gigapans/opening-ceremony.html

3 Billion pixel picture. Fekn amazing!!!!

[HibeeEmma]

http://www.nbcolympics.com/gigapans/opening-ceremony.html

3 Billion pixel picture. Fekn amazing!!!!


I was in the Opening Ceremony. Was one of the dancers in the cheesy club scene :cb

[Lucius Apuleius]

I was in the Opening Ceremony. Was one of the dancers in the cheesy club scene :cb

Brilliant!!!!! Can you see yourself in the pic?