To have allowed my dc watch the Olympic opening ceremony?

Never take your children to a panto OP, you’ll be clutching your pearls! The Olympics were outlawed by Christians and then revived in the 19c, so the Last Supper bit maybe a reference to that? But it’s just conjecture.

Also Olympic opening ceremonies are not just about sport or family viewing, they are a chance for the host country to display their culture, artistry and history. It kind of has its roots in the fact the earliest modern Olympiads had a strong cultural element - you could get medals for things like flower arranging and architecture.

My kids though it was incredibly boring. They are 4 and 5. I personally thought it was a bit like pride. I watched it and I wasn't concerned about the kids because they were busy playing Lego.

I’d watch it on your own first as you know your kids and what you are usually ok exposing them too.

I personally wouldn’t be ok with them watching it. Lots of parents today wouldn’t care though.

I honestly am struggling to understand the overreactions on here. What was so bad about it? I'm sometimes a bit prudish myself, but I really didn't see anything that wasn't suitable for my child to see. It was done in a fun and lighthearted way, nothing to worry about at all.

I thought it was brilliant. Children see people kissing, what’s wrong with that. They see that every day in society. Far bigger things to worry about your children seeing such as the huge riots we had recently in Leeds?

My 7 and 9 year olds watched it and enjoyed it. They enjoyed the music, dancing and seeing the athletes. The only bit they thought was creepy was the kids getting in the boat underground.

Good lord. There are some very sheltered and pearl clutchy people here.

I barely noticed most of the stuff people are handwringing about.

This thread reflects the issue with it. They don't have the extended understanding of French history and culture that was required to appreciate what the show was intending to depict. When you don't understand it, it certainly makes no sense and comes across as a deliberate intent to be flippant.

That's typical France though! Holding on to it's history and culture and not caring one bit what others think. Learn about our amazing history or get lost!

That was clearly a wardrobe malfunction and I'm sure most people didn't notice it live.

No it started at 6.30

I would imagine a lot of it would go over their heads but it is pretty boring . I personally felt a lot of it was unnecessary and disrespectful to its international audience . It was not family friendly .

The flipping balloon cauldron was very cool but needs to come with a ‘ don’t try this at home warning ‘

Probably best to scan it yourself first; there are some elements you may not want them to see (eg headless women and fake blood and a blue Smurf Man with bulgy bits).

I hadn't expected to see men in g-strings and heart shaped nipple covers in the Olympic opening ceremony. Or the threescore bit. I really think it was unnecessary and also crap.

I found it tedious, a bit like Eurovision but Eurovision seemed more organised somehow.
Precious little to do with sport and if it was about French culture they missed so much out.
Their natural environment could have featured a lot more.
Hate drag. Absolutely hate it. Its like watching clowns (terrifying) but with added meanness.

Have you ever been to France?

Let’s not forget one of the dancers balls were hanging out ……

It was shit - such a shame as could have been wonderful.
The 2 opera singers were very good, as was Celine.
The catwalk was more suited to Eurovision.

Paris looked fabulous at night though.

I have a 6 and 8 year old and had meant to show them the ceremony. Is it safe to do so?

This is also it, it wasn't even entertaining or impressive. The Olympics is just one more thing that used to focus on sporting achievements being turned into something else- boring AF.

On Radio 5, they made it clear the French had kept most of the content under wraps. At times they gave up with the commentary and at other times were clearly guessing. We were travelling and listening to it. When we got home we started it on catch up. Ended up using fast forward at times.

I didn’t think the Marie Antoinette scene was a great look. That didn’t seem child appropriate. I don’t get the obsession with men looking like women in events like this either and at the Olympics we need separation!

I thought it was crap and all over the place. I didn’t watch it with kids so didn’t care about the kissing or anything. I was surprised it was so poor.

Ah right!! No didn't see a good bit of the opening ceremony. Sounds wild though, Minions, threesomes, headless women, bleeding buildings and drag disciples. Probably could have shoe horned the rabies vaccine in all that if they'd really tried.

I'm fine @LibertyDuck. Just a bit of flippancy on my part.

It certainly achieved one thing: people talking about it and remembering it for some time.

I think the references to French culture was very....French. In my view to much for what is an international event. As such, only those very familiar with French culture would have been able to understand it. For everyone else, it was a bit of 'what the heck' moment.

I think many international people would have been disappointed because it didn't depict the stereotypes associated to France. Style, Class, Fashion etc... It was very much a French ceremony for the French living in 2024 culture.

I personally didn't enjoy it but that's because I'm struggling a bit to adjust to the modern expressive culture but I respect that France embarrassed it. It was a brave decision to focus on celebrating the youngest generation values.

Agreed @Creepingivy
Some scenes were shocking indeed.

They have banned the headscarf in their French Olympic team, in the name of secularism, then they go all woke in other scenes, then they go on to show a naked Smurf man with his balls out on a family show that’s been transmitted across the world. But no, the headscarf which least offensive is not allowed, but balls are.
What has the world come to?