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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the Opening Ceremony was truely appalling and here's why

500 replies

kate2mum · 28/07/2012 09:49

Danny Boyle - a cool dad in jeans who thinks of the world through the prism of music of his youth. He sees everything through music.
Had Viv Westwood been in charge, for example, the history of the UK would have been seen through fashion.
But, no, a billion people have to listen to the personal playlist of a Nick Hornbyish (oh, they are friends!) music trainspotter.

Shame if you don't see the world through that sort of music - but I guess you had to be there, and DBoyle probably was.

Tribute to NHS!!! Sorry, but I didn't know everyone who works for the NHS were all angels and volunteered for free instead of working for one of the biggest employers in the country. And just remembered this event is about SPORT and the way it can transform, so why oh why demonstrate 100's of "sick" children - to demonstrate how "caring" the NHS is.

Then children's literature done by the man who bought us Trainspotting - initially I thought the scene was still about the NHS turning into a nightmare, but NO, the best way to illustrate childrens' literature is to show how truely scary it is! Yes, reading can be terrifying and books are a fearful place. Not a place of safety, or unlifting, not inspiring, not poetic, just a nightmare (where were all the positive characters???).

Only people Danny Boyle's age would thing Mary Poppins was appropriate..

My children fell asleep; they could have cut most of it, had David Beckham ride in on a motorbike, light the flame, and then have some fireworks.

Lighting designer was good though.

OP posts:
LittlePebble · 28/07/2012 10:30

I thought it was brilliant except Macca

You get my first Biscuit OP, why bother putting something so negative on mumsnet. If you don't like it, don't watch it, and leave the rest of us to feel proud and enjoy the Olympics.

Thumbwitch · 28/07/2012 10:30

LUcyellen'smum - just in case you were being serious, it's an Olympic torch Torch :)

NutmegKate · 28/07/2012 10:30

KatieisScarlettinSpandex No. It's ageist to keep on about how old he is and how he has been dragged out of his 'sarcophagus' as someone put it on one of these threads.

ken0eddie0kennedy · 28/07/2012 10:31

You may think Macca was crap. He's also the most successful British songwriter ever so I doubt he cares what you think.

Anniegetyourgun · 28/07/2012 10:32

"Honoured for their achievements" is one thing, being allowed to sing is quite another.

SecretNutellaMedal · 28/07/2012 10:33

nutmegKate- he made several mistakes and the song choice of Hey Jude? Seriously questionable. Most of it consists of neh-neh-neh-nenena, neh-neh-neh-na, Hey Jude. For a very long time.

It had no relevance to the event- Imagine would have been a far more appropriate song choice and maybe he would have sounded better with that.

ken0eddie0kennedy · 28/07/2012 10:34

Oh for gawd sake. John Lennon wrote Imagine!!!

KatieisScarlettinSpandex · 28/07/2012 10:34

Whatever. He was crap and spoiled the end of an amazing ceremony for me and seemingly many, many others too.

Oh, and BTW, Abbey Road is one of my favourite albums, ever. I am a huge fan.

SkinnyVanillaLatte · 28/07/2012 10:34

Oh Annie didn't you feel just the tiniest bit sing-songy when he got into full flow? Just a teeny tiny bit?

c4rnsi1lk · 28/07/2012 10:37

I loved it and the ds's really enjoyed it as well. Missed the end as the ds's were so knackered we all went to bed, but am looking forward to watching it on catch up with the ds's this morning. The part with the children singing the national anthem and the nhs was lovely.

FreckledLeopard · 28/07/2012 10:38

I had been sceptical about the Olympics being held here, thought we'd cock it up, didn't see how we could rival Beijing. Also, am fairly right-wing, don't read the Guardian and yet I thought the ceremony was FABULOUS! It really captured what it means to be British. It was inspiring, heart-warming and wonderful to see such a brilliant mix of people, volunteering their time to make a wonderful show. I'm so proud today.

BerryCheesecake · 28/07/2012 10:38

Totally disagree! We loved it!

The tribute to the NHS and children's literature were the best bits, we have re-watched this morning as we recorded!

SecretNutellaMedal · 28/07/2012 10:38

Forgot that Ken!Grin

There could have been a much better song choice from him though.

mummyonvalium · 28/07/2012 10:39

OP - dh and I were thoroughly in agreement with you. The NHS circa 1950s was crap and DH and I were also surprised by the tribute to children's literature. The first bit about the industrial revolution I thought actually reminded me of a scene from the Lord of the Rings. It was truly awful - we turned off after that. The worst bit for me was the horror on our Queen's face when they announced her arrival in French before English. We assumed that she hated it too.

c4rnsi1lk · 28/07/2012 10:42

The queen always looks horrified though doesn't she? Poor lady would have been much happier watching it in bed with a brandy I'm sure. She was looking at her nails as team gb came in!

NutmegKate · 28/07/2012 10:42

SecretNutellaMedal So he made a mistake? So what? I believe Branagh made a mistake too and he's a lot younger.

Honestly, McCartney is not my favourite of The Beatles - ( George Harrison was as it goes ) nor am I keen on Hey Jude, either. I just don't think that he deserves all the slagging off.

Sargesaweyes · 28/07/2012 10:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tryingtonotfeckup · 28/07/2012 10:43

Yes the French before the English is awful, but I think it is part of the Olympic protocol.

Actually just reading (most of) the responses is reminding me how much I liked it, the music, the contribution GB has made to the world, and the
Daniel Craig / Queen sketch was great. I thought it had to be a double at first, the Queen wouldn't agree to that. How cool is she.

Loved the contract to Bejing ceremony, we didn't have the cash but we had more style.

Loved it.

tryingtonotfeckup · 28/07/2012 10:44

Oops *contrast

LilyBolero · 28/07/2012 10:45

Macca was bad at the jubilee and worse at the Olympic ceremony. As a performer, you have to know when to step down, and that part of the ceremony was all about handing over to the next generation.

If they'd wanted to have him, perhaps he could have done a duet with a young singer, and given him a lowish part because his top notes are particularly shot to pieces.

And I dispute the 'most successful British songwriter ever'!!!

EvilSynchronisedDivers · 28/07/2012 10:45

I bloody loved it. The theatricality was brilliant. I cheered when Ken did his bit from The Tempest AND when it turned out to be the actual queen in the Bond bit. Was v pleased that Daley Thompson was there but sad there was no Dr, and also that William Penny Brookes didn't get a mention, though the IOC chap did allude to him.

ken0eddie0kennedy · 28/07/2012 10:46

French is the official language of the Olympics. The modern games were ressurected by a Frenchman. I'm sure Queenie was up to speed with this fact.

Kellamity · 28/07/2012 10:46

You can't please all of the people and for some there is just no pleasing no matter what he'd done. For me - fantastic, a great OC just a shame I wasn't there! Smile

LilyBolero · 28/07/2012 10:47

The TARDIS was during Bohemian Rhapsody, we loved that bit!

FalseStartered · 28/07/2012 10:47

have a Biscuit OP

that's not a 'no comment' biscuit, it's a hole in which to shove your head Grin

DD has just watched it and she says it was the best thing she's ever seen

she's 5 and loves playing with snails normally

i loved it and am beaming with pride

have another biscuit OP, but this time it be an arsehole Biscuit