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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think that there were far too many cringeworthy moments

78 replies

nittyclitty · 13/08/2012 11:19

last night at the closing ceremony

Who decides who appears at these kind of shows? Why is it the same old crap that seems to churned out?

Aibu to think that it seemed totally disjointed and far too long?

OP posts:

shrodingerscat · 13/08/2012 13:06

Actually, I've never managed to catch any previous closing ceremony, but have they all gone down the "celebrate the home nation" route? IMO, the opening ceremony did a great job of celebrating Britain and Britishness. I thought the closing ceremony might be geared more to celebrating the last fortnight's sporting achievements and human effort (although the nod to the games makers did a little of the latter). YY where was "We are the Champions" (and sob, no Spandau "Gold!").

Pandemoniaa · 13/08/2012 13:15

There's was a lot of good in it and overall, I thought it was a bloomin' good effort. The lighting was absolutely first rate and the Union flag effect worked terrifically - especially viewed from above it. It was never going to be possible to match the opening ceremony but it was very cheering to see that amongst a genuinely British celebration, raving xenophobia hadn't crept in as a lazy option either.

I question the point of the fashion section though. Didn't sit at all well with the rest, or provide any sort of link either, and seemed quite pointless. Why did George Michael have to sing two numbers and wtf had gone wrong with the sound for Annie Lennox? My only complaint really is that it perhaps there was a bit too much of the same for rather a long time.

Sirzy · 13/08/2012 13:20

I enjoyed most of it but whoever thought to let Jessie J sing we will rock you wants shooting. That was horrendous.

GeneHuntsMistress · 13/08/2012 13:41

I was just so relieved they didn't wheel out Paul Fucking McCartney.

Which made it fantastic in my book.

ChitchatAtHome · 13/08/2012 14:15

I thought it was absolutely fantastic. If you want something more theatrical, go to the theater. Honestly!!!

cantspel · 13/08/2012 14:23

Everyone i have spoke to today loved it, even if they didn't like all the artists there was something for everyone.
I loved seeing all the athelets enjoying themselves and sending messages to the world on their iphones. The only shame was that the 2 female saudi women athelets didn't appear to be there as well.

3teenhell · 13/08/2012 14:29

i thought the fashion bit was odd, and out of place. Are they really people we should be looking up to?

cantspel · 13/08/2012 14:31

I dont think it was for us to look up to them but more a statement how fashion is inter linked with popular music.
it wa also a brief chance to show off british fashion houses which can never be a bad thing when we are competing with the big Paris labels.

TheCraicDealer · 13/08/2012 14:32

Well it has been said that Naomi Campbell's aim is very good.

3teenhell · 13/08/2012 14:44

cantspel, good point. I hadn't thought of it like that

Psammead · 13/08/2012 14:58

It was a bit slapped together, or at least it had that feel to me.

I sort of liked the fashion bit, but it was so out of context.

Also, the whole thing was too long.

I'd have kept it 90 mins long, with a compelation of some of the most spectacular moments from the games, the marathon medals, a few little tributes to Britain's 'strengths' ie the fashion bit, some dance, something funny, something classical etc. Then the Rio hand over and dance section, then the concert right at the end, with more duets, possibly a specially composed song involving everyone...

Denise34 · 13/08/2012 15:02

I liked seeing Boris and the Camerons boogieing on down.

usualsuspect · 13/08/2012 15:06

Yes the Boris and Cameron boogieing was the most cring worthy thing last night, expect for Brian Mays hair.

NCForNow · 13/08/2012 15:09

The only crapola bit was Darcy Bussel getting hoisted about by male dancers because she's not got a decent jump in her anymore.

Honestly. Why wheel out a has-been when there are some glorious young dancers out there?

TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii · 13/08/2012 15:11

I think it should have been a celebration of the olympic athletes (and volunteers etc) I agree, why not Gold, We Are the Champions etc? If we were going to have those artists anyway, why not pick the ones that were relevent?

It just didn't have any theme or cohesion, compared to how well thought through the Opening ceremony was it just came across as a) lazy and b) very much one person who likes the 90s taste in music.

Original poster

nittyclitty · 13/08/2012 15:16

"Honestly. Why wheel out a has-been when there are some glorious young dancers out there?"

I totally agree, so many talented dancers could have been chosen.

I also agree it was too many has been pop acts and why did they reprise the exact same music from the beginning about 20 mins later when the athletes came in. It was like an ipod on replay.

OP posts:

NCForNow · 13/08/2012 15:19

Nitty I suppose that music was the "Athlete's theme" but ll-timed.

Darcy looked shaky and weak compared to a dancer in top condition...and it annoyed me for some reason....just men carrying her hither and thither.

PeshwariNaan · 13/08/2012 15:20

Nope. It was rubbish.

Who the feck told Russell Brand he had the right to sing a Beatles song?!?!

That was just embarrassing.

usualsuspect · 13/08/2012 15:28

The Russell Brand bit was my favorite, Ed Sheeran murdering Wish You Were Here was shit though,and don't get me started on the bloody Muse dirge.

Original poster

nittyclitty · 13/08/2012 15:37

NCForNow

Couldn't agree more. Although contrary to popular belief I have always thought her massively over rated.

OP posts:

Original poster

nittyclitty · 13/08/2012 15:38

Pesh

OP posts:

madda · 13/08/2012 15:45

DH kept leaving the room until George Michael had finished, and didn't know who half of the acts were...and he's pretty clever lol

Muse - the song wasn't familiar, or inspiring
George Michael - seemed a bit lost, and was miming.
FatBoySlim- cheesy? Octopus?

Is Jessie J all we have left in this country? Surely not?

Midgetm · 13/08/2012 15:51

I was there - it was a bit random and rubbish in places and nowhere near as good as the Opening in my opinion but it had some truly wow moments to it. I am a sports fan so the athletes and the flags and the flame did it for me. Some really dubious music choices but some top quality ones too - Waterloo sunset made me cry even with the shit sound. I don't think Hosts get to choose how long it is - I think it is always just the same length. I think the reason they repeated songs was because herding athletes was pretty much like herding cats. They kept breaking out. I loved the Olympics so much they could have put a rerun of Corrie on and lit a sparkler and still would have loved it a bit. Music choices not much to my taste on the whole but I wasn't in charge damn them

Closing Ceremonies never tend to be as theatrical as the opening - that's just how it is. Quite a lot of cheese in there but uplifting in its own way and the lights, fireworks and flame are the end were breathtaking. I am now seeking counseling until the Paralympics start.

madda · 13/08/2012 15:58

I did also wonder about the athletes having to stand in those little spaces in between the flag lines

surely they are knackered? Why did the audience have seats, and the athletes have to stand or just sit on the floor for about 3 hrs?

seemed squashed in there...

madda · 13/08/2012 15:58

but the lighting etc was amazing, LOVED the effects

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