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Amen to that... the ONLY part of Torino's opening that didn't come off that way was the bit with the giant rings being erected (I think it was called "passon of the Games" or similar) The ABSOLUTE worst part was the bit with people running around on the field in the shape of a skier going down the hill and taking off... they wore raincoats with head-mounted flashlights and plastic wrap... it was beyond 'tacky' or 'cheap' I am just praying for no rapping, beatboxing, or British hoodie-thug-grafitti-ASBO nonsense... As an American I can tell you that is NOT what the world wants to see of London and the UK and it would NOT serve the interests of the UK a a whole... it would be a major turn-off to viewers around the world and potential tourists... That crap at the Beijing handover was bad enough... the best part of the 2008 handover presentation was the singing of the UK Anthem by that young (20-somethings it looked like) choir...

ugh... assault on my ears...

I didn't necessarily mean JAZZ when I said 'jazz it up'... so much as the figurative sense of speed it up or embellish it a bit... and yes, whitney at the super bowl during the first Gulf War was by far the greatest rendition of the Star Spangled Banner EVER and there there ever will be...

Yes, I too really enjoyed the singing of the British anthem in the birds nest in Beijing... a simple anthem needs to be kept simple... now the version of O Canada performed by Inward Eye at the vancouver closing was great, whereas the opening version sung by Sara Yanvorski (sp?) was dreadful... if they wanted to jazz up God Save The queen a bit like vancouver did in their closing that would be one thing, it was energetic and positive, but not necessarily 'urban' or 'rock'

Total Agreement... one of the things I am looking forward to in this Opening Ceremony is a classic, timeless, and bombastic rendition of God Save the Queen for the ages... not some god-awful pop/rock/punk version of it... I have seen the American anthem BUTCHERED at so many sporting events, particularly NBA events that try and turn it into some sort of 'urban' rap/pop monstrosity... God Save the Queen is simply not suited to being 'hip' nor should it be... Britain ought to be able to embrace its classic pomp and circumstance while also being a modern, diverse, and inclusive society without pandering to the urban masses... Danny Boyle has an immense challenge in balancing the classic with the 'hip' and 'modern' in this ceremony but the Anthem should not be a point of compromise...

Wow... its like we have our own Rush Limbaugh of the olympiad on these forums...

Well, that is certainly a big bell... very Big indeed... I wonder just how booming it will be... As for the athletes being seated... I don't think it is some sort of wild change... it has been common in the winter games for some time now... I do wonder if perhaps the athletes will be entering somewhat earlier so that they too may enjoy the spectacle... It would make more sense to seat the athletes if they were entering the stadium earlier in the show... (and frankly, a bit 'fairer' to have them get to see the show that they are supposed to be the guests of honor for...)

I cannot understand why London is not extending tube service hours past 12:30... not only are late events an issue for visitors but also the nightlife and issues of hundreds of thousands of tourists wanting to go to bars, clubs, and other events at night during the games... I think it would make much more sense to extend hours to 2am during the games. Is this some type of issue in which the Tube workers union refuses to chip in and extra 90 minutes for 2 weeks?

I think the last time Americans saw a live Opening Ceremony was Salt Lake 2002 and Atlanta 1996 before that... I live in Arizona and we did not get Vancouver's Ceremony live...

Quaker, I was joking... trying to be subtle to not offend (too much...) Think about the Bravo network for a while...

If NBC wanted to effectively use its networks they would move gymnastics and diving to Bravo to appeal to that network's core audience...

Kim Kardashian? What is here reation of London 2012? Or is that a social commentary/joke on the ubiquitous omnipresence of the Kardashian Klan?

I think it is surprising that the planners of the Orbit would promote that video on behalf of their creation. It is hardly a glowing review or inspiring response to the Orbit... the general response that is projected through that video could be described as 'tepid ambivalence' at best... Only time will tell of course, but I have my doubts that in 20 years there will be some level of public adoration and acceptance that the Eiffel Tower attracted over time in Paris despite how much Boris keeps trying to plant that comparative seed in the public consciousness.

Great commercial! We'd never get that here un the states, it would be too controversial...

as good of an explanation as any other! I would also have accepted they are French and French = Weird & Creepy

Was there any part of the Albertville ceremonies that was NOT bizarre??? I remember watching it on RV with my mother when I was just 9 1/2... the Costumes were weird, the choreography mad no sense, the music sounded like some sort of nightmarish Phillip Glass composition... I am willing to declare the Albertville ceremonies and the most bizarre of my lifetime... that clip you posted is not even the most unusual... The ceremony seems so ill-concieved especially when compared to the Lillehammer ceremony from just 2 years later which was the epitome of winter serenity, tranquility, peace, and wholesomeness and Albertville 2 years earlier looked and sounded like Cirque du Soliel's idea of what hell would be like... Albertville shall forever stand as an example of what NOT to do for a Winter opening ceremony..... On TV, not RV...

Umm, am I the only one not 'wowed' by this "Nimrod" piece of music... I don't get what all of the fuss is about... I had never heard of it before a week ago, listened to it twice since, did not move me in any way whatsoever... I'm no classical expert by any means but I am certaily more appreciative of the genre than your average 29 year old American... but i'll take John Williams over this piece anyday... `

Brian Williams? I'm guessing this is a different brian williams that the great and mighty Brian Williams from NBC News in the USA?

Im not sure what a 2+1 is either... maybe 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom?

Ohhh, thats a good one! Someone pass it along to Seb quickly!

Basketball arena? Temporary tents? Secret underground Anderson shelters left over from the blitz? Hidden inside the undergrowth of Mayor Boris' unkempt hair?

My goodness, look how organized and well-behaved the athletes are as they march in (yes i'm still stuck on that) I like how Munich has a short piece of music tailored to the entry of each country (As the Saints Go Marching In for the USA Oh the good old days...