LA 2028 Ceremonies

[sebastien1214]

Every additional sporting event hosted in the United States - where they are incapable of producing anything other than a "Super Bowl-style spectacle" - brings us closer to a potential disaster on July 14, 2028.

[Bear]

1 minute ago, sebastien1214 said:

Every additional sporting event hosted in the United States - where they are incapable of producing anything other than a "Super Bowl-style spectacle" - brings us closer to a potential disaster on July 14, 2028.

You and I know full well that 15 minute halftime shows are in no way comparable to 4 hour long Olympic ceremonies. Not to mention the amount of meddling that FIFA and co. (or the NFL and Apple Music for the Super Bowl) does to their ceremonies, whereas the OCOGs hire their own artistic directors and production companies for their ceremonies.

[sebastien1214]

3 minutes ago, Bear said:

You and I know full well that 15 minute halftime shows are in no way comparable to 4 hour long Olympic ceremonies. Not to mention the amount of meddling that FIFA and co. (or the NFL and Apple Music for the Super Bowl) does to their ceremonies, whereas the OCOGs hire their own artistic directors and production companies for their ceremonies.

While it may seem obvious, there is a rather worrying tendency - or recurring pattern - that we see in these kind of shows and that could easily be also used in an US opening ceremony: for example, the American inclination to pile on celebrities (musical and otherwise). We could well end up with a four-hour opening ceremony that is nothing but a accumulation of stars -something far more appropriate for a closing ceremony (like London's) - whereas the opening ceremony calls for something completely different.

[Bear]

10 minutes ago, sebastien1214 said:

While it may seem obvious, there is a rather worrying tendency - or recurring pattern - that we see in these kind of shows and that could easily be also used in an US opening ceremony: for example, the American inclination to pile on celebrities (musical and otherwise). We could well end up with a four-hour opening ceremony that is nothing but a accumulation of stars -something far more appropriate for a closing ceremony (like London's) - whereas the opening ceremony calls for something completely different.

At most it'll probably be like 2002, which did feature several artists while simultaneously giving us a proper storyline and show. Given that our ceremonies will be produced in part by Scott Givens, who did 2002 and several other ceremonies, I think we should be fine.

also like, did Paris 2024 not feature many celebrities? like we had Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Aya Nakamura, and the entirety of the Festivité cast. there were also concerns with Milano Cortina 2026 who kept announcing artist after artist in the lead up to February 6, only for the ceremony to still be primarily story-driven. I think the number of celebrities itself isn't the issue, but how they're used and incorporated into the show.

[cfm Jeremie]

7 hours ago, Bear said:

 

also like, did Paris 2024 not feature many celebrities? like we had Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Aya Nakamura, and the entirety of the Festivité cast. 

Of course it did.

You can also add Jakuk Orlinski, Juliette Armanet...

It is just another cheap shot of Seb at anything American with a touch of typical French "Let's get ready to be dissapointed" syndrom.

LA84, Atlanta 1996 and Salt Lake 2002 have established that the US can stage spectacular ceremonies.

[baron-pierreIV]

11 hours ago, sebastien1214 said:

While it may seem obvious, there is a rather worrying tendency - or recurring pattern - that we see in these kind of shows and that could easily be also used in an US opening ceremony: for example, the American inclination to pile on celebrities (musical and otherwise). We could well end up with a four-hour opening ceremony that is nothing but a accumulation of stars -something far more appropriate for a closing ceremony (like London's) - whereas the opening ceremony calls for something completely different.

And remember in 1984, David Wolper's mantra was NOT to use celebrities in the Opening because he felt that audiences would just wait for the next celebrity to sing -- and Wolper was a Hollywood producer.  Which is why the woman who led the sing-a-long in closing the 1984 OC was an unknown grocery clerk.  They may use a handful celebrities just to attract global audiences.  But I hope they feature Vicki McClure at the 2028 OC.  (Also, for the 1984 Closing, they only used ONE pop star - Lionel Ritchie + the Alien!! 

[DamC]

12 hours ago, sebastien1214 said:

Every additional sporting event hosted in the United States - where they are incapable of producing anything other than a "Super Bowl-style spectacle" - brings us closer to a potential disaster on July 14, 2028.

I know a little trolling is always fun but you know damn well LA's ceremonies will have nothing to do with what FIFA exhibited over the past weeks. It's like looking at the Rugby World Cup's opening in 2023 to make a judgement on what was going to happen in 2024.

[sebastien1214]

12 hours ago, sebastien1214 said:

While it may seem obvious, there is a rather worrying tendency - or recurring pattern - that we see in these kind of shows and that could easily be also used in an US opening ceremony: for example, the American inclination to pile on celebrities (musical and otherwise). We could well end up with a four-hour opening ceremony that is nothing but a accumulation of stars -something far more appropriate for a closing ceremony (like London's) - whereas the opening ceremony calls for something completely different.

@DamC

As for Paris, the number of celebrities wasn't excessive for a four-hour show. London had a few stars too, starting with Daniel Craig and Mr. Bean. If LA 2028 sticks to four or five stars—which has been the recent norm—then it’ll be fine; but you’ll have to forgive me for being legitimately concerned that LA won't settle for just four or five. I haven't even mentioned LA's botched handover, which featured so many stars... in just five minutes.

So you’ll have to forgive me for having legitimate concerns - based on recent history - that an Olympic ceremony might end up being a succession of musical numbers for like a majority of the lengh of the show. It’s not such a silly thought - even though, apparently, the thought police on this forum seem to think that any post of mine regarding something American should be automatically dismissed.

[illustrado]

celebrities for the opening ceremonies are not as big of concern as you think.they have contract and demands that will be too much to any olympic ceremony producers. what's a bigger concern are what IP will be in the the OC. we could see a bunch of elvis and marilyn monroe impersonators lead the athletes into the arena. 

[sebastien1214]

12 minutes ago, illustrado said:

celebrities for the opening ceremonies are not as big of concern as you think.they have contract and demands that will be too much to any olympic ceremony producers. what's a bigger concern are what IP will be in the the OC. we could see a bunch of elvis and marilyn monroe impersonators lead the athletes into the arena. 

If I had to sum up my real concern in a single sentence, it is that we might end up with a ceremony built around celebrities, whereas in previous ceremonies, the narrative wasn't centered on them; instead, four or five were simply chosen at specific moments to embody the chosen story.

As for the legal and contractual aspects (exorbitant demands from certain stars, impersonators), I’m not too worried; if there’s one country you can trust on that front...

[baron-pierreIV]

6 hours ago, illustrado said:

celebrities for the opening ceremonies are not as big of concern as you think.they have contract and demands that will be too much to any olympic ceremony producers. what's a bigger concern are what IP will be in the the OC. we could see a bunch of elvis and marilyn monroe impersonators lead the athletes into the arena. 

Nah.  LA28 is set on telling a story that will leave a lasting legacy.  Elvis & Marilyn impersonators are too Vegas-y and they would have to, and I know this, get clearances from their respective estates to feature them.  While I am sure many celebrities today would give their eye-teeth to appear in the 2028 Ceremonies, I think LA28 will have learned its lesson from Atlanta 1996's Closing when one of the performers there singlehandedly prevented the IOC from sharing the CLosing on YouTube because of her very selfish contract.  And she was just a drummer.  You know who.  Of course, I don't know why the IOC just didn't edit her appearance out of the replays and go on with it.  (If any has-been will be part of the 7-14-28 show, it will probably be Tom Cruise again.)  Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

[JesseSaenz]

On 7/19/2026 at 1:14 PM, sebastien1214 said:

Every additional sporting event hosted in the United States - where they are incapable of producing anything other than a "Super Bowl-style spectacle" - brings us closer to a potential disaster on July 14, 2028.

Well. Let's be clear.

A Super Bowl halftime show has a strict 14min window. Artist and producers must work within those restraints. It is why the World Cup halftime was so odd. I personally was not a fan of it. They tried to do too much in a short span and it showed.

The opening ceremonies don't have as tight of a window so they can be more creative and more symbolic in their story telling. I fully expect that if nothing else, LA28 will deliver a top notch opening ceremony.

As for the worry about celebrities? That's not unique to the U.S. 

2022 Qatar - Morgan Freeman, BTS, Jung Kook
Paris 2024 - Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and a ton in attendance
Milano-Cortino - Mariah Carey, Laura Pausini, Andrea Bocelli, Sabrina Impaccatiore

So shitting on the U.S. for this is, at most, a weak argument.

[baron-pierreIV]

11 hours ago, JesseSaenz said:

, LA28 will deliver a top notch opening ceremony.

 

I don't know -- but I also have this (sinking?) feeling that they are going to mix up that long slog of 205/6? nations coming in alphabetically.  If the IOC would allow me, I would break up the March of the Athletes/Nations into continental groupings just to have, maybe, production numbers (and appropriate TV commercial breaks) in-between the 5 or 6 Parade break-ups?  Just shake it up and get a fresh look at the OCs--after all, you're not leaving any nation out.  Oh, and except for the host nation, just limit the larger delegations to just 50 athletes each (and those who marched in the OC, cannot march again in the CC--just to give everyone one shot!!).  Those are the 2 major innovations I would throw into a 2028 OC--if I were asked.  

And if the 2028 OC will feature the 35/36 sports in the OC -- oy vey??

Edited July 23 by baron-pierreIV

[Bear]

13 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

I don't know -- but I also have this (sinking?) feeling that they are going to mix up that long slog of 205/6? nations coming in alphabetically.  If the IOC would allow me, I would break up the March of the Athletes/Nations into continental groupings just to have, maybe, production numbers (and appropriate TV commercial breaks) in-between the 5 or 6 Parade break-ups?  Just shake it up and get a fresh look at the OCs--after all, you're not leaving any nation out.  Oh, and except for the host nation, just limit the larger delegations to just 50 athletes each (and those who marched in the OC, cannot march again in the CC--just to give everyone one shot!!).  Those are the 2 major innovations I would throw into a 2028 OC--if I were asked.  

And if the 2028 OC will feature the 35/36 sports in the OC -- oy vey??

I wonder how they'll handle OKC - they've been integrating the city into our milestone events, treating them as an equal co-host, so I feel like they'll incorporate them into the opening ceremony as well. Do you guys think there'll be enough competitors between Softball and Canoe Slalom to do a secondary parade, like what MiCo did in Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina? If not, then I can see them doing what Paris did with the Tahiti drone shot.

[baron-pierreIV]

1 hour ago, Bear said:

I wonder how they'll handle OKC - they've been integrating the city into our milestone events, treating them as an equal co-host, so I feel like they'll incorporate them into the opening ceremony as well. Do you guys think there'll be enough competitors between Softball and Canoe Slalom to do a secondary parade, like what MiCo did in Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina? If not, then I can see them doing what Paris did with the Tahiti drone shot.

Events& Listings

 

Yeah, they might show the other satellite cities in passing--or in a review of where the Torch will have travelled--which, of course, would include the satellite towns, the major cities--and of course, past US Olympic host cities.  But White Water Rafting and Softball are not even in top dozen most popular Olympic sports.  And the more sites you include, the bigger will be your Ceremonies staff--and the more things might go wrong.  I mean that's why TICKETING became so complicated as will everything else because there will be 7 other cities outside LA County having to have OVs of some sort, etc., etc.,  It's just too large and which is why the IOC has immediately clamped down on limits for 2030 and Brisbane so as not to give them any false hopes of enlarging the Games!! (And with the return of the Russians & Belarussians, all Olympic organizers will have their hands fully to make sure the Games go well!!)  I know one thing:  in the Team Sports for the anti-Russkies -- as they advance, people who have bought tickets for those matches, if no peace is reached in Ukraine by 2028, they will want to unload those tickets ASAP!!! 

[JesseSaenz]

On 7/22/2026 at 11:55 PM, baron-pierreIV said:

I don't know -- but I also have this (sinking?) feeling that they are going to mix up that long slog of 205/6? nations coming in alphabetically.  If the IOC would allow me, I would break up the March of the Athletes/Nations into continental groupings just to have, maybe, production numbers (and appropriate TV commercial breaks) in-between the 5 or 6 Parade break-ups?  Just shake it up and get a fresh look at the OCs--after all, you're not leaving any nation out.  Oh, and except for the host nation, just limit the larger delegations to just 50 athletes each (and those who marched in the OC, cannot march again in the CC--just to give everyone one shot!!).  Those are the 2 major innovations I would throw into a 2028 OC--if I were asked.  

And if the 2028 OC will feature the 35/36 sports in the OC -- oy vey??

I agree that the parade of nations really get drawn out. Reminds me of graduation ceremonies that just go on forever.

At Paris of the 2024 games the parade down the Seine was a total flop IMO. No excitement, pouring rain. Maybe it looked great on TV but the ceremony was VERY lackluster for everyone else.

[baron-pierreIV]

7 hours ago, JesseSaenz said:

I agree that the parade of nations really get drawn out. Reminds me of graduation ceremonies that just go on forever.
 

And you know, with that alphabetical order, there's always the tension in the Ceremonies group in making sure ISRAEL is placed between IRELAND and ITALY and no fisticuffs occur in line -- especially today.  

[illustrado]

On 7/25/2026 at 6:38 AM, JesseSaenz said:

I agree that the parade of nations really get drawn out. Reminds me of graduation ceremonies that just go on forever.

At Paris of the 2024 games the parade down the Seine was a total flop IMO. No excitement, pouring rain. Maybe it looked great on TV but the ceremony was VERY lackluster for everyone else.

while i didn't like the concept of the river ceremony, did love the pacing. the parade of nations intercutting between the artistic performances felt like a it was part of the event rather than something you had to denure. i don't know if the can do it for a stadium ceremony. the logistics would be awful. athletes are naughty. you might need a way for them to exit the field of play if the want to go to the toilet or just leave the event early.

[AustralianFan]

Rhapsody in Blue opening the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games close to 42 years ago

Stunning, gorgeous

 

[baron-pierreIV]

/\/\ Indeed.  And with John Williams making the first of his record 3 Olympic Opening Ceremony conducting jobs.  No other man or woman in history has held that honor.  

[Rob2012]

A chance he could do the same in 2028. He's still going as a conductor, they'd obviously have to have a back up in place, but it would be amazing if it happened.

[cfm Jeremie]

I think it would be nice to give him a nod but there are many talented composers and conductors: time to pass on the baton!

[baron-pierreIV]

4 hours ago, Rob2012 said:

A chance he could do the same in 2028. He's still going as a conductor, they'd obviously have to have a back up in place, but it would be amazing if it happened.

 

4 hours ago, Rob2012 said:

A chance he could do the same in 2028. He's still going as a conductor, they'd obviously have to have a back up in place, but it would be amazing if it happened.

We'll see.  (#1) Does he actively pursue it?  (#2) Is he still physically able to conduct, say--whatever the Opening Theme Music will be or the Olympic Hymn?  (#3) Since it would be his 4th time -- it might not line up with, I think. the evening's underlying theme: LA28 is the 3rd time's a charm -- both for LA and as the 3rd 3-peat Olympic City.  (Or they will have him conduct his Bugler's Theme from 1984?)