abaya

I know that the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics has a 12-hour delay before being shown in the US, so there won't be a lot of replies before that time... but they showed it live here in Iceland, and it was freaking amazing! Politics and scandal aside, it was truly a spectacular sight.

First of all, the "Bird's Nest" (National Stadium) is a beautiful piece of architecture. Watching the world's best fireworks spouting off around it at regular intervals has been fun, as well as watching the 15,000 participants with their dancing, drumming, singing, and all the rest.

I was also impressed with the people "flying" around the stadium, levitated by almost-invisible harnesses and cables... the final lifting up of the torchbearer (the one who would light the torch itself) was just awesome, as he "ran" around the upper edge of the stadium, in the air.

The press keeps saying that the TV audience would be 4 billion for this ceremony. That's well over half of the world's population... it doesn't seem realistic. How many of you plan to watch it, or saw it live already (in other countries)? I look forward to hearing what you all think, once it broadcasts in the US later tonight.

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snowy

I'll be watching it tonight; I've been planning on it all week.

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Cynthetiq

I'm going to a show and dinner tonight.... so I'll catch some highlights later.

I've caught some stills, on the newspapers. Opening ceremonies are incredible. I happen to do some work with one of the guys who did alot of work on the 1984 Los Angeles Opening Ceremonies and it's incredible to listen to his stories.

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tinycities

I watched it at lunchtime today (in the UK). It really was spectacular and done amazingly well. I thought the drumming at the beginning, with the countdown being lit up with the beating of the drums, was absolutely remarkable. I've never seen anything like it. There's something mesmerising about seeing so many humans moving synchronously like that.

dlish

i watched it tonight in UAE and it was ok, i liked the running /flying man at the end though he 'overan' the carpet.

nothing outdoes barcelona opening ceremony lighting of the flame though.

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jorgelito

Good call D, that was one of my favorite torch lightings. But then again, I'm partial to archery. I'm nerdy like that.
-----Added 8/8/2008 at 03 : 48 : 37-----
NBC fails again!! I don't understand why they didn't carry this live? Kudos to the CBC for getting the job done, I tip my hat to the Canadians. Glad to see so many people liked the ceremony. I am actually quite shocked especially with the overwhelming anti-Chinese and virulent hatred for the Chinese going around these days.

By all accounts, the Chinese were gracious and class hosts. I hear the US teams, Afghanistan, Iraq, Taiwan and other nations received roaring applause, although the Japanese received lukewarm reception at best. To me the nicest surprise is how well the Americans are being treated and welcomed. Team USA Basketball is one of the most popular among the Chinese with Kobe receiving chants of MVP wherever they go. I think we may be able to learn a lesson from the Chinese.

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ShaniFaye

I have to say the drums and countdown was pretty friggin awesome

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Meditrina

The kids and I are watching it right now. I can't believe it is holding their attention! It is so beautiful and so amazing. I wish I could answer all the questions the kids are asking. It is fun watching it with them though. A new experience for all of us.

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Ananas

The drum / countdown ceremony was awesome. That it was done without electronic and digital gizmos makes it even more amazing. The tableau featuring admiral Zheng He was beautifully done. The costumes, the colors, everything is mesmerising.

The only downer was the commentators, especially Matt Lauer.

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highthief

This was the best opening ceremony I remember, and I've seen them all over the last few decades. 90% of the time the opening ceremonies are crap. Really spectacular stuff this time. Well done Beijing.

I shudder to think how bad Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 will be compared to this. Canada will have a few Inuit and Indians prancing about building igloos, while England will put forth S Club 7 and Wayne Rooney. Ugh ...

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Charlatan

We watched this live last night between 8 and midnight... I have to admit I kept nodding off during the march of the athletes (it's been a busy week). But I have to say that I agree with highthief, it was one of the best opening ceremonies I've seen in a long time.

The drummers off the top were spectacular. The fireworks were over the top!

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Nimetic

Yeah. The drumming was great, and would have been incredibly powerful to hear from within the stadium (or nearby for the athletes I suppose).

And the fireworks were incredible, particularly in the context of the stadium and the way they progressed through the city. All up, a top opening I think.

BadNick

It's awesome, I'm also watching it right now...actually a commercial is on now so I'm typing.

Since I'm not Chinese, I can still feel proud to be a human when I see such celebration and symbolism.

yellowmac

The drums with the countdown at the beginning was spectacular. Also, I want that LED screen that was used on the stadium floor.

What shocked me was the show involving the typesetting characters moving up and down. I was amazed at what I thought was an incredible engineering feat, with synchronized movements all choreographed to music. Then I was stunned to see that they were all human performers. Insane.

Yeah, I doubt any future opening ceremony is going to top this. When $300 million goes into a show, with 15K performers, it'll be quite the effort to even begin to think how to exceed this.

Truly an amazing spectacle tonight. I was glad to be part of the global audience.

ObieX

There was an opening ceremony? All i saw was an endless stream of commercials.

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willynilly

Thank you obiex for starting the complaining. Get a DVR and watch what you want.

In my opinion, the ceremony was incredible. I thought the themes that were presented were done elegantly, and the production was amazing. It is a time to remember that even with all of the political games, most of the athletes are a bunch of young people who want the opportunity to try to be the best in the world.

ColonelSpecial

The square waving grid part was really cool. It was so flawless that I thought it was done by hydraulics and was very surprised when people popped out from underneath the boxes.

Also, the chalk/paint rainbow made by people walking over it was a neat touch.

It is always interesting to see how the host country will take their own history and add it to the whole history of the Olympics.

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ObieX

I'm sorry but it had to be said, the commercials were just stupidly insane. When they cut off that *spectacular* fireworks show that was it for me. Keep in mind I'm only complaining about it because it took me away from the greatness that was the opening ceremony. Every time i found myself lost in it and enjoying myself they had to throw in 20 more commercials to drag me away.

BTW if you want to give me the money to buy a DVR i will. Not everyone has that kinda money to throw around.

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willynilly

Well at least you did not lose part of the ceremony due to the weather. Denver had it's first real rain in weeks. I live twenty minutes north of the city, and we had a little rain, but parts of Denver apparently had over two inches. Plus, lightning struck near the studio feed so for a few minutes we had no picture, and for a little while the feed was not in HD.

Reese

It was quite possible the most amazing opening ceremony, no most amazing show I'll ever see. I can only imagine that it would have been 100x better for people in the stadium. WELL DONE CHINA!

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abaya

Ah, you can write a letter to NBC to complain about that one. Here in Iceland, the feed was live (it showed at noon here), and I actually do not recall seeing any commercials, whatsoever. My bathroom break came when the Chinese president of the Olympic committee spoke for 10-15 minutes, and the Icelandic commentators had no translation, which was pretty funny. Nothing too slick about the coverage here... just plain ol' live feed. Which would never happen in America, unfortunately (too much money to be made).

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highthief

It does need to be said that US Olympic coverage is almost always abysmal - CBC, BBC, etc., all do it so much better. Although so far I'm not so impressed with the CBC this year - they were jamming in a few more commercials than usual during the early events, too.

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yellowmac

One bright spot of the US coverage was all of the reaction shots of President Bush (maybe the international feed had that, too?). First was the shot of him entering the stadium, and it looked like he was just in the nosebleed section with all of the regular joes. So that was pretty entertaining. Then, to see him during one part of the parade of nations, slightly slouched, legs kinda spread apart, and checking his watch, was priceless. High comedy right there.

jorgelito

I was at the ESPN Zone watching on the giant tv wall in hi-def. Absolutely amazing. That drumming scene was incredible. I hope the BBC will put out a DVD. This one is definitely worth having and watching again.

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speshul-k

Big thumbs up on the drums, have to say!

ShaniFaye

This has to be one of the most awesome things I've ever seen....seriously...ever.

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Charlatan

We watched it live in Primetime and didn't see a single commercial...

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Tully Mars

I got it live on CBC via Starchoice, I also could have watched it live off the local Merida station in Spanish. I don't remember any huge number of commercials but I had other morning routine stuff going on, so? Seems like it started here around 7am, ending around 10am. I missed the torch lighting due to the water guy showing up. I don't remember watching many opening ceremonies before but this seems like quite a show.

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Jackebear

I am in Asia and it was live here of course from 8pm to 1am. No commercials at all. The opening show was just awesome...probably the best I have ever seen and I have seen every opening ceremony since 1976. Good call on the Barcelona lighting ceremony...don't know how anyone can beat that but the Beijing aerial show and lighting was pretty cool as well. The longest part and for me is when the countries walk in. 205 out of 206 countries participating (only Brunei didn't have one athlete). I know it's part of the show but it takes way too long. My family is in Toronto and of course, CBC did a spectacular job...again. I have heard from many Americans that they try to watch the Olympics on CBC because they get a chance to watch everything instead of just the top events that Americans will medal in.

All in all a great show. I wish I could go someday.

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jusolson00

Where can a guy find video coverage of the ceremony on the net?? I've looked on you tube, but only seem to find slideshows and edited 3 min. clips.

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Charlatan

I just heard someone on the BBC say that they estimate it cost 400 million. That for four hours of entertainment. That's a lot of cash.

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Church

I agree, it was a brilliant ceremony, however I noticed one thing and it must just be me because nobody else noticed it. When the man was hoisted up and then started running around the carpet, did his harness slip or did he just unhook something? Either way, it looks like a hard jolt and had me on edge a little. I can't imagine how horrible it would have been if he had fallen :S.

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lotsofmagnets

heh. out of town at a wedding. didn´t even know it was on...

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jorgelito

Wow, you must live in a cave. Or not have access to tv, radio, internet, newspapers...

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