I would agree that the opening show was stunning. It is unfortunate however that the camera work and editing of the show was erratic, amateurish, and ignorant. The people in charge didn't seem to understand the scope of the imagery and didn't know what to focus on or why. In spite of the poor NBC presentation the show itself was well worth watching and I recommend that you check it out if/when it is replayed.

Well, we stayed home from work and ended up having to watch a low-res feed of CCTV via TVAnts. Still it was spectacular and we were there at 7:30 to watch again on NBC. Have to say, it was disappointing. I can live with commercials during the parade, but for the first hour, they should have gone with no interruptions. I have since seen some of the BBC coverage and some from Australia. NBC could learn something from those presentations, especially with regard to dead-air. This show is worthy of being watching again, and hopefully will be released on dvd, or in some theatrical form like an IMAX presentation.

The show was great with the exception of all the comments. This was not a Rose Parade needing constant comment. They should of let Ramo do all the talk. I was afraid Costas was about to give batting avg's. Shut up! Less is more, moron's!

Thank you for your insightful comments. I really liked your blow by blow, early morning coverage.

On the NBC primetime coverage, did you happen to catch the clip of W, jacket off, looking at his watch and almost rolling his eyes. This was well before the US team made it's entrance. It was classic W.

ron mclean is new jim mckey bad for nbc opening of uk olympics

Ron Judd said: " It wasn't the most heartfelt, or the most original."

Are you kidding me? What pipe are you smoking from, Ron? You didn't see the little boy who was accompanying Yao Ming? You didn't see the pride in each Chinese citizen and participant?

And for originality, what other event can compare to "running" around the rim of the Bird's Nest, or any of the other spectacular performances and light shows?????

You're full cynicism. In future Olympics, Ron, you will use this Beijing ceremony as the benchmark.

NBC better rebroadcast this opening ceramonies or you will have many angered viewers that had to work and couldn't see it. I want to give it to a couple of my friends to see who had to work but wanted to see it badly after I described it.

It is also like a good movie, the second viewing and you pick up more themes and meaning to the story than the first time making it better yet. This opening deserves that.
It is already August 10 on the west coast so we need to have plenty of warning before you do the rebroadcast, if you do. Let China be seen in good light for putting this on, what talent.

Susan

NBC seems to be more concerned about blocking broadcasts from other countries, not because of their right, but to avoid Americans seeing the editing that NBC took the liberty of doing to the Opening Ceremony.

After comparing with the BBC broadcast, it is clear NBC discarded certain images of the artistic presentation of the event. At least one of those images was clearly political. The delayed broadcast on Friday night, a blatant act of commercialism, outraged thousands of Americans. However, should this broadcasting company be made to answer about the censorship it imposed on 260 million Americans?
The Olympics are a legitimate news event. Should we expect the same altering of the Closing Ceremonies?

A last, somebody FINALLY says it......the stadium looks like a bedpan. Spot on, as they say. I was a "bit off" saying it looked like a toilet seat. Ahh isn't the English language amazing! :) And so were the opening ceremonies....the absolute best I've ever seen; nothing can top it. The poor Londoners might as well give up..wink wink