# 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremonies \[live commentary on British time\]

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 27, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600 "2012-07-27T20:04:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/61 "2012-07-27T21:34:58Z")

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Well, if it helps redefine Opening Ceremonies, it’ll do for me.

I’d like to have seen The Prisoner recognised, but then this thing could be a whole season of that show.

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**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/62 "2012-07-27T21:37:03Z")

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I am waiting for the Spanish team to parade. Our olympic uniforms are beyond hideous.

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**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/63 "2012-07-27T21:38:24Z")

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So every team arriving brings a ‘petal’ towards some giant … structure?

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**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/64 "2012-07-27T21:39:32Z")

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So it would seem.

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**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/65 "2012-07-27T21:40:29Z")

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I could be wrong but I’m betting those petals will be played as bells for some sort of musical thingy.

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**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/66 "2012-07-27T21:40:50Z")

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If only it was indicated in the first sentence of the first post that the event was going on as it was being written about.

Oh, wait. It was.

I’d suggest at this point taking a break from reading the rest of the thread until about midnight Eastern if you don’t want to know who lit the torch or have anyting else spoiled.

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**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/67 "2012-07-27T21:45:37Z")

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Yay! I finally found a live stream just in time for the Parade of Nations! I’m going to watch the US broadcast later on with my kids too, but it was killing me not to be able to watch live.

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**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/68 "2012-07-27T21:47:06Z")

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> [@PrettyVacant](#):
>
> Bless you! 🙂

Well I am British, (but curmudgeonly before my time so any praise has to wrung from me at knifepoint)

I think Danny Boyle has basically nicked my playlist. The Jam, The Clash, New Order, Mike Oldfield etc.

The Five Sparking rings were very impressive on screen so lord alone knows what it was like in the stadium.

To those of a less UK persuasion, wondering if this does represent an insight into the British mindset…errrrr, yes? Tongue in cheek and self deprecating. Who else would’ve got their monarch to take part in the Bond skit?

I must admit it is a little hit and miss though. The boring parade of nations is on now and my wife has buggered off to bed. I’ve promised to wake her up if a dog explodes or something similar. Let’s face it, based on the show so far anything is possible.

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**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/69 "2012-07-27T21:47:27Z")

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Seriously, 200 channels and nothing but cats and the American broadcasters can’t spare one of them for live coverage? In true British spirit you should have a letter-writing campaign.

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**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/70 "2012-07-27T21:47:52Z")

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The Parade of Nations is my favorite part!

I admit that an exploding dog would definitely add a certain indescribable something to the proceedings, though.

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**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/71 "2012-07-27T21:51:01Z")

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Loving the boots on the Czech Republic.

This might be a slight culture shock for the good folks from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Jesus, we’re on just starting the 'E’s …

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**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/72 "2012-07-27T21:52:41Z")

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> [@MsWhatsit](#):
>
> The Parade of Nations is my favorite part!
> 
> I admit that an exploding dog would definitely add a certain indescribable something to the proceedings, though.

Nothing can be excluded at this point. Although I think that, rather than an exploding dog, it might be an exploding badger.

Or, even better, a reenactment of the classic “how not to be seen” sketch by the Monty Python. Combined with the exploding Blue Danube.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/73 "2012-07-27T21:54:12Z")

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> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#):
>
> I must admit it is a little hit and miss though. The boring parade of nations is on now and my wife has buggered off to bed. I’ve promised to wake her up if a dog explodes or something similar. Let’s face it, based on the show so far anything is possible.

That was my first though - then I remembered it’s actually all about the athletes.

Problem!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/74 "2012-07-27T21:55:09Z")

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I was just getting ready to type out “This Adele song is not doing it for me” when they switched to the Bee Gees. Nice save.

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**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/75 "2012-07-27T21:56:07Z")

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The Fiji flag-bearer was quite amazing – Oiled semi-naked handsome hunk ftw and all that!

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**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/76 "2012-07-27T21:56:07Z")

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OK, Finland can go around twice.

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**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/77 "2012-07-27T21:56:27Z")

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> [@MsWhatsit](#):
>
> The Parade of Nations is my favorite part!
> 
> I admit that an exploding dog would definitely add a certain indescribable something to the proceedings, though.

Ah! it is meant as no slight to those that enjoy it. At least Danny Boyle has instructed the soundtrack to keep the BPM up. This is supposed to take half the time that Beijing did.

I’m using it as an interlude to post, grab a beer and perhaps some dips and tortilla chips. I may even go to the toilet soon, that is the rock and roll life I live.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/78 "2012-07-27T22:02:09Z")

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I did like the social media age. That was quite smart.

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**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/79 "2012-07-27T22:06:27Z")

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This is stepping along quite nicely. They’re already almost through the Is.

Did anyone else see a dude doing what looked like a Nazi salute when the Germans came in?

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**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-olympics-opening-ceremonies-live-commentary-on-british-time/629600/80 "2012-07-27T22:08:22Z")

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Ok, no Borat. Oh well.

L’s next.

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