The opening ceremony (the only good bit of the whole thing, in theory, although reality has not quite lived up to that billing)

[Mation]

"A flaming balloon that will burn throughout the games" sounded rather less impressive than I imagine was intended

 

[Aladdin]

That is really something else..

Aww...Celine Dion..

 

[pbsmooth]

Say what you like about Céline Dion, she can sing.

 

[Lord Camomile]

I mean, fair play, she's good at what she does. That's quite a voice to still have at 56.

 

[weepiper]

 

[tommers]

Tom Watson on the ivories.

 

[quimcunx]

Send in Hannah Waddingham, knock her out with a right hook.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Tom Watson on the ivories.

For a very brief second I interpreted that as Tom Waites.

Now that would have been an ending!

 

[girasol]

I'm surprised Celine Dion made it, given her condition (Frozen person syndrome?) impressed

 

[Lord Camomile]

Fuck it, I really had it in my head to just completely avoid all the tourist spots while I'm over there next week, but I might just have to check 'em out now.

 

[pbsmooth]

I got a bit emotional. Finally. Probably being awake for so long and all the wine I’ve had to drink. Who’d have thought Céline Dion and a hot air balloon would finally deliver the spectacle.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

But..but..but.. fireworks!!

 

[Lord Camomile]

I'm surprised Celine Dion made it, given her condition (Frozen person syndrome?) impressed

Holy hell, I'd totally forgotten about that.

Yeah, that just makes her performance all the more impressive.

Stiff-person syndrome - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Elpenor]

I think that probably tops London for wow factor and spectacle but think London’s was a more coherent show as said before

 

[Aladdin]

Well that seems to be it..

Celine made it ... some voice.

 

[girasol]

Impressed with balloon of flames but where will it stay? Maybe a missed it and they explained!?

 

[Petcha]

I missed most of it but I gather it was the shittest opening ceremony of all time

 

[Lord Camomile]

Michael Johnson does not sound convinced

Aye, fair play thinking about the spectators.

 

[scifisam]

Say what you like about Céline Dion, she can sing.

Yep. Not a fan. I have a vinyl record of hers that I bought for my GF because to me Celine and Mariah are the same thing. I managed to hurriedly wrap the right gift and still have this special edition Celine Dion lying around.

Some day I'll notice that a friend secretly loves Celine and I will have an unexpectedly ideal gift that I will never be able to give to them without admitting to my GF that I didn't remember which warbler she loves.

 

[girasol]

Holy hell, I'd totally forgotten about that.

Yeah, that just makes her performance all the more impressive.

Stiff-person syndrome - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

She must have had a mega dose of benzodiazepine for the occasion...

 

[Indeliblelink]

But..but..but.. fireworks!!

There's always the closing ceremony.

 

[Bingoman]

There's always the closing ceremony.

Will it be in the stadium?

 

[QueenOfGoths]

I'm with Michael and Becky Addlington. Thought it was a great effort but not coherent enough for me, not sure it told me anything about French culture and it was too long.

 

[surreybrowncap]

This is getting ridiculous...RTE joirnalist said "there's another few legs in this relay".

Having just arrived home am catching up but will head to my bed soon..
Caught some of the ceremony in pub - seemed to be chucking it down..
Saw poor piano player totally drenched...
there's another few legs in this relay
Sorry - confused ...
Are athletes being given extra limbs?
No problem with this for competitors who do not have requisite number of legs..
Actually think my interpretation of legs in this context is wrong..
Not watching tv - that might be useful ...!
Ooohhh - Celine - fuck that - definitely going to bed..
Her elongated holding of notes will last longer than this Paris Olympics...

 

[scifisam]

Someone's setting off a load of fireworks in one of the gardens backing on to mine. They're making up for the lack of them in the ceremony!

 

[Indeliblelink]

It's gone on for so long Rebecca Adlington has changed into her pyjamas.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Someone's setting off a load of fireworks in one of the gardens backing on to mine. They're making up for the lack of them in the ceremony!

Closing ceremony round theirs?

 

[Lord Camomile]

Well, that was fun.

Should do this every year.

 

[Bingoman]

Well, that was fun.

Should do this every year.

No please no

 

[Favelado]

Well, that was fun.

Should do this every year.

Great fun to post about this kind of thing.