I really wanted to do an Olympics Opening Ceremony post today with some video, but there is none to be found anywhere. I don’t get NOT making the event available after it’s aired everywhere. There was some pretty cool stuff in Friday night’s event, directed by Danny Boyle (Slum Dog Millionaire) from actor Kenneth Branagh reciting Shakespeare during a tribute to the industrial revolution, to J.K. Rowling reading an excerpt from Peter Pan. There was a cool tribute to the man who helped create the internet that was wrapped up in trippy trip through decades of British music.
I really wanted to post video of Sir Paul McCartney closing the ceremony with an emotional performance of “Hey Jude” to a swaying crowd. Paul was literally choking up as he began to sing. Even the most famous musician in the world was not beyond becoming overwhelmed by the experience.
But, now, I wish I had watched one of the BBC live streams instead of the NBC special, as it turns out the American network cut out parts of the ceremony for reasons that don’t make much sense to me.
The most significant omission was a beautifully choreographed tribute to the men, women and children who lost their lives in the 7/7 terror attack seven years ago. Scottish singer Emeli Sandé performed the Christian hymn and sporting anthem “Abide With Me.” You can watch the entire performance at Deadspin HERE. Instead, we got Ryan Seacrest interviewing swimmer Michael Phelps. Yay. Not.
Also missing in action, as cataloged by Yahoo Music: The cool Brit pop tribute was interrupted at the end of the 70’s section, completely cutting out the Sex Pistol’s “Pretty Vacant. The Arctic Monkeys were seen by US viewers covering the Beatles’ “Come Together” but didn’t get to see their first number, “I Bet You Look Good On the Dance Floor.” Lucky for me, I did tune into the live stream somewhere in the middle of the parade of countries, and managed to catch their stellar performance. A tune by folk singer Frank Turner was also no aired by NBC.
I suppose the brass at NBC reasons that American audiences don’t care about talent that’s uniquely British, nor tributes to terror attacks that don’t directly affect them. If my assumption is correct, the former is infuriating–because isn’t the point of the ceremony to celebrate the culture of the host country? As a Brit pop fan, I am really disappointed I didn’t get my full-on British experience. And the latter? I really think NBC is underestimating American viewers if they assume they would not have been moved by such a beautiful performance.
I also found the commentary, particularly from Matt Lauer, really annoying. But that’s a rant for another blog post.
In conclusion. Epic. Fail. NBC.
