Thoughts on the Olympics opening ceremony

[Imran Siddiqui]

Seriously -- BERETS????

The US team has worn berets for years.

I thought it was decent Opening Ceremonies. The conversion from Agrarian to Industrial and the Celebration of the NHS and Children's Lit (Mary Poppins Beats Voldemort!!) were pretty good. As was Rowan Atkinson being all Mr. Bean on Chariots of Fire. The boy meets girl while the history of British music was going on was absolutely dreadful.

They also moved the Parade of Nations along on an awesomely fast clip. Well done .

[regexcellent]

If our team had holsters that would ****ing amazing. They should at least give the shooting sports folks holsters.

[The Mad Monk]

Can anyone tell me what those caps are called? [edit: they are flat caps] They were for the 2008 Olympics.

Anyways, cowboy hats, golf caps, panama hats, we've worn them all. There's no real candidate for "the" olympic headgear for this team.

[-Jrabbit]

More shocking news for you - it's made in China.
USA = gay superpower.

Well aware of the Made in China flap.

I think most true Americans are more concerned with the burning question: Who the hell thought Ralph Lauren was a good choice as designer?

Fun fact: When they saw the uniforms for the first time, instantly my wife and daughter both said, "Must be Ralph Lauren." So the design language is apparently distinctive, which means the unis are also serving as a branding exercise for them.

I have never watched the opening ceremonies.

[regexcellent]

The fact that they were made in China should not bother any Americans. Less than 2% of our clothing is made in this country and that's fine by me. There is one thing that's made in this country that everyone can't get enough of, and that's dollar bills.

[The Mad Monk]

Yeah, apparently the Beijing 2008 uniforms were made in China, too. By Ralph Lauren.

[-Jrabbit]

At least the 2008 games were in China. Saves on shipping.

The fact that they were made in China should not bother any Americans. Less than 2% of our clothing is made in this country and that's fine by me.

But if ever there's an opportunity for mindless jingoism, it's the Olympics.
Clearly, Ralph Lauren is teh evil.

[regexcellent]

Could be worse. Could be Abercrombie.

[BlackCat]

While it made sense that a bunch of soldiers raised the british flag, i'm a bit curious of why they took away the olympic flag from those peacemongering people. Any brits out there that can explain that ?

Edit: actually found it quite funny that Lizzy got in to the 007 joke - her stiff upper lip seems to have a twist .

[Elok]

Actually watched a little of the Games--men's parallel bars or some such. It'd be a lot better if they didn't interrupt the acrobatics with those sappy hard-luck-athlete narratives. "But then...tragedy struck." That's nice. Now please get back to the actual sporting event.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I think most true Americans are more concerned with the burning question: Who the hell thought Ralph Lauren was a good choice as designer?

He is the most famous American fashion designer. I guess the US could have picked Tommy Hilfiger instead .

[Aeson]

I had to stop watching when Paul McCartney was doing whatever it was he was doing. I can't really explain why, just that a cold chill ran down my spine and I began worrying about whether everyone's skin was really their own or just masks that they can change ... and that maybe everyone I knew was actually the same person just wearing a lot of different masks.

The fireworks were pretty nice though. Glad I came back for that part. Everyone else here really liked the opening ceremony.

Actually watched a little of the Games--men's parallel bars or some such. It'd be a lot better if they didn't interrupt the acrobatics with those sappy hard-luck-athlete narratives. "But then...tragedy struck." That's nice. Now please get back to the actual sporting event.

We get a HD feed without any of the studio commentary stuff. It's a bit disconcerting not to know which of the athletes I should hope ruins all the other's dreams of gold ...

[The Mad Monk]

I got the impression that Sir Paul was powering through the last of a bad day on determination alone.

[Dr Strangelove]

Gun holsters and cowboy hat would have sucked less. Or better yet, powdered wigs and tricorner hats.

Let's just be up front about everything and put the team in camo, helmets, give them small arms, and drop them from helicopters.
TEAM AMERICA WORLD POLICE ! HELL YEAH !

[Dr Strangelove]

He is the most famous American fashion designer.

........... And the fact that they were going to Europe meant that they simply had to wear berets didn't it? Becase just like in National Lampoon's European Vacation every American visiting Europe has to wear a beret - to blend in.

Hmmmmmmm.................. Maybe it's a miracle they didn't give the team bowler hats to wear.

Oh! Oh! Perfect team uniform: White shirts, white pants, white suspenders, athletic supporters to be worn externally, and bowler hats.