I wondered why USA Etat—Unis wasn’t between Eswatini and Ethiopia, but a quick google told me they will be next-to-last, as hosts of the next Summer Olympics. That will be a big ending, with Australia (hosting in 2032), USA, and France bringing up the rear!

In the now-pouring rain! It looked like some of the entertainers, and certainly the torch-bearer. were intended to do some acrobatics and gymnastics, but the wet surfaces called for some adjustments. Still cool!

So all the people planning the LA ceremonies in 4 years are right now sitting around saying "Damn, how do we top THAT?"

Watched most of it on Peacock this afternoon. Tres Parisienne! Love that most of it took place on the Seine and on the bridges. It certainly represented the city very well.

I have no idea why Kelly Clarkson was one of the commentators. She must have said That’s so cool a hundred times.

Can’t believe how it poured through the entire event. It was so artistic and creative. Loved the horse and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. Wowza.

I could have done without the fashion show. although that is certainly a big part of Paris. I thought they might break their necks in those high heels on the soaking wet red carpet.

Celine Dion’s performance was very moving, as was the opera songer. What a talent!

Both, I thought the same — why not Etats Unis?

The next host country is next-to-last. And Australia, who will host in ’32, was not near the front of the parade, either, but just before us.

Sushi, I know! On the other hand, has anyone topped China? That was epic! But just as China and France really showed their cultures, LA/US will do the same. Maybe they will light the Hollywood sign on fire as the torch!

Oh, i forgot that.

LA did a pretty fantastic job before. Remember the spaceship landing during the closing ceremony? Very Hollywood.

i wonder what Paris has in store for the closing.

Doesn't the next host country do a lot of the closing ceremony?

I'm just so glad that I read in the paper (yes, I read a real paper) that it started at 1:30 this afternoon, because there's no way we could ever stay awake for the later replay.

I thought the torch carry through Paris was magical.

PS, for everyone who doesn't care about the actual games or sports, the opening ceremony is amazing.

I watched nearly two hours, starting at 12:30 central daylight savings time. It was *incredible*! I nearly forgot about the weather until we could see the rain beading up on the (closed) top of a grand piano. I loved the Louvre, where the subjects of the masterpieces left their frames to observe the ceremonies from a window. I can't guess how many individual dancers participated. Imagine being atop one of those poles, swaying in the wind! It was a marvelous celebration of everything Paree.

Shoot, chisue, that Louvre part might be the only part I missed! I’m glad it’s being replayed, I will check for it.

I just read that when they raised the Olympic flag, it was upside down. Oops! I didn’t notice at the time. I suppose with most flags, it’s not easy to tell which end up. Kind of like bedsheets.

watching the very beginning now which i missed earlier. OMG, Kelly Clarkson is so annoying!

Why was she even there! She brings nothing.

I missed the beginning this afternoon as well. I tuned in as the parade of athletes was already underway. Yes, the horse was amazing as was the cauldron. And the rain did nothing but make it all a bit more magical in a way. I kept thinking of the movie, "Midnight in Paris" when the two characters remarked how much they liked Paris in the rain. The one commentator was very moved by Celine's performance, maybe a bit of tears.

For some reason I thought tonight's program would be another opening ceremony or something, but then realized the parade of athletes was set to begin. doh.

I thought of Midnight in Paris, too! And yes, I joined Kelly Clarkson in getting s tissue after Celine’s performance. I wondered if it were recorded, and expect that it either was, or there was a backup just in case. I watched her documentary and thought it incredibly brave of her to be in Paris for this.

We are watching now via Peacock. Can't say we are as impressed as you all were. WEIRD is the most descriptive from the boats to the torch bearer.

If they would quit with the media blabbers, it would be so much better. I thought it was the best and most creative and interesting opening ceremonies I have ever seen. I am a devoted francophile-have been since I first went to Paris as a child, so of course I loved the opening.

I watched the whole thing, and loved it!! I don’t have a great interest in sports (although I have a huge interest in France) but this was quite amazing! I was really impressed by the original and beautifully artistic production, and that it was done without a full rehearsal, and in the pouring rain!! Agree, why on earth Kelly Clarkson? Lady Gaga speaks excellent French- an ex of my DS went to the same secondary school, the Lycee Francais in NYC. Gaga stated she has a real love of France and wanted to be part of this.

Some of the torch bearers are a little odd to me, but the concept of them traveling along iconic Parisian routes, from ”the sewers” to the rooftops. is pretty cool, and lets me see more of Paris! And come on, who doesn’t love a boat? It is certainly more interesting to cut between boats and torch bearers and entertainment, than 3 hours of people walking in to a stadium.

It’s all very French. Vive la différence!

I just caught the announcer saying that having the upcoming hosts, come up at the end of the parade of nations, is a new thing.

Oh, and they are showing Tahiti! I just read about that this morning. The hotel they wanted to use for the Olympic village wouldn’t be ready in time, so they are using a cruise ship!

You know there are a few buildings that make my heart skip a beat: my grandmother’s house, Marina City, the Chicago Water Tower, the US Capitol Dome, and the Eiffel Tower. I am loving this.

This is really edited.

There is a behind-the-scenes documentary about the preparations for the Opening Ceremony on Peacock, called “La Grand Seine”, and I’m about to start watching!

Superb...all of it!

Social Media is blowing up over the mess. You all must have watched a replay of one before. I'm glad I bailed when I did and didn't see it from the beginning. Sounds like a hot smarmy mess over all. What a sad lost opportunity. SIGH

Lessee...looks like all but one of us is "out of step' in our appreciation of the event.

bpath -- the empty frames in the Louvre were a puzzle until you saw the crowd of figures depicted in the paintings crowding the windows to watch the event.

What a teriffic idea to open the parade and entertainment to anyone and everyone. Just go outdoors and see it...be part of it. No tickets required.

I just was not entertained. I get what they were trying to do....I get the artistic endeavor...I fell asleep after 45 minutes.

bpath, much was filmed ahead, like Lady Gaga and most (all?) of the torch carry through the city. Most of the program was live, evidenced by the rain.

It was certainly different. While it celebrated French culture, it also featured a lot of not-French people. But, even that celebrated how global the French language is (yes, thanks to colonizing, but still).

I realized that I don’t think the athletes could see much of the entertainment, or even the torch being lit, except on screens. And I didn’t get to see how they disembarked to enter the Trocadero (I was kind of multitasking) So the criticisms I’ve seen saying that the opening ceremony was not about the athletes are appropriate. But, it’s on tv so WE can watch, the IOC makes a lot of money from media exposure and corresponding licensing.

Still, it was different. It had boats. And even with the criticisms I agree with, I enjoyed it and watched it twice! It’s Paris!

I watched a couple things and will probably try and see more. Those stairs Lady Gaga went down look terrifying, especially in the heels she was wearing.

I read that the evening replay was much more edited than the live broadcast. No wonder I don't like the Olympic coverage.

We recorded and not yet seen. Snoop Dog has been in numerous ads for Olympics. Was he in the opening ceremonies? Why is he there at all??? Seems very odd.

He carried the torch part of the way before the opening, and he and Kevin Hart did some great commentary for the last Olympics, especially the dressage event (google it.)

We really need to get a VPN for Olympic viewing. We did the last couple of times, and enjoyed the Canadian broadcasts.

bpath, the opening ceremony usually only features the athletes entering the stadium, doesn't it? Anyway, they all seemed to be having a grand time, rain and all!

The Olympics for me is all about the athletes representing the world. I felt like this opening ceremony pretty much put them last. Seeing them enter the stadium in their uniforms, seeing the camera zoom in on their faces showing everything from joy and pride to the occasional wonderment was a huge miss. Cramming them onto boat like cattle was ridiculous. There I've said it. Not interested in pop stars, pop culture or woke culture. They are just window dressing. France missed the boat on introducing the countries and welcoming the athletes. Missed the boat for creating the excitement of the world coming together to compete in the games. Placed the athletes in the role of extras to fill in space on the parade floats.

I didn’t see the boats crammed, I liked seeing, say, eswatini, fiji, and finland, from distant corners of the globe, on one boat with room to spare. and at least they could have sat down if they wanted!

" Not interested in ................or woke culture. "

I'm sure the person making this absurd (and sad) statement doesn't realize the contradiction in their own comments, talking about being interested in athletes. .

Opening and closing ceremonies have long been designed for artistic and entertainment purposes, having little to do with the athletes themselves. Which is why it's common knowledge for those whose minds are open to learning stuff- many athletes skip opening and closing ceremonies. And no, not just those whose schedules call for competition the next day.

Is it being suggested that those with bigoted values toward others also have no time or appreciation for artistic efforts? And that others who feel differently, do so because of having political and social values they disagree with?

Cross post, because there has been a big misunderstanding, mostly from Americans.

””I don’t know whether to laugh or be pissed about Christians thinking that opening ceremony was the Last supper. Let me explain, and understand that my daughter is a theater major who went to Greece to study. We joined her for a while.

The guy laying on the table with the beard and the grapes is Dionysis, a Greek god

What was happening was called the bacchanal. It was the traditional opening ceremony of the Olympics in Greece. There were more than 12 people around the table, it had nothing to do with the Last Supper or Jesus or Christianity. It was acknowledging the birthplace of the Olympics and the ceremonies that the Greeks used to do in connection with it.

This is almost laughable, it’s so stupid, but it’s sad because it’s dangerous. How easily people get offended and defend what is their belief structure when they think it’s being criticized.”

https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/board/105323/contents/ot-that-wasnt-the-last-supper-234222333/?page=1

I just wish for all their safety in this turbulent time,

" almost laughable, it’s so stupid, " Deep Fake. Cat Fishing, Projection, More lies...

Facts. French Government has apologized. Non Christians recognize the Last Supper. When you cause pain say your sorry and do better. You are KH you don't have the Machine behind you to make up lie after lie after lie. It's ON FILM people!!

“Facts. French Government has apologized”

sorta

“"Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. (The opening ceremony) tried to celebrate community tolerance," Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps told a press conference.

"We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are really sorry."

The International Olympic Committee said it took note of Paris 2024's clarification.

Thomas Jolly, the artistic director behind the flamboyant opening ceremony, said the scene had not been inspired by "The Last Supper" and depicted a pagan feast linked to the gods of Olympus.””

It's easier to jump to conclusions and get upset in ignorance.

arcy_gw said:

You are KH you don't have the Machine behind you to make up lie after lie after lie. It's ON FILM people!!

What the heck does any of that mean?

From The Onion: Paris Opening Ceremony Features Tedious 45-Minute Discussion Of Godard’s Early Works

So lets do the math. How many comics/actors/politicians/talking news heads/influencers have been deleted from their livelihoods because of misgendering/old OLD pics /perceived NOT INTENDED sexist, racist etc etc etc comments?? But you hear from an entire HUGE block of people that crosses all nations they were offended and it's ok to shrug and accuse them of being sensitive and told THEIR feelings are not your problem. An NONE of ya all see THAT as a problem??? RICH real RICH there really aren't words then are there?

A painting of a scene from Greek mythology has nothing to do with an Italian painting of a biblical scene. A certain subset of people are so oddly proud to display their ignorance of art, history, and art history.

Arcy, does this look like the last supper to you?

For the record, Olympic organizers say the performance was an homage to Dionysius, the god of wine and pleasure in the Greek tradition from whence the Olympic games were born.

My own personal opinion is that it is not intended as an affont to Him or to faith, but to the gluttony that has taken hold in some organizations that purport to follow Him.

I still don’t see a connection to the Olympics. Oh, wait. The IOC makes a whole lotta dough from licensing.

But, the French are not gluttons. There is a love and appreciation of good food, paying attention to it, a focus, not wallowing in it. Otoh, they also had fun with their other cultural treasures, so why not food!

Still, all in all, the ceremony kept me watching, just to see what they were going to do next, and what kind of boat would be coming along the Seine next. That was fun!

" And in a country with a large Catholic population and a large Muslim community "

As a demonstration of the national attitude toward religion, the state confiscated the most of the properties of the Catholic Church (the beautiful cathedrals and other revered structures included) over two hundred years ago. I believe a substantial portion of French people with Christian ancestry would describe themselves as just that but as otherwise secular and irreligious themselves.

The Muslim population is large and very visible in many locations, but I don't think is much more than the mid-single digits as a total percentage.

I completely agree with the comment about the demonstrated lack of critical thinking on display.