gogo Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I love 'em. I'm a fan of all the nonsense associated with the Olympics, including the human-interest tearjerker profiles that NBC manages to produce for every single athlete. NBC's coverage is usually ridiculous, of course, but I never realized just how bad it was until I was lucky enough to get to spend a week in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Seeing events live and in person was fantastic, but I would have been almost just as happy to sit in and watch coverage from a non-US broadcaster. A little bit of Canadian boosterism going on there, obviously, but it definitely brought home to me exactly how skewed American coverage tends to be. Having said that though, I will be glued to my TV for everything from weightlifting to archery for those two weeks. I feel about most Olympic athletes the way I feel about the contestants on So You Think You Can Dance: these people know they aren't going to become stars or millionaires, they're in this for love of the sport and the thrill of the accomplishment. I know the Olympics aren't perfect (politics, doping, judging scandals, etc.), but I'm still a fan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ih8music Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I must admit that my excitement over the Olympics has gone down significantly since I was a kid/young adult -- in part due to those NBC "tear jerker" stories that you love -- but I'm looking forward to these games. My son is about the age when I first became fascinated with the Olympics and I'm hoping to spend some time watching the games (especially the swimming & track & field events) with him. re: NBC -- one of the most unexpected luxuries I got when I used to live in Michigan was having access to CBC on basic cable. Back then at least, their Olympics coverage was 90+% sports and only a tiny bit of human interest fluff. Yeah, you didn't get to see as many USA-dominated events, but the tradeoff was well worth it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share Posted July 18, 2012 I was turned off the swimming events after having to listen to Jim Lampley's non-standard pronunciation of "aquatic" during his reporting from the Olympic Aquatic Center in Athens. Seriously, that "a" in the middle should be soft, right? He sounded like the Aflac duck, he put a major quack in the middle of that word for some reason. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 The NBC coverage is great considering you can watch nearly every event, which they saturate all their various cable networks with. I've always loved the Olympics (winter more than summer, though), and I'm looking forward to it this year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
parisisstale Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 In my world the Olympics is just 17 days of hell, but my world is monitoring & troubleshooting the awful feeds from the data providers)....at least the last 2 were)......luckily this time around I'll be doing MLB most day... Did have to confirm scheduled the other day & that was brutal enough...BMX an Olympic sport?!? Kayaking?!?! WtF Should be track & field, swimming & gymnastics, that's it!!!! And I root against the Dream Team(s) every time....is that unamerican? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 In my world the Olympics is just 17 days of hell, but my world is monitoring & troubleshooting the awful feeds from the data providers)....at least the last 2 were)......luckily this time around I'll be doing MLB most day... Did have to confirm scheduled the other day & that was brutal enough...BMX an Olympic sport?!? Kayaking?!?! WtF Should be track & field, swimming & gymnastics, that's it!!!! And I root against the Dream Team(s) every time....is that unamerican? Not sure if it's un-American, but why? Of course, I rarely watch an Olympic basketball game. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moxiebean Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 For me the Olympics were more fun to watch before the fall of communism - fewer evil empires to root against these days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sonicshoulder Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 In my world the Olympics is just 17 days of hell, but my world is monitoring & troubleshooting the awful feeds from the data providers)....at least the last 2 were)......luckily this time around I'll be doing MLB most day... Did have to confirm scheduled the other day & that was brutal enough...BMX an Olympic sport?!? Kayaking?!?! WtF Should be track & field, swimming & gymnastics, that's it!!!! And I root against the Dream Team(s) every time....is that unamerican? I'm assuming you've never been in a kayak, I think those guys are freaks of nature. As far as the Olympics as a whole I think it's awesome and for some reason both of my siblings are just as enthusiastic. I love pro sports but they are flooded with assholes who have become almost completely motivated by money. The Olympics(minus USA basketball) is mostly comprised of people motivated by personal accomplishment and or patriotism. Sure corporate greed plays a huge role in the schedules and venues but most of these atheletes can't make a living doing what they've dedicated their life to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 And I root against the Dream Team(s) every time....is that unamerican? No, but it is silly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I love 'em. I'm a fan of all the nonsense associated with the OlympicsYour man on the ground here reporting. All the road cycling events go past literally 100m from my house, so I'll be seeing those for free at least. I know someone (former athletics competitor) working on the inside with the organisation/sponsorship so get to hear a few stories about the death of the olympic ideals under the corporate jackboot.Recommended is Twenty Twelve, an Office-style satire on life in the organising committee http://en.wikipedia....i/Twenty_Twelve I must admit that my excitement over the Olympics has gone down significantly since I was a kid/young adult.Indeed, staying up late to watch coverage from Montreal 76 has fond memories. Nadia, oh Nadia ...1972 too. All downhill after the winter olympics of 78. I used to like seeing ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things, now I can't get enthused about the full time athletes, so some of the minority sports I find more satisfying where the rampant commercialism hasn't taken hold. Granted allt he Eastern Bloc athletes were full time anyway, but there was always that interesting dynamic about West v East, East v USSR, and individual Eastern Bloc athletes v the machine in which they were not always willingly caught up.Just a bit too young for Mexico 68 and the black power salutes - marvellous. Now the only symbolism on display is the MacDonalds logo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dykBBhaoczgCheated into sharing a gold by the machinations of the soviet influenced judging panel, a slient protest against the 68 invasion of Czechoslovakia, greeted as a heroine on her return to Prague, but then oppressed up by the authorities.http://en.wikipedia..../Věra_Čáslavská For me the Olympics were more fun to watch before the fall of communism - fewer evil empires to root against these days.See above. One of the most amazing sporting events I wish I could have witnessed woudl have been the 1956 Melbourne Hungary v USSR water polo match - incredible scenes. But on the other hand I almost always hugely admired the individuals, who were themselves often facing extreme pressures to conform/continue trapped in the system in which they found themselves e.g. Olga Korbut. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Your man on the ground here reporting. All the road cycling events go past literally 100m from my house, so I'll be seeing those for free at least. I know someone (former athletics competitor) working on the inside with the organisation/sponsorship so get to hear a few stories about the death of the olympic ideals under the corporate jackboot.Recommended is Twenty Twelve, an Office-style satire on life in the organising committee http://en.wikipedia....i/Twenty_Twelve Indeed, staying up late to watch coverage from Montreal 76 has fond memories. Nadia, oh Nadia ...1972 too. All downhill after the winter olympics of 78. I used to like seeing ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things, now I can't get enthused about the full time athletes, so some of the minority sports I find more satisfying where the rampant commercialism hasn't taken hold. Granted allt he Eastern Bloc athletes were full time anyway, but there was always that interesting dynamic about West v East, East v USSR, and individual Eastern Bloc athletes v the machine in which they were not always willingly caught up.Just a bit too young for Mexico 68 and the black power salutes - marvellous. Now the only symbolism on display is the MacDonalds logo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dykBBhaoczgCheated into sharing a gold by the machinations of the soviet influenced judging panel, a slient protest against the 68 invasion of Czechoslovakia, greeted as a heroine on her return to Prague, but then oppressed up by the authorities.http://en.wikipedia..../Věra_Čáslavská See above. One of the most amazing sporting events I wish I could have witnessed woudl have been the 1956 Melbourne Hungary v USSR water polo match - incredible scenes. But on the other hand I almost always hugely admired the individuals, who were themselves often facing extreme pressures to conform/continue trapped in the system in which they found themselves e.g. Olga Korbut. I eagerly await your reports! I had never seen that clip of Vera Caslavska before, thanks so much for that. Amazing that some of these athletes, despite often growing up so single-minded in pursuit of their athletic achievements, still manage to be so politically aware and astute, often at very young ages. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 file this one under OOF Organizers of the London Olympics approached the Who's manager to inquire about having Keith Moon play at an Olympics event despite the drummer being dead for nearly 34 years, the Sunday Times reports. "I emailed back saying Keith now resides in Golders Green crematorium, having lived up to the Who's anthemic line 'I hope I die before I get old'," the band's longtime manager, Bill Curbishley, told the Times. "If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him." Moon died in 1978 at the age of 32 from an an accidental overdose of prescription pills. The Olympics organizers wanted the late drummer to take part in the Symphony of Rock, a celebration of British pop culture that will be part of the Games' closing ceremony on August 12th. Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/olympics-organizers-ask-keith-moon-to-play-closing-ceremony-20120413#ixzz1rwPEcge0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 The Opening Ceremonies fascinate me. I remember reading something about the Sydney opening ceremony that still makes me laugh, the reviewer said that a ceremony like that could only be done in Australia, because where else would you ever be able to assemble a cast of 12,000, and every single one of them was totally selling it. Beijing was also great, but that was more like a cast of 15,000, and every single one of them was terrified about missing their cue. I'm really looking forward to the London ceremony, mostly because the time I've spent in the UK has been mostly in Manchester, amongst a fairly dour group of cousins. So I'm fully expecting that event to be just a series of people dressed in black wool, staring into their pints and saying "this whole country is shit". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 I had never seen that clip of Vera Caslavska before, thanks so much for that. Amazing that some of these athletes, despite often growing up so single-minded in pursuit of their athletic achievements, still manage to be so politically aware and astute, often at very young ages. Actually, someone has put up the BBC documentary I saw the other week with great footage and behind the scenes stories of her, Olga, and err, Nadia, plus some incredible footage of an injured Japanese male gymnast whose Samuri spirit stretched to incredible lengths. A very good programme indeed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhvz8XWyyZE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Ooh, lovely, thanks! Will be watching that one tonight! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Inside of Outside Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I'm really looking forward to the London ceremony, mostly because the time I've spent in the UK has been mostly in Manchester, amongst a fairly dour group of cousins. So I'm fully expecting that event to be just a series of people dressed in black wool, staring into their pints and saying "this whole country is shit".That would be a memorable opening ceremony. I love the idea! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted July 23, 2012 Share Posted July 23, 2012 After the wettest summer since Noah picked up a hammer, the sun has finally arrived just in time and we hope it will last.There's some token 2012 bunting in the trees outside the office, and the torch is due to pass by on Thursday (not that I'm too bothered). However, I am more and more enthused to watch the cycling after the exploits of Wiggo over the past 3 weeks in Le Tour and Cav getting a stage win again yesterday.Wiggo is an articulate, humble champion and I like him alot, and he's a devout mod, which is always a plus.So, with that flicker of excitement in the chest, let's get even more in the mood with my favourite Olympics theme song.It's one of those songs always in my head courtesy of Jimmy Saville's Old Record Club, where two entire top tens from the past were played by him (and Uncle Ted).I always thought it was sung by Matt Monroe (as in the Born Free theme), but it's none other than (Long) John Baldry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssl0Z96jKUI Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Promise to myself: this is the last Olympics I'm going to work through. From here on out, I take two weeks off work every two years (I'm in for Winter, too!), and watch the whole thing, start to finish. Sure, I'll probably spend the whole two weeks on my couch, eating crap, and I'll be Rulon Gardner-sized by the time it's over, but it'll be worth it!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 Video of the making of the BBC's new Olympics theme, by Elbow - First Steps http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18960004 "It'll never be as good as Ski Sunday" - Guy Garvey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KevinG Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 too bad this did not happen http://youtu.be/cL07e_xjvp0 worst episode ever Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ih8music Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Mr. Bean was fun. The rest was meh. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Perhaps this may be blasphemy, but I wish there could be a moratorium on any public performance of Hey Jude - Paul can still play it in any of his own concerts, if he wants. I thought the rest was okay. The lighting of the torch was pretty cool. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Well I enjoyed it - liked the emphasis on music and there was a lot going on that would have meant much less if anything to a non British audience e.g did you notice the brief few second clip of the famous first pre-watershed lesbian kiss on British TV from the soap opera Brookside back in the mid 90s, which because of those few seconds became the first lesbian kiss to have been ever broadcast on Saudi TV. A clip from Gregory's Girl & Kes, The Jam's Going Underground played, Dizzy Rascal from just down the road, the Hitlarious Nazi salute from the German IOC member in the stand, and Danny Boyle sticking too fingers up to the Tories regarding the NHS. Was never going to out-do Beijing for scale, so did something completely different pretty well. And thank God that useless publicity tart Beckham was not given the honour of lighting the torch. A few dips, and the Mr Bean segment was brilliant for about 15 seconds with the original concept but should have then moved on - got really dull. Overall was anticipating a disaster but as I say, was entertained. Meanwhile today saw the cycling and the failure of the tactics of the much hyped GB team. With only a 5man team they were using up too much energy trying to control the race when no other team with sprinters wanted to lend a hand chasing down the break away group. Oh well. We live in the centre of a loop of the circuit that because of all the road closures means we are trapped in our small area this weekend (women's race tomorrow). However, it feels great as everything is quiet with no traffic. Carnival atmosphere on the streets, and those guys were impressive powering past - you don't appreciate the speed until you see it first hand (twice on the way out and back). May not see the ladies, but having the day off on Wednesday for the time trials. Hope Wiggo did not bust a gut trying to keep Gav in with a chance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shakespeare In The Alley Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 the us/italy archery final was intense. highlight of the day for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ih8music Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Well I enjoyed it - liked the emphasis on music and there was a lot going on that would have meant much less if anything to a non British audience e.g did you notice the brief few second clip of the famous first pre-watershed lesbian kiss on British TV from the soap opera Brookside back in the mid 90s, which because of those few seconds became the first lesbian kiss to have been ever broadcast on Saudi TV. A clip from Gregory's Girl & Kes, The Jam's Going Underground played, Dizzy Rascal from just down the road, the Hitlarious Nazi salute from the German IOC member in the stand, and Danny Boyle sticking too fingers up to the Tories regarding the NHS. Was never going to out-do Beijing for scale, so did something completely different pretty well. And thank God that useless publicity tart Beckham was not given the honour of lighting the torch. A few dips, and the Mr Bean segment was brilliant for about 15 seconds with the original concept but should have then moved on - got really dull. Overall was anticipating a disaster but as I say, was entertained. yeah, I think was just in a grumpy mood earlier. I blame McCartney In retrospect, I suppose I liked it well enough. I literally LOL'd at the NHS tribute, as it's also a favorite whipping boy here in the US. I actually thought it was directed at us; had no idea until this morning that it's also been a target of conservatives over there. Mr. Bean was special for us because it was a non-stop giggle fest for my kids. I don't think they've ever seen him before. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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