Olympic Opening Ceremony

[OneFinger]

Am currently watching the taped delay of the Olympic Opening Ceremony. So far it's been a great show with some excellent elements.

 

But, there is one thing I'm finding very interesting. The background music during all team's entrance/march is overwhelmingly from USA performers. I'm not complaining. I'm just surprised that there seems to be so much American influence.

 

I "assumed" each team would want to march in to something more representative of their own country and culture.

 

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"We need to have more respect for each other. Things have just gone really crazy, out of control. ... We're on a very weird kind of cycle." Stevie Wonder

[Guest zipperzone]

I have just finished watching the entire 3 hours as shown on NBC. I thought the entire event was spectacular (although Laura Bush had so much makeup on that I thought her face would crack if she smiled).

 

I was mesmerized by the eye-candy that was marching around the arena. Too bad they had so much heavy winter clothing on, but the faces almost made up for it.

 

I too though the almost total use of American pop songs was strange but I think we are forgetting that US pop culture is the standard around the world - especially among the young. I sure didn't expect to hear The Village People's YMCA, but I though it was very appropriate.

[Luv2play]

As one who has lived in the area of Turin for a considerable period in the past (80's), I can vouch for the taste in American pop music that pervades the region. This does not mean that there are not Italian pop stars who are very popular, but it seems in the discos and other entertainment venues, American (and to a lesser extent British) pop reigns supreme.

 

I thought the show was spectacular, the Italian sense of history and style really came through. As well, their flair for engineering was exhibited in such things as the Ferrari doing 360's on atage. The only thing I found a little too predictable was Pavarotti singing his aria at the end, a bit cliche but there you have it!

[JT Brooklyn]

IMHO. American Music is Popular Worldwide,and very well related to, so the choice was Perfect!

 

The Big Man's Aria "ALWAYS" brings the House Down and was more than perfect being he is, I do believe ITALIAN.. Sophia Loren is looking Dam Good as the Italian ICON she also has become! IMHO..of course :7

[Luv2play]

I agree that it would be unthinkable to stage a show such as this without the presence of a big star such as Pavarotti to showcase Italian talent. Similarly, when Canada stages the next Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010, I fully expect Celine Dion to be dragged out to perform at the opening ceremonies. That's just showbiz but it doesn't make it any less cliched in my view.

[Guest zipperzone]

>I agree that it would be unthinkable to stage a show such as

>this without the presence of a big star such as Pavarotti to

>showcase Italian talent. Similarly, when Canada stages the

>next Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010, I fully expect

>Celine Dion to be dragged out to perform at the opening

>ceremonies. That's just showbiz but it doesn't make it any

>less cliched in my view.

 

Better Celine Dion than Ann Murray! Or we could bring back good old whatizname? - Robert Goulet.