Monday, August 13, 2012

Random Photos Part Two - Closing Ceremonies

Right before the closing ceremonies, David Beckham and his sons spent some time learning how to whistle at women from Jeremy Piven.
Also there to watch was Princess Letizia.

Russell Brand doing the Willy Wonka song was pretty interesting.
George Michael was great.
Annie Lennox is always great.
Take That without Robbie Williams.
Madness
One Direction are lucky. Popular at just the right time to be invited.
Brian May and Jessie J.



66 comments:

  1. Jessie J was dreadful, and I was irritated listening to it. I can be a bit of a purist, though.

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  2. I thought Annie L was not so good. George was good. My fave, Eric Idle. Just because.

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  3. Between Jessie J and Emeli Sande I was near turning the tv off there was too much of them both - however overall I LOVED IT. Ray Davis had me in tears, The Spice Girls had me doing their dance moves like I was 14 again, George Michael had me squealing and jumping up from the sofa...not to mention the Pet Shop Boys and Annie Lennox!! Awesome closing ceremony!

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  4. NBC left out the performance to Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill, along with a lot of other stuff (marathon medal ceremony!). Grrrrr.

    Running Up That Hill performance

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  5. The Who did it for me, and the Bowie montage. Wish they'd had some Rolling Stones - could've done without the One Direction bit though, they are tedious beyond belief for my taste.

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    1. I wish they would've invited the Rolling Stones to sing live, no offense to The Who because they're good but the Stones are even better

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  6. My husband couln't say enough bad things about that Jessie J.

    Despite myself, I enjoyed the Spice Girls.

    And NBC screwed us again by editing out some of the performances. Really??

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  7. Didn't the Spice Girls perform? Why no pictures of that?
    *I could be wrong because I didn't actually watch, but I thought I heard they would be there.

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  8. I enjoyed what I saw, but I thought the part with the fashion models was kind of stupid. Kind of slowed everything down.

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  9. I'm with you guys, WTF is up with editing stuff out? And yet they felt the need to let Ryan Seacrest talk over EVERY FREAKING THING THAT WENT ON.

    OH LOOK THERE'S A FIREWORK! OH LOOK SOMEONE LITTERED!

    The most appalling to me, though, was when they cut "Abide With Me" from the opening.

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  10. Hated it, thought it was a shambles. Probably expected too much after Danny Boyle's fantaastic opening ceremony. The sound was a mess, good bits like Elbow just got drowned out. Enjoyed Brian May and Jesse J. but Freddie Mercury was great.

    Most of the artists were old enough to be the athlete's grandparents.




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  11. Did NBC leave out The Who as well? George was great and I so enjoyed the Spice Girls, still a fan after all these years..love brit pop!

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  12. George WAS really great and he seemed super genuine when he sang the lyrics "it's been a really long time" and something about caring about each other.

    I know he was recently quite sick so I think he has a renewed appreciation for everything he has.

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  13. US readers. Do you like Jessy J? Please take her, far far away

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  14. Kate bush didn't actually perform. They played running p that hill During a part where they built blocks for every event but it was just a recording.xx

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  16. George was great, Annie can do no wrong by me, you can keep Jessie J., also loved Eric Idle, Imagine, and Brian May, I even enjoyed the Spice Girls.

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  17. I waited and watched it on direct tv today so I could skip the crap and move forward when I hated it. A 1 hour musical performance took only 20 minutes:)

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  18. I don't know who Jessie J. is, but that is an awful outfit.

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  19. Whole bunch of Royals in that pic.

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  20. We hate Jessie J. Please hide her from the world.

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  21. Anonymous1:09 PM

    While it had its issues, I certainly enjoyed it a lot more than I did that mess of an opening ceremony. I'm still fuming over that one. But watching Jessie J pretend to rock out to Brian May just made me want to slap her. And what was going on with that outfit? One Direction -- really? They showed that adolescent mess, but cut out Muse? Bastards!

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  22. I live in Europe and I have NO IDEA who Jessie J is.

    People it wasn't The Who but a cover band.

    Brian May ROCKED.

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  23. What in the name of Bacon was Jessie J wearing last night? Strange creepy unitard things that were not flattering at all!

    George Michael! I love you! He was amazing and after being sick too. Damn! I just want to eat you up. What was that show his music built around- the one with Johnny Lee Miller? I loved seeing Georgie boy on it.

    Loved Pet Shop Boys and Fat Boy Slim and mega Stomp cast. And my girls! The Spice Girls looked amazing and I sang along just like the old days. I found myself thinking - I should watch their movie. That movie was good wasn't it???

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  24. @Dia It was Eli Stone

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  25. @happymostofthetime - it was a cover band at the start, and The Who at the end, at least the surviving members. Roger Daltrey just doesn't seem to age.

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  26. I was so pissed NBC cut to commercial in the middle of Annie's set! Tragic!

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  27. Didn't watch, but can I assume from the pics that NBC in all their wisdom (wink wink) they cut out: The Who, Kaiser Chiefs and Muse???? Instead subjected us to Jessie J's horrific body suit? EGADS

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  28. Loved the Kaiser Chiefs... would have preferred one of their own songs over Pinball Wizard, but I'll take what I can get. Their singer is up there for me with Dave Grohl and Josh Homme in terms of get-out-of-jail-free cards... though I do hear that he can be a turd at times.

    The Queen thing would have beat EVERYTHING out *easily* had the artistic powers that be a) not hired that skank Jesse J who MUST have slept with someone to get the gig, and b) figured out a way to edit footage of Freddie Mercury to do the actual signing. Add a return from retirement for John Deacon and this would have a lot of people super-effing-thrilled.

    I liked The Who but was sad that Ray Davies' performance of Waterloo Sunset was edited out (WTF, NBC).

    I also don't get why there was no reference to London's influence on punk. My husband did advise that The Buzzcock's performing Orgasm Addict might not be appropriate... I'd have loved it though.

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  29. They should have just had a hologram Freddie Mercury perform and called it a day.

    Ryan Seacrest was the most irritating part besides the awkward commercial breaks for shows that look so bad I'm actually embarrassed for the actors. Bubbles the chimp could have made better shows/commercials.

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  30. I can't stop staring at Russell Brand's pants. They have some sort of hypnotic quality.

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  31. I have to agree with everyone about Jessie J. Watching her do air guitar with Brian May literally made me angry.

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  32. I love Take That with or without Robbie...and they performed even though it was called into question when Gary Barlow's 4th child was stillborn a week earlier. :(

    Did NBC actually air them? I'd be shocked. I was driving back from the beach and missed it, need to find the full ceremony video...anyone know where to find it?

    I am a new fan of Emili Sande...this has been great exposure for her.

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  33. The opening ceremony was much better than the closing one in my opinion. It felt a bit like the concert of washed out stars at times. Yes, they are legends, but... That's just my opinion. I missed the Olimpic spirit in this ceremony, it was about entertainment industry too much.

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  34. Did not watch, but have to express my love for George Michael! From Wham to now...I know he's had his share of trouble, often self-inflicted, but I just adore him!

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  35. Annie Lenox and George Michael!! I'm going to have to watch this on YouTube. Awesome.

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  36. I watched some of it live streaming online. I was bored after LOVING the opening ceremony. I just missed Fat Boy Slim on my computer and I'm so mad. I recorded it on tv, please tell me NBC didn't cut him out? I was so bored I couldn't watch. I like Jessie J but if she air guitared I might join you guys in disliking. OH GEORGE MICHAEL ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!! It was like seeing a leprechan since he's been in hiding for so long and holy shit didn't he just come out of a coma??? He seemed like his body was shaking but his voice OMG some of you have said recently how great his voice is and last night I did finally hear what you meant.

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  37. @trouble bubble said...
    I missed the Olimpic spirit in this ceremony, it was about entertainment industry too much.


    This. Totally this.

    I turned the closing ceremony off at the fashion bit. I was angry and I'm not even an Olympics purist. NBC's coverage really, really sucked and I hope the IOC gives the broadcast rights to another network next time.

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  38. I'm surprised Enty hasn't mentioned what happened with Gary Barlow and his baby and performing a week after that happened. Take That were the highlight of the night. So glad they were part of the torch extinguishing so NBC couldn't edit them out.

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  39. Photo of One Direction (whatever that is) and Take That but no WHO?

    BOOOOO. Point deduction!!

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  40. Between turning the channel back and forth w/ Big Brother I somehow missed George. *tears*
    Off to youtube it. That was the only act I wanted to see.

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  41. @Ariedana - thanks for that update - so glad NBC didn't have the option to cut them! Since the show's director is their tour director, I'm sure he thought of that. :P

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  42. I really wanted Brian May to whack Jessie J in the face with his guitar. She is just awful.

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  43. Who did Russell Brand sleep with to get that gig?

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  44. i like it. when prince harry was shown singing along to, "always look on the bright side of life" i loved it. totally made my day.

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  45. I think Jessie J confused this with the winter olympics. Both of her (horrid) outfits looked like some Ice Skater's rejects.

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  46. I am glad I didn't have to put up with Ryan Seacrest. Kate Bush didn't appear but did rerecord RUTH which is released on iTunes today, but not in the US apparently.

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  47. The queen bit and eric idle for sure! And yes even I sang along to spice girls lol just couldnt help it, felt kinda sorry for posh clearly out of her comfort zone, jessie j lol I remarked she thinks shes one of the gymnasts, my boyfriend agreed :)

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  48. I watched on a Canadian channel--no Ryan Seacrest (Thank you Jesus)--no One Direction, no Ray Davies, and no Pet Shop Boys were shown on my screen. Too much Jessie J and what was with the models anyway? They could have cut for a commercial then--but no. Annie Lennox was the biggest highlight for me. Love her!

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  49. LOVED Annie L!

    No idea who this Jesse J is but she was horrid and wrecked my Queen enjoyment.

    props to Madness for not lipsynching like most everyone else. They are still fantastic.

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  50. Add the Pet Shop Boys to my Spice Girls Squeeee earlier.

    Loved Take That.

    And boo on Jessie J and ESPECIALLY One Direction (really? are we calling them icons?)

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  51. @ Happymostofthetime-The Who did play. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend were both there. They are the only band members still alive. Why did you think it was a cover band?
    It was very moving to see John Lennon, I’m still angry at his murder. The least the US could do is keep his evil POS gunslinging murderer behind bars until he rots.

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  52. Ok, WHY didn't George Michael sing with Queen? Have you heard him sing with them at that tribute they did years ago? He is the ONLY voice that can compare to Freddie.

    I didn't watch last night, but will be you tubing Annie and George for sure - two of my faves!

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  53. And thank you to everyone who's criticizing that God-awful body suit on what's-her-name. Redic!

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  54. I completely disagree that there was no ‘Olympic spirit’. The meaning of that is for young people to be inspired and motivated to play sport in a way that is free of discrimination, is in the spirit of fair play, friendship and solidarity. I saw all those being practised every day. And the coverage on the BBC was stupendous. No adverts, no Ryan Seacrest and lots of cheering on of the contestants particularly when the Saudi Arabian runner was the last of her race to cross the finish line. From the torch relay through to the end of the closing ceremony we saw the best of what people are capable of, not just on the track and sports facilities. And the tens of thousands of volunteers who not only gave their time to help at the all the events, many of them were volunteer car drivers who took athletes and others safely to their destinations. I can’t wait for the Paralympics to start.

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  55. Wow, Jessie J sounds like she was universally reviled.

    My 9yo looooves One Direction and was really excited to get to see them live as part of something so significant...I will have to reserve any disgust. :)

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  56. Oh hi, Frufra. How are you? I posted a message to you on the thread that you called out to me, yesterday. Did you ever see Robert Plant singing This Thing Called Love at a tribute concert to Freddie? Now I’d have loved to see that again. Anyway, it’s 2.30 in the morning in my house. Must.Get.Sleep.Before.Work.at.8.a.m.!!! Nite Frufra, Nite all!! *waves*

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  57. Jessie J is one of the ugliest women in the world

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  58. @ audrey - not sure why you didn't see all the acts if you watched on CTV. I watched it live (at 4 pm Eastern), and they showed everything - Kate Bush, Muse, the whole David Bowie bit, Beady Eye (the Gallaghers), Eric Idle, Annie Lennox, George Michael and The Who.

    What I still don't understand is why Elton John wasn't included in both the opening and closing ceremony - I wonder if there was some sort of disagreement, because he's one of the biggest British singers, ever. Eric Clapton too.

    Maybe there are just too many of them, and they couldn't include everyone.

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  59. Not enough Elbow.

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  60. What the heck is Jessie J wearing? Did she get a discount for buying an unfinished outfit?

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  61. Muse, the Kaiser Chiefs and Madness did it for me (and the Spice Girls obviously!!)

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  62. I think Jessie J has an amazing, powerful voice. I would imagine that Brian May chose her for this reason. She's only in her early twenties. I know she sang a few wrong notes, but so did some of the others.

    She's wearing more than she appears to be....it's just a buff-coloured bodysuit. If it were black, nobody would have batted an eye...


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  63. @billybob. Kaiser Chiefs sang "Pinball Wizard" earlier in the evening. I thought that was it for The Who, but apparently here in CST, NBC cut to a stupid new sitcom (like that couldn't wait until next week), then the news, THEN showed The Who singing, which I totally missed. So "cover" band and The Who both played.

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  64. I wished there had been some 80's New Romantics like Duran Duran or Spandau as well. Add me to the general hate towards Jessie J - just ugh!

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  65. Boring-ass whiteboy wankfest, this was- and misogynist as can be. Russell Brand is one UGLY man. Yuck!

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