Special Event: Tokyo 2021: Olympics Opening Ceremony (Semi)-Live Watch
July 23, 2021 4:20 PM - Subscribe
Watching the Opening Ceremony on tape delay this (North/South American) evening? Coming inside to semi-live-watch the Opening Ceremony!
I watched this morning but might watch at least the parade of nations again.
I know there were protests right outside the stadium and the IOC should probably have just shifted all the host cities back 4 years or something rather than forcing this on Japan during a pandemic.
But I am weak and these athletes look just as excited walking into the empty stadium as they would during a regular Olympics.
posted by the primroses were over at 5:05 PM on July 23, 2021
I know there were protests right outside the stadium and the IOC should probably have just shifted all the host cities back 4 years or something rather than forcing this on Japan during a pandemic.
But I am weak and these athletes look just as excited walking into the empty stadium as they would during a regular Olympics.
posted by the primroses were over at 5:05 PM on July 23, 2021
Is it weird watching the Parade of Nations without the cheering from the crowd?
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:10 PM on July 23, 2021
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:10 PM on July 23, 2021
I just got home and tuned in - they haven't started the Parade of Nations yet.
posted by Gray Duck at 5:15 PM on July 23, 2021
posted by Gray Duck at 5:15 PM on July 23, 2021
Oh, I was asking primroses, since they've already seen it. :D
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:20 PM on July 23, 2021
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:20 PM on July 23, 2021
A little, yeah, but the athletes are still so excited to be there - phones out, recording their entry into the giant, empty stadium - and the outfits are still fun to judge. My kingdom for the USA to finally move on from Ralph Lauren's stupid yacht club employee vibe!
Also, never fear, Pita Taufatofua, beloved summer and winter Olympian and shirtless Tongan flag bearer is back and oily as ever.
posted by the primroses were over at 5:21 PM on July 23, 2021 [6 favorites]
Also, never fear, Pita Taufatofua, beloved summer and winter Olympian and shirtless Tongan flag bearer is back and oily as ever.
posted by the primroses were over at 5:21 PM on July 23, 2021 [6 favorites]
We are five countries in and I'm already all boo-hoo. I love the parade of nations!
posted by Gray Duck at 5:50 PM on July 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Gray Duck at 5:50 PM on July 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
Argentina is so excited! Also ooooooooh I want the Aruba outfits!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:52 PM on July 23, 2021
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:52 PM on July 23, 2021
We had to pause while my SO went to the store for dessert treats, but I'm curious did NBC do it's usual edit job on the opening ceremony this year?
posted by Carillon at 5:59 PM on July 23, 2021
posted by Carillon at 5:59 PM on July 23, 2021
I like that they have two flag bearers for most countries this year. I enjoy seeing who goes for awkwardly holding it together and who trades off - maybe just let them have two flags?
posted by the primroses were over at 6:00 PM on July 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by the primroses were over at 6:00 PM on July 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
Uruguay are straight wrestling for their flag, which is appropriately competitive, I think.
posted by the primroses were over at 6:04 PM on July 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by the primroses were over at 6:04 PM on July 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
"I'm curious did NBC do it's usual edit job on the opening ceremony this year?"
They're doing the thing where they went to commercials during the live broadcast and then would show the three teams that walked in and quickly review facts about them, while vamping longer the rest of the time. I will say I find it approximately A BILLION PERCENT BETTER without Matt Lauer being smugly condescending towards every country in the world. God that guy sucked as a commentator.
---
Some countries have been much stricter about their athletes' mask-wearing and everyone has it on properly; other countries have a lot of below-the-nose scoffers.
Do not love the Italy outfits, they all look pregnant with those flag circles on their bellies. Loved the Greek skirts, they looked very comfortable for summer.
Iranian women's outfits, esp with the flag shoulder and flag "headband" at the front of the hijab is really nice! Also nice to see a Sikh flagbearer for India. Uganda looks great!
The UK looked like barbers in vests on first glance but I guess they're windbreakers. (British Virgin Islands hella more stylish.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:06 PM on July 23, 2021
They're doing the thing where they went to commercials during the live broadcast and then would show the three teams that walked in and quickly review facts about them, while vamping longer the rest of the time. I will say I find it approximately A BILLION PERCENT BETTER without Matt Lauer being smugly condescending towards every country in the world. God that guy sucked as a commentator.
---
Some countries have been much stricter about their athletes' mask-wearing and everyone has it on properly; other countries have a lot of below-the-nose scoffers.
Do not love the Italy outfits, they all look pregnant with those flag circles on their bellies. Loved the Greek skirts, they looked very comfortable for summer.
Iranian women's outfits, esp with the flag shoulder and flag "headband" at the front of the hijab is really nice! Also nice to see a Sikh flagbearer for India. Uganda looks great!
The UK looked like barbers in vests on first glance but I guess they're windbreakers. (British Virgin Islands hella more stylish.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:06 PM on July 23, 2021
I was just thinking it looked like they were fighting for the flag. I like the idea of sharing, but I think it'd be hard to walk while holding a giant flag with another person...on TV in front of the world.
posted by Gray Duck at 6:08 PM on July 23, 2021
posted by Gray Duck at 6:08 PM on July 23, 2021
I watched it live this morning. Pretty bittersweet. I have always loved the global community and triumph of the human spirit thing of the opening ceremony, but with the empty stands and whatnot, it all seemed kinda deflated, stricken, bleak. Sorry. Sorry. I love the Olympics! I do. (The IOC, not so much.) I nearly cried at work, is all.
(Ted Lasso let me down big time too.)
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 6:13 PM on July 23, 2021
(Ted Lasso let me down big time too.)
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 6:13 PM on July 23, 2021
Ooooooh, love Kiribati's shirts! Costa Rica's jacket are very chic! Sierra Leone's coats A++++.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:40 PM on July 23, 2021
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:40 PM on July 23, 2021
Well hello, Tonga. Good to see you again!
posted by Gray Duck at 7:04 PM on July 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Gray Duck at 7:04 PM on July 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
Zzzzzzzz Ralph Lauren, not that I don't own Ralph Lauren, but ugh, so boring. Pick someone fashion-forward and exciting! So many talented, rising American designers! Extremely bored of "golf club employees."
I mean it's better than some of the "athletic chic" outfits. But it's so snore.
Ooooooh, France has three outfits!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:57 PM on July 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
I mean it's better than some of the "athletic chic" outfits. But it's so snore.
Ooooooh, France has three outfits!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:57 PM on July 23, 2021 [1 favorite]
OMG THE EMOJI SPORTS DUDE!!!!!!!!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:32 PM on July 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:32 PM on July 23, 2021 [3 favorites]
Watched it live. You might be tempted to tune out at the song bit after the Parade of Nations, but keep going. The last show segments are juuust fantastic.
posted by hellopanda at 1:02 AM on July 24, 2021
posted by hellopanda at 1:02 AM on July 24, 2021
Forgot that the Russians are still sort of suspended. The problems never go away. Sigh.
posted by Melismata at 5:21 AM on July 24, 2021
posted by Melismata at 5:21 AM on July 24, 2021
France gets points for the group effect that made the entire team look like their flag.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:29 AM on July 24, 2021
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:29 AM on July 24, 2021
Boos and hisses to Tarico and the producers for injecting a bunch of jingoistic hot takes into the Parade of Nations.
Shout out to the greeters lining the path, many of who appeared to be senior citizens, for dancing, clapping, and waving — both arms, Japanese style — for almost two hours.
The pictogram mime had me trying to remember a post on the Blue about people in Japan creating pantomime recreations of movies, but I haven't been able to find it.
posted by ob1quixote at 6:20 AM on July 24, 2021
Shout out to the greeters lining the path, many of who appeared to be senior citizens, for dancing, clapping, and waving — both arms, Japanese style — for almost two hours.
The pictogram mime had me trying to remember a post on the Blue about people in Japan creating pantomime recreations of movies, but I haven't been able to find it.
posted by ob1quixote at 6:20 AM on July 24, 2021
France gets points for the group effect that made the entire team look like their flag.
Locals may also note their resemblance to French tax return forms.
For me, Misea's rendition of Kimigayo was the highlight. That and the drone thing - but that is sort of cheating these days.
posted by rongorongo at 2:19 AM on July 25, 2021
Locals may also note their resemblance to French tax return forms.
For me, Misea's rendition of Kimigayo was the highlight. That and the drone thing - but that is sort of cheating these days.
posted by rongorongo at 2:19 AM on July 25, 2021
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posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:37 PM on July 23, 2021 [1 favorite]