Like some 20 million people I tuned into the closing ceremonies of the Olympics, though in true NBC fashion they picked and edited what they showed and of course it has sent the twitterverse into a tizzy about who they didn't get to see and who actually was there. Granted you can go online and see some of the missing performances but that just is not the same as seeing the whole entire spectacle in one continuous, dizzying collection of British absurdity. Who really cares if people here may not be familiar with some of the acts that played--they would have at least enjoyed the pomp and circumstance of it all--that is why folks are watching the f***king closing ceremonies to the Olympics after all.
One act that did get prime time viewing at least was the Spice Girls--hooray--and yes I loved every second of their well choreographed, well sung, extremely odd rooftop car riding performance. Was it ridiculous--yes. Was it kind of campy--sort of. And that is everything that we all love about the Spice Girls. Yes I will go on record as liking the Spice Girls and yes I have all their music. To me they are the penultimate product of a well-oiled British pop music group. Formed by a svengali, given nicknames, surrounded by excellent producers and songwriters and poof--an instant superstar act. Of course like all groups of their kind, they eventually bristled at their creators creative shackles and wanted a bigger say in their music and a bigger cut in their payday. One member struck out on her own (Geri we are looking at you) and the rest eventually disbanded due to shrinking sales and over sized egos. It was good to see them all doing their "Girl Power" thing all over again though I'd have preferred to hear "Say You'll Be There" instead of "Spice Up Your Life" (from that sadly camptastic Spice World, the Spice Girls movie). Do I think this will lead to all them doing a reunion tour? Well, maybe not all of them. If it happens it will be without Ms. Posh Spice--Victoria Beckham. Rumor has it the only reason she even did the Olympic thing was because they agreed to have her fashion line as one of the floats in that bizarre tribute to British Fashion in the closing ceremonies. If anyone can please explain that whole thing to me--please do. She really doesn't need to tour again like the others probably do. She's done quite well for herself with that fashion line and of course that husband and with 4 kids probably doesn't want to be away that long. Or more likely doesn't want to have her ego brush up against those egos of a couple of the others (again I'm looking at you Geri and Mel). But who knows she could surprise us all though looking at this GIF it probably says it all.
As for the other acts--I love Annie Lennox but what does she have to do with Goth? George Michael sound good at least. The Who were fine but eeks they are old. Muse--oh dear--that is the worst theme song for an Olympics ever. (I will always take Chuck Mangione's "Give It All You Got".) Madness sounded terrible. Pet Shop Boys were good but too short. Jessie J, Taio Cruz and Tinnie Tempah were forgettable. One Direction--well they had to pander to the young 'uns. Queen great, Queen with Jessie J a travesty. Fatboy Slim---really? Eric Idle--at least the crowd new all the words. Emeli Sande--good singer--terrible song. That Pink Floyd tribute band---why bother. A Kate Bush song but no Kate Bush? Same for Bowie? Again why bother. Sadly while I enjoyed some of the performances no one really wowed me including the Spice Girls. All I can say is what a lost opportunity.
Lastly, the Queen was also not at the closing ceremonies, but seriously, give her a break, it's been one hell of a month for her and she did go to the opening ceremonies. I'm sure she was like "God save myself--I just need a spot of tea and a nap, thank you very much." I'm sorry I can't fault her for that, she's put up with quite enough schlock the last 4 weeks so she gets a big pass.
I would hope that NBC learned a lot from the hit or miss mess they presented and that they would try harder to improve things. Yes you could watch live events online, but once everyone started doing that the feed was terrible and slooooowww. Hey NBC--you made a crap load of money off this Olympics so fix your website for next time. While I can always hope I realize it probably is a false one, as they say--the more things change the more they stay the same. And sadly I think NBC's forthcoming winter Olympics coverage will be just more of the same.
One act that did get prime time viewing at least was the Spice Girls--hooray--and yes I loved every second of their well choreographed, well sung, extremely odd rooftop car riding performance. Was it ridiculous--yes. Was it kind of campy--sort of. And that is everything that we all love about the Spice Girls. Yes I will go on record as liking the Spice Girls and yes I have all their music. To me they are the penultimate product of a well-oiled British pop music group. Formed by a svengali, given nicknames, surrounded by excellent producers and songwriters and poof--an instant superstar act. Of course like all groups of their kind, they eventually bristled at their creators creative shackles and wanted a bigger say in their music and a bigger cut in their payday. One member struck out on her own (Geri we are looking at you) and the rest eventually disbanded due to shrinking sales and over sized egos. It was good to see them all doing their "Girl Power" thing all over again though I'd have preferred to hear "Say You'll Be There" instead of "Spice Up Your Life" (from that sadly camptastic Spice World, the Spice Girls movie). Do I think this will lead to all them doing a reunion tour? Well, maybe not all of them. If it happens it will be without Ms. Posh Spice--Victoria Beckham. Rumor has it the only reason she even did the Olympic thing was because they agreed to have her fashion line as one of the floats in that bizarre tribute to British Fashion in the closing ceremonies. If anyone can please explain that whole thing to me--please do. She really doesn't need to tour again like the others probably do. She's done quite well for herself with that fashion line and of course that husband and with 4 kids probably doesn't want to be away that long. Or more likely doesn't want to have her ego brush up against those egos of a couple of the others (again I'm looking at you Geri and Mel). But who knows she could surprise us all though looking at this GIF it probably says it all.
As for the other acts--I love Annie Lennox but what does she have to do with Goth? George Michael sound good at least. The Who were fine but eeks they are old. Muse--oh dear--that is the worst theme song for an Olympics ever. (I will always take Chuck Mangione's "Give It All You Got".) Madness sounded terrible. Pet Shop Boys were good but too short. Jessie J, Taio Cruz and Tinnie Tempah were forgettable. One Direction--well they had to pander to the young 'uns. Queen great, Queen with Jessie J a travesty. Fatboy Slim---really? Eric Idle--at least the crowd new all the words. Emeli Sande--good singer--terrible song. That Pink Floyd tribute band---why bother. A Kate Bush song but no Kate Bush? Same for Bowie? Again why bother. Sadly while I enjoyed some of the performances no one really wowed me including the Spice Girls. All I can say is what a lost opportunity.
Lastly, the Queen was also not at the closing ceremonies, but seriously, give her a break, it's been one hell of a month for her and she did go to the opening ceremonies. I'm sure she was like "God save myself--I just need a spot of tea and a nap, thank you very much." I'm sorry I can't fault her for that, she's put up with quite enough schlock the last 4 weeks so she gets a big pass.
I would hope that NBC learned a lot from the hit or miss mess they presented and that they would try harder to improve things. Yes you could watch live events online, but once everyone started doing that the feed was terrible and slooooowww. Hey NBC--you made a crap load of money off this Olympics so fix your website for next time. While I can always hope I realize it probably is a false one, as they say--the more things change the more they stay the same. And sadly I think NBC's forthcoming winter Olympics coverage will be just more of the same.
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