Poll: Vancouver closing ceremony Insulting? Uncreative? Just plain terrible?

[Lonan]

I know it's been a week since it happened, but I still feel as though nature of the closing ceremony of this year's Winter Olympics shouldn't be dismissed just because it's over and nothing can be done to change it.

My issue is how a small number of individuals decided to make an incredibly biased view of a large group of individuals without their consent. Everyone has an opinion, but they certainly don't need to express it or force it on other's. Whatever light-hearted, light-minded, and drunk handful of people who decided to insult Canada by putting woman in short-skirts rubbing up against someone singing "The Maple Leaf Forever" seems to have gotten the good part of alcohol, while I get the hangover. How much taxpayers money was spent on these ceremonies? Perhaps I should contact the CTF (Canadian Taxpayers Federation) and find out. I think most people would rather their hard-earned money go to the JCFGF (Jean Chretien and Friends Golfing Fund) than to this absolute disgrace.

I'm sure some people thought it was funny, but I didn't think it was at all. In China, someone who managed to work "Me Chinese, me no dumb! Me stick dynamite up my bum!" into the Beijing closing ceremonies would have been executed. This is why I like China. Speaking of other countries, the VANOC decided to hire an Australian for whatever reason to do both ceremonies because apparently it just needed to be like that. I don't think it was. He did the first part quite well, but he seemed to think he was done at that point because the second part seemed like an afterthought. It was the dregs.

What do you guys think? Was it funny, stupid, insulting, or did you leave before it finished like I did?

 

[delet]

I never even once paid the remotest attention to the Olympics. Sports of just about any kind don't exactly spark my interest, therefore I barely have a clue what you're talking about.

From what you described though, it seems like they decided to 'sex up' the Olympics... From that the only opinion I can give you is that I quite hate how society is progressing; everything needs to be sexy or relate to sex in some way. Meh.

 

[SonicKoala]

No, they weren't "sexing up" the Olympics. That was just a small aspect of the Closing ceremonies. It was definitely light-hearted and they were playing on a number of different stereotypes associated with Canada - I personally have no problem with that, but I'm very passive.

 

[Spaghetti]

From what you described though, it seems like they decided to 'sex up' the Olympics... From that the only opinion I can give you is that I quite hate how society is progressing; everything needs to be sexy or relate to sex in some way. Meh.

I don't think it had anything to do with sex, but pandering to stereotypes. They had giant inflated Beaver's and Moose's and giant cut out Hockey Players and Mounties. To a Canadian, it would have been very demeaning.

I wasn't personaly against it or for it, but I was surprised that the Canadian organisers allowed it to happen, it was almost the antithesis of the whole culture thing that the Opening ceremony was. I'd certainly be unhappy if the London Closing ceremony includes every stupid British stereotype.

 

[Chamale]

As a Canadian, I'd like to say that our opening ceremony was terribly boring, while the closing ceremony was brilliantly funny. Perhaps the Opening Ceremony was more appealing to foreigners, but everyone I know loved the Closing Ceremony.

 

[madcap2112]

It doesn't really matter too much in the long run; what's going to be remembered more than anything else is the final hockey game between the U.S. and Canada.

 

[SturmDolch]

The large dance, I liked, with all the mounties and canoes and stuff... It was alright. But what really annoyed me was the terrible comedians. Seriously? Who were they anyways? And that Star Trek guy really has too much popularity for what he does... None of them were funny, just insulting to Canada.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I didn't see it. From the description, it seems it sucked though. I am curious in what way Russia saved it; can anyone elaborate?

Russia saved it from becoming a complete Canadian Parody when they played their FUCKING AWESOME anthem. That song is beyond epic.

And as a Canadian, I did feel that it was a little biased. Why we decided to hire an Australian to represent our culture is beyond me. There were table hockey statues for gods sake!

 

[Hiram88]

no

 

[Lonan]

Wait, wait, wait...

You LIKE China?

That is what I said. Why don't you?

 

[Lonan]

From what you described though, it seems like they decided to 'sex up' the Olympics... From that the only opinion I can give you is that I quite hate how society is progressing; everything needs to be sexy or relate to sex in some way. Meh.

I don't think it had anything to do with sex, but pandering to stereotypes. They had giant inflated Beaver's and Moose's and giant cut out Hockey Players and Mounties. To a Canadian, it would have been very demeaning.

I wasn't personaly against it or for it, but I was surprised that the Canadian organisers allowed it to happen, it was almost the antithesis of the whole culture thing that the Opening ceremony was. I'd certainly be unhappy if the London Closing ceremony includes every stupid British stereotype.

I was just using one example. I didn't see most of it(the ceremonies), I left after Russia was finished and the announcer said "after the break, I am Canadian" and I thought "oh boy, here we go, and here I go."

 

[Spoonius]

Wait, the presenter was an Aussie?

Why?

And what nation was it that made fun of Canada?

 

[Gaderael]

I'm Canadian, and I thought it was hilarious. It was definitely done to poke fun at ourselves. I thought they did a great job. Yeah, the comedians were a little lackluster, but I've seen them before, and and I know their normal stuff is no where near as tame. Unfortunately, they had to hold themselves back. Shatner was a funny as heel, because, it's William Fucking Shatner. The giant beavers, the moose, the table hockey players, the giant mounties, I thought were so over the top, it was perfect. I was waiting for a giant inflatable donut and Time Horton's coffee cup to show up, but alas, no such luck.

 

[playfulotter]

Well considering that it was Canadians who organized the opening and closing ceremony, it can't really be racist or degrading to Canadians. I thought it was hilarious and entertaining. And like how Gaderael said, "It was definitely done to poke fun at ourselves." if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? Would it be offensive to Americans if the Closing Ceremony in America had a bunch of Fat CEO's eating burgers and fries and waving around massive firearms fighting against a bunch of hippie vegetarians all smoking pot and adopting children from other countries? I'm not saying all Americans are like that, but isn't that the Global stereotype of America?

As a side note, Way to go Canada with the Gold in Hockey! That was one of the best Hockey matches I have ever seen! It almost, almost brought a tear to my eye watching that game.

 

[waggmd]

I'm Canadian, and I thought it was hilarious. It was definitely done to poke fun at ourselves. I thought they did a great job. Yeah, the comedians were a little lackluster, but I've seen them before, and and I know their normal stuff is no where near as tame. Unfortunately, they had to hold themselves back. Shatner was a funny as heel, because, it's William Fucking Shatner. The giant beavers, the moose, the table hockey players, the giant mounties, I thought were so over the top, it was perfect. I was waiting for a giant inflatable donut and Time Horton's coffee cup to show up, but alas, no such luck.

I agree, I thought the closing ceremonies were pretty funny overall with the comedians being the low part, and Michael Buble's Maple Leaf Forever being a high part. They even had the Hockey Night in Canada song playing it was awesome. I am more disappointed with the bands chosen seriously Nickelback, Avril, Simple Plan, and Hedley!?! Thank God Alanis, and K-OS showed up.

 

[Matt_LRR]

Canadian here. If you found the ceremonies insulting you need to lighten up. It was just a sending up of our own cultural stereotyopes. If fact, if you want to really analyzeit, it was making fun of our stereotypes because they aren't what we're all about.

It was a great show, very goofy, and a lot of fun. Taken right from the Bob & Doug McKenzie school of Candiana.

That said, the Cathrine O'Hara SUCKED, and Bill Shatner's bit was weak. And the musicians that played were appalling. THAT's what I found insulting. For all the great musical talent in this country, they pick Nickelback, Avril, Simple Plan, and Hedley? Not even Alanis and K-OS could save that - (especially since Alanis made a really weird song choice, and K-Os phoned his bit in).

-m

 

[JEBWrench]

It was a great show, very goofy, and a lot of fun. Taken right from the Bob & Doug McKenzie school of Candiana.

-m

Charlie Farquharson, man. Charlie Farquharson invented that school.

So anyways, being a Canadian who managed to escape, what happened in the Olympics that was so degrading/funny? A bunch of Canadian symbols being paraded around or something?

 

[Hobo Joe]

I thought it was quite funny seeing the stereotypes light-heartedly overplayed.