It was a mixed offering.... Like others, I thouroughly enjoyed the first parts, was bemused by the NHS section, though it WAS well done.... and unimpressed by the pop music section.

I have no idea why Muhammed Ali needed 'one more tribute'...but *shrug*

I had no sound problems with the McCartney performance. It came thru fine, and I was surprised at MYSELF for thinking it was quite moving. (NBC commentators said he was genuinely moved himself, and was a bit 'off' for the first few notes.)

Now... the one thing *I* didn't understand was the inclusion and length of the "Mr. Bean" segment. It has been years since I had seen him at all.. (he simply is not an icon in the US). It was vaguely cute... but impressed me as a simplistic version of a Victor Borgé routine. Ah, well... I suppose it is just a UK thing.

All-in-all, I was quite happy and delighted with the feeling & creativity and the way the whole ceremony expressed the essence of the UK.... and as for the queen? "Her Maj. had a face like thunder all night - I wonder why. "...well, she had just parachuted from a helicopter! *grin*... but there was just a hint of a smile as children from all over the UK finished singing to her!


Well done Britain!