[babopeddy]

I don't know who's responsible, but I'm just glad I didn't give up and turn the channel, because at about midnight, they showed the rest of it. I was also kind of bummed that instead of showing the final footage to the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth, they used generic movie music that they always use for TV film ads before the film's soundtrack has been released. Peeve.

And to interrupt the OLYMPICS for an obvious classic of deathless dramaturgy like Animal Hospital....Be still, my heart.

Yeah i loved when NBC used to show the best moments to Beethoven's Ode to Joy. 1996 was the best with the crescendo of the song ending with footage of Keri Strug's now legendary vault landing. Ode to Joy used to be played in the opening ceremonies a lot more also but not in the last few Olympics. It's almost the unofficial Olympic theme.

[ayWCZ7VT]

Yeah i loved when NBC used to show the best moments to Beethoven's Ode to Joy. 1996 was the best with the crescendo of the song ending with footage of Keri Strug's now legendary vault landing. Ode to Joy used to be played in the opening ceremonies a lot more also but not in the last few Olympics. It's almost the unofficial Olympic theme.

Some will remember this from the Opening Ceremony at Nagano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhg-Aw_zMW4

and from the ending credits at Salt Lake City:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Flz...eature=related

There was a nice version from Saltzburg but can't find it.

[datingcrew]

Where were our gymnasts and Michael Phelps? I didn't seen any Russian gymnasts, either.

As far as the ceremony, it was good but I have seen better. The models on the catwalk weren't necessary, imo. The skating nuns were cute!

I watched the closing ceremony and as for the nuns bit - well that was one of the reasons i watched it, another.. was another friend of mine also took part in dancing with Darcy Bussell towards the end of the show.

One of the nuns was my coach. I skate on Off-Ice Skates which is what the 5 professional skaters were wearing, one of the other nuns was Frankie from Dancing on Ice ( a UK programme if you dont know it) and i thought they were fab!!! Just a shame there was not a little more coverage of thier skates - but then im biased lol!
Being the host country and mine i thought it was a great show. Looked like all the Athletes that were there enjoyed it.
I am now looking forward to the start of the Paralympics on Wednesday