…and we’re off, starting with a cinematic ode to Mother Russia, and segueing into an overblown introduction to the Winter QISE.
We then cut to the Fortress of Solitude for Costas and his benediction, with a handoff to Lauer, Vieira, and a Russian ringer at the stadium who vamp until the opening ceremonies begin. Oh, and Obama drops by. I guess presiding at major sporting events has become a part of Presidential duties.
Enough with the preliminaries—let the games begin!
- Mindy proclaimed the USA's outfits as “the worst ugly Christmas sweaters ever”
- Ugh—another dreamlike ceremony seen through the eyes of a young girl? It’s been done.
- The giant snowflakes turning into the QISE rings—oh well, 4 out of 5 ain’t bad
- I’m impressed with the giant video display showing each country’s map during the athletes’ entrance. The futuristic ladies with the countries’ names? Not so much.
- If you’re going to hold an opening ceremony, you’ve got to have giant props and Cirque du Soleil dancers
- Nothing says QISE like dancers dressed as sea anemones
- Hey announcers—maybe you could explain who some of the famous Russians carrying the QISE flag are?
- 3+ hours later—we have a lit cauldron!
Next—the games begin in earnest.