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July 26, 2024 8:12 pm  #1


Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

Lady Gaga's French performance during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics was a bit like an SCTV skit with Lola Heatherton and the Juul Haalmeyer dancers.  Cheesy, over the top, not the best dancing or singing, but still somehow kind of cool.

The ceremonies themselves were spectacular even in not the best weather.  NBC had a great opening themselves for their prime time coverage with a segment produced and voiced by Steven Spielberg.  Only minor thing was when they went to their hosts overlooking the Eiffel Tower and Seine their voices were out of sync with the picture for the first three minutes.

Celine Dion did close out the ceremonies in what NBC called a classic and iconic performance.  CBC has been doing something rather interesting.  They have had a few commercial breaks with only one commercial during the opening.  And so far they are not taking many breaks.  I am sure they will jam more spots at the top and bottom of the hour. 

 

July 26, 2024 8:16 pm  #2


Re: Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

I guess it all depends on what side of the continent you're watching from. Seems they weren't that impressed in the U.K.

Sour grapes perhaps?

Nightmare for France as Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony dubbed 'worst in history'

 

 

July 26, 2024 8:36 pm  #3


Re: Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

Tonight both CBC and NBC are showing an edited version of the ceremonies for prime time.  I can see that this opening wouldn't be for everyone. Others will think it is creative and unique since there is always something happening beyond the introduction of the teams floating down the Seine.  London had a pretty spectacular opening themselves in 2012.  The CBC hosts are talking more than on NBC, but both are explaining what is happening. 

     Thread Starter
 

July 27, 2024 12:33 pm  #4


Re: Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

Looking at some reviews of yesterday's Olympic opening ceremony the verdict is mixed.  Some loved it, praising the creativity, music, visuals, humour etc. and others thought it was too weird even too French.

NBC has been criticized for the anchors of the broadcast for the opening.  Sportscaster Mike Tirico, singer Kelly Clarkson and football great Peyton Manning handled the anchoring chores.  Two of the three have no connection to the Olympics (Tirico has anchored for the games various times)  and at times last night all three didn't have much to say.  Manning in particular seemed out of place and uncomfortable.

CBC's anchors seemed a little overwhelmed with so much going on, but did try and have fun and keep things light. They have been criticized for being unprepared and not talking enough about what was on the screen.   

Two reviews of the opening from USA Today and Bill Brioux  ..https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/07/26/olympics-opening-ceremony-review/74499147007/ 
https://brioux.tv/blog/2024/07/27/celine-dion-give-gold-medal-performance-at-wet-wild-olympic-opener-in-paris/

Last edited by paterson1 (July 27, 2024 1:41 pm)

     Thread Starter
 

July 27, 2024 2:42 pm  #5


Re: Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

Just a piece of trivia if you didn't know.
Juul Haalmayer was a real person -- but not a dancer.
Haalwayer was in fact the costume and set designer for SCTV.
There was an actual bricks and mortar office in Rosedale that I used to pass by when I lived in that Toronto neighborhood.


 

 

July 27, 2024 4:09 pm  #6


Re: Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

paterson1 wrote:

Looking at some reviews of yesterday's Olympic opening ceremony the verdict is mixed.  Some loved it, praising the creativity, music, visuals, humour etc. and others thought it was too weird even too French.

NBC has been criticized for the anchors of the broadcast for the opening.  Sportscaster Mike Tirico, singer Kelly Clarkson and football great Peyton Manning handled the anchoring chores.  Two of the three have no connection to the Olympics (Tirico has anchored for the games various times)  and at times last night all three didn't have much to say.  Manning in particular seemed out of place and uncomfortable.

CBC's anchors seemed a little overwhelmed with so much going on, but did try and have fun and keep things light. They have been criticized for being unprepared and not talking enough about what was on the screen.   

Two reviews of the opening from USA Today and Bill Brioux  ..https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/07/26/olympics-opening-ceremony-review/74499147007/ 
https://brioux.tv/blog/2024/07/27/celine-dion-give-gold-medal-performance-at-wet-wild-olympic-opener-in-paris/

I watched the live afternoon version of the Opening Ceremonies on CBC and Brioux hits the nail on the head. Andi Petrillo kept mispronouncing or stumbling through the names of the flag bearers and repeatedly used the same catchphrases, particularly "small but mighty" to describe teams from some of the lesser known nations. Perdita Felicien and Waneek Horn Miller's lack of broadcasting experience left them with little to add other than occasional mentions of countries they had visited during their competitive days. 

Still they'd have to do a lot worse to match the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics opening ceremonies on CTV/TSN. Between the two TSN goombahs in the hot tub doing body shots, and the stumblebum efforts of Lloyd Robertson and Brian Williams (remember Robertson's Vancouver performance led to the first set of calls for him to turnover the anchor chair to someone younger), it was probably some of the most excruciating TV I'd ever seen.
 

Last edited by BowmanvilleBob (July 27, 2024 4:14 pm)

 

July 27, 2024 7:48 pm  #7


Re: Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

Years ago when Harvey Kirck resigned as the long-time co-anchor of the CTV evening news with Lloyd Robertson, Harvey told me he would not miss broadcasting at all.
He talked about the hours of excruciating work in covering election campaigns and events that would keep him on camera for hours on end dying to use the bathroom.
Not to mention long hours of work, toiling until one am, only to have to wake up at 6 am and start it all over again.
I remember specifically he lamented he did not know why Lloyd did not to retire too and end this grueling life.
Now granted Harvey was a heavy drinker, and Lloyd was not, therefore he probably had some more stamina, but Lloyd absolutely outstayed his welcome.
It was embarrassing toward the end seeing him with thick makeup slathered on his face, and his speech becoming sort of slurred.
He needed to go.
(insert Joe Biden reference here).



 

 

July 28, 2024 7:03 am  #8


Re: Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

paterson1 wrote:

Lady Gaga's French performance during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics was a bit like an SCTV skit with Lola Heatherton and the Juul Haalmeyer dancers.  Cheesy, over the top, not the best dancing or singing, but still somehow kind of cool.

The ceremonies themselves were spectacular even in not the best weather.  NBC had a great opening themselves for their prime time coverage with a segment produced and voiced by Steven Spielberg.  Only minor thing was when they went to their hosts overlooking the Eiffel Tower and Seine their voices were out of sync with the picture for the first three minutes.

Celine Dion did close out the ceremonies in what NBC called a classic and iconic performance.  CBC has been doing something rather interesting.  They have had a few commercial breaks with only one commercial during the opening.  And so far they are not taking many breaks.  I am sure they will jam more spots at the top and bottom of the hour. 

Even though some critics weren't kind to the opening ceremonies, it's apparent a lot of Canadians were watching it. 

13.3 Million Viewers In Canada Tune In For Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony

 

July 28, 2024 10:22 am  #9


Re: Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

NBC/Peacock had 29 million viewers watching on Friday.. ..https://deadline.com/2024/07/olympics-opening-ceremony-ratings-nbc-peacock-1236023533/

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July 29, 2024 12:11 pm  #10


Re: Lola Heatherton and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers At The Olympics

Total NBC numbers for the opening have been updated to 32 million viewers. https://deadline.com/2024/07/paris-olympics-viewership-nbcu-platforms-top-32m-1236025230/

     Thread Starter