The opening show of the Olympics has cost £27 million to put on.

Someone on the radio said how wonderful it would be and what great value for money because it would show that Great Britain is a world leader when it comes to putting on a show.

Hmmm....I'd rather Great Britain was a world leader in:
industry
employment
training
education
health and social care
income across all stratas of society
justice
environmental issues

When I was a child I had an autograph book and someone wrote in it, 'All the world is a stage but you don't have to be the clown'. If all we're good at is putting on a show then are we simply the clown?

Aaah c'mon!!!!! Wrong time!

Why?

I am finding the opening ceremony chaotic and I am sure it means very little to most of the visitors from abroad. It certainly has not been multicultural so far, as the only hymns have been Anglican.

I'm sure any foreigners and a lot of British won't have a clue what's going on, loved the Queen jumping out of the helicopter though

£27 million....and the display they're doing now is for the NHS.......how far that money would have gone if used more appropriately.

Why are the announcements in French first and not English?

Why are they making announcements in French first? I don't get it.

Its mad though isn't it?

A French friend has just called me and said, 'and you wonder why I think you English are eccentric?!!'

I am loving the ceremony. It's supposed to be less ambitious than Beijing and I can see Danny Boyle's touch in the way it depicts some of what GB is known for around the world. Great to see so many children involved. Some parts are really moving and I like the odd humourous touch like James Bond with the queen, and Mr Bean in the orchestra

I liked Mr Bean in the orchestra, too, when!

I thought row an was the best bit so far! Although I don't normally like him.
I thought it showed our British soh well!
It's now getting very boring

Think I shall go to bed and read my library book.....

I bet HM is really loving this......not

Why are the announcing in French first? Did anyone really understand what was going on? I'm giving a running commentary to a friend in South Africa so I've been watching it closely and tbh I'm very confused.

Yes vampire I don't understand why French announcements either..somebody please explain .... or offer an hypothesis!

Apparently French is the first language of the IOC so it takes precedence over English

Typical!

Hmph!

English is always second and the home language third so it could have been worse!

BED. NIGHT ALL.

ah I see..now all I need to work out is that opening extravaganza ..think i'll go to bed too, on second thoughts. night night xx

Night!

Well we both loved it. Misery guts - it's here, it's now - why can't we just get behind it and make the best of it :0

Me too, they've only got to 'F'!

It's been really good so far. I love this country! We've got so much to be proud of.

I remember now why I love history so much.