A Writer By Any Other Pen…

Never in my life did I think that I’d refer to the stodgy Brits as a breath of fresh air. But that’s exactly what they brought to the Olympic Closing Ceremonies last night. When that bright red bus rolled into the stadium (I refuse to call it “The Bird’s Nest” since it looks more like “The Toilet Bowl”), then the dancers, dressed in NORMAL everyday clothes (there was even a dancer in a wheelchair!) started doing their moves, I was like, aaaah….normalcy. I’d forgotten what that looked like in the Olympics.

The Chinese portion of the program was just like the Opening Ceremonies: filled with precision, pageantry and symbolism. It was also too cold (and that’s saying a lot considering they portrayed a human Olympic flame) and too choreographed. The dancers were again wearing identical outfits. Haven’t we seen this before? Where is the GENUINE exuberance in the choreography? Where is the look to the future? Oh, there it is! Atop the London bus with ancient Jimmy Page (who managed to look cool and hip even at age 102), reality show winner Leona Lewis, and Becks. Becks! Who knew he was there just to provide that extra cool factor. Where was Posh and why didn’t the camera pan to her? Now THAT would have been the ultimate cool shot.

Anyway, I’m glad these games are over. I hope they never go back to China, be it in the summer or winter. Already I’m looking forward to the bellyaching of the Brits, with their lockjaws and indecipherable English. At least they will be REAL, which is my favorite thing of all.