The London Olympics 2012

[Bouncy Castle]

I didn't watch any of it, but newspaper reports are praising Mr Barlow for his decision to go on. A lot of people would have backed out, under the circumstances.

[MongoGutman]

The closing ceremony was more of a concert, party and celebration than the opening which had more elements of drama and spectacle. I thought they both went well and they set the tone for the games which were the "happiest" games I've ever seen.

I thought that both "ceremonies" - I use "" because both employed the absolute minimum of po-faced solemnity one associates with the word - rubbed the faces of the world in British culture. Not in a jingoistic manner, but were maybe a little excessive in their patriotism. Shakespeare, the industrial revolution, the internet, Harry Potter/JK Rowling, Monty Python, The Spice Girls, the Beatles, The Who, Pink Floyd and I don't know what else, plenty I've missed no doubt. I'm a little disappointed the Stones didn't finish the show - in their 50th year that would've been perfect.

After Beijing's grand spectacle of untold thousands performing with military precision and perfect harmony many - including me - asked how could we top that? Well I think they managed it - Beijing's was joyless and robotic, London injected fun and humanity into the proceedings.

Rio has it's work cut out for them.

[Batty]

The closing ceremony was more of a concert, party and celebration than the opening which had more elements of drama and spectacle. I thought they both went well and they set the tone for the games which were the "happiest" games I've ever seen.

Totally agree. I don't usually bother to watch many events in an olympics, but I was hooked on ours. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm a little disappointed the Stones didn't finish the show - in their 50th year that would've been perfect.

Mick Jagger gave an article, and mentioned that he refused to take part. He reckons that he's too old for such things!

[Catch-up]

How is she your friend? Feel free to offend her

Just had my fill of the gross generalizations recently. I'll get over it!

Wow, Americans are so touchy

What can I say? I ran out of chocolate. But, there is cake in my future!

Only saw clips of the closing ceremony but it looked spectacular! It's hard to believe it's all over.

[Who's Wee Dug]

I think Bouncy might be relieved, she will be able to get to work without all the hassle for a couple of weeks until the Para Olympics starts.

[Bouncy Castle]

Actually, because of Boris's dire warnings about travel, a lot of people stayed away, and the travel was better than it normally is.

[Del]

Sooo had to laugh when One Direction was on, I really had to think about Hayden

We missed the original closing ceremony (it was on at dawn here) but I saw most of it .... so we watched the rerun last night and she was allowed to stay up late...... OMG OMG OMG!!! She was two inches from the sceen in bliss!!!

As Morgan said: It has so much "Britishness" about it.... and as the host nation you allowed to do that. It wasnt all the countryside it was the fashion the zaniness and the humour. Takes alot to make ANY nation. Bejing was Bejing... and it was what they do best... you lot did what YOU do best. And I am sure Rio will do well too.... "being" Rio.

TAKE A BOW LONDON !!!!

Spice Girls Re-united!!!!!! Loved the models! LOVED that so much of the show was done with vehicles!!!! Loved Russel Brand. Loved ALL the music! LOVED seeing Freddy Mercury!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They managed to have dead people appear without it being macabre.

But most of all I loved Eric Idle.... can canning romans... skating nuns.... and bollywood!

I loved watching it the second time as much as the first time.

[pip]

So will it be all nice and calm in London by Friday

[Bouncy Castle]

Oh gawd....

[pip]

[Tonyblack]

So will it be all nice and calm in London by Friday

You should be just in time for this year's riots.

[pip]

No different to Dublin then