Continuously cutting to commercials throughout, the subtle, nuanced program that Danny Boyle planned out was all but eviscerated, as a need to recoup some of the money spent on the Olympic rights took its toll on a ceremony that the world was raving about just hours before.

The ability of an American television audience to enjoy the ceremonies was hampered by several things: flawed (and unrelenting) commentary, a tape-delay that prevented us from watching at the same time on both coasts, let alone at the same time as the rest of the world, and editing that apparently excised some of the content.

The major transitional element of today’s London Olympics opening ceremony was a downtempo performance of adoptive sporting anthem "Abide With Me” by Scottish singer Emeli Sandé.  The song and accompanying dance were a tribute to the victims of the 7/7 terror attacks in London that claimed 52 victims days after the 2012 Summer Olympic hosts were named.  (It's also been suggested the performance was a memorial to the war dead.)

Regardless, it was a rather significant and emotional moment in the opening ceremony, coming just before the parade of nations—and it wasn’t aired in the United States.  Instead, viewers were treated to a lengthy and meaningless Ryan Seacrest interview of Michael Phelps.

NBC [is] making an incredible bid for gold medal for Stupidest Network Ever.  No livestreaming, no broadcast, just pretending it doesn’t exist.

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