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Olympic Opening Ceremony Fireworks Were (Partly) Faked

Posted by timothy on from the now-apply-to-serious-controversial-events dept.

A complete newb writes "London's Telegraph newspaper reports that some of the fireworks which appeared over Beijing during the television broadcast of the Olympic Opening Ceremony were actually computer generated. But — hold on — it's not necessarily as bad as you think. The faked fireworks were actually set-off at the stadium, but because of potential dangers in filming the display live from a helicopter, viewers at home were shown a pre-recorded, computer-generated shot." To me, the reasoning behind the faked display is no consolation or excuse — it seems hard to swallow that NBC was unaware of this televised deception. I'm glad that it was good-naturedly "revealed" this weekend (according to that Telegraph article), but it's disheartening that such a large crowd can watch (in person, and around the world) such a display and have no reason to realize they've been duped. What about when weightier events are at issue? There's also a slightly more detailed story at sky.com.

6 of 488 comments (clear)

  1. So what... by geeper · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...my wife fakes her fireworks all the time and it doesn't bother me.

    --
    Error reading device 'Signature'. (A)bort, (R)etry, (F)ail?
  2. Slippery slope, fallacy or harbinger of doom? by biryokumaru · · Score: 4, Funny

    In other news, last year's Super Bowl was actually two guys playing Madden '08.

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    When you're afraid to download music illegally in your own home, then the terrorists have won!
  3. How about this by davmoo · · Score: 5, Funny

    To me, the reasoning behind the faked display is no consolation or excuse

    Then next time, Timothy, we'll let you fly the helicopter while fireworks are being shot at it.

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    I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
  4. Re:Only a small part looked simulated by gnick · · Score: 5, Funny

    Libya's flag has been upside down every time I've ever seen it - They must be a very distraught country.

    Japan seems to be pretty panicky too...

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    He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
  5. So that explains... by jhsiao · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...the coziness between China and Iran. China shares advanced missile technology with Iran who reciprocates with advanced computer-generated rocket-launch capability.

  6. The definition of ironic by Lucas123 · · Score: 4, Funny

    ironic Pronunciation: \-rä-nik also i-rä-\ Function: adjective Date: 1576 1: relating to, containing, or constituting irony 2: given to irony 3: China, the inventor of fireworks, faking fireworks at the opening ceremony of the Olympics