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Of all the great things about television, the greatest is that it’s on every single day. TV history is being made, day in and day out, in ways big and small. In an effort to better appreciate this history, we’re taking a look back, every day, at one particular TV milestone.
IMPORTANT DATE IN TV HISTORY: August 12, 2012
PROGRAM ORIGINALLY AIRED ON THIS DATE: The 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremonies
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: In all things, 30 Rock proves to be prescient, and that goes double for the Olympics. They managed to deliver the definitive summary of Ryan Lochte’s “sex idiot” appeal, blow the lid off of the Olympic tetherball conspiracy, and in the season 4 episode “Emanuelle Goes to Dinosaur Land,” Tina Fey (with some help from A+ guest star Michael Sheen) summed up the pessimism that characterized the lead-up to the 2012 London Olympics.
After the majesty that was Beijing, nobody thought crusty old England could end up doing anything but embarrass itself. This episode aired in 2010, though, two full years before London would step onto the world stage and deliver what turned out to be a rather stunning summer games. Director Danny Boyle’s opening ceremonies were a grand and ultimately emotional affair, including my personal choice for best torch-lighting in history (non-archery division).
And then there were the closing ceremonies. Because this was England, the pop music acts involved with both the opening and closing ceremonies had a lot of interest for Americans. Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, the (literal) parade of legendary musicians was enthralling. And then … they emerged.
I think we can safely assure one Mr. Wesley Snipes that London was ready. Quite ready.
