Gay kiss and Scottie dogs lead for buzz at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
The Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games took place last night, but it was not the Queen’s speech, the baton being taken into the stadium by Chris Hoy or the fireworks that dominated the social conversation: it was Scottie dogs and John Barrowman kissing a man.
With over 87,000 mentions made on social using the words “opening ceremony”, and 570,000 tweets being sent in total about the ceremony, Tospy saw that the conversation was more positively than 83 per cent of all other phrases on Twitter during the past day.
Over 4,000 mentions were made of the Scottie dogs, which ushered in each country.
Scottie dogs in tartan coats at CG opening ceremony. Barkingly brilliant. pic.twitter.com/fG7ByXHtC8
— judy murray (@judmoo) July 23, 2014
Everybody seems to agree that the Scottie dogs have saved it. Let's just give in and rename them the #CommonwoofGames — Dave Steele (@hullodave) July 23, 2014Roughly the same amount of mentions were made about John Barrowman, one of the performers of the opening show who kissed another man mid-ceremony: which has led to outrage since homophobia is illegal in over 40 of the countries competing in the Games.
Glasgow always does it better! #Glasgow2014 #JohnBarrowman pic.twitter.com/PjqLkzEpgE
— Nichola Robertson (@NicholaRobertso) July 24, 2014
Why John Barrowman's Commonwealth Games kiss mattered pic.twitter.com/XeCWBdz97D — Luke Lewis (@lukelewis) July 23, 2014A fly-by from the Red Arrows played part in the show, with one of the pilots actually tweeting mid--flight.
Job done. What beautiful views...A complete privilege! #CommonwealthGames #Reds50 pic.twitter.com/8rJE2gtwua
— Red8 (@RAFRed8) July 23, 2014
Sweet treats also played a role in the opening ceremony, with Tunnocks Teacakes being involved in the Opening Ceremony.
@michellevisage @morganmcmichael giant dancing tunnocks teacakes on my tv just now for #Glasgow2014 - surreal! pic.twitter.com/nJsjRLQ8hk — Alan C (@instant_kitten) July 23, 2014A fantastic #commonwealthgames opening night last night - we loved the scottie dogs & dancing tunnocks tea cakes! pic.twitter.com/JPuX1lZoEk — Border Studio (@theborderstudio) July 24, 2014
Other talked about moments of the Opening Ceremony included technical issues opening the torch to get out the message, Susan Boyle performing 'Mull of Kintyre', a tribute to Nelson Mandela, a ballet version of the Proclaimer’s 500 miles and a cameo from the Loch Ness Monster.
"Hoy do you work this thing?" #openingceremony pic.twitter.com/jqR18KhZ8w — innocent drinks (@innocentdrinks) July 23, 2014Cheers as large Loch Ness monster attends ceremony http://t.co/BTkF61raFy #openingceremony pic.twitter.com/9fG9SJIt2H — ITV News (@itvnews) July 23, 2014
A gay kiss, millions for @UNICEF and a tribute to Nelson Mandela and equality. Proud of how @Glasgow2014 used the world stage last night. — Jim Wolff (@jimwolffman) July 24, 2014Two Scottish Ballet dancers perform a pas de deux to beautiful arrangement of that most raucous of Scottish paens, 500 Miles #Glasgow2014 — Martyn McLaughlin (@MartynMcL) July 23, 2014
According to Twitter data, it was the music that to the highest numbers of tweets per minute, with Susan Boyle performing 'Mull of Kintyre', Rod Stewart playing 'Rhythm of my Heart' and God Save The Queen being sung by Robert Lovie all being peaks.
However, not everyone was impressed:
This is awful. Is it 1995? #bbcglasgow2014 #openingceremony — Bank of Creativity (@BOC_ATM) July 23, 2014London 2012 planning; "1,000 years of culture. Where to start?" Glasgow 2014 planning; "SUBO, Proclaimers, bagpipes. In which order?" — Toby Fair (@TopTopPundit) July 23, 2014