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Commonwealth Games closing ceremony: Scathing attack to Australian Idol reunion, social media reacts

FROM a scathing attack on air by Channel 7 hosts, launching an Australian Idol reunion, dead possums and a flag handover that resembled ‘fish n chips’, the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony has had a mixed reaction.

Tatiana Carter
2 min read
April 15, 2018 - 11:31PM
Gold Coast Bulletin
Channel 7 hosts Johanna Griggs and Basil Zempilas' extraordinary on-air spray

FROM a scathing attack on air by Channel 7 hosts, launching an Australian Idol reunion, dead possums and a flag handover that resembled ‘fish n chips’, the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony has had a mixed reaction.

The pressure was on for the closing ceremony team to deliver after the opening ceremony was labelled a ‘dud’ by audiences. But with no live coverage of the athletes and flag bearers entering Carrara Stadium, Channel 7 hosts Johanna Griggs and Basil Zempilas launched an unprecedented spray on the worldwide host broadcaster that overshadowed the rest of the closing ceremony.

Before the spray at the end of the show, many were already taking to twitter to comment on the performances done by the closing ceremony team, some calling it an “Australian Idol reunion” and very “cringe-worthy.”

One Twitter user said “the closing ceremony is proof that you can cringe yourself to death” while another commented “nice of the Commonwealth Games to launch the Australian Idol reunion tour.”

Ricki-Lee performs during the Closing Ceremony (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Ricki-Lee performs during the Closing Ceremony (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Anthony Callea joins the Oz Idol reunion. (AAP Image/Darren England)
Anthony Callea joins the Oz Idol reunion. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Track legend Usain Bolt also copped it, with users taking to social media to criticise him: “have watched less than 10 minutes of the Comm Games, but my favourite was just watching Usain Bolt pretend to DJ in the closing ceremony.”

Usain Bolt performs during the Closing Ceremony. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Usain Bolt performs during the Closing Ceremony. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Another user said “Usain Bolt pretending to the DJ is the highlight of the Commonwealth Games.”

One of the acts was criticised by animal rights activists for showing performers wearing a possum skin scarf around their necks.

“Dead possum is the must-have fashion accessory this Autumn,” while another commented “they wearing dead native animals or wut?!”

But there was plenty to love about the closing ceremony with people commenting on Guy Sebastian and a trending performer who won the heart of audiences.

“I love Guy Sebastian!! And the Games Shapers were amazing, I encountered heaps of them during my trip, and they were all lovely, amazing and so enthusiastic,” said one.

Guy Sebastian performs on stage. (AAP Image/Darren England)
Guy Sebastian performs on stage. (AAP Image/Darren England)

“I forgot how much of a pro Guy Sebastian was, I mean that voice! One of the finest vocalists from Australia, why isn’t he big internationally?”

One child performer became an instant hit with audiences for his relatable reaction during the start of the closing ceremony.

Some people even related the flag handover to true Australian culture with its uncanny resemblance to a classic fish and chips package.

“Is that what three pieces of fish and minimum chips looks like from Southport surf club?” one user commented.

Another said: “is that a flag she’s carrying or a serve of fish and chips?”

Lord Mayor of Birmingham Anne Underwood could not be forgotten with her traditional outfit of choice with people commenting “welcome back Captain Cook.”

Ummmm ok ... (AAP Image/Darren England)
Ummmm ok ... (AAP Image/Darren England)

Seven Network’s Johanna Griggs and Basil Zempilas were not happy with the host broadcaster’s decision to prevent them from airing video of the athletes and flag bearers.

“People are thinking that Channel 7 has chosen not to show pictures of athletes or not to show the flag bearer Kurt Fearnley or other flag bearers,” Griggs said.

“We can only show the pictures that are provided by the actual host broadcasters.

“They made decisions not to have athletes enter the stadium.

“They made the decision not to show the flag bearers.

“I’m furious. Actually, wrecking a tradition that is so important.

“You want to see the athletes come in. You want to see them jumping in front of camera. You want to see them celebrating 11 days of great sport.

75 photos from the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony
Usain Bolt, retired Jamaican sprinter and world record holder in the 100 and 200 meters, performs as a DJ at Carrara Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, Sunday, April 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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“We missed out on all of that. There’s no athletes in here. I’ve never seen the stadium so empty.”

Originally published as Commonwealth Games closing ceremony: Scathing attack to Australian Idol reunion, social media reacts

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/commonwealth-games/commonwealth-games-closing-ceremony-scathing-attack-to-australian-idol-reunion-social-media-reacts/news-story/d666562e5ee015168f54031139ea934b