Alan Jones rips into ‘rubbish, insulting’ opening ceremony

It was supposed to be a triumph of Australian culture and pride, but the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony has been slammed as “apologetic, ingratiating, knee-bending rubbish”.

The glitzy event kicked off the start of the Games at the Gold Coast’s Carrara Stadium on Wednesday night, but while spectators and viewers at home were expecting to see a diverse show of Australian scenery and performers, many were left scratching their heads at the drawn out dance and smoke ceremony dedicated exclusively to the country’s indigenous history.

Speaking on his morning radio show on 2GB on Thursday, Alan Jones called the “symbolism” of the ceremony “rubbish and an insult” to all Australians.

“This was an opportunity to celebrate Australia, to celebrate Queensland,” he said. “No one could understand let alone enjoy what all that indigenous symbolism was about.

“Thank god for the athletes’ parade, then the colour of the Africans, the gifted John Foreman, the 16-year-old flagbearer from Mozambique, Prince Charles looking bored rigid, at least he gave me a laugh.”

The Opening Ceremony of the XXI Commonwealth Games has begun! It tells a universal story – inspired by the peoples and landscape, cultures and history of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia and today's modern Commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/LmzykC0Iob

— Commonwealth Sport (@thecgf) April 4, 2018

He vented that ceremony organisers had failed to recognise Australia’s diversity and missed a golden opportunity to show off our quirky characters, stunning landscapes and modern cities.

“This is what the people paid to see, not this other apologetic, ingratiating, knee-bending rubbish,” Jones told listeners.

“Australians and Queenslanders and the Gold Coast have plenty to celebrate and a fabulous story to tell the world.

“We are all part of the story. Aboriginal Australians are not the whole story, they’re part of Australia’s history. A history meant which is meant to be shared with all of us.”

He was backed on on social media by many angry viewers at home, including Starts at 60 readers, who called the show “boring” and “amateurish”.

“Seriously is this the best they could come up with! I’d rather poke my eyes out with a blunt knife than watch a minute more,” one SAS reader wrote on Facebook.

“Ok officially boring as bat shit. I’m off to bed and nightmares of lifesavers on pink surf boards playing digeroodoos,” said another.

Not even Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, who were there on behalf of the Queen to officially open the Games, could feign interest.

Both were caught on camera with disinterested looks on their faces, and Camilla was even snapped at one point flicking through a magazine.

Not everyone was put off by the formal tone of the show’s opening minutes though. 3AW Breakfast entertainment reporter Peter Ford gave the ceremony his tick of approval, despite its slight misgivings.

“Some of it did seem a bit ‘Eistedford’ at times … but even when it was still enjoyable,” he said.

Did you watch the opening ceremony? What did you think of the show? Boring or enjoyable?