A big show planned for closing ceremony

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Network people deal in hyperbole when promoting events. So when NBC Olympics host Bob Costas predicted that the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics would be “uber-spectacular,” eyes rolled.

Turns out, he was right on the mark.

Now, on Sunday night comes the closing ceremony, traditionally a more modest event. But considering how high the Chinese set the bar on opening night, even taking it down a few notches still leaves the anticipation level high, especially because Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who directed the opening ceremony, will again be in charge Sunday.

After watching a rehearsal of the Olympic finale, NBC Sports executive David Neal did nothing to discourage expectations.

‘It’s just unlike any other closing ceremony I’ve ever seen,’ he said.

The opening ceremony had 15,000 performers. The closing show will have 7,000, still a huge throng. And to bolster the idea of a different look, none of the 15,000 performers from opening night will be included in Sunday’s group.

There will also be an eight-minute segment from London, site of the 2012 Games, that will include appearances by record-breaking swimmer Michael Phelps, L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham and a performance by singer Leona Lewis with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.

One thing won’t change. Just as was the case with the opening ceremony, the close will be shown tape-delayed in the United States.

-- Steve Springer