Rose Parade

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Stop show stops! (dot com)

Originally Posted by RStar

And the marching band from Louisiana was cool! Jazzy, animated, and spelled out 2007 in formation!

There was some debate at our viewing as to whether marching band formations constitute show stops.

Technically, I suppose the answer is Yes ... but seeing that formations are what bands do best (with pure marching their most boring function), I rather like seeing a few cool formations in the parade. To me, it's not the same as some float stopping while someone sings a song.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

There was some debate at our viewing as to whether marching band formations constitute show stops.

Technically, I suppose the answer is Yes ... but seeing that formations are what bands do best (with pure marching their most boring function), I rather like seeing a few cool formations in the parade. To me, it's not the same as some float stopping while someone sings a song.

My peeve with stops is that there are people who do not get a good view of it. Formations do not look good to people sitting on the street. It's annoying enough when a band finishes a song just before they get to you and then just marches cadence past you.

This used to be a parade, and now it's a television show.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

This used to be a parade, and now it's a television show.

Certainly the vast majority of people who enjoy the parade do so via a television set, so yes there are some elements of a TV show present. However I can't agree that the entire parade is a TV show. When they change the name to the Viagra Tournament of Roses parade or reroute the parade to exclude that pesky bridge (which limits float size) then I'll be on board with you.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

This used to be a parade, and now it's a television show.

Which is ironic since parades make for awful television.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

The first section of the parade is a huge set of bleachers, offering an aereal view of sorts, which perhaps can be seen to act as a sort of reviewing stand where certain things are done that are never again seen as part of the parade further along the route. I believe this is legitimate parade performance.

I wonder if they're doing these stops along the route. I had assumed as much but could be wrong.

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Certainly the vast majority of people who enjoy the parade do so via a television set, so yes there are some elements of a TV show present. However I can't agree that the entire parade is a TV show. When they change the name to the Viagra Tournament of Roses parade or reroute the parade to exclude that pesky bridge (which limits float size) then I'll be on board with you.

Good point, though I'm worried those advances are not too far away now.

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Which is ironic since parades make for awful television.

In your humble opinion. I have been watching the parade since I was very young and have always loved it, "boring" or not. I'm not going to chime in with all those above that say that most of the parade is boring. I love every bit of it, including the equestrian units. It may be that it's a comfort thing for me but I still say that the parade was entertaining in the early 80's and there's no reason it should have these lame changes.

Speaking of comfort - it's going to be hard to not watch KTLA next year, but I think I'll have to push through it. NA & € get HGTV, right?

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I have been watching the parade since I was very young and have always loved it, "boring" or not.

Do you find other parades to be good television or just the Rose Parade? I'll admit I'm not a big fan of parades in person so it is no surprise that they are even worse on TV when the immediacy is lost. Unless I have a personal connection to the person I don't see what is interesting about the 3rd Distric Councilman waving to me from a rented Thunderbird or the marching band from a college I've never heard of playing the same songs every marching band in the country plays in.

Of course, I'm also ruined by having had to attend many really lame parades because my first wife was marching in them.

Plus, the "Rose Parade" is a Portland thing that I must insist was stolen by Pasadena 17 years before Portland thought of it. The sneaky bastards.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Do you find other parades to be good television or just the Rose Parade? I'll admit I'm not a big fan of parades in person so it is no surprise that they are even worse on TV when the immediacy is lost.

Hmm. Well, as usual for young'ns that grew up sans personal TV, my tastes were heavily flavored by my parents' opinions. They never liked the Macy's parade. I remember wanting to see the big balloons but they'd always change it on me. I remember sneaking the Hollywood Christmas parade. I had to sneak it not because it was about Christmas but because my parents didn't know any of the celebrities. The little I've seen of the DooDah parade on TV (seems I always miss it) I've always enjoyed.

I like public spectacles and large crowd gatherings.

[Alex]

Ok, what is the DooDah parade?

[Drince88]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Plus, the "Rose Parade" is a Portland thing that I must insist was stolen by Pasadena 17 years before Portland thought of it. The sneaky bastards.

Nah, it's the "Grand Floral Parade" in Portland!

I think the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Grand Floral Parade are good on TV because of the all-floral nature - other ones, not so much.

And Mardi Gras parades would (and do) make Horrid television. The floats are quite ugly on TV (and many are in person, too, for that matter) - and the main reason for floats is to hold riders who then throw throws. You don't get any of that on Television.

(But please don't make me give up Le Krewe D'Etat parade with potentially ugly floats but biting commentary!)

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Drince88

Nah, it's the "Grand Floral Parade" in Portland!

I think the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Grand Floral Parade are good on TV because of the all-floral nature - other ones, not so much.

That is its official name but I don't know anybody who calls it that.

That's my problem with the Rose Parade (either one) on TV. The attraction is that the floats are all organic and yet that doesn't show up well on TV. Many of the floats they could just be painted and you'd hardly know the difference.

At least a giant balloon maiming people on the streets of New York has some drama.