Did the Fireworks Fizzle?

Is it just me, or was the Channel 5 telecast of the WEBN fireworks one of the worst ever? I've been watching for years, on 19, 12, 9 and 5, and I can't remember being so disappointed.

Why did they keep using that long shot from miles away, with the twin tower blocking the view? Sometimes the fireworks on the screen were smaller than the WEBN logo in the corner of the screen. Where was the camera located? Devou Park? Denver?

Channel 5 had one decent camera that captured the fireworks dead on, but they didn't go to it often enough or stick with it long enough. And why so many Sky 5 helicopter shots? I believe the fireworks were meant to be experienced looking up at them from ground, not looking down from above.

We got to see some parts OK, like the smiley faces during Nixon's "I am not a crook" line. And the fireworks shooting across the Purple People Bridge (a first!) during "Won't Get Fooled Again." But too often they'd cut back to the long-distance camera.... and then we'd see big flash behind those twin buildings, so we knew we were missing something.... And how many times did they cut to a close in camera, and we'd see only the bottom fragments of fireworks overhead?

And where was the special butterfly fireworks they featured in the first hour? Did you see it on TV? I didn't. Soundtrack creator Joel Moss told me it was to explode during the silence after Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" ended abruptly (as on "The Sopanos" finale)... but I couldn't see it. And later in the show, when Channel 5 replayed the "highlights," they showed the "Don't Stop Believing" segment again -- but cut away to the anchors at the silence. They never mentioned the special butterfly shell during the highlights. In fact, the anchors didn't explain anything about the special effects or soundtrack -- "Back to the Future," the "Journey" reference to the "Sopranos," etc. (except for "The Simpsons") during the recap.

I know many people at Channel 5 worked long and hard all day preparing for the live 2-hour telecast. And they raved after the show about how spectacular it was to watch in person. But the TV experience was not very good. I'd give it a D, less than average. In my opinion, Channel 5 needs better(closer) camera locations and a better director. So we don't get fooled again.

Do you agree? Or did you like the fireworks telecast? Now it's your turn to play TV critic....