I was wondering what you all thought of Sir Ben's part in the New Seven Wonders of The World Gala in Lisbon last year, or even of the ceremony itself. Personally I didn't think he did a good job of a presenter, as for example, he at one point held the microphone for one of his fellow presenters as they opened an enveloppe and he actually said "I'll hold your mic", and it just sounded so weird to actually say it. As for the ceremony, I really don't know what it hoped to achieve, because no matter how you announce which the new 7 wonders are, people will always remember the old ones. PLUS, the Gala itself was held on 07/07/2007 - the same day as the Live Earth shows. The result being that hardly anyone knew it was happening...

http://www.new7wonders.com/classic/en/n7w/lisbon_070707/

Yes, I agree about the ceremony not achieving anything concrete. I mean, what do the winners get? A plaque to be put on the monument? As you say, we'll all remember the old ones anyway.

As for the "collision" with Live Earth, you're completely right. I think most people were more aware of the music shows than this ceremony, even if they didn't feel concerned by environment issues.

I don't even recall it being broadcast on the TV. I saw a report on the news and that was all.

I saw a bit of it on TV. I don't rate him as a presenter...