Eurovision Song Contest

[Augustus]

solly, heee! Every damned year we get our hopes up too that we will a good song and singer(s) and we will have a (slim) chance! Then we get annoyed how all the new countries give all the points to their neighbor(s) and Germany's large Turkish minority always chooses Turkey. Funnily enough the favor is hardly ever returned in the same way.

And last year's win? OMG, Lordi...? LOL! I thought that was probably the best coup ever, since we clearly take this whole competition way too seriously. Not to mention more and more people from Western Europe want to a new contest like in the olden days.

As always I'll probably skip the music and tune in when the points are given.

[Oxynia]

I bought Lisa Nilsson's "Himlen Runt Hörnet" after hearing it at a friend's house in Copenhagen many years ago...his Swedish is better than mine but I can't remember anything of what she's singing, I just know I loved that CD and still do. And I prefer the version of "Du" that's on it vs. the one in your link, Lena Anthem.

Should I check out Lena Philipsson?

[Deleted]

Ugh, is Irelands entry really awful? I have to confess I didn't even tune into the preselections - it's just so embarressing to know that one of those acts are going to be representing you.

The Bloc-voting thing is absolutely hilarious especially when the voiceovers start getting really pissed off about it, as they always do. We're lucky cos we get the BBc as well as the Irish channels so we can flick between the two depending on who's funnier. When the results start you can flick between the two and they're both bitching at the exact same time "Well I see the former Yugoslavian Republics are voting together...." "Oh suprise suprise, Croatia gives douze points to it's neighbour....!". It's hilarious. Terry Wogan in particular almost starts foaming at the mouth every year when it starts.

I feel sorry for the countries that are *sniff* all alone (like Germany and the UK for example) and that don't have any traditional voting patterns that'll get them votes. Ireland benefits from always getting a high mark from the UK (which we often don't reciprocate - we're f**king b*tches like that - hee!) but we also benefit by not having really pissed off that many countries historically so we get marked fairly fair. I'd say if we were in more disadvantageous voting position though, we'd be FURIOUS!

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augustus said:

As always I'll probably skip the music and tune in when the points are given.

Oh my God, don't you just love that part?? It's hilarious to see the different presenters from all the countries. Some of them are so cute (not to mention the hot new ones from the Eastern parts) in their excitement to be seen all over Europe for a few seconds. And count on our presenter from Germany to always, without an exception, stumble over their words while reading out the points. I have yet to see one who can do it.
I'm happy for Finnland that they get to host this year. This would be the main reason for me to wish we'd finally win: then Germany would get to host and I'd to anything to go and see it.

I can't wait for the preselection on Thursday, I'm sure most of it will be boring but I get a kick out of those people taking this contest so fucking seriously. Oh, and I bet Monrose will get the ticket.

[bitsygirl]

I can't believe this show is still going strong, but it was pretty much must see tv for my family when I was growing up. Poor England never seemed to do well though. It was actually pretty embarrassing. Was Bucks Fizz the last time they ever won?

The points section was always my favourite part too. Nil point.

[lenaanthem]

The UK also won in 1997 with "Love Shine a Light" by Katrina & the Waves.

[Deleted]

I saw the Eurovision Song Contest Live last year in Athens ;D

Best time ever!

Then we get annoyed how all the new countries give all the points to their neighbor(s) and Germany's large Turkish minorityalways chooses Turkey. Funnily enough the favor is hardly ever returned in the same way.

LOL the blog voting was always our number one excuse that Greece never won the Contest. Of course then we won and now we can't really use it again ... well no we still do, never mind that last years songs was really bad. ;-)

And of course it's totally okay when it happens between Greece and Cyprus.

We choose our song last week: Sarbel with Yeia Sou Maria

(Just imagine a mix between Ricky Martin and Sakis Rouvas)

So far I've seen/heard the songs of Cyprus Evridiki with Comme ci comme ca (someone please explain to me why they sing in French?!?!?), Switzerland, Belarus and Bulgaria.

From those I liked Cyprus the best and I might have liked Switzerland but it's DJ Bobo so I try very hard to forget it

[goggle]

bfrog said:

Ugh, is Irelands entry really awful? I have to confess I didn't even tune into the preselections - it's just so embarressing to know that one of those acts are going to be representing you.

I guess that's why I can enjoy it - none of the acts are representing my country so I don't feel embarrassed for them if they do poorly (except of course when there are Americans involved, like Maria Menounos co-hosting last year, and then I get to share the embarrassment).

So does anyone have any favorites so far for this year?

[Oxynia]

Thanks Lena Anthem! I'm going to have to check out those links when I get home...nothing like buying CDs I can't understand! My husband thinks it's silly but I love all kinds of music so unless they're singing about devil worship or kiddie porn, I'm OK with not knowing the lyrics.

plakakanoume, I'm not too impressed with Greece's contribution this year. Sounds so stale and old. Then again, Eurovision always makes me feel like I'm caught in a time warp back to the cheesy part of the 80s. Unfortunately, Geia Sou Maria is one of those songs that crawls into your head and stays there, repeating itself over and over. I won't click the link because I don't need it to reinfest my brain.

[Deleted]

goggle said:

So does anyone have any favorites so far for this year?

So far it's Spain and Georgia for me. The first one's a bit NSYNC and a real anomaly: a boyband without an "ugly one" (but then boybands themselves are pretty scarce these days) and the second one's gorgeous --sort of Bjork crossed with Sertab Erener. I like Moldova and Cyprus too, but can't remember how they go, which is never good. Greece is catchy and it'll do well, but it's trying to be all the last few winners at once (except Lordi --shame), with the Greek dancing and the "Wild Dances" stuff.

But it's a really ordinary year so far: my favourite country (Iceland) has sent a terrible song, and there're far too many boring rock things and novelty songs. After hearing people gush over the French song, I was shocked --it sounded like one of David Brent's on "The Office." Maybe I just don't get French humour.

There's still hope that Sweden and Turkey'll be good: even Sweden's worst entries are usually better than 50% of the rest; and I've been chair-dancing all week to
"Cakkidi" by this year's Turkish singer which I mistook for their entry --if the actual entry's like this, they should walk it.

As for the UK...um...well...maybe they should give
Jordan another go? We Aussies loved it when they got "nul points," but it's no fun when they're just average-bad. Try harder, guys --Kerry Katona's the Atomic Kitten girl to send!

So, have I scared you all away with my ESC nerdiness yet, or should I get the 50th anniversary book and reel off some stats?