Following on directly from my recent admission that I'm sometimes a bit of a trekkie, I've got another confession to make. I think that I'm, um, just going to come out and say it ... I enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest :-). Phew, now that I've admitted it I feel much better. Some people think that Eurovision is exceptionally uncool, but then I think that those people take themselves too seriously! Eurovision has an amazing history. In the 1950's, as Europe slowly rebuilt itself after the second world war, it was conceived by the European Broadcasting Union as a way of promoting international co-operation and mutual understanding of each other's cultures :-). Back then, even linking several countries simultaneously for live TV broadcast was quite a feat. It's obviously evolved a lot since then, from its small beginnings in Switzerland in 1956 when just seven countries that took part, to the huge extravaganza that we saw coming from Belgrade last Saturday night which involved 43 countries.
My favourite song this year was Iceland's "This is my life" sung by Friðrik Ómar and Regína Ósk. The song was a bit Abba like, but then it was the Eurovision Song Contest which launched ABBA on their international career so there's nothing wrong with that. And there was something about the way Friðrik swiftly lifted his forearm as though doing a bicep curl at various points during his routine that had me captivated, although I enjoyed the song as well!
The biggest disappointment of the evening was the poor reception that the UK's song got from the other countries. I thought that it was quite a reasonable entry, certainly much better than France's and Portugal's entries this year, however for some reason we came joint last with Germany and Poland. Never mind, there's always next year :-).
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12 comments:
We should pull out. With accusations of bloc (as in Eastern) voting, it doesn't matter how good our entry is, it's no longer a song contest. I watched some on Saturday - it still ticks all the cheese-on-toast boxes :-)
As a side note, I was invited to a EV party where the host dresses up in character, and shows a video in which he sings along to an instrumental track of an obscure EV 'gem'. Might I add, the video is professionally shot and edited, and the host does his own vocals. EV is definitely the Marmite of TV events!
I love eurovision! The Latvians always do pretty well, which makes me happy. What does bloc voting have to do with anythig? If your country is not voting for your own stars then who will? Certainly can't expect the bloc to for no reason!
I personally think that it was rigged! Russia was CRAP! I was going for Greece, as they seemed to have the best chance to topple the Ruskies, but alas, 'twas not to be. :-(
Bring back Sir Cliff !
I don't think we should pull out China Blue, even though Terry Wogan has his doubts about this future with Eurovison. I think the political voting issue is vastly overdone, because I just don't see how one can arrange for the thousands of individuals who cast the actual votes to behave politically. So it can't be rigged Monty! Perhaps is just foreign workers in each country voting for their home side?
GB xxx
I thought Andy was pretty good, he shouldn't have come last, at least say the top end of 20s. Bloc voting and soft core racism must have come into play. I hope he got more points than Daz.
I'm with Sir Terry - boycott the cheaters! They'll miss us when we're gone.
Actually, I quite liked the Russian entry - very cute boys. I like the way the singer could hardly keep his shirt on at the end!
if you like the Eurovision, try Eurobeat The Musical
I saw it at the Edinburgh Fringe last year and thought it was brilliant ...
As an American I never heard of the Eurovision Contest till I moved to Europe. I have been in Europe for 10 years now (Switzerland and London with my bank, and for the last 8 years in Spain with my partner) We have a fun group of friends who have a eurovision party every year and its great fun to watch and make fun of it and vote amongst ourselves.
I was happy for the little Russian, I´m am sure he plays for our team.
Thank God someone other than me likes the song "This is my Life" by Euroband. The song is FABULOUS!
Another good song would be by Germany, No Angels "Disappear".
Hi there! I also love This is my life -and Euroband too. And as a big ABBA fan I must say that This is my life has nothing to do with any ABBA song! Or at least it doesn't remind me to any of their songs.
How refreshing to find somebody else who doesn't believe in the whole political voting crap!I'm a new reader to your blog by the way- finding it all very interesting :)
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