Eurovision Song Contest ??

[netibiza]

Can someone please explain to me why there is a semi-final, I'm sure there haven't been any in previous years, so I heard them say UK may vote by phone, so is the voting happening now, and if so, what will the real show on Saturday be about! I am confused!

[BlueToffee]

The real show on Saturday is about neighbouring countries voting for each other. Why we enter this sham of a contest is beyond me.

And in answer to your question, I believe that there are too many countries want to be in it, so they need to thin the field down. Those that are in it pay the most into it, why is beyond me, so that's why they have a knockout round.

[mushroom25]

there's not much point in running the contest this year - everyone knows it'll be won by Russell brand's sister.

[sunny-dave]

Finland entering this year?

I quite liked their 2006 entry
.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAh9NRGNhUU

[berniecuddles]

me to Dave

[frugalfred]

It's well past its sell-by date.

[mikey4444]

Can some please explain to why we have to suffer this ghastly bilge every year at all ?

[jno]

some of the winners are very good. I still have this one on my ipod

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtbW7zYmYfM

[sunny-dave]

It's all in the cause of fostering greater unity and friendship in Europe through the medium of music, mikey.

Or "stitching up the bastards next door by tactical voting" as it is more accurately known.

[ivor4781]

there's been semis for years to cut down the number of entries for the main contest

[humbersloop]

proxy diplomacy really, I confidently predict the Donetsk Peoples Republic getting no votes from either Russia or Ukraine

[tearinghair]

That was my favourite too, jno.

[Tuvok]

As Europe expanded ie. by countries splitting up, and others joining, there were more countries than entry slots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest#Expansion_of_the_contest

[Khandro]

Well this is what I think of it;

[cupid04]

jno.... I liked Gigiola Cinquetti too - but the one I remember was called 'Go.'

[tearinghair]

I'd forgotten that one, Cupid04; it was a similar slow ballad, wasn't it, also sung by a young girl? There was some good stuff in the early days - haven't watched it for years, though.

[Ken4155]

Whilst watching England ladies hammer the Ukraine 4-0 last night, i kep switching channels to have a quick listen to as many songs as i could. I definitely will not be watching Eurovision, but i do like to have a small wager on one of the rank outsiders, so i'll very probably tune in for the voting. Only one song caught my attention last night, Finland's entry. So i then put a couple of quid each way on at 66/1 (1/4 odds a place 1, 2, 3 and 4) with Paddy Power. Thought it light enough and certainly catchy enough to finish in the top few and, as far as i can remember, Finland haven't upset the rest of the world lately so they may get a few votes.

[Memore]

170 million people watch it globally its the most watched programme in the World people who don't like it can switch over! I personally love it