Eurovision

[Samuraisan]

Anybody going to watch it ? I can't resist.

[weecalf]

Brexit ain’t gonna happen so why are the Aussies singing in a European song contest ?Eh ( well some body had to mention brexit did not they Eh ?

[Buenchico]

Am I the only one who thinks that the UK entry is our best for years? OK, it's probably not a winner but, with 41 songs in the competition, that's never going to be easy. At least we've moved on from the likes of Scooch (and who the hell ever thought that Engelbert Humperdinck was good choice for Eurovision?)

The songs I'd like to see do well though include the entries from Estonia and Norway. The song that I think will actually win is the one from Russia.

Last year though I was praying that "the ruddy annoying chicken" wouldn't do well but it went on to win. I'm thinking much the same way about this year's entries from Iceland and Australia so, given my obvious lack of judgement, they'll probably do well too!

[JimF]

I thought the UK entry was bloody awful! The guy couldn't even sing the tedious dirge in tune.

Thought Iceland were fantastic and absolutely loved the Australian entry, though!

[ichkeria]

Yes I thought the UK entry was good. If Russia wins it will only be because Sergei Lazarev (inexplicably) is popular. Awful stuff.

[shoota]

I've met Norton's Auntie Virus...

[Buenchico]

>>> Brexit ain’t gonna happen so why are the Aussies singing in a European song contest ?

Somebody mentions that every year!

Officially the contest isn't for European countries but for full members of the European Broadcasting Union. (A few European countries don't have broadcasters who pay for EBU membership and they are therefore excluded from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest).

An exception has been made for Australia, who hold associate membership of the EBU. If other associate members are allowed in, we could see China, Chile Mauritius and Oman (among others) competing:
https://www.ebu.ch/about/members?type=associate

Anyway, this year the competition isn't even taking place in Europe, is it?

[shoota]

UK pants - can't believe it won the heats.
Thumbs up for Australia.

[Eleena]

Iceland to win.

[Sam1960]

Well here goes ......
1. Denmark
2. Estonia
3. Norway

I reckon the couple of points that Israel usually gives to the UK each year, will be about as much as we get.

[Buenchico]

Estonia will definitely come last!

How can I be so sure? Because I just voted for them!

[twix123]

It will be interesting if Australia wins and has the 'honour' of holding the contest next year. I'm sure that the BBC will accept the largesse of the licence payers and send a suitably large contingent of presenters, technicians and hangers-on to enable full coverage for your entertainment !

Oh, there is no way that I'm either watching or listening to it.

[JimF]

Graham Norton has already explained what will happen if Australia wins.

[ichkeria]

If Australia wins the contest will be held somewhere on Europe

[JimF]

Eleni Foureira! Now that's cheered me up no end!

[Buenchico]

>>> 1. Denmark
>>> 2. Estonia
>>> 3. Norway

That would suit me well enough, Sam. Estonia and Norway produced the best songs in my opinion and the Danish entry bounced along in a jolly way too.

Ideally though, I'd like to see something like . . .
1. Estonia
2. Portugal
3. Spain
4. Azerbaijan
5. Sweden
6. Russia
7. United Kingdom
8. Denmark
9. Slovenia
10. Serbia

[Buenchico]

Twix123:
Even if Australia won, and the EBU decided to change their policy of keeping the event within 'EBU home territory', the cost to the BBC would probably be peanuts compared with what they'd have to fork out if the UK won! (Azerbaijan forked out the equivalent of £48m to host the event in 2012).

[237SJ]

When I used to watch the contest in the ABBA days, I seem to remember that the judges couldn`t see the performances by the artists. They could only hear the song and could not be persueded by visuals. When did that change?

[Samuraisan]

Russia to win ! Iceland was.....weird. UK , dire and forgettable.

[Buenchico]

237SJ:
The jury members first saw the performances (rather than just hearing the songs) in 1971. Abba appeared in 1974.

[ichkeria]

These days the songs are available on disk on video for weeks in advance.
The Swedish entry Euphoria which won in 2012 had already been number one in several countries before the contest.