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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2009 18:01:21 GMT
For those not in Europe, it is hard to imagine the incredible weirdness of this annual event. It mixes bad music with geopolitics, yet many major international stars have sprung forth from this swamp, from Abba to Céline Dion. Here is the official link for this year's contest: Eurovision Song Contest 2009 - MoscowAnd here is the wiki all about it: Eurovision 2009 WikiWhile millions of people claim they wouldn't be caught dead watching it, other millions organize special parties to watch and laugh together. As for myself, I try to watch it every year because it is an amazing glimpse into the psyche of each country and a fabulous lesson of which countries are popular with other countries (the people across Europe can vote for any country except their own). Talent or quality have practically nothing to do with the outcome. |
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Post by auntieannie on Mar 11, 2009 19:55:50 GMT
I wonder who will be commenting for Britain this year?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2009 20:37:29 GMT
Have they changed?
France, this year, is using rather clever strategy. Having noticed that the former USSR bloc countries all vote for each other, they have thrown a monkey wrench into the works. the French entry is Patricia Kaas, who is no spring chicken, but she is extremely popular in Russia and the surrounding countries.
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Post by auntieannie on Mar 11, 2009 20:51:16 GMT
yes, K! Sir Terry Wogan announced last year that he would not present the event again.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2009 21:06:21 GMT
France changes just about every year, because they have never found a satisfactory presenter. Either they talk through the songs when you would like to hear them or they fail to talk through the most awful songs. (Actually, talking through the songs is forbidden by the EBU rules, but it's a question of gnawing at the beginning and end of the songs with snide comments.... or not.)
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Post by komsomol on Mar 12, 2009 11:46:58 GMT
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Post by hwinpp on Mar 25, 2009 7:26:57 GMT
Don't the big western countries have a guaranteed place or something? I know Germany was on the verge of not qualifying for the finals a couple of years ago so they just announced that they were one of the largest financiers of the event...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2009 10:47:10 GMT
France, Germany, Spain and the UK are automatically qualified no matter how terrible their song is.
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Post by hwinpp on Mar 30, 2009 7:35:01 GMT
France, Germany, Spain and the UK are automatically qualified no matter how terrible their song is.
Agree completely.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2009 19:13:44 GMT
Start bracing yourselves. It all happens next Saturday.
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Post by gyro on May 13, 2009 4:37:34 GMT
Unless of course you just ignore it and don't watch it, like many people. Then no bracing is necessary.
I do the same with Terry Wogan, the repulsively twee two-faced cunt.
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Post by happytraveller on May 13, 2009 6:21:21 GMT
Switzerland got the usual zero points. It's all political.
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2009 20:05:54 GMT
Did you see the first semi finals? I saw on the site that they took place yesterday. The second semi finals take place tomorrow.
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Post by happytraveller on May 14, 2009 8:06:50 GMT
Yeah I saw the first semi final but I turned the TV off after the swiss band played. I knew they would not have a chance. A band playing decent music has no chance. You need a big show, an easy beat and a lot of naked skin to go through.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2009 18:50:30 GMT
I just saw an interesting morsel on French TV before the contest begins in 10 minutes. The main Eurovision fan club in France already had their Eurovision voting session, watching the videos of all of the qualified songs. They picked Norway as tonight's winner. However, they mentioned that they have never managed to vote for the winner so far, and therefore "We are relatively certain that Norway will not win."
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2009 20:52:22 GMT
Well, I have assiduously watched tonight's offerings and rated them, and my verdict is as follows (taking into consideration that I cannot vote for France):
1. Norway
2. Denmark
3. Greece
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Post by patricklondon on May 17, 2009 9:09:29 GMT
Well, there you go. It wasn't really naked skin night, for once. (What were the Germans up to? Trying to do a Tom Jones remake of Minnie the Moocher with someone who's - well, not exactly got Tom Jones's heterosexual credentials, and Dita von Teese wandering around as though she's forgotten she meant to look for her glasses.....).
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Post by hwinpp on May 18, 2009 8:42:59 GMT
Well, there you go. It wasn't really naked skin night, for once. (What were the Germans up to? Trying to do a Tom Jones remake of Minnie the Moocher with someone who's - well, not exactly got Tom Jones's heterosexual credentials, and Dita von Teese wandering around as though she's forgotten she meant to look for her glasses.....). I didn't see it but it can't have been much. Only Sweden, Malta, Latvia, Spain and Finland got less points. K2, did you put money on the Norwegian? |
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2009 8:47:13 GMT
No, I would never bet on such an event!
The singer for Germany was an American.
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Post by happytraveller on May 18, 2009 11:19:24 GMT
I liked the german song. I though the greek song was one of the worst. Well deserved to win for the norwegians. Cool song !
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2009 12:53:12 GMT
A few interesting details about Norway's victory: But since Eurovision has no plans to reveal which national juries voted for which countries, its actual effect is difficult to determine. In any event, it's likely the East would have voted for Rybak anyway: he was born in Minsk and speaks fluent Russian, and in recent weeks has become a media darling in the Russian-speaking world.On May 15, the chief of the Russian jury withdrew after being spotted enjoying a caviar lunch with eventual winner Rybak in Moscow, potentially compromising his impartiality. Full article from Time |
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