braybuddy From Ireland, joined Aug 2004, 5279 posts, RR: 35 Posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2449 times:
I haven't followed Euroviosion closely for years, but this year have been watching the semis of this overblown annual piece of fluff and have really got into it, and I'm amazed there isn't a Eurovision thread on here here already.
Some thoughts and predictions:
FULL MARKS TO THE AZERIS! It's certainly putting Azerbaijan and Baku on the map at last, and I'm delighted for the people, though not necessarily the government. They deserve their moment in the sun, and they're making a great stab at it. But it helps when you have the money: apparently it's the most spent on an ESC, by a long shot. It shows!
WHAT HAPPENED TO ARMENIA? I would've loved to have seen how the Azeris handled Armenia in the contest. What happened here?
THE UK ENTRY IS PERFECT FOR EUROVISION . . . 50 years ago. Although fair play to Engelbert for having the neck to go for it at, what, 76?
DOUZE POINTS TO ALBANIA: while Lena hit the nail on the head, getting the song and look spot on for Germany two years ago, the Albanian singer does it this time round. What a song, and what style! A wild card, but I'm predicting it'll do well, even though it's probably far too good for the contest. It's one ne the juries will vote for, more so than the public.
WHERE IS RUSSIA GOING WITH THE GRANNIES? Although I have to hand it to them for having the neck to enter them. Apparently there are two spares, in case anything happens to any of the six on the night. As a novelty act they certainly take the prize, but please . . . It's well-past their bedtime anyway.
WE WION'T DO AS WELL AS WE THINK: All our pundits seem to think Jedward willl win, and while we may love them, and they certainly add to the gaiety of the nation -- and now the continent -- they really haven't a note in their heads. They may get the public vote, but national juries won't go for them.
ALEXANDRA STAN SHOUD SUE BULGARIA. who ripped off her Mr Saxobeat backing track.
NICEST BIT OF TALENT AWARD: Douze points to Hungary this time round, with Moldova and Malta folloiwing closely behind.
SWEDEN MAY BE THE FAVOURITE, but it's too predictable and formulaic. I hope it doesn't win, and it doesn't deserve to.
THE ROMANIAN SINGER NEEDS TO WEAR SOME CLOTHES: Luckily she didn't qualify, as Azerbaijan is a Muslim country.
NICE SONG FROM ITALY, but Pixie Lott should sue . . .
QUIRKY SONG OF THE CONTEST AWARD: Goes to Moldova, and it could do well as it's actually quite catchy.
THE SERBIAN SINGER COULD BE GEORGE CLOONEY'S YOUNGER BROTHER. Not a compliment though . . .
GERMANY ARE FINALLY ENTERING GOOD SONGS: What on earth is happening? Lena two years ago, and this year's one could very easily be a chart hit.
PHX787 From Japan, joined Mar 2012, 4938 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 2439 times:
Any death metal this year?
Otherwise, I'm none too interested
IIRC, Norway ALMOST picked a Keep of Kalessin song (albeit one of their slower, less metal songs, which a lot of fans really don't like...including myself...) as THEIR song. My Norwegian professor said that he wouldn't have been too surprised, since Norway's music is mostly metal (according to him....and my own observations.)
L410Turbolet From Czech Republic, joined May 2004, 5392 posts, RR: 19 Reply 2, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 2436 times:
Quoting braybuddy (Thread starter): FULL MARKS TO THE AZERIS! It's certainly putting Azerbaijan and Baku on the map at last, and I'm delighted for the people, though not necessarily the government. They deserve their moment in the sun, and they're making a great stab af it.
Indeed, not many countries take this ridiculous contest in kitsch so seriously they turn it into politicum resulting in arrests of domestic opposition.
On the other hand it might be a good opportunity to use what would otherwise be a total waste of time to bring wider atttention to the situation in Azerbaijan . Not sure if typical Eurovision viewer does give a crap about Azerbaijan or is even able to find it on a map without googling it up first.
I think the Iranians were rarely spot on with their observations.
braybuddy From Ireland, joined Aug 2004, 5279 posts, RR: 35 Reply 5, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 2411 times:
Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 2): Not sure if typical Eurovision viewer does give a crap about Azerbaijan or is even able to find it on a map without googling it up first.
True, but they're bowled over by the country, and particularly Baku. They're being kept away from the ugly industrial suburbs and the poverty in the rest of the country, of course, but it is a showcase, and no country every highlights these aspects.
Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 2): think the Iranians were rarely spot on with their observations.
CXfirst From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2694 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 2373 times:
Quoting PHX787 (Reply 1): Norway's music is mostly metal
I absolutely hate that stereotype. Although on a world basis, Norway might have a large metal fan base and produce quite a few metal bands, it's not as big as people think. Of the people I hang out with, only one likes it. You never hear metal on the radio, nor do the general public see it as big. It is still a nische music scene.
GBLKD From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2011, 345 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 2329 times:
Not heard any of the other entries yet but Radio 2 are playing "The Hump" to death. I guess I'll see it all tonight (wife loves it so gotta sit through it).
I'm surprised anyone in Europe is trying to win it with the recession, if you win you have to host next year at your own expense. Would have thought everyone would be sending the worse acts possible in the hope of losing badly and dodging the bullet of having to fork out and pay for next year.
The largest commercial Norwegian sucessen in Norway and internationally is still pop and rock bands. Metal is a nische.
Quoting CXfirst (Reply 8): I absolutely hate that stereotype. Although on a world basis, Norway might have a large metal fan base and produce quite a few metal bands, it's not as big as people think. Of the people I hang out with, only one likes it. You never hear metal on the radio, nor do the general public see it as big. It is still a nische music scene.
Just Googled it and didn't realise Armenia had pulled out. I knew the Azeris used to show a blank screen when Armenia were performing in the past, so I thought the problem might lie there. Such a shame.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 11): If you like young pretty boys
Are we looking at the same guys? Jedward are the young pretty boys of the contest.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 11): As to if I will watch the final .... only if I have nothing else better to do !
Oh go on . . . you'll be glued to it come eight o'clock tonight . .
babybus From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2003, 3512 posts, RR: 6 Reply 13, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 2276 times:
Unfortunately I missed the programme last night.
They always say that these countries on the edge of Europe love hosting the Eurovision Song Contest as it puts them on the map. Is it really worth that amount of money for only 24 hours of fame?
and with that..cabin crew, seats for landing please.
ME AVN FAN From Switzerland, joined May 2002, 13872 posts, RR: 28 Reply 14, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 2277 times:
Here in Switzerland, the band who tried to get ahead are completely frustrated and rather bitter about their negative result. The sentiment is growing that Switzerland either should abandon its participation or participate with a group of Balkanese Secondos
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24875 posts, RR: 60 Reply 15, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 2277 times:
Quoting braybuddy (Reply 12): I knew the Azeris used to show a blank screen when Armenia were performing in the past, so I thought the problem might lie there. Such a shame.
Quoting braybuddy (Reply 12): Jedward are the young pretty boys of the contest.
Yet they claim to represent ''modern Ireland'' ..... God help us all.
Quoting braybuddy (Reply 12): Oh go on . . . you'll be glued to it come eight o'clock tonight . .
I will safely be at work getting loads of Euro I might fire up my iPad for a while though if I get quiet. I think there are actually only 5-6 songs that are decent . At least Serbia has some culture to it .
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
braybuddy From Ireland, joined Aug 2004, 5279 posts, RR: 35 Reply 16, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 2247 times:
Quoting babybus (Reply 13): Is it really worth that amount of money for only 24 hours of fame?
The official Azeri figure is something like 70 million euro. The unofficial estimate is something like ten times that amount. The purpose built auditorium in the Caspian Sea is obviously included in that. I suppose for oil-rich Azerbaijan which has been struggling to escape the Soviet-era image it's a godsend, and it's already blown a lot of preconceptions out of the water. Listening to some of the commentators, they are absolutely bowled over by Baku (justifiably so, although the ugly side of the city is kept well out of sight). I predict a surge in tourism, but if they're serious about attracting tourists they'll need to do something about the 130 euro visa charge.
Quoting OA260 (Reply 15): I think there are actually only 5-6 songs that are decent
I think that's about the most you can expect in any year. I've already booked my place at a friend's house later, the first time I've watched it live in years.
HELyes From Finland, joined Oct 2010, 642 posts, RR: 1 Reply 20, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 2105 times:
Quoting babybus (Reply 13): They always say that these countries on the edge of Europe love hosting the Eurovision Song Contest as it puts them on the map. Is it really worth that amount of money for only 24 hours of fame?
I have not been the biggest ESC fan, but when Helsinki was hosting the show in 2007 for the first time I really enjoyed it. The city organized kind of spring carneval around the contest, a lot of side happenings, nothing too serious- local drag queens hosting sight seeing tours on a tram and such
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 22, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 2064 times:
Quoting Aesma (Reply 21): Man, the commentators we get in France are awful ! And they can't even shut up when the local presenters speak French.
Yeah, I noticed that last year when I was in France during the semi-finals. In advance I thought "It doesn't matter if I'm in Sweden or abroad when it's the ESC, they speak English anyway".
Boy was I wrong.
AirPacific747 From Denmark, joined May 2008, 2091 posts, RR: 23 Reply 24, posted (11 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 2062 times:
No offense, but Russias contribution is really bad.
25 KiwiRob: It's still a dump, all ypu have to do it go a couple of hundred meters away from the Crystal hall and you'll come to a wasteland of donkey pumps, aba
26 Aesma: Considering it's the eurovision where new lows are seen regularly, I wouldn't go that far, but I don't understand why they're so hyped.
27 AR385: Well. So far, it seems that´s what everybody´s doing...except for the UK.
28 Aesma: Most countries wouldn't have to spend that much to host. Besides, it's great publicity. You may not know it but your own country does spend money adve
29 NoUFO: Eurowhat? I have been listening to EMA, Arcade Fire, David Byrne/Brian Eno and Galaxie 500 all evening.
30 OA260: Watching on iPad with some colleagues who wanted to watch it so decided to myself Germany should win . Worst song so far is Albania .
31 IH8BY: Good for you. The rest of us will get on with taking ourselves a little less seriously!
32 KiwiRob: A band so crap they should be representing some Euro country in the Eurovision, they'd fit right in.
33 B747forever: Talk about some stunning footage of Azerbaijan during tonight's show!
35 KiwiRob: It doesn't look like that when you actually go there! Getting a visa is also a P.I.T.A.
36 CPH-R: Denmark nil points Norway nil points At least we'll go down together.
37 Hywel: Predictions for Eurovision: Ireland and Malta will give points to the UK. Spain will vote for their neighbours Portugal and Germany who have money. Li
38 baexecutive: The whole thing is an exercise in brown nosing secondary country butt licking and absolutely NOTHING to do with music! Just look at who votes for who!
39 OA260: lol ... political voting alive and well ! Looks like Sweden next year
42 B747forever: Might be so, but looking at the footage it looks amazing. I am sure we will be able to put together a great show.
43 AirPacific747: 0 points to Denmark from Sweden, and was it 4 points from Norway? Come on people! You may not like our song, but at least help us out a bit and show u
45 NoUFO: I like some of their songs so much - listening to them I'd shake my hair if I had more of it left.
46 alexeu: Hopefully one day, Ireland will compete with their great folk songs! Here in Serbia, Irish folk music is relatively popular given the distance from Ir
47 OA260: The Irish are split some love Jedward and some hate them. It was split among people I know too . Certainly this years Irish entry was a far cry from
48 solnabo: Sweden - 374 Norway - 7 Way to go Loreen See you all in Stockholm next year //Mike
49 ME AVN FAN: - please do not feel insulted, but to "shut up" is not exactly regarded as the strong point of the "Grande Nation" - THIS will only help in combinati
50 aznmadsci: I figured Sweden would win because it's a decent song. However, I really did not like any of the songs in the final. Sadly the Russian Grannies had a
51 GrahamHill: They've been awful for years, because nobody cares about Eurovision in France.
52 braybuddy: Baku is far from a dump! Yes, it does have it's ugly side -- like most cities -- particularly the extensive industrial suburbs to the west. As far as
53 KiwiRob: If you had been in Baku 5 years ago you wouldn't think you were in the same city today. On the main road from the airport to town if you go behind th
54 AR385: It´s really a crime that Mr.Humpernick got nothing. I mean, he was the best, by far of all the songs fetaured in the contest.
55 solnabo: Love this song from Ukraine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-LyyCxlSFc Dance your butt off!
56 AirPacific747: Yes, perhaps the best song this year, I think
57 ME AVN FAN: The bad outcome for Switzerland proves that Switzerland should have tried it with the "Grande Dame" again, in spite of her no longer being a "young ha
58 solnabo: @ME AVN FAN This is THE best song ever in ESC (IMO), I was totally flabbergasted hearing her voice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLPlhvgE9qA //Mike
59 CamiloA380: Thats very true! Now, why did Norway beat their own bottom record? I think its because of this: Hes just a hard copy of Erik Saade. Where did my vote
60 ME AVN FAN: Celine Dion indeed was a class of her own.
61 HELyes: Was my favourite too, along with France. Pity the Finnish song was too weak to get through, would had been cool to hear Swedish language in the final
62 AirPacific747: Did anyone notice the message from Anke from Germany just before she revealed the German votes? Or how the Swedish lady couldn't pronnounce Azerbaijan
63 braybuddy: You know I -- or anyone else I know -- never copped that. Good one! LOL! Though she sounds more British than Swedish.
64 deltamartin: That was all an act, she was the one of the hosts for the Swedish TV-show where we decided who should represent us at the ESC, and she did a sketch p
65 braybuddy: Nice one! Though I think it might have been lost on the rest of Europe . . .
66 aeroblogger: Reminded me strongly of Catch Your Fall -Clokx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUhhbA-SUkw
67 solnabo: ...and a rip off 'When love takes over´ with David Guetta feat.Kelly Rowland http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbfYAYNFOos Cheers[Edited 2012-06-04 00:
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Jedward are the young pretty boys of the contest. 
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