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Why do we put forward such awful acts for the Eurovision?

186 replies

StopSayingDueDiligence · 23/05/2021 19:12

I can't abide the Eurovision but for many years I've wondered why we put through such awful acts and seem surprised when we fail?

Didn't we have Katie price one year?

Why don't we put through people like Adele or Rag N Bone Man, Little Simz or Florence of the Machine?

Why can't they represent us?!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 24/05/2021 12:19

I've always wondered why we don't put one of the cathedral choirs in. They'd definitely win. (If it was a fair contest)

SinkGirl · 24/05/2021 12:32

Only 12%?!

The LoD finale recently had the highest ratings for a TV drama with 20% of the population.

With streaming and cable services, 12% is massive (if accurate)

SinkGirl · 24/05/2021 12:32

@Toddlerteaplease

I've always wondered why we don't put one of the cathedral choirs in. They'd definitely win. (If it was a fair contest)
Because you’re only allowed 5 on stage. And it’s not very Eurovision.
WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 24/05/2021 12:33

They were suggesting we send Morris dancers next year on radio 2 this morning..

We should ask Bellowhead to reform!

VanCleefArpels · 24/05/2021 12:33

I don’t buy the “political” thing. Yes there are a few countries that always vote for each other (Greece/Cyprus etc) but I’d point to the success of France, Switzerland andItaly this year, none in any particular political grouping or joined by historical ties like eg the former Balkan states. They were good songs, decently staged and scored well with both Juries and the public vote. Ours this year was clearly the worst song and got what it deserved

QwertyGirly · 24/05/2021 12:38

It was a shit song, the staging was horrible, it wasn't quirky or fun or different. It didn't stand out. Very few redeeming features.

We have huge drag queen talents in the UK, I think that would be a good bet.

WeAreTheHeroes · 24/05/2021 13:52

@QwertyGirly

It was a shit song, the staging was horrible, it wasn't quirky or fun or different. It didn't stand out. Very few redeeming features.

We have huge drag queen talents in the UK, I think that would be a good bet.

Please no. What on earth do you think the appeal of a drag artist would be? Very little for many female viewers as so many of them base their acts on misogynistic and derogatory portrayals of women.
PutYourBackIntoit · 24/05/2021 14:23

I absolutely loved Ukraines entry, I want to buy their album!

Also though Finlands rock entry was so much more memorable than Italy's.

The tune I have going around and around in my head is Switzerlands though!

Anyway, we didn't deserve to have no points given that Cyprus got points Confused

I'd love Bill Bailey or Steps to enter for the UK, but I think a sure fire way to win would be to enter the Gorillaz with their cartoon staging.

longwayoff · 24/05/2021 14:26

Bring on The Morris. I'd watch for the sheer pleasure of the bewilderment it would cause.

OublietteBravo · 24/05/2021 14:54

I’d like to see us send something that represents the U.K. folk music scene. I’d be ok with Morris dancing. Or perhaps we could send something based on a sea shanty.

FatCatThinCat · 24/05/2021 14:55

I think if the UK want to win then they need to inject a bit of culture into their entries. Traditional British songs are extremely popular over here.
That's what the UK needs to be tapping into.

MrsGulDukat · 24/05/2021 15:51

Maybe we should have a bit of grime music. Or maybe a bit Stormzy.

covetingthepreciousthings · 24/05/2021 17:41

@OublietteBravo

I’d like to see us send something that represents the U.K. folk music scene. I’d be ok with Morris dancing. Or perhaps we could send something based on a sea shanty.
Someone like Seth Lakeman would be great, not sure he would do it though.
CliffsofMohair · 24/05/2021 17:48

@SinkGirl

You thought France was screechy but enjoyed Ukraine?! DH said it was clearly written as a method of torturing prisoners of war, which I think is about right 😬
It’s a traditional singing style (open throat) taught to her by her grandmother. My Ukrainian friend was really happy to see her culture represented. It really grew on me. I also liked France.
ElizabethTudor · 24/05/2021 17:56

I loved the French song. It was fabulous.

Geamhradh · 24/05/2021 18:01

[quote FatCatThinCat]I think if the UK want to win then they need to inject a bit of culture into their entries. Traditional British songs are extremely popular over here.
That's what the UK needs to be tapping into.

[/quote] Oooh I like the Miriam Bryant one. That's fab.
WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 24/05/2021 20:06

Anyway, we didn't deserve to have no points given that Cyprus got points

Really? Aside from the guaranteed 12 from Greece and the potential issues with Lady Gaga's lawyers, their strong song and performance was in no way comparable to ours.

OublietteBravo · 24/05/2021 20:12

Every country’s televote ranked the UK in 20th position or higher, with the exception of Malta, where it was 14th. The song was slightly more popular with the juries, ranking 15th with Malta, 14th with Norway and Serbia, 13th with the Czech Republic and narrowly missing out on a point from Poland, who ranked them 11th.

So the stats agree that we weren’t the worst song. And it appears that “everyone hates us” is untrue.

mum2jakie · 24/05/2021 20:12

The fat bloke who represented us this year looked like he was wearing a bloody bin liner! Sack the stylist!

WeAreTheHeroes · 24/05/2021 20:14

If you fancy a sea shanty, there's the young guy whose career took off in the first lockdown on SM. I think.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 24/05/2021 20:21

The fat bloke who represented us this year looked like he was wearing a bloody bin liner! Sack the stylist!

By all means criticise poor clothing, set and staging choices for the entry, but please let's not descend to ad hominem body shaming.

I'm really loving the idea of a folky drum-heavy sea shanty, though. With Stormzy, Dizzee Rascal or Dave rapping in the middle too!!

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 24/05/2021 20:37

Bill Bailey singing a sea shanty with Steps doing a tits and teeth dance in the background?

SinkGirl · 24/05/2021 21:10

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

Anyway, we didn't deserve to have no points given that Cyprus got points

Really? Aside from the guaranteed 12 from Greece and the potential issues with Lady Gaga's lawyers, their strong song and performance was in no way comparable to ours.

Exactly. After the 1st semi final, the Cyprus entry was the one that was stuck in my head all week. Can’t even hum the U.K. entry now, no clear memory of it at all.
SinkGirl · 24/05/2021 21:12

It’s a traditional singing style (open throat) taught to her by her grandmother.

Yes I know that (I heard Scott Mills say it in the commentary too). I love the incorporation of various cultures into Eurovision entries - it’s just that this particular tradition is the very definition of screechy.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 24/05/2021 22:43

I stumbled down a YouTube rabbit hole the other day and ended up watching Vindaloo by Fat Les and Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. Now, I realise that it has to be a new song to qualify for entry (and you'd probably have to alter the lyrics slightly to singing the night away or similar and maybe change for soft drinks); but if we could turn back the clock, win or lose, I reckon either of those would have made a cracking Eurovision entry Grin

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