U.K. Eurovision entry! A lot of pearl clutching

[Colourofspring]

The outrage and comments I have seen about Olly Alexander’s performance is baffling to be honest. So much pearl clutching! Eurovision has always been completely camp and outrageous and yet suddenly he has been portrayed as some kind of disgrace and not representative of the UKs ‘values’ (what the fuck does that mean anyway?)

I like the song, I have seen him perform live at Glastonbury with years and years, he’s good live. Yes he’s openly gay - so what? Surely UK values should be based around tolerance and acceptance and not hysteria because his performance is considered risqué. Would it be considered the same if it was a load of half naked female dancers?

I am heterosexual but not offended by it - it’s just a performance - I hope he wins as he’s a nice guy!

So much pearl clutching!

I don't think homophobia is no longer an issue at all - fear of violence and assault is very real. I think attacks from the 'gender' movement have also impacted on gay people.

I have thought about this a lot today - questioning why I found the performance uncomfortable - I am not made uncomfortable by gay people - I spent a lot of time in gay clubs in the 90's/00's , so gay men dancing isn't the issue - I think for me, on a personal level it was the aggressive nature of the narrative - it seemed very unpleasant - the part where he 'acted' forcing the mic down someone's throat for example - as a SA survivor I think that was what I disliked about it and I would have felt the same way if it was heterosexual.

I agree with you, I doubt every gay man watched the dirty toilet scene and thought this is great, really progressive.

A quick google will show you that Homophobic Hate crimes in the UK have been rising for quite some time. It isn't defined to one area of the country. It isn't a 'bad environment' that other posters live in. It is everywhere. It's your environment too. You may not want to see it it your little bubble. But it's happening and it is ignorant to deny it. There are Home Office hate crime figures. Not just made up be anecdotal evidence.

www.statista.com/statistics/623990/sexual-orientation-hate-crimes-in-england-and-wales/

I thought Conchita was brilliant and loved the song, voice, production. I'm even older than 66 and there have been some good performances in recent years (including Sam Ryder), but I was bored, bored, bored this year. Ollies song was mediocre. The best song won, but I think it's a misnomer to call it a song contest now. It's about producers trying to second guess based on last year (why did so many start singing from lying down? Because it worked last year), dance, gymnastics and trying to be more extreme than the others. Waste of s good evening this year.

The worst part of the show was the AI ABBA 'performance'.

I feel a bit sorry for Olly, I love Years and Years and I think he is a fabulously talented singer, dancer and actor, the Eurovision song and performance didn’t seem to quite connect for whatever reason. I hope he’ll be back better than ever.

@Threesacrow I agree, and I can’t help laughing when suddenly they start the performance lying because it worked for Loreen. And the long fingernails too.

Ok you UK Ollie fans. I’ve never heard of him and after last night I can’t say that I really want to. But which is his best song then and I will listen to it?

I never watch the semis so last night was my first time seeing Olly's song. I didn't even register it as being particularly camp (within a Eurovision context) and certainly didn't see anything to pearl clutch about, but I just didn't think it was a very strong song all round. Germany was my least favourite by far and I would definitely say the UK was better than that. but I can't sing a note of it unless I've literally just heard it.

Probably King. I'd be surprised if you haven't heard it before.

Not my favourite, but king is likely the most well known.

@yellous my favourite is Shine. I personally don’t like King at all.

Oh just listened, of course I’ve heard it. 😂 It’s a great song!

I like Olly but why on earth did it have to be in a dirty toilet setting? Nothing to do with homophobia, I wouldn't like it whoever did it. Plus it actually made me feel dizzy. He is capable of something so much better and it's a shame.

It was grim as evidenced by vote.

Hadn’t heard that one but it was good too. Will add to my Spotify list!

Just note that the winning song was about someone accepting their non binary status (without shoving their gender in your face).

UK had the wrong song, completely failed to read the audience in terms of stage performance.

even if you felt the Irish entry was awful it scored its best Eurovision result in 25 years.

Camp is fine. The song was awful though. Olly’s vocals were meh at best.
the simulated blow job with a mic was yack.
I turned EV on for a laugh, not expecting good. But bloody hell. It was ear piercingly awful. My ears were bleeding it was so bad.
surely we have better talent than this! Maybe not mind you. UK songwriting is not what it was.

I agree. It made me pleased I have not gone to see this in person.

Absolutely not. Especially not then. Lived in a poor area and worked in a pub.

Totally agree with you

Just note that the winning song was about someone accepting their non binary status (without shoving their gender in your face).

I noted that. I'm not sure Graham did (he used "he" most of the time, although he did manage "they" a couple of times around their original performance).

Eurovision long ceased to be anything about music and all about politics. Was anyone really surprised at nul points for UK from public vote? Nothing to do with the song and all to do with how we are perceived as a nation by others

It's not a toilet if you look carefully, it's some sort of shower area. The thing on the wall that could be taken for a urinal is a hanging white towel.

Yeah, I didn't see it as a toilet either.
Just a very grubby room in desperate need of a clean lol