Eurovision Semi 2 Cont...

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Your Summary:

Armenia Refunded Boots
Ireland Milkshakes and Lichtenstein
Moldova One Sleeved Woman and her Sand Bitch
switzerland Red Dirty Dancers and Rylan’s Outfit
Latvian Norah Jones in a hat
Romania - Transylvian Bring your Gimp to Work Day
Denmark - Ladders and Clouds
Sweden - Gospel Velux Window
Austria - Blue Haired Vocal Panic Attack
Croatia - Ben Affleck’s Angel Wings
Malta - Maltese Molly And Her Pet Chameleon
Lithuania - Captain America and His Lions
Russia - Vanity Shower Screens
Albania - Rylan’s Nashers Channel Dark Yodelling
Norway - Ken The Spirited Club Style Yoiker
Netherlands - A Nice Moody Ballad from Duncan the Dutchman
North Macedonia - Mel Off Eastenders
Azerbaijan - Shut Up! Lazzzzeerrrssss

Eurovision isn’t based on whether or not you are politically or geographically in Europe. It’s based on whether or not your state broadcaster is a member of the European Broadcasting Union.

Why don't they get some of the super fans to pick the song? They are the experts and whoever is doing it now doesn't have a clue.

Switzerland tried this and spent several years not qualifying for the final. So it might not help.

I think the big problem in the UK and Ireland is that there's still a bit of a snotty attitude towards Eurovision, and a lot of artists think it would damage their reputations. Whereas in other countries the contest is really popular and big artists want to do it - Sweden being the prime example.

We need to attract a higher calibre of artist with better songs. Unfortunately RTE and BBC are happy to just plod along and send any old shite.

@Sakura7 - Well yes, because it's a 23 year old song and would not work in modern Eurovision. It also wouldn't be commercially popular.
If it were entered today (and not 23 years ago) I don't think it would stand a chance. Eurovision is Eurovision. Modernity doesn't come into it. If it did, there would be more rock, rap, house etc. There isn't.

As for withdrawing or not, did you not get that it costs Ireland (through RTÉ) to take part, they want to increase the tv licence fee, we don't want to pay increases so this could be a money saver. I believe Italy didn't take part for a number of years and now they're back.

Eurovision is actually very cheap TV for the return you get back. There is no chance of RTE pulling out.

I still don't know why The Voice won in 1996.
I much preferred Sweden's entry which came third. (Sung in Swedish too).

I think Ireland needs to go back to the national competition format with popular voting (despite the Dustin the Turkey disaster).

Personally, I hope Iceland wins this year, with the top dozen or so after that imo Australia/ Albania/ Italy/ Sweden/ Norway/ Greece/ Serbia/ Azerbaijan/North Macedonia/ San Marino/ Russia/ Switzerland/ Netherlands in no particular order.

Oh I don't math They'll be unbearable...rather than getting into the swing of things and the eurovision togetherness all the acts talk about, they are there to make a political statement and if they win will talk about toppling capitalism and/or the rise of the far right. I am not saying it's the wrong stage to do it on but they won't show the joy others will in winning and I'm sceptical anyway - they don't come across like Pussy Riot and said their 'sponsors' Soda Dream need to sell merch as you cannot topple capitalism without needing money to topple it. I looked them up and it's a mineral water company. I must be missing a trick somewhere, I just don't get it. Love Depeche Mode still.

Why don't they get some of the super fans to pick the song?
Germany's choice was done by a jury, a eurovision panel and the public vote. The eurovision panel placed the entry much lower than the other two but it was done on aggregate.

Just watched the second semi final as we were out last night! Still love Malta and been singing it since I first heard it a week ago.

Also really liked the danish one.

North Macedonia blew me away. 12 points given from me, almost had me in tears with the pics of mums and daughters and the lyrics of the song, probably helped along by the fact I had my very shy and totally not body confident 10yo girl snuggled up to me so it really hit a nerve with me!

I think it's the consistency of the Hatari act that gives them appeal. That and you don't know if it's all tongue in cheek or deadly serious. They have taken the concept of a persona to another dimension.

Yea I know and I genuinely do like the song. But they're being disingenuous by talking about sponsors when they own the flaming company. And I've watched 6 interviews with them now to see if I was missing the joke/misunderstanding the intent/looking for actual activism aside from an album out in Autumn and them trying to flog a tee shirt or two.
I quite like performance art and I have nothing against earning a buck/being paid for what you do. But put your money where your mouth is if if you are claiming to be activists. Same as with their comments about Israel - I'd be disappointed but I think I'd rather they took a vow of silence for 4 minutes and didn't perform if they feel strongly about Palestine - they have been accused by the BDS of 'fig leafing' and I kind of agree - either go to Eurovision and have a blast or blast Eurovision and have a boycott. I feel they want to have their and eat it too.

Meh, there are lots of acts with a 'message' who won't be waving that particular flag next week.

I think they really are having a blast. They are trolling activism.

There's a 'When Eurovision Goes Horribly Wrong' programme starting on channel 5 now

If that is the case Math I take back all previous comments, shake their hand, nominate them for an Edda award and will piss myself laughing at being taken in. Genuinely. If they win and silent Drum Gimp gives a speech along those lines I'd bloody love it.

Cheers gavin xx Have got it on now

North Macedonia blew me away. 12 points given from me, almost had me in tears with the pics of mums and daughters and the lyrics of the song, probably helped along by the fact I had my very shy and totally not body confident 10yo girl snuggled up to me so it really hit a nerve with me

I wish they'd done a bit more with the staging because of the power of the video.

But yes, I'm a huge fan of the song. Very glad it made the final.

I’m most sad about Poland not being in the final. I understand that San Marino got through on the “so Eurovision” fun act ticket. But Poland were better than Estonia and Belarus and deserved a place in the final.

I’m less bothered about the outcome of semi 2. I personally preferred Armenia and Romania to Denmark, but it’s a close call between those three for the final spot.

Eurovision pre party on MTV OMG now :)

Curry check
Popcorn check
Doritos check
Gin check
Unspeakable alcoholic blue stuff check

Well I'm prepared for a party for one!

sobs

You lot best keep me company

Boo moo - no mtv here. I did like the channel 5 thing though. I'm such a nerd. I was in Claires today and spoke with a fellow nerd from Greece who is supporting...Greece and we had a good old chat. He was sad that Darude hadn't made it and one of his favourite winners was Turkey 2003. He even named the year bless his sequinny socks.
I have 3 cans of cider red chocolate orange and salt and vinegar crisps (from the overpriced ex pat shop) cashews (bless you) pistachios ice cream orangina and hummus.
Will most happily keep you company as my family have threatened tp gag me. That's not love love peace peace now, is it?!
Tis 9pm this end so a wee while yet.
Are you going to start a new shiny thread for the final red? Hopefully we'll all be on one this year - iirc last year there ended up being two concurrent ones.
I have over invested in this year's (you don't say mum) to the extent that DH is getting me the double CD for my birthday this year. It co mes with free coasters though!
See you later lovely. check check headdress check

Yes we watched the channel 5 thing this afternoon :)

We have party food sorted, chicken strips, curly fries, sausage rolls, halloumi fries and baked Camembert and Doritos and dips.

Scoresheets at the ready.

Lots of wine!

Let the Eurovision Song Contest begin!!!

Yay!
Combining both my loves and to get us in the mood...

Like Arnie, I will be back.
Need to scooch out (see what I did there?!) to put my bet on and get more .
I was asked to comment on Europe today at a european election thing and ended up blabbering on about Eurovision instead which DH thinks is hysterical. This would normally be fine but they might be putting it on the tube of you. [facepalm]

Scorecards - check
Snacks - check
Alcohol-free Prosecco for the teenagers - check
Homemade plum vodka for the adults - check

I believe we’re ready for the 2019 Eurovision final.