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Eurovision 2023 Grand Final - thread 4

500 replies

GrandTheftWalrus · 14/05/2023 00:15

Just incase anyone wants to carry on the chat.

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19
Vikingthings · 14/05/2023 08:21

UK entry couldn't sing at all and bit of a shame after Sam Ryder last year.

Finland were robbed, very popular with the audience vote and I think the jury rigged it so Abba can perform in Sweden next year in the interval. Also really liked Norway.

I don't think past winners should be allowed to enter again, but if Sweden can do that, then it would be good if Sam Ryder could enter again in a few years (if he would want to).

He did so well because of huge amounts of popularity on TikTok and maybe another popular social-media singer should be found for the UK.

BadNomad · 14/05/2023 08:21

The UK used to still get a lot of points even with mediocre songs in the past because we had "friends" in Europe. We don't get that any more. It's very clear to see.

BadNomad · 14/05/2023 08:23

RedToothBrush · 14/05/2023 08:07

https://eurovisionworld.com/eurovision/2023#united-kingdom

Eurovision world has the results in full with who gave who points.

Yikes! Only 9 public votes. Not even the Brits abroad voted for the UK 😬

Vikingthings · 14/05/2023 08:24

The UK used to still get a lot of points even with mediocre songs in the past because we had "friends" in Europe. We don't get that any more. It's very clear to see.

The UK has kind of stuck it's middle finger up at Europe at most given opportunities in the last 20 years. The only reason we even get through to the final is because of putting enough money in, otherwise we never would, our songs aren't good enough (except last year).

HermoineFairfax · 14/05/2023 08:24

inverness123 · 14/05/2023 08:14

I actually don’t think it’s surprising if a lot of European countries have a bit of a negative feeling about the UK. If you do something as disruptive to your neighbours as pulling out of the EU, it’s not going to make people feel great about you. As proved last year, people will vote for good songs and good performances but people not feeling v positive about your country will have an impact. I thought the UK this year was classic middle-of-the-table stuff and didn’t deserve to be so low - but in a sea of mediocre crap, people will probably feel more positively about mediocre crap from places they like.

You mean like political voting?

In Eurovision? Never! How very brazen of you to suggest it 😂

BadNomad · 14/05/2023 08:26

Vikingthings · 14/05/2023 08:24

The UK used to still get a lot of points even with mediocre songs in the past because we had "friends" in Europe. We don't get that any more. It's very clear to see.

The UK has kind of stuck it's middle finger up at Europe at most given opportunities in the last 20 years. The only reason we even get through to the final is because of putting enough money in, otherwise we never would, our songs aren't good enough (except last year).

Yep. I'm pretty sure if we didn't buy our way into the competition we wouldn't make it through the semis most of the time.

BadNomad · 14/05/2023 08:28

It's just funny that people blame it all on a bad song/performance when we've gotten a lot further with a lot worse in the past.

OublietteBravo · 14/05/2023 08:28

Vikingthings · 14/05/2023 08:21

UK entry couldn't sing at all and bit of a shame after Sam Ryder last year.

Finland were robbed, very popular with the audience vote and I think the jury rigged it so Abba can perform in Sweden next year in the interval. Also really liked Norway.

I don't think past winners should be allowed to enter again, but if Sweden can do that, then it would be good if Sam Ryder could enter again in a few years (if he would want to).

He did so well because of huge amounts of popularity on TikTok and maybe another popular social-media singer should be found for the UK.

Denmark tried that this year. It didn’t go so well for them…

inverness123 · 14/05/2023 08:29

Maybe it’s political voting but maybe it’s also just voting for what you like - but what you like is influenced by lots of things beyond the song itself. Having goodwill for a country will influence how much people like the song.

I think a lot of what’s considered political voting is often more about shared culture, and often familiarity with an artist who is known in a region but not outside it.

inverness123 · 14/05/2023 08:30

Agreed. I think automatic entry into the final is not a good deal - it just means you embarrass yourself on a bigger stage if you have a crap song. If your songs not good enough to get through, why would you want it there?

RedToothBrush · 14/05/2023 08:32

inverness123 · 14/05/2023 08:14

I actually don’t think it’s surprising if a lot of European countries have a bit of a negative feeling about the UK. If you do something as disruptive to your neighbours as pulling out of the EU, it’s not going to make people feel great about you. As proved last year, people will vote for good songs and good performances but people not feeling v positive about your country will have an impact. I thought the UK this year was classic middle-of-the-table stuff and didn’t deserve to be so low - but in a sea of mediocre crap, people will probably feel more positively about mediocre crap from places they like.

The problem with Eurovision is if you don't make the top ten, it becomes pot luck as to where you finish.

And TBF I think 25th was probably what the UK deserved this year. And I actually felt for Germany as their entry was better than last place.

When I look at the top ten, there's only one that's a real surprise to me and that's Estonia. Estonia were not supposed to make it through the semis according to the bookies so to finish top ten that's a fantastic result. I think that's possibly because the semi voting is televote only this year - and traditionally the jury favour more traditional power ballad type songs. We were at the Semi Estonia were in and Georgia also had a power ballad - and genuinely the better performed one got through. She absolutely nailed it. And clearly that was also the case for the final.

It was nice to see Belgium in the top ten, that was well deserved. Norway put in her best performance for the Final. It was notably better than any rehearsal/ semi I've seen.

I can't argue with the top ten and that's why I think it's generally fair though.

Outside the top ten you had Austria who I think really suffered from being first up. Their round up clip wasn't great either. I do think their performance didn't translate well between arena and TV though. It really was one for the crowd. I think that is the only other one I think didn't place as well as they should.

I loved France but get why it wasn't top ten. It just had so much competition.

OublietteBravo · 14/05/2023 08:39

@RedToothBrush - I was really surprised by Estonia. Particularly by how many jury votes they got.

Austria didn’t have the greatest roundup clip. But at least they were singing on it. Unlike Israel - where they used the dance break! That seemed like a really odd choice (not that it harmed her).

RedToothBrush · 14/05/2023 08:41

inverness123 · 14/05/2023 08:29

Maybe it’s political voting but maybe it’s also just voting for what you like - but what you like is influenced by lots of things beyond the song itself. Having goodwill for a country will influence how much people like the song.

I think a lot of what’s considered political voting is often more about shared culture, and often familiarity with an artist who is known in a region but not outside it.

I genuinely look at that top ten and can't argue with it based on performances and songs. It's not necessarily about whether I like them. They were the better acts. None of that list looks remotely like political voting or cultural voting. Not this year. Maybe more so in previous, but I do think it's a fair reflection on the acts.

I think it maybe more apparent further down the board but even then I think this year I'm generally nodding at the final results and saying 'yep I understand why you finished there'.

We had three non Eurovisioners in our midst last night and their scorecards were interesting. Some of the things that the Eurovision lovers didn't like so much featured. One did say they couldn't vote for France for being so French mind!!!

Vikingthings · 14/05/2023 08:41

The Isreal performance and round up clip, all very yuck. When she was stood up leaving towards the end there were lots of middle aged men oggling her.

OublietteBravo · 14/05/2023 08:45

I find it interesting that Portugal, Austria and Serbia all got the same number of points from the televote (16). It really does seem that an early slot in the runner order is bad for you - irrespective of the genre of music!

Vikingthings · 14/05/2023 08:46

I must admit, I think there were a lot of crap performances last night. There was a small handout of stand out songs/performances but not a great offering this year.

I was going to try and go to Liverpool to attend but various factors meant I wasn't able to. I am glad I didn't in the end, the overall trip would have cost an astronomical amount, for not the best final.

RedToothBrush · 14/05/2023 08:48

OublietteBravo · 14/05/2023 08:39

@RedToothBrush - I was really surprised by Estonia. Particularly by how many jury votes they got.

Austria didn’t have the greatest roundup clip. But at least they were singing on it. Unlike Israel - where they used the dance break! That seemed like a really odd choice (not that it harmed her).

Jury are an older audience who like more traditional musical arrangements. So jury vote for Estonia doesn't surprise me. Normally there's two or three female power ballads in the final. This year just one. The 'bond theme' always does pretty well. If you look at the male ballads there were three this year - Italy, Switzerland and Cyprus. Italy was best of the bunch. The other two came 12th and 20th. Which I think fair. Switzerlands war themed song was so last year.

Willmafrockfit · 14/05/2023 08:48

i was disappointed Sweden won.
and no need for Mel to talk over Graham, Hannah and co

Willmafrockfit · 14/05/2023 08:49

I Liked Estonia,
she was only 20

RedToothBrush · 14/05/2023 08:53

Vikingthings · 14/05/2023 08:41

The Isreal performance and round up clip, all very yuck. When she was stood up leaving towards the end there were lots of middle aged men oggling her.

There was no other 'Dad act/teenage son act' this year.

I do agree this year wasn't vintage in terms of entries generally though. The last couple have been better overall.

But I do think Liverpool hosted and stage well. The scripting was dire for the presenters but they weren't bad.

It wasn't Sweden 2016. And I think that's the thing for next year - it will be an amazing production.

Inthedarkagain · 14/05/2023 08:56

I didn't watch it all last night so just caught the last 10 or so songs. I'm not surprised by our result. May Muller is a lovely lady, but I Dont think the song was a banger and it didn't come across well on the night. The other ladies that did well had the Beyonce factor I think. It was more of a performance, so that helped them do well on a night of pretty dull songs. Sam Ryder did well last year because he looked very comfortable on the stage and had a song that appealed to both judges and voters, so I think in future we need to replicate that. I loved his interval song.

I thought the production of the show looked good, but it felt a bit chaotic at times and the sound quality was a bit rubbish. it looked more polished than other years in the look of it.

I'm gutted Croatia didn't win. Any band that takes me back to my shrooming days without any substances deserves to win IMHP.

Did the Swedish lady sober up at all when she won?

OublietteBravo · 14/05/2023 08:58

I wonder if they’ll keep the semis televote only? It seems odd that you can only vote in your own semi - especially as rest of the world can vote in both.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 14/05/2023 08:59

Her reaction was odd in that she hardly reacted at all.

Vikingthings · 14/05/2023 08:59

Croatia's performance actually scared me a little bit and gave slightly questionable vibes.