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Post by jojo on May 11, 2024 12:54:00 GMT
It's just that Europe don't like us. 😞 I don't think that's the case, more that we don't put forward strong acts: last year's was a bit grumpy sixth form school show c. 1996, surprisingly weak given she was on home turf. Agreed. IMO blaming it on other countries not liking us is a symptom of us not taking it seriously enough (as in our entry and the actual contest). We have this notion that because Britain produced the Beatles, Stones and Adele that other countries should defer to our superior musical tastes, and accept our entry is better, when most years it's very obviously not. Yes, there is a bit of politics with how much voters like other countries, but more realistically people vote for their neighbours because they have shared musical tastes and recognise the songs - and safe to say a lot of the time expats are voting for their own country. Countries with a lot of neighbours will do better out of it than an island nation. Good songs with good performances are able to buck the trend, or at least end up on the top half of the left hand side. I don't think Eurovision has an issue with acts that are obviously gay, but being obviously gay and/or camp doesn't negate the need for a good performance, and it's 2024. Simply being gay or camp isn't in itself novel or particularly interesting. |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2024 14:33:43 GMT
I watched the later 1970's Eurovisions as a child and got into it in the 1980's - Bucks Fizz win was a big moment and they became a mainstream band. Sally Ann Triplett from Bardo in 1982 became a West End leading lady - I didn't know then that she had been on the UK's 1980 entry too I knew her from Crackerjack.
As it was the 2nd British Pop invasion in the early to mid 1980's it always seemed that no successful UK mainstream act would enter and we watched Eurovision mainly for Terry Wogan's dry sarcasm. The 1997 win by Katrina and the Waves after a few years of going back to have one artist perform a choice of songs gave the show more interest again. With Dana International winning in 1998 in Birmingham and the rise in popularity in the size of Pride events around then. This seemed to be when the LGBT fan factor started to prop the contest up.
At B'ham Pride our former Eurovision entries were always popular bookings and the weekends often clashed so there would be Eurovision Parties at the Pride locations etc. The BBC still continue to televise it and I think that if it hadn't been for the large LGBT fanbase the Eurovision may have got moved to a none prime channel by now.
Will we win again, it seems unlikely maybe we need Russell T Davies to write the song for our next entry?
There seems to be chaos with acts being thrown out, all the protests about the Israel Gaza war, the event is in lockdown pretty much.
I see our friend Greta was there too.
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Post by hannechalk on May 11, 2024 15:01:15 GMT
Well, I hope nobody had Netherlands at the top of their list.... I've always looked forward to watching the final, but I'm not going to bother tonight. To disqualify someone without proper investigation is just wrong. They can scream 'It's not a political event' all they want, but it is. I'm not going to be drawn about the whole political discussion regarding Israel, but they have been goading people too. Joost Klein (Netherlands) declined to do a backstage video with Israel, so they very childishly made a video 'Joost wouldn't do a video with us, so here is one of our lovely dancers', whilst zooming into Joost minding his own business in the background. The fun has gone all out of it. |
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Post by crowblack on May 11, 2024 15:32:24 GMT
To disqualify someone without proper investigation is just wrong. I doubt organisers would do this without a strong reason given the diplomatic and financial repercussions: the act in question reportedly threatened to assault someone. |
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Post by theatrefan62 on May 11, 2024 15:34:22 GMT
He’s gone flat out to make it about himself, his sexuality and his politics. The actual song seems to be the very last thing on the priority list. I hope it comes bottom. Completely agree about this. And if there is one place where all that is old news and unoriginal, it's eurovision. I dont really see being overly sexual on stage as particularly advancing the gay cause either. The song is awful, and his talent doesn't match his ego. Based on what came out of Italy the other day it looks like Isreal winning is a foregone conclusion I think Sam Ryder proved with a good song and singer we can do well, in fact in a normalyear we would have won. Although we were in many Europe's good books over our support of Ukraine, so that probably helped a bit. |
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Post by matttom0901 on May 11, 2024 16:07:06 GMT
It must have been about 10-15 years since the last time I watched Eurovision. As a proud Brit originally from Croatia, I will be cheerring on Baby Lasagna. Olly... not so much. Terrible song!
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Post by moorhunhe on May 11, 2024 16:39:28 GMT
My homecountry couldn't even get through the semi finals, again, haha! (Belgium)
Can't remember last time I actually liked one of our songs. I think it was Loïc quite a few years ago.
The songs irritate me to no end the past 10 years at least, and the singing is for 90% awful I feel.
I moan about it every year, but I still watch it every year, just "because" lol.
I've not heard any of the songs, but I listened to the Dutch song this morning when I read about all the commotion.
There's a story behind it which is really nice, and I have to admit, it kind of sticks :/
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Post by hannechalk on May 11, 2024 16:53:08 GMT
To disqualify someone without proper investigation is just wrong. I doubt organisers would do this without a strong reason given the diplomatic and financial repercussions: the act in question reportedly threatened to assault someone. According to the official statement of the Dutch broadcaster, Joost had repeatedly requested not to be filmed at a particular moment after his performance at rehearsal. The camerawoman kept following him regardless. He made a threatening movement at the camera, but did not come near nor touched the woman in question. I'm not saying he acted right, but disqualifying him when his own boundary was crossed seems like an overreaction. |
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Post by crowblack on May 11, 2024 17:15:04 GMT
He made a threatening movement at the camera, but did not come near nor touched the woman in question. Which is horrible, and he deserves to be suspended for that. He's an adult professional representing his country. Imagine if that was a politician backstage at Question Time making a threatening gesture at anyone, especially when it's a male to a woman. It would be instantly career-ending behaviour and no-one would be arguing in his favour. His behaviour at a press conference was odd too. Maybe he's high, but that's no excuse either. |
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Post by ncbears on May 11, 2024 18:40:48 GMT
I wonder why the Dutch couldn't have substituted in a different singer than Klein for the Grand Finale. Looking at the Jury Final performance, it doesn't seem like Klein is that intergral to the song - and it is, supposedly, a song contest and not a performance contest. Any West End understudy could step in and do better! (in my opinion)
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Post by n1david on May 11, 2024 18:59:41 GMT
I wonder why the Dutch couldn't have substituted in a different singer than Klein for the Grand Finale. Looking at the Jury Final performance, it doesn't seem like Klein is that intergral to the song - and it is, supposedly, a song contest and not a performance contest. Any West End understudy could step in and do better! (in my opinion) It's a personal song that he wrote about his deceased parents. I'm not sure slotting in a swing quite works. |
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Post by happysooz2 on May 11, 2024 19:41:53 GMT
Where is the Eurovision chat? Am so 50 years old 😹
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Post by alece10 on May 11, 2024 20:06:50 GMT
My favourite so far is Spain, typical Camp Eurovision song with a catchy tune. More than can be said for Ireland.
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Post by viserys on May 11, 2024 20:11:51 GMT
Definitely Spain so far
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Post by hannechalk on May 11, 2024 20:12:18 GMT
Can Olly not hear the music?
His vocals are not great.
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Post by alece10 on May 11, 2024 20:13:51 GMT
Can Olly not hear the music? His vocals are not great. Similar in the semi. Then he blamed the mic pack. |
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Post by hannechalk on May 11, 2024 20:17:08 GMT
Can Olly not hear the music? His vocals are not great. Similar in the semi. Then he blamed the mic pack. To me it looked like he kept touching his left ear piece. Very disappointing, considering I've seen him live and he can sing! |
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Post by danb on May 11, 2024 20:17:58 GMT
I think Olly has a great recording voice. I was surprised when he was announced tbh.
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Post by alece10 on May 11, 2024 20:33:42 GMT
One of the dancers for Finland looked Nikita from Strictly.
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Post by crowblack on May 11, 2024 20:38:11 GMT
Finland was fun - would probably get the teenage boy vote, if there was one (maybe there is - Lordi?)
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Post by alece10 on May 11, 2024 20:43:11 GMT
I'm going to vote for the "good to go" song.
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Post by hannechalk on May 11, 2024 20:58:09 GMT
Apparently the Netherlands have withdrawn from the live announcement of the scores, they will probably be read out by the chairman of the jury.
Allegedly the Dutch commentators are doing the bare minimum - but maybe someone from the Netherlands can confirm.
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Post by alece10 on May 11, 2024 21:01:28 GMT
I'm eating my bar of 2023 Eurovision Cadburys dairy milk chocolate. Thought the occasion was right. Its out of date but I'm sure I will live.
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Post by hannechalk on May 11, 2024 21:03:52 GMT
I'm eating my bar of 2023 Eurovision Cadburys dairy milk chocolate. Thought the occasion was right. Its out of date but I'm sure I will live. Chocolate doesn't go off as such - it just loses colour. |
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Post by mkb on May 11, 2024 21:36:19 GMT
Has the EBU given any explanation at any point as to why it's ok to be political and ban Russia but not ok to ban Israel?
In not doing the latter, they've made a rod for their own backs with all the contingent problems that have ensued.
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