66 posts tagged “eurovision”
Random post... I've been singing this song for days now! Stuck in my head.
So... it's all over for another year (and no, I don't count the Junior Eurovision Song Contest or the Eurovision Dance Contest... yes, they exist!).
How did it all shake down on the night?
Let's cut to the chase - I was supremely disappointed by the result. There was no way Russia deserved to win with that song and that performance. However, before you all scream (both of you, that is) at once, the UK didn't deserve to win either. It was a lackluster song, badly performed on the night. Russia's act couldn't keep in tune and the skater frankly deserved to be shot. Don't take my word for it, check this out:
I had such high hopes for Sweden and couldn't believe it when Charlotte did so badly in the voting. Perhaps it was a backlash against her more-obvious-by-the-day cosmetic surgery? In any case, she deserved to be in the top 5. Poor thing... I bet she got on the first flight home and opened up a fresh bottle of Botox.
The presenters hadn't improved one iota since the semi-finals... I have ever in my life seen such stilted and awkward hosts. Seriously, couldn't Serbia muster up at least one person with a personality? I have to say it - they were even worse than the threesome that turned Eurovision 1999 in Israel into a meltdown. You don't remember? Oh well, here you go...
(Don't you just *love* YouTube?)
Anyway, I digress. We had a party. And there was drinking.
More specifically, the annual Eurovision Drinking Game. At the random picking of countries, I was so lucky and got Finland. Why lucky? Well, they sucked so I didn't have to take any shots of random Russian vodka (thanks Henrik) when they scored 12 points. Other people weren't so fortunate and left our place in quite a disheveled state. Tired and emotional, as they say. And quite, if I may add, pissed.
Despite the poor result for talent and music, we had a ball, laughing at some of the weirdest acts I've ever seen. Bosnia was particularly memorable. The falling dancer during Spain's performance? Laugh out loud funny. You missed it? Here you go...keep an eye on the beauty in puce pink.
And Saint Terry of the Wogan was a funny as ever. Though even he couldn't hide his bitterness at the way the voting panned out. He's even threatened not to do the show again, which would be an absolute disaster. Come on Tel, don't let us down. Promise you'll be in Moscow next year?
And let's all pray the Russians can put on a better show than their Serbian cousins. That is, find two people with stage presence, teach them how to pronounce commonly used English words, and accept direction through a little speaker in their ear.
Simple as that.
This isn't going to be a beginner's guide to Eurovision. I'm saving that for a book. Or perhaps a later post. Or something I *wished* I'd written.
No, this is about tonight. If you're planning on watching this extravaganza, here are the acts to look out for... for various reasons.
1 - Sweden: Charlotte Perrelli is a bit of a favourite this year. She won before, and actually takes to the stage tonight in exactly the same place in the running order as last time. An omen? I'm not sure. Only the most hardened Eurovision-geeks (who are you looking at) will actually know her, far less recognise her.
Seriously, she's had so much surgery, she's beginning to resemble a cat. She does, however, have legs that go on for miles. If you go for that sort of thing... And she can sing. (Irrelevant, I know).
They could make a mint from this, or never be heard of again. I know where my money is...
To give him his due, he gives it his all. It leaves me a little unsettled, worried at the risk of him keeling over mid-song, clutching his chest and gasping.
Adding to insult to injury, she's blind and thus will never know just how awful she looks. No, ignore the music and focus on the dancing and the inevitable Eurovision mid-act costume stage.
It's actually quite impressive.
Relatively.
Lots more information is available from the good folks over at Eurovision.tv, and I can also thoroughly recommend the BBC's Eurovision website. Don't say I haven't prepared you for what is to come.
So. The big day has arrived. It's time for some Eurovision-final type action. Geddin.
I can't believe it's been a year since far too many people crammed into our apartment to watch this homage to all that is musically naff. There was drinking, eating, falling over, cheering, jeering and more drinking. A fun time was had by all.
Tonight, we will have a repeat performance - with perhaps slightly more food, to prevent outbreaks of the dreaded "Uncontrollable Falling Down". And the vomiting.
Action plan for today? Something like this...
1 - Have some more coffee. After a packed work week, a colleague and I "relaxed" a but too much last night, so I'm feeling "tired" this morning. Damn. Should've kept my powder dry for tonight.
2 - Take receipt of a food delivery from Tesco. Yes, all the old favourites: mini sausage rolls, mini quiches, cocktail sausages and plenty of cheap crisps. It is, after all, an evening of old-fashined kitsch.
3 - Arrangement of various flags and various Eurovision-related paraphernalia. This includes my favourite "Terry Wogan as Jesus" photo.
4 - Careful "sampling" of the various refreshments... wouldn't want any substandard booze to pass my guests' lips. Indeed, the perfect host.
WTF?? Seriously. The f****g pirates from Latvia get in but the guy from Switzerland doesn't?
Also, having watched four hours of Eurovision this week, I can now say with some certainty that this year's host are the most annoying. Ever. You have a microphone - there is no need to shout. And a hint to next year's organisers - find a presenter who can improvise.
Paddy O'Connell as ever was stop class, and his interview with Dustin the Turkey was superb. Good man Paddy. Other good news: Charlotte Perrelli got through for Sweden, so we can marvel at her botched face job once more on Saturday night. Ani Lorak got in for Ukraine, so on Saturday she and Charlotte can compete over who can bear the most flesh.
May the best man win.
I was pleased to see Isis Gee got through last night's semi-final and will be wowing Europe at Saturday's final.
A bit of advice though, dear: nobody thinks Donatella Versace looks normal. So please don't try to copy her look.
And it is possible to overdo the tooth-whitening.
This is the car crash that was Estonia's entry. Beyond bad. Seriously - don't press play if you're any way sensitive, or actually musical. It will offend you.
Thankfully, cool heads prevailed in the voting and this didn't make it out of the semi-final.
I've seen some crap in my time, but something about this one really annoys me. It also seems to have pissed off some of the audience - you can actually hear some of them booing.
Schadenfreude?
Damn straight. Maybe next time, they'll enter a song. You know, with a melody. And talent.
This nice little song and understated performance didn't make it past the semi-final.
A shame, as she could actually sing and it was a little different to much of the guff presented in Belgrade.
Oh well.
This is Geta Burlacu with the song A Century Of Love
(Oh, and the beginning of the clip features Paddy O'Connell commenting on the disastrous Estonian entry.)
Okay, so we're half-way through this year's two part Eurovision semi-final extravaganza. (Not a sentence I want to type again...for at least 12 months). A few surprises...
- I for one was amazed at just how crappy the Estonian entry was. Seriously. At least one of the performers looked extremely drunk. Another seemed to have lost his "voice". I'm assuming it wasn't due to intensive rehearsals?
- Sadly, Dustin the Turkey was eliminated (though not in an oven, with stuffing), but I'm sure he had fun nonetheless.
- I was stunned to see that Finland (vile Lordi rip-off) got through to the final, while a decent act like the Netherlands didn't make it.
And then there's the final on Saturday night! Three Eurovision shows in just one week?
Pure bliss.
A fantastic excuse to party - which is what we'll be doing. And starting decidedly early this year, as I've just learned that The Hits will be showing non-stop Eurovision hits from 3pm Saturday. There is a God (Terry be his name).
Sweden is sending the Eurovision '99 winner, Charlotte Perrelli, to Belgrade this year. She won with ABBA clone "Take me to your heaven". Yes - you're humming it right now, aren't you?
Anyway, this year's entry isn't as sing-a-long as last time, but I think it might do quiet well.
Word on the Eurovision fan (i.e. fanatic) grapevine is that Charlotte's song is popular all over Europe. Could it be Sweden's time to shine again?
She's an accomplished performer, but aside from her insanely long legs, doesn't have a gimmick that will stand out in the public's memory when they come to vote. Might she rely on her performance and the song itself to win votes? The very thought!!
