Saturday 12 May 2018

Eurovision! Just a few more hours to go and I can hardly wait.

So this is how it felt to be on the very edge of orgasm. Yes, it does seem vaguely familiar.

Controversy came early this year with China's transmission being blocked by the organisers when, in their showing of the first semi-final, they failed to broadcast the Irish entry because it featured a background dancing male couple who did no more than hold hands (not even kissing!) - and not only that, they even felt it necessary to blur out a rainbow flag in the audience! Good! - they don't deserve to receive the signals!

Russia not reached the final for the first time since they started appearing, which is something I can live with. They also had threatened not to broadcast the Irish entry but eventually backed down when told their entry would be disqualified if they did so. Their song, performed from a wheelchair by a woman suffering from muscular dystrophy, was nothing special, I thought. Better than some, perhaps, but no more than that. 

Pleased that all four Scandinavian countries have reached the final, and they are all not bad. The Norwegian is sung by the reappearance of Alexander Rybak, the highly popular, boyish-looking fiddler who won in 2009 - and deservedly so ('cos I voted for him!). 
Then there's the Swedish chappie who hasn't done himself any favours by, reputedly, slagging off some other entrants already. Pity when, otherwise, his song is one of the better ones.

Can't understand why so many are going nuts for Cyprus and Israel. The former I think is nothing special and the latter has only 'comic' novelty value going for it, and nothing else.

Biggest disappointment so far for me is that Georgia was eliminated. I thought that was the best song of all.

U.K., now 21 years since its last win, is bracing itself for a possible negative Brexit effect. However, as some of our recent entries have done so badly, if this one follows the pattern it'll be hard to tell if it suffered for that reason. But it's a pretty strong song which, I think, ought to finish in the Top 10, maybe even high up in it.  Currently, with just three hours to go to the start, it's the bookies' favourite - to come last! (My own predictions are usually hopelessly inaccurate!) 

So if you are eligible, get ready to vote tonight - for..........SWEDEN! (This may change when it comes to the crunch. Having just replayed all of them I'm wavering a bit. There's a clutch of really good ones).

10 comments:

  1. Looking forward to this.Thanks for the reminder. would have missed it. starts at 3pm in the USA on a gay channel LOGO. enjoy the show!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you'll be watching, Paul. Take notes, and we'll talk more tomorrow.

      Delete
  2. I am excited to watch it also!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't now you were also a fan, Sol - or I'd forgotten. What fun! There are only two nights in the year when I retire after 10 p.m. - the BAFTA awards and this one - and if previous years are anything to go by it's not going to be over until close on midnight.
      I'd love to know which country (apart from UK) you are rooting for tonight.

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Didn't think it was anything really special, JayGee - much like most of those who finished at or near thee top.

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Nah! - but it was better than the one that DID!

      Delete
  5. Again - this event is utterly fascinating and bewildering to us Yanks who haven't a clue what is going on here, sort of like football. On the other hand I enjoy reading your summary which feels quite enough for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a given guarantee that the results alone will always be bewildering to us too, Dr Spo - and the voting system as well, which keeps changing. Maddening, yes, but compulsive always.

      Delete