Sunday, 18 May 2025

Eurovision 2025 Grand Final - my post-event thoughts.

 

So, Austria wins. Not especially noteworthy IMO - and neither was the song, sung by JJ, a 24-year-old Austrian-Filipino in (mostly) extraordinarily high-register, counter-tenor voice, that being the only significant feature of his otherwise unmemorable entry, in a victory that was only clinched away from Israel in the very last announced vote, reaction being to nearly drown himself in tears, for which I think he can be forgiven.

This was Austria's third win in the contest's history, the last one being bearded drag-queen Conchita Wurst in 2014.

Btw: I read only this morning that among the several anti-Israel protests both inside and outside the hall, some highly predictably vociferous, during her act the Israeli singer was targetted by a pair of paint-throwers in the audience, though missing their object, hitting instead a stage-hand. Can't think why I missed seeing that! But anyway, her song did very nearly carry off the prize so she must have felt robbed when it fell at the very last post.


U.K. finished 19th (out of 26), the trio 'Remember Monday' with their stop-go-stop-go song, entitled 'What the hell just happened?' finished with what I thought a fair placing and a song title with which I would concur - their notable 'achievement' for the second year running having been to achieve for us the dreaded 'nul points' from the public international vote. I shed no tears.

As is nearly always the case, this year's presenters were so boringly dull, perhaps even moreso this time. Could they not think of something original, or even just marginally interesting to do or say? Apparently not:- 


Now, most thankfully, this year was not bedevilled with the question of how many votes we viewers have. In recent previous years we've heard the presenters talking of multiple votes while commentator Graham Norton, talking over them, goes on about our voting for the (emphatically singular) country we liked the most. At last, this year even he said that we can have up to 20 votes each - not permitting, of course, voting for one's own. So with that cleared up I voted for my own Top 5, the first three of which, incidentally, all being 'novelty' songs, and only the first singer being female. Significant? :-

1. Luxembourg (actually finishing 22nd) - singing in the cursed second place running order, the only position from which no participant has yet won. This pleasant, puppet-themed song and presentation was, I felt, sadly underappreciated.


2. Estonia (finished 3rd) - man with rubber limbs with a 'fun' song, complete with fake 'stage invasion' by female fan. An agreeable final placing. :-



3. Sweden (finished 4th) - had been out-and-out favourites to win, and early on in the voting looking like they would! I'd have been well pleased if they'd succeeded:-



4. San Marino (finished 26th = last). Undeserved. I'd liked the song on first hearing. Shame!



5, Iceland (finished 25th = second to last). My vote here wasn't very enthused, but even so these two brothers (not twins) didn't merit so low a placing.



So there you have it. This year a largely unremarkable contest with few genuine shocks/surprises as such. Next year probably Vienna, then? Maybe at last the U.K. will break out of its seemingly eternal doldrums which even the very occasional exception hardly alleviates. 




14 comments:

  1. I guess it’s time for me to search out some videos.

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    1. I don't think this was an especial year,
      Mitch. But if you do find some videos, then for mild entertainment I'd recommend Sweden, Estonia - and do look for Poland. The chorography for Luxembourg was excellent too.

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    2. Will do. I watched the winner and didn’t think much of the song. ”Let me show you what my voice can do.” (And he hit an awful lot of bad notes during the more traditionally sung parts.)

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    3. If we ourselves didn't know what he was bleating on about how was the rest of the world to know? Which underlines the thought that he won only because of the high notes he could reach - this year's most successful gimmick, in effect.

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  2. I agree, unremarkable this year. There was nothing that really stood out for me. I have less to say than usual.

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    1. I think this will go down as one of the contest's most 'missable' years.

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  3. I still wonder why this isn't a thing on this side of the pond?

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    1. It often perplexes me too, Bob, though I can only think that American TV companies don't want to chance broadcasting a competition where the U.S.A. will likely have a (much?) less than evens chance of winning all the time. Pity, as it seems now that the majority of the 'democratic' world broadcasts it - that 'D' word now ever more feebly attaching to America, most unfortunately.

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  4. I have never seen it, and it's not even talked of here or given airtime, but I wondered, because fellow Brit and fellow blogger, Jon didn't even write about the contest this year like he usually does.

    But I hope you have been keeping well. Im just glad spring is here.

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    1. If the Jon you mention, M.M., is the JayGee who lives in Wales, he never does write on it so he can't be a fan and I don't press him on it. If, however, it's someone else I have to say I don't know anyone at all who writes or has written about it on his or her blogs. I only wish I did. The only feedback I get is when others comment on my own post, grateful as I am to those, you included, who do.

      I am well thanks, as are the pussycats, Hope you are too. Our own Spring over here so far hasn't been living up to expectations, so if yours is, then lucky you!
      Cheers.

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  5. I'm sure there must be a way to see it in the U.S., but I've never really heard of one.

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    1. Yes indeed, Blobby, it's weird that it's so hard to catch by any means at all over there when I've no doubt that within your gay 'community' it would be certain to be exceptionally popular, with all its OTT flamboyance, razzamatazz and silliness. Compulsory viewing for all us gays. It's the annual highlight of my TV viewing year and I can't imagine life without it. Can only keep hoping that one time soon it will be broadcast there.

      Btw: I didn't mention in my posting above that Australia with their rather good entry, provocatively entitled 'Milkshake Man' (!), fell at the semifinals stage. I'm sure I was one of many left disappointed.

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  6. I always enjoy your comments on this contest. As I've never seen it directly (worse luck!) I can only imagine what it is like.

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    1. You're just one of several I'm aware of whom I just KNOW would be entertained/maddened by this compelling annual extravaganza. More's the pity then that for some obscure reason you're deprived of the chance to view it. May it change a.s.a.p., preferably even next year?

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