The 70th anniversary finals - of which I've watched all but a small handful of them - this year's host being last year's winner - Austria.
And oh dear! My hoping that at last there'll be a contest containing at least a few acts I'd appreciate enough to want them to win - but once again I find myself out of sympathy with virtually all of last night's 25 performances, such that I couldn't have cared less whosoever would be the winner. I can only guess that for me it's a 'generational' thing as I watch, listening, yearning, for a memorable tune - but could hardly find any at all!
Winner was Bulgaria by quite a margin, and for their first ever time - with Dana singing 'Bangaranga'. (Please don't ask!)
Runner-up, Israel - their third consecutive time in second place. Their involvement caused five of the regular nations, including Spain, Ireland and Iceland, to boycott this year's contest. If I'd bothered to vote (though now by land-line phone not allowed, on-line only for the first time) this is the one for which I'd have reluctantly cast my choice:-
One Noam Bettan singing 'Michelle' (No, not the Beatles 'Rubber Soul' song!)
And third was Rumania, with the most 'controversial' song of all - understandably, perhaps, with a title of 'Choke me!' - sung by someone whose name I can't be bothered to type.......
Australia came 4th and the bookies' favourite, Finland, came in at 6th place.
And the U.K.'s entry to 'gain' yet another last place with a final score of just the one point (awarded by Ukraine) as against the 516 points given to winner Bulgaria - 'Look mum no computer' (that's the name of his act, not the song title - his real name, Sam Battle) performing, yes, 'Eins zwei drei' ........(don't say a word!)
"Eins, Zwei, Drei - Darlin' I need something saltAY!"
"Eins, Zwiei, Drei - with a slice of pepperonAY!"
Why did we bother? However, I do think last place was a trifle unfair, I reckon that coming in at 20th would have been nearer the mark - there were, in my humble estimation, some even worse songs!
Just a few misc. points.
Boy George made a very brief participating appearance at the end of San Marino's effort - he co-wrote their song - but it didn't even pass the semi-final stage.
I found Greece's act the most 'fun' to watch - man dressed as a cat(?) though in very un-cat-like costume:-
The two hosts, this year, whose names I shan't bother you with, were as tiresome as Eurovision hosts can usually be:-
As is now the case every year, the programme was so damn bloated, far too much needless 'padding' and taking just a quarter hour under four hours long. It could easily have been cut by a full hour at least -which would even then have made it nearly three hours. The actual first song wasn't even performed until 20 mins in! And then, why oh why, do the presenters always have to yell at the audience "Are you ready? - I can't hear you! - I said are you READY????" Good God! We'd all been ready since last Xmas! Just GET ON with the damn thing!
And the re-visit of last year's (unaccountable?) winner, a youngish guy displaying his 'talent' for stratospheric falsetto in a completely forgettable song, not only re-reprising his victorious entry in the main half-hour interval before voting results were announced - as though we needed yet another song! - as well as returning his persona in at least another of the extended 'pauses'. Oh, more PLEASE! (For gawd's sake, just GO!)
And Graham Norton's commentary? Nothing special!
And very finally, apart from the usual conspicuously gay-predominating audience, none of the acts themselves demonstrated any gay 'flourishes' or even mild suggestions of - so Russia's Pres. Putrid would have given it a thumbs-up "DA!" (while no doubt ordering 3/4 of the 10,000 audience to be arrested). Among the performers themselves and backing dancers/singers, no eye-candy for me this year......
'nuff said!
So next year, Sofia - though I know that, despite all, I shall be watching ........yawn!
I agree with most of what you say although I actually liked our song. The other one I liked was Malta. I didn't like the winning song at all. That said I felt disappointed and a bit angry and insulted that we only got one point, coming last. I know we will never do well ever again because nobody likes us and it's all too political but ONE point! There were many songs much worse than ours. I record it and speed it up to just watch the acts and final voting because as you say it is far too long. I wouldn't be able to stay awake otherwise. I have always watched it but this year it made me wonder why I bother. Like you though, I probably will.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't remember it , Carol, I do recall thinking of Malta that it was better than most. I'll must replay it now.
DeleteThat single point we 'earned' was grossly unfair considering a full dozen of the others which would have been more 'deserving' of such. Although ours wasn't a stand-out it wasn't half as bad as some I could mention.
It all really has got too political now - but Scandinavians voting for each other - as well as Cyprus with Greece, hah! That's been going on for decades. Makes the whole thing laughable.
I can STILL recall way back in 1959, watching U.K.s very first entry - Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson with 'Sing Little Birdie' and the following year Brian Johnson's (Teddy's brother) 'Looking high. high, high' the following year - both second placed. Ah, those were the days of TUNES! My hopes are there that they yet MIGHT return before I snuff it! :-)
I was born in 1960 so you are a bit ahead of me but I have watched it since my teens. I had heard our song on the radio (I listen to Radio 2) and had a chance for it to grow on me but even when I first heard it I liked it better than most of the rubbish last night. During the week a lot of past songs were being played and the quality in the past was far better than now. That said it really makes no difference because being so political sways it so much that it isn't really a song contest these days. I think we would both like to see a change but alas I think that's not going to happen.
ReplyDeleteI also was familiar with the U.K.'s entry before yesterday and truth to tell, it did grow on me a BIT. But even so.......
DeleteI've re-visited Malta's song, and it was indeed one of the better ones, 18th place being just one of the several travesties.
Btw: In my shortish list of all-time best U.K. entries, and still much derided 'cos of what he did with his legs, I thought Cliff's 'Power to All our Friends' a hellishly fine song - and getting 3rd place wasn't exactly 'bad' though without those legs it might have been even higher.
Will things change re politics etc ? If they do I doubt if they do it'll be in my lifetime. Hope that you see it - badly needs it!
I still haven't seen this spectacle but I always enjoy reading your reviews. The pictures look like everyone is in a bad musical, possibly a revival of Cats
ReplyDeleteWhat you say pretty well sums it up - though 'Cats' (theatre version) was and remains so very much better.
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