Once upon a time, I used to quite enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest. The BBC used to take it seriously, if such a thing were possible. I seem to recall that one genuine performer was chosen well in advance and serious song-writers would be invited to submit new songs for possible selection to a short list of six songs. The six songs would be performed, one each week, on the Saturday night music shows that were the vogue in those days. Finally, all of the songs were performed on the show and the public were invited to write in with their vote for the winning entry. Once chosen, the song was actually promoted in advance of the Contest, it was played on the Radio and publicised in the Papers. We had a fair ammount of success in those days, and the songs were very often memorable, if only for their Naff-ness.
Today, and for the last possible 20? years, the BBC hurries the process into one TV show, the performer is a no-name and the songs are instantly forgettable.
The BBC is obviously embarassed by the whole thing because once chosen, you never hear the chosen song untill about 2 days before the contest takes place, so why the hell do they bother, why don't they stop wasting money pretending that they have any interest in the whole embarassing "Spectacle". The Winner of the whole contest, is never played on the Radio untill the following years farce takes place, so Give It Up or let ITV and the demon that is Simon Cowell have a go, at least they would try.
But it's always been a bit of a joke and even more so since they introduced the dash for cash telephone vote which made a final mockery of a voting system which had always been very biased. But we had Tel to add the irreverent humour and lots of countries willingly enter into the humour of it all. But what is there now? Just tired old Graham Norton and his pat and unfunny lines clearly read from a script designed to fill ever gasp of dead air.
There is no point.
'Nil pwah' in fact.
What's the point of any singing competition? Eurovision, X Factor, Fame Academy.... they are all there to allow broadcasting companies to take up huge quantities of programming space without them needing to put a great deal of effort in.
Blame the public for soaking it up, at least last year's Facebook campaign expressed another point of view.
Since Tel went -and for the reasons he went- it will be grim viewing. His unyielding irreverence (though he was always ready to soberly praise a truly good entry) and full-time sarcasm mode made it watchable - wish he could have been employed in similar manner for other things. You know, I sometimes do suspect the BBC has a lack of imagination. <sarc>
name='Owlett']Since Tel went -and for the reasons he went- it will be grim viewing. His unyielding irreverence (though he was always ready to soberly praise a truly good entry) and full-time sarcasm mode made it watchable - wish he could have been employed in similar manner for other things. You know, I sometimes do suspect the BBC has a lack of imagination. <sarc>
The BBC has increasingly played it safe for years now so it now no longer leads but follows ITV.
The show is a joke. I wish we did not participate in it. We have 6 nations rugby, how about a 6 nations music competition, with no eastern block voting countries/
i've always seen 'the eurovision song contest' as a 'let's get our own back on the british' competition so since the invention of the 'champions league' and the appointment of michel platini as UEFA president there seems to be no place for the 'eurovision song contest' anymore!
the only fun in this tacky,outdated attempt at entertainment was terry wogans commentary and the odd hilarious song from eastern europe!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWYfKYFbasA]YouTube - Eurovision Portugal - Papa Bendi[/ame]
name='Torquemada']The BBC has increasingly played it safe for years now so it now no longer leads but follows ITV.
What an extraordinary statement.
Mal
I used to enjoy it YEARS and YEARS ago, but now it is deplorable.
The group that represented us a few years ago called `scooch` (coming 23rd out of 24 entries) have recently ended up on `coach trip`
xx
I know that the BBC is a large contributor to the EBU and thus we can't be relegated from the contest, more's the pity, but is there anything preventing ITV or even Sky from having a go at the show one year. Maybe if ITV were to take it on, the "Honour" of representing the UK could go to the winner of "The X Factor" if their fame was to last the whole five or six months between the shows.
Just me who attends a Eurovision party with voting forms and appropriate regional food then
name='CaptainWaggett']Just me who attends a Eurovision party with voting forms and appropriate regional food then
I laughed for about 20 minutes when I read your post!!
Hi.
I think the voting system by telephone is more prone to fiddling than the previous system, although not perfect. There was some cheating on at least one occasion. The main benefactors are the telecommunication companies.
The BBC maintain that by contributing in more ways than one, they get some advantages such as newsreel footage etc. However, I think Italy had the right idea by pulling out.
I would not somehow like to see it banned, but I do think it needs a serious review.
By the way it is also broadcast simultaneously on BBC Radio 2 with Ken Bruce if you do not mind it in audio.
Alan French.
name='CaptainWaggett']Just me who attends a Eurovision party with voting forms and appropriate regional food then
I want an invite, Cap'n.
name='CaptainWaggett']Just me who attends a Eurovision party with voting forms and appropriate regional food then
I have been to one. There was bunting in various national colours, a fair amount of drinking and by the end of the evening much shouting at the Bulgarians or somesuch*
*Not sure who invited them...
name='dremble wedge']I have been to one....
Me too.
The whole week of rehearsals was an utter hoot.
(...and yes, I know, I look like a cross between Sydney Greenstreet
and Arthur Mullard).
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zoofcpw1imQ]YouTube - Eurovision 1998 * 24 Turkey *[/ame]
My prediction for the winning song in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest is....
Romania with Playing with Fire.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8iALS6-l7c]YouTube - Paula Seling & Ovi - Playing With Fire (Romania)[/ame]
Looking good too.
Shame she has to sing with him on the left.
I rate the UK's entry as a pretty bad effort so no change there then.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckJjxAo5nCo]YouTube - Eurovison Winner 1972 Vicky Leandros Come What May HQ Lyrics[/ame]
My favourite.
Ta Ta
Marky B
I see some countries ( Hungary for one) have dropped out because they can't
afford to win it!!It seems it costs a fortune to actually host the event!
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