There's no two ways about it, the Eurovision is rather addictive and it is certainly being organised very slickly this year. There are regular updates on the contestants, we can see the rehearsals in action and fans are expected to get excited about the Final and the results. I have even been bemused by the suggested favourites because they do nothing for me at all. They sound pretty bland and mediocre. I have seen all the performers and have made up my mind. Now to see how they match up with the winners tomorrow.
However, as someone who has watched it religiously, and seen the appalling political voting patterns over the recent years, I often wonder if we are all wasting our time treating it as a contest when the results are becoming so shamelessly politicised and predictable. Why not just have it as a great night of music and leave it there?
The organisers have changed the voting for this year so that the public phone vote will be given equal weight to the national panel votes, but will that really make a difference? I guess only the Final will reveal any benefits, but the partisan voting of Greece voting for Cyprus, Denmark voting for norway, and Estonia for Croatia, for example, really spoils a very good competition. If they can get that aspect really sorted, we might even get some real competition in this great annual Eurofest. In fact, I love anything which brings countries together so why stop there? We could have all kinds of competitions as well: like the most fabulous European over 61 (I would win, of course!), Mr European Hunk, a European Spelling Bee, though deciding the language would be the problem, a European Apprentice, and all that :o). The ideas are endless.
Despite my reservations about the voting, I will be glued to my TV on Saturday, May 16th to see it again. There's nothing to beat it on that night, in my humble opinion, and good luck to the United Kingdom. I will be rooting for us, of course, and waving my flag furiously at the screen. The Finalists have been rehearsing and may the best act win! :o)
Ms CYPRAH's All-Time Eurovision Top 5:
No. 1: All Kinds of Everything sung by the demure Dana representing Ireland, 1970.
(The 18 year old who was still at school kicked of a trail of Irish wins, with this amazingly charming song, that has never stopped. It was a very powerful lyric which captivated Europe entirely. One of the real classics. I adore it and never tire of listening to it. Turn up the speakers!)
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Eurovision Watch
To follow the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) taking place on March 16 in Moscow, and see ALL the videos of tonight's semi-finalists, click on Meet the 42 Participants, then Click on PREVIEW VIDEOS, and you will be able to get a better flavour of potential winners and make your own choices.
To enjoy some of the old winners in excellent sound, visit the Eurovision Song Contest archives . The site has some really interesting information and great performances, as well as some old classics from Bob Dylan and such like.
Enjoy!
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