The only reason I know the Eurovision contests exist, is because I was in the Navy in 1979, and purchased a few cassettes with Eurovision contestants. I was in Portugal on shore leave at that time. It was a very pleasant collection of various styles popular back then. Some approaches I’d never heard before.
I am glad that multi-European contests still go on today, especially with everyone so over sensitive to any show of independence. Sometimes, politics does sneak into that competition. I seem to recall a lot of controversy of when someone from Israel won a prize.
In 1983, when I left the service, there was much talk about a popular cross over hit from a German performer.
Yes, I am speaking of the infamous 99 Luftballons by Nena.
Some got tired of hearing it, but I always liked the song and the performance as she sang with that exotic accent.
Finland’s song sucked. Just about every song I’ve heard so far sucked. I wouldn’t walk across the street to see any performer in that contest for free. They do have the most amazing special effects and light shows, though, which is why I don’t really mind watching it. I download it for my wife. Thankfully she doesn’t ever go to FR so she won’t know that some nitwit posted the results in a headline. If you ever want to watch any sporting event or major contest on a delay stay away from FR because there is always someone who will ruin it for you.
I haven’t seen Italy’s entry yet because we haven’t seen the final yet. I’m downloading it now and we will watch it tonight. There are several countries that get automatic entries into the final (The UK is one of them, which is why a garbage singer like the one they had could make it into the final in the first place) so you don’t see their act until you watch it.
For anyone in the USA who can’t view it, don’t worry. You don’t miss much. While it does have amazing shows the songs generally are throwaways and the presenters are annoying clowns. The best way to watch it is prerecorded so you can fast forward through everything but the songs and the end where they announce the voting results. That cuts it down from almost 4 boring hours to one decent one.
The Italian group were favorites anyways.
The UK’s James Newman wasn’t good.
Lordi was one of the best winners ever.
For anyone familiar with Eurovision, Will Ferrel’s movie, “Eurovision” is a good parody of the song contest.
Winning song sounds like a teenager with a bad toothache. Nauseatingly derivative crap.
They should rename the show Europe Doesn’t Have Talent.