Eurovision 2009
- Thread starter Australis
- Start date
It actually felt like a proper song contest this year rather than politics (still a bit of that).
Well done to Norway. The good songs did well and the bad ones stayed a little lower and nice of the UK not to come near the bottom (top 5, almost 4 at the end there)
Overall its been an enjoyable show
Well done to Norway. The good songs did well and the bad ones stayed a little lower and nice of the UK not to come near the bottom (top 5, almost 4 at the end there)
Overall its been an enjoyable show
Should the stage hands wait for the show to end before they start cleaning up.
They didn't make it past the semi-finals.
Yeah, the revised voting system seems to work. Some political voting obviously still happened, but nothing major. This is the first edition in recent memory where the UK and France got some decent points! =)
WOW!!! We came 5th!! this is amazing. just shows, if you take it seriously, they will take you seriously!
On another unconnected note, that was the year of Jemini:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu5kgSeZHfw
So what did I miss? Angels & Demons was so so, entertaining enough I suppose could have been better though, but felt overly long, though I could have just been getting tired by the end.
Suppose that sounds like Eurovision...
Suppose that sounds like Eurovision...
That's NOT why Russia keeps getting points from former Soviet states. Russia keeps getting points from former Soviet States because the Soviet Union was a colonial state - huge amounts of Russia were shipped into areas like the Baltics, in an attempt to erradicate local cultures through forcing them to assimilate with inflowing Russian migrants.
Attempts that failed, but left states like Estonia with a 30% population of Russians, who to a large degree are still loyal to mother Russia, and vote for Russia every year. Ethnic Estonians/Latvians/Lithuanians/Ukrainians as a rule hate Russia and everything about it, but the Russian vote will outweigh their vote pretty much every time. 70% of Estonians vote for 40 different countries, 30% Russians vote for Russia to 99%, Russia comes out as number 1 on the list.
Don't oversimplify sociopolitics based on Eurovision voting results only. The view on Eastern Europe you'll get from this has nothing to do with reality, and basically is making you shout at a bunch of nations because a foreign power attempted to erradicate them a few decades ago.
Fortunately, the juries prevented the worst from happening here this year.
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Caught it last night. I love Eurovision for the odd acts, which actually seemed to be few and far between. A semi-serious song contest - who would have thunk it.
I wasn't a huge fan of the Norway entry but I suppose I'm glad it beat Iceland and Azerbaijan, which were both a bit ordinary. UK did amazing - 5th place! The song wasn't my cup of tea and I'd been very critical of it since the whole reality show to pick an entry. However in terms of performance Jade was right up there with the best. 'Twas the best UK entry for years.
I was worried about Tezza not commentating but Graham Norton did a good job really, once he got going.
I wasn't a huge fan of the Norway entry but I suppose I'm glad it beat Iceland and Azerbaijan, which were both a bit ordinary. UK did amazing - 5th place! The song wasn't my cup of tea and I'd been very critical of it since the whole reality show to pick an entry. However in terms of performance Jade was right up there with the best. 'Twas the best UK entry for years.
I was worried about Tezza not commentating but Graham Norton did a good job really, once he got going.
The final's about to start in Australia, but first, a roundup of the seminfinal 2 acts that didn't get through.
Thought the Irish song rocked along quite well and a HUGE, HUGE improvement over Dustin the Turkey.
Latvia; doesn't like traffic jams. It seems to have driven him quite mad.
The Serbian guy... what is up with his hair?! And there seems to be a woman scorned among the dancers...
Lot of ballady type songs this year - not my speed, but they seem to do okay. I wonder why the vocals always seem so tremulous and uncertain in them?
The TV hosts are bagging the onstge hosts for their shouting and their lack of chemistry.
The Slovakian girl has a set of pipes on her! Note: this is only a euphemism for her voice.
Slovenia: very much in the popera vein, with a folky/ethnic influence. Bit lightweight for my taste, but not bad. Looks like the lead singer is stuck in her lightbox (shades of Spinal Tap). Ah, there she is, dramatically ripping the cover away. But it seems to be over before it's really began, all buildup and no punch.
Hungary: mmm, a bit ordinary, sung by a guy from the Hungarian version of 'So You Think You Can Dance', which for me is no recommendation to start with.
The Netherlands: rhinestone and light suits, and ummm, not to bbe unkind, backing singers on the economy size side, and lead singers of... a lot of experience... age-enhanced.
TV host: "I bet 40% of the world's LED screens are here". Yes, this stage is THAT big, amazing, just so alive and colourful.
On stage hosts: if he says "WASSUP EUROPE?" again, I will fly to Moscow just to hit him.
Interval act: there shall be dancing! A range of folk dances from around Europe. The monitors in the floor are set to show... a wooden floor. The Greeks do the Zorba. Well done, but a little dull.
The onstage hosts - very glad they won't be back for the final. He said, "Be My Valentine!" She said, "I'm sorry, darling, I'm already taken" in a pretty determined voice, and sounded relieved. As the credits rolled I saw her running away from him.
Did the judges/votes choose right? I though Ireland deserved better.
Final roundup shortly.
Thought the Irish song rocked along quite well and a HUGE, HUGE improvement over Dustin the Turkey.
Latvia; doesn't like traffic jams. It seems to have driven him quite mad.
The Serbian guy... what is up with his hair?! And there seems to be a woman scorned among the dancers...
Lot of ballady type songs this year - not my speed, but they seem to do okay. I wonder why the vocals always seem so tremulous and uncertain in them?
The TV hosts are bagging the onstge hosts for their shouting and their lack of chemistry.
The Slovakian girl has a set of pipes on her! Note: this is only a euphemism for her voice.
Slovenia: very much in the popera vein, with a folky/ethnic influence. Bit lightweight for my taste, but not bad. Looks like the lead singer is stuck in her lightbox (shades of Spinal Tap). Ah, there she is, dramatically ripping the cover away. But it seems to be over before it's really began, all buildup and no punch.
Hungary: mmm, a bit ordinary, sung by a guy from the Hungarian version of 'So You Think You Can Dance', which for me is no recommendation to start with.
The Netherlands: rhinestone and light suits, and ummm, not to bbe unkind, backing singers on the economy size side, and lead singers of... a lot of experience... age-enhanced.
TV host: "I bet 40% of the world's LED screens are here". Yes, this stage is THAT big, amazing, just so alive and colourful.
On stage hosts: if he says "WASSUP EUROPE?" again, I will fly to Moscow just to hit him.
Interval act: there shall be dancing! A range of folk dances from around Europe. The monitors in the floor are set to show... a wooden floor. The Greeks do the Zorba. Well done, but a little dull.
The onstage hosts - very glad they won't be back for the final. He said, "Be My Valentine!" She said, "I'm sorry, darling, I'm already taken" in a pretty determined voice, and sounded relieved. As the credits rolled I saw her running away from him.
Did the judges/votes choose right? I though Ireland deserved better.
Final roundup shortly.
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All Seeing Eye
Admiral
OK, i've not read the thread it's too long but I just wanna post what my favourites were and to say I can't believe Norway won, IMO it was one of the worst and least imaginative songs in the contest which leads me to honestly believe that the winners of these contests are picked in advance and the true winner of Eurovision are those that come in second or third place.
My faves:
Sweden << I really liked this 1 even though she seemed a bit weird, especially her eyes.
Turkey
Denmark
Oh and for the record Graham Norton pissed me off big time, he's supposed to talk when the hosts of the show arn't talking not whilst they are. I like to listen to what the hosts of the show are saying and I never heard a single frickin thing they said thanks to that douche. He better not be on next year, I swear to god he BETTER NOT BE ON NEXT YEAR!
My faves:
Sweden << I really liked this 1 even though she seemed a bit weird, especially her eyes.
Turkey
Denmark
Oh and for the record Graham Norton pissed me off big time, he's supposed to talk when the hosts of the show arn't talking not whilst they are. I like to listen to what the hosts of the show are saying and I never heard a single frickin thing they said thanks to that douche. He better not be on next year, I swear to god he BETTER NOT BE ON NEXT YEAR!
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Norway was the best song and deserve to win. I also of course liked the Icelandic song and the UK wasn't that bad.
If Brits want to do better in Eurovision you need more allies in the voting. So my suggestion would intead of sending one song for UK. Brits should send 4 songs Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If Brits want to do better in Eurovision you need more allies in the voting. So my suggestion would intead of sending one song for UK. Brits should send 4 songs Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Nah, that just makes us western countries look like sore losers. What we need to do is influence the political situation in all the Eastern European countries so that they wont vote for one another. For example, we could influence events so that the Balkan states go to war with one another and cause attrocities which will create deep resentment towards one another for generations. Or we could force Yugoslavia to reform so that they can only vote once. Self determination be dammed, this is the eurovision, this is important!
Or we could keep this new voting system, it seems to have worked out okay.
the idea that we all have to vote for our neighbours to prevent some sort of horrible European War seems crazy, is Europe really so fragile that its only Eurovision that holds us together?
If that is the case, its a wonder we dont fall out when we play football in the European Cup.
If that is the case, its a wonder we dont fall out when we play football in the European Cup.
Well, that was a big improvement over the last few years which I thought were dull, dull, dull.
Some random thoughts I wrote while watching (hence the mix of present/past tense).
Cirque de Soliel has always had a strong European sensibility, fitted in well here.
Dimar Bilan. It's supposed to be a representation of his life? Looks like he's a puppet...
Lithuania: TV host: "I challenge you not to think of Freddie Mercury when the song starts". True. He did try harder tonight, I have to say.
Israel: it's a good song with a good message, but seemed a bit strained compared to their original performance. Still, pretty good.
France: And they said Piaf was dead... Every couple of years they bring out this song or a variant thereof. Why don't they get Johnny Halliday in to rock it up a bit?
Sweden: The first popera song of the night. She's quite a singer, but I dunno, doesn't quite carry off the transition like Tarja Turninen (ex-Nightwish) does. She looks really happy to be there though. Note the guy does most of the singing. Apparently it's not getting a lot of airplay at home - too rock/pop for the classical stations, too classical for the rock/pop stations
Croatia: a bit waily, but well done, I suppose. Though why the judges chose it to go through I'm not sure. A little bland, but I'd call this the low end of the spectrum for this year.
Portugal: the song is really nice, and like others they're giving a little more tonight, but I can't see it as a ESC winner.
Have to say everyone seems to be trying a little harder in the final, than last year, when they all seemed tired.
Iceland: I was going to say meh, but actually it's a nice song. TV Hosts: "it's a song that grows on you". True. Certainly grew on the viewing audience.
Greece: an Aussie connection, two of the songwriters from here. Very lively and uptempo.
I'll have to say it again. Compared to the last couple of years, the songs overall are a vast improvement. Yes, some of them are still very 'Eurovision', but not as many duds as we've seen in the last couple of years.
Armenia: I really like this song, the fusing of ethnic and pop (which I prefer much more than popera). It has that real old-timey feel mixed with some young sass. Damn, it's good. TV hosts: "It's the macarena of 2009!"
Russia: I don't think the staging was right - the flying monitors were impressive, but her singing didn't quite sync up with the video on them, which was a distraction. And I saw the film clip for the single, and I dunno, it seemed more convincing. I think she tried too hard with her singing as well. Sometimes less is more. TV host: "Very Chekhovian". Were they going to Wulcan?
Azerbaijan: it's a fun song that bounces along with that ethnic feel rather than sticking to a pop 12 bar format. And the girl singer is stunningly pretty. The story goes that he wrote the song for her, and they're getting married later. [cynic] Hmm, they didn't win... maybe not.[/cynic]
Bosnia/Herzegovina: it's not quite a typical 'Euroballad', but it's close. It is well performed, I have to say. Mmmm. Yeah, I see the point, but not my speed, ymmv.
The Aussie TV hosts appear onscreen. One's wearing a t-shirt saying "Terry Wogan's not doing it this year", the other's shirt says "Yeah, we miss him too". A real laugh out loud moment.
Moldova: Bring on the dancing boys! Folk song set to a rock, almost a ska, beat, with lots of national dress. Again , its exuberance is infectious. She's a good singer, and she's having a great time.
Malta: A really good song, but to me not a ESC winner. The staging is very simple but very effective. A damned good voice, I see why she's represented her country three times.
Estonia: a nice change of pace, measured but not slow, a bit of popera, a bit more sophisticated that the average Eurovision song. And the singer also plays the violin. Competition for Norway? I like it a lot after a second listen. TV host: "Part voice, part fringe!"
Denmark: TV Hosts: "Apparently Ronan Keating doesn't let anyone sing his songs who doesn't look like him. Or sing like him". A bit too generic for me. He's much less nervous than he was in the semifinals.
Germany: Gak, silver pants! It certainly swings! But do we want Eurovision to go that far back in tome? It's disconcerting enough when they go back to the 70s! The appearance of Dita von Teese was, I have to say, jaw dropping.
Turkey: To recap what I said earlier: This song had a bet each way, trying to repeat the success of 'Every Way That I Can' from a few years ago combined with Shakira, down to a very similar pan pipe sound.
Albania: the singer's only 17 but has a big voice, I'd go so far to say she has a big future. Mind you, she's an Idol winner, which is a mark down in my book. The song sadly is a little ordinary, very Eurobeat, only her voice saves it at all. And let's face it, it can't be easy to sing when standing on a mime's back, but the best place to do it, I suppose. Or possibly on his neck.
Norway: Hmm, the Norway entry... it's good, but the guy seems a bit concewited, like he's taking the win for granted. He knows the ladies like him! All the young girls and the mums, I'd say. I think it works for the simple fact it has a sort of a Russian feel (where he was born and lived his early life). Again, he brings a little extra to tonight's performance. The crowd went off at the end. Did he deserve the win? I suppose he did, but I wouldn't have given him douze points.
Why do the onstage hosts feel THEY HAVE TO SHOOOUUUUTTT??!!
Ukraine: Eurovision meets Cirque de Soliel, with a smattering of Thunderdome thrown in. Oh wait, we've had real Cirque. Very sexy. Trying to be sexy. Seems to want to capture the vibe of 'Wild Dances' a few years back. Graphics of thrusting pistons... what are they trying to say? She's only 18 or 19 too. She takes a turn on percussion, acts like she'd make a fairly decent drummer. But the whole rampant sexuality and kinetic energy of the thing disguises a fairly ordinary song.
Romania: This song let me a bit... meh. It was just... dull, I suppose. Didn't do a thing for me, musically or to look at.
UK: Good singer. But the song is a bit dull, despite the weight put behind it. Hmm, nonetheless, a big step up from Scootch and Jemini. They did OK, though you'd expect better from the writing team.
Finland: again, a fairly ordinary Eurodance song, with a slight rap influence. This is the successor to Lordi? lordy lordy lordy.
Spain: That was really well performed, but the writers phoned it in.
Interval, finally! Liked the little comedy act with the bears and the KGB agents and the et cetera. The onstage hosts aren't funny, though.
The Interval Act: the suspended tanks, that's pretty cool. Especially the big tanks sloshing back and forth. It's quite a spectacle, which is what a Eurovision interval act's about.
Then the onstage hosts and more SHOUTING! "ARE YOU ENJOYING MY FLAWLESS BRITISH ACCENT?!" Stil not bringing teh funni.
The voting will take ages - 42 countries casting one this time. the presenters from each country listing the points are a bit on the crazy side this year - loud shirts, mad behaviour, some behaving like they have a stick up their bum. Or auditioning for next year's singing gig.
Second little comedy sequence - the Russian folk version of a tATu song. Mildly amusing.
While Norway was waaaayy in front, watching the voting for second and third was interesting, really tight.
The song from Finland should have been last, the most ordinary of the night.
Point to ponder: I do wonder what goes through the collective national mind when they choose a song. "Yeah (or si, or oui, or ja, or da), that sounds like a winner!"
Apparently it's all available on www.eurovision.tv if you've missed anything.
What you Brits need is a three minute version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. As performed by Bill Bailey. So I suppose it'd be co-written by Bill Bailey and Brian May. Yeah, that'd work... I'm being semi serious there.
Some random thoughts I wrote while watching (hence the mix of present/past tense).
Cirque de Soliel has always had a strong European sensibility, fitted in well here.
Dimar Bilan. It's supposed to be a representation of his life? Looks like he's a puppet...
Lithuania: TV host: "I challenge you not to think of Freddie Mercury when the song starts". True. He did try harder tonight, I have to say.
Israel: it's a good song with a good message, but seemed a bit strained compared to their original performance. Still, pretty good.
France: And they said Piaf was dead... Every couple of years they bring out this song or a variant thereof. Why don't they get Johnny Halliday in to rock it up a bit?
Sweden: The first popera song of the night. She's quite a singer, but I dunno, doesn't quite carry off the transition like Tarja Turninen (ex-Nightwish) does. She looks really happy to be there though. Note the guy does most of the singing. Apparently it's not getting a lot of airplay at home - too rock/pop for the classical stations, too classical for the rock/pop stations
Croatia: a bit waily, but well done, I suppose. Though why the judges chose it to go through I'm not sure. A little bland, but I'd call this the low end of the spectrum for this year.
Portugal: the song is really nice, and like others they're giving a little more tonight, but I can't see it as a ESC winner.
Have to say everyone seems to be trying a little harder in the final, than last year, when they all seemed tired.
Iceland: I was going to say meh, but actually it's a nice song. TV Hosts: "it's a song that grows on you". True. Certainly grew on the viewing audience.
Greece: an Aussie connection, two of the songwriters from here. Very lively and uptempo.
I'll have to say it again. Compared to the last couple of years, the songs overall are a vast improvement. Yes, some of them are still very 'Eurovision', but not as many duds as we've seen in the last couple of years.
Armenia: I really like this song, the fusing of ethnic and pop (which I prefer much more than popera). It has that real old-timey feel mixed with some young sass. Damn, it's good. TV hosts: "It's the macarena of 2009!"
Russia: I don't think the staging was right - the flying monitors were impressive, but her singing didn't quite sync up with the video on them, which was a distraction. And I saw the film clip for the single, and I dunno, it seemed more convincing. I think she tried too hard with her singing as well. Sometimes less is more. TV host: "Very Chekhovian". Were they going to Wulcan?
Azerbaijan: it's a fun song that bounces along with that ethnic feel rather than sticking to a pop 12 bar format. And the girl singer is stunningly pretty. The story goes that he wrote the song for her, and they're getting married later. [cynic] Hmm, they didn't win... maybe not.[/cynic]
Bosnia/Herzegovina: it's not quite a typical 'Euroballad', but it's close. It is well performed, I have to say. Mmmm. Yeah, I see the point, but not my speed, ymmv.
The Aussie TV hosts appear onscreen. One's wearing a t-shirt saying "Terry Wogan's not doing it this year", the other's shirt says "Yeah, we miss him too". A real laugh out loud moment.
Moldova: Bring on the dancing boys! Folk song set to a rock, almost a ska, beat, with lots of national dress. Again , its exuberance is infectious. She's a good singer, and she's having a great time.
Malta: A really good song, but to me not a ESC winner. The staging is very simple but very effective. A damned good voice, I see why she's represented her country three times.
Estonia: a nice change of pace, measured but not slow, a bit of popera, a bit more sophisticated that the average Eurovision song. And the singer also plays the violin. Competition for Norway? I like it a lot after a second listen. TV host: "Part voice, part fringe!"
Denmark: TV Hosts: "Apparently Ronan Keating doesn't let anyone sing his songs who doesn't look like him. Or sing like him". A bit too generic for me. He's much less nervous than he was in the semifinals.
Germany: Gak, silver pants! It certainly swings! But do we want Eurovision to go that far back in tome? It's disconcerting enough when they go back to the 70s! The appearance of Dita von Teese was, I have to say, jaw dropping.
Turkey: To recap what I said earlier: This song had a bet each way, trying to repeat the success of 'Every Way That I Can' from a few years ago combined with Shakira, down to a very similar pan pipe sound.
Albania: the singer's only 17 but has a big voice, I'd go so far to say she has a big future. Mind you, she's an Idol winner, which is a mark down in my book. The song sadly is a little ordinary, very Eurobeat, only her voice saves it at all. And let's face it, it can't be easy to sing when standing on a mime's back, but the best place to do it, I suppose. Or possibly on his neck.
Norway: Hmm, the Norway entry... it's good, but the guy seems a bit concewited, like he's taking the win for granted. He knows the ladies like him! All the young girls and the mums, I'd say. I think it works for the simple fact it has a sort of a Russian feel (where he was born and lived his early life). Again, he brings a little extra to tonight's performance. The crowd went off at the end. Did he deserve the win? I suppose he did, but I wouldn't have given him douze points.
Why do the onstage hosts feel THEY HAVE TO SHOOOUUUUTTT??!!
Ukraine: Eurovision meets Cirque de Soliel, with a smattering of Thunderdome thrown in. Oh wait, we've had real Cirque. Very sexy. Trying to be sexy. Seems to want to capture the vibe of 'Wild Dances' a few years back. Graphics of thrusting pistons... what are they trying to say? She's only 18 or 19 too. She takes a turn on percussion, acts like she'd make a fairly decent drummer. But the whole rampant sexuality and kinetic energy of the thing disguises a fairly ordinary song.
Romania: This song let me a bit... meh. It was just... dull, I suppose. Didn't do a thing for me, musically or to look at.
UK: Good singer. But the song is a bit dull, despite the weight put behind it. Hmm, nonetheless, a big step up from Scootch and Jemini. They did OK, though you'd expect better from the writing team.
Finland: again, a fairly ordinary Eurodance song, with a slight rap influence. This is the successor to Lordi? lordy lordy lordy.
Spain: That was really well performed, but the writers phoned it in.
Interval, finally! Liked the little comedy act with the bears and the KGB agents and the et cetera. The onstage hosts aren't funny, though.
The Interval Act: the suspended tanks, that's pretty cool. Especially the big tanks sloshing back and forth. It's quite a spectacle, which is what a Eurovision interval act's about.
Then the onstage hosts and more SHOUTING! "ARE YOU ENJOYING MY FLAWLESS BRITISH ACCENT?!" Stil not bringing teh funni.
The voting will take ages - 42 countries casting one this time. the presenters from each country listing the points are a bit on the crazy side this year - loud shirts, mad behaviour, some behaving like they have a stick up their bum. Or auditioning for next year's singing gig.
Second little comedy sequence - the Russian folk version of a tATu song. Mildly amusing.
While Norway was waaaayy in front, watching the voting for second and third was interesting, really tight.
The song from Finland should have been last, the most ordinary of the night.
Point to ponder: I do wonder what goes through the collective national mind when they choose a song. "Yeah (or si, or oui, or ja, or da), that sounds like a winner!"
Apparently it's all available on www.eurovision.tv if you've missed anything.
What you Brits need is a three minute version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. As performed by Bill Bailey. So I suppose it'd be co-written by Bill Bailey and Brian May. Yeah, that'd work... I'm being semi serious there.
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