EUROVISION 2008

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:51 am

I guess that Ireland just thought they would try something "different"--after all they had the wonderful Brian Kennedy last year, singing what to me was the best song in the contest--I listen to it still--and although it did miles better than the UK's entry, it still was nowhere in the running for the top spot.

I remember seeing Dana being interviewed recently about it, and she was very indignant that a "Turkey" was representing Ireland.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:54 am

I watched last night and was quite sorry and surprised about the sad demise of Dustin.

How is it that the UK get a pass straight through to the Final, while Ireland who have won the contest so many times have to qualify? It seems so unfair.
Marian

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed May 21, 2008 12:05 pm

I quite agree--even last year, I'm sure that Brian Kennedy had to perform in the semifinals---it all seems to get more complicated, year by year, and just too many countries competing.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Wed May 21, 2008 8:13 pm

First of all, glad to see so many of you watched the 1st Semi. Thursdays promises to be even better, and you can vote in this one!

Marians - we go straight thru because the BBC is one of the main funders and technical supporters of the EBU. If it wasn't for us, France, Germany and Spain, there wouldn't be a Eurovision, so on that basis all of the 'Big 4' go thru.

I am glad Dana said what she did about 'that' Turkey. She actually said that there are a lot of people to whom Eurovision is there 'big break' and they work hard in most cases. She thought sending Dustin was very insulting to them I tink

You will note that under the new votin system, the Brits couldn't have voted for Dustin last night, just as most of Scandinavia couldn't vote. So its interesting that 2 Scandinavian countries got through, although I think Israel was the biggest surprise

Mark - Paddy was a great commentator, and I hope he takes over from Sir Terry very soon

There were some quirky acts last night, the one with all the wedding dresses sticks in my mind! The Russian guy is very highly thought of as a possible winner

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Wed May 21, 2008 9:05 pm

Oh I see. Thanks Michael, I was sure you would know.

Money can get you anywhere can't it?!!
Marian

Mark Fox · Post by **Mark Fox** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:26 pm

More semi'final' coverage this evening!

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Thu May 22, 2008 3:59 pm

Unfortunately it coincides with American Idol. Which will triumph?!!

Marian

Mark Fox · Post by **Mark Fox** » Thu May 22, 2008 5:15 pm

You must get a bank of TVs-then you can watch everything-all at the same time!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:10 pm

Or Sky plus--watch one--record one!!

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:33 pm

I don't have Sky Plus so flicked between, mostly watching Eurovision, as I can see the result of American Idol tomorrow, when they repeat a lot of tonight's show.
I think the best went through to the final on Eurovision tonight.

Marian

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:54 pm

This new voting system may have got the problem licked for now! Its a shame that Malta didn't get through though, and there is still a definite voting block going on, east versus Scandinavia. The problem is that small countries like San Marino aren't part of a block and so its much more difficult to qualify. But at least the juries are 'saving' one of the songs in each semi to add to the 9 finalists voted by televoting. We won't know until after the final which songs were actually saved, and it will be interesting to see who it was! Maybe they should look at choosing 2 of the ten finalists by jury in each semi, just to give those small states a chance.

One or two of the finalists are a surprise e.g. Latvia with the pirates that looked like 'Captain Feathersword' of the Australian kids tv show 'The Wiggles'! Also, Denmark weren't expected to qualify but they did

I'd love Iceland or Sweden to win. Oh sorry L&H - I want ANDY to win

But as there is no Ireland or Malta, we'll be lucky to get a deuze point!

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sat May 24, 2008 11:45 pm

I'm absolutely disenchanted with Eurovision. No one votes for the best song any more. We might as well pull out and stay out.

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:40 am

Well, after the the first few votes, it was plain to see what was happening, it's just a complete farce, and as Terry Wogan said towards the end.... it's not a music contest any more.
I'm not saying that Andy Abrahams should have won for the UK, but he was surely worthy of more votes than the few that he got, but at least he took part, and we imagine it will take a brave singer to want to enter next year's.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:35 am

On Ceefax this morning Terry Wogan said it was going to be politically Russia this year, and may now withdraw his services, and perhaps he should, lets face it this Three hour's mainly of tripe is an insult to the genuine acts who participate and to the viewers.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:36 am

Yes, Andy Abrahams turned up on the night, but he didn't take part in any of the preview shows lined up around various European capitals, and even in the one in London he refused to sing.

This is in stark contrast to the other countries that turned up at the London show, including some of the 'top' acts in the contest e.g Norway, Ukraine, Bosnia, Romania.

Sir Terry is probably miffed that his choice (who all the Eurovision fans said at the time was the wrong choice) failed to score. But how can a public voting system be 'political' as Sir Terry claims - it is more down to the fact that countries in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia share more of a common language, taste and folklore than we do with our immediate neighbours

Russia got points from pretty much every country. Even if only those 22 countries taking part in the final last night has been able to vote, Russia still would have won.

Maybe it is time for the UK to withdraw from Eurovision. It certainly is time for Sir Terry to retire from his position as commentator.

At the end of the day the song that won is a powerful ballad, with musical worth than the Brotherhood of Man or Bucks Fizz and those songs that came in the top 4 were all worthy of their position.