Comments on: Eurovision preview

By: Graham Bell

Graham Bell — Mon, 26 May 2008 11:43:14 +0000

Mark, TyroRex, Zarquon, Amphibious [somewhere in 62+];

Russia’s entry was alright but not as fascinating as Armenia’s. Wonder if the former deputy-boss of Gazprom sent Eurovision one of his “mid-Winter greetings to the Ukrainians” and they immediately saw the wisdom of following HIS choice of winner?
Tyro Rex [32]:

and latvia’s historical association with piracy in the Caribbean is???

Latvia has a Hanseatic history. The Hanseatic League relied on ships for trade. Some of the Hanseatic trade was with England. Pirates used ships. Many pirates spoke - and sang - in English. And they went to the Caribbean.

See? It’s obvious.

Do you want me to go through it again for you? It’s no trouble; I don’t mind. :-).

By: Rayedish

Rayedish — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:47:26 +0000

Watching Eurovision last night made me realise what good songwriters we have here. Is just me or is our ‘All School Spectacular’ better than some of those songs? I mean how did that Latvian pirate song make it into the finals? I didn’t watch the semis but now I’m curious as to what didn’t make it!

By: Lefty E

Lefty E — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:46:16 +0000

Agree Tyro (way above). Im trying to Limewire the French entry. Wow - Ive never heard a song on Eurovision I actually liked before.

Not since Abba anyway.

By: Lefty E

Lefty E — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:32:16 +0000

Ive done a wee post over at Chez Latte which touches on the geopolitical implcations.

By: Frank Calabrese

Frank Calabrese — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:24:02 +0000

Here is the History of Eurovision by Country.

http://www.eurovision.tv/index/main?page=45

By: Tyro Rex

Tyro Rex — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:12:49 +0000

yeah, so ‘EBU’ (European broadcasting union) members can enter, I knew that already, still doesn’t make Azerbaijan, Armenia, Israel, etc “Europe”. I have a strict definition of that, excuse my schoolboy geography pedanticism. If Azerbaijan and Armenia, why not Iran? If Israel, why not Lebanon?

By: Frank Calabrese

Frank Calabrese — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:05:52 +0000

[i’d also like to know how some of these countries qualify as “europe”.]

The Rules are explained here:

http://www.eurovision.tv/page/rules-2008

Oh and the SBS website has a HUGE spoiler.

By: Tyro Rex

Tyro Rex — Sun, 25 May 2008 13:00:59 +0000

i’d also like to know how some of these countries qualify as “europe”.

By: Lefty E

Lefty E — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:55:16 +0000

Well, im guessing that huge Armenian vote (considering how totally crap the song was) was effectively a big ‘euro-finger’ to Turkey.

By: Frank Calabrese

Frank Calabrese — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:53:56 +0000

[Well, Frank, we had a specific request from Anna Winter not to spoil Perth’s party…]

Far enough, but I’m just p;ointing out that the MSM tend to announce the winner before the telecast.

But back to the event, I much preferred it when they used to have the live orchestral backing the acts rather than pure backing tracks, except for the live vocals you’d almost think they’re miming the whole song. Even the Italian San Remo, after several years of using pre-recorded backing, have reverted to performing with a full orchestra.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:48:39 +0000

Well, Frank, we had a specific request from Anna Winter not to spoil Perth’s party…

By: Rayedish

Rayedish — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:46:37 +0000

Tyro Rex,I know but the meager scores remaining would be more interesting!

By: Frank Calabrese

Frank Calabrese — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:45:40 +0000

[Remember - no spoilers on the final tally to allow our Perthling friends to enjoy the excitement of waiting for the entirely predictable results!]

Too late, I heard who won on the 6pm Commerical Radio news, but it’s still fun to watch the voting regardless.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:42:25 +0000

Remember - no spoilers on the final tally to allow our Perthling friends to enjoy the excitement of waiting for the entirely predictable results!

By: Tyro Rex

Tyro Rex — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:38:47 +0000

Rayedish: that’s nearly all of them!!

Loved the hesitant Swedish guy!

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:35:31 +0000

Those presenters have the worst French accents evah!

Le plus mauvais accent Francais tourjours!

By: Rayedish

Rayedish — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:32:01 +0000

You are right Mark, countries suspected of politically voting shouldn’t have their votes counted.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:22:36 +0000

Micro-countries should be banned from voting altogether!

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:21:46 +0000

I was thinking Portugal/Georgia with my diva remark, Rayedish - not the sorts of trashy short skirted pop we’re seeing from the execrable Greek and Armenian entries which are currently scoring highly.

I think I’m going for Azerbaijan now!

By: Rayedish

Rayedish — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:14:30 +0000

I liked Denmark. I thought it was a lot of fun, my husband liked Turkey the best, he thought that they rocked tha most. Also enjoyed Norway.
I am not a fan of the diva personally, its all a bit same same. Scantily dressed chick and pumping disco beat.