BS: Damned Eurovision...

Subject: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 May 23 - 07:14 PM

Absolutely not my kind of music on show, ever. And I certainly haven't been watching these pesky semifinals. But I can't help meself. I watch the bloody thing on Saturday night every year, get all animated about who should win and what's utter crap, etc., and absolutely love to slag off Graham e**ing Norton. One year, we even had a party-with-sweepstake on it. Ye gods. But I'll be there on Saturday night, spag bol on knee, bottle of red to hand (essential for getting through it - the corkscrew will be on standby just in case a second bottle is called for...)

Wouldn't miss it for the world. It brings people together, it's in Liverpool fer chrissake, one of the world's friendliest and most inclusive cities (with the greatest football club in the history of humanity) and it's in honour of Ukraine. Be there or be square!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Senoufou
Date: 12 May 23 - 03:04 AM

We wanted to watch the ten o'clock news on BBC 1, but had to endure for the SECOND time the selection of the final ten for 10 mins before the News started.
I have enjoyed some of the old songs from past Eurovisions, eg Bucks Fizz 'Making Your Mind Up' and Abba 'Waterloo'.
Tut tut, I must try to stop living in the past!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 May 23 - 03:29 AM

I'll be there but I'm on antibiotics so, for the firt time ever, it will be a sober one! Maybe I will see how bad it really is :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: G-Force
Date: 12 May 23 - 04:01 AM

Well it certainly brings our family together. None of us can stand it at any price. But thanks for not starting this as a music thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 12 May 23 - 11:59 AM

I heard a discussion on BBC2 this morning where it was said that the UK was lucky to be presenting the ESC because, if it wasn’t for the war in Ukraine, it would have been presented from Ukraine.

I beg to differ. If there was no war in Ukraine, the ESC would still be being held in the UK because, without the huge sympathy/solidarity vote, the (IMHO, pretty poor) Ukraine entry wouldn’t have won last year, Sam Ryder’s UK entry would have taken the top spot.

All IMHO, of course, and YMMV.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 May 23 - 12:56 PM

Mebbe. Let's hope it goes well (as it's Liverpool l'm sure it will!), and either see it as a whole bunch of fun or just don't bother with it!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 12 May 23 - 01:03 PM

I’ll be doing the same as you, Steve - spag Bol on knee, but without the wine (Mrs Backwoodsperson will probably swig enough for both of us!).

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 May 23 - 02:13 PM

Suggested list of food and drink for the event

1. Austria: Schnitzel
2. Portugal: Port
3. Switzerland: Cheese
4. Poland : Vodka
5. Serbia: Rakija
6. France: Crepes
7. Cyprus: Kebabs
8. Spain: Rioja
9. Sweden: More vodka
10. Albania: Baklava
11. Italy: Pizza or any of Steve's wines :-)
12. Estonia: Beer
13. Finland: Reindeer
14. Czechia: Budweiser Budvar
15. Australia: Vegimite
16. Belgium: Trappist beer
17. Armenia: Brandy
18. Moldova: Stuffed cabbage
19. Ukraine: Vodka with a kick :-)
20. Norway: Fish
21. Germany: Beer
22. Lithuania: Fried bread (popular beer snack) ...
23. Israel: Falafel
24. Slovenia: Domaci rum
25. Croatia: Rakia
26. United Kingdom: Beer and chips

:-D

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Acorn4
Date: 13 May 23 - 04:44 AM

More about theatre and politics than music these days?

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 06:13 AM

The viewers votes have always been poitical but you would expect allies to support each other. Apart from the UK and Ireland seemingly! Other than that, no, it is pretty non-partisan.

As to the performances, well, yes. The performance of a song can be of equal importance to the song itself in terms of enjoyment. Why else have live performances if not for the visual impact as well as the music? If you want to hear perfect music, listen to a rcording. If you want all senses stimulating, go to a live performance. Horses for courses!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 06:48 AM

Well Greece gives Cyprus douze and Cyprus gives Greece douze. If that's supposed to be a political statement it's a pretty poor one and hardly one that will stick in the memory, let alone start or end a war. It's far more likely to make both countries minor laughing stocks than anything. Let it be. Horses for courses indeed! No-one is forcing anyone else to turn the telly on!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 May 23 - 07:00 AM

ahem, a little typo, Dave

15. Australia: Vegimite (VEGEMITE)

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 08:51 AM

Sorry Sandra!

(It would actually be spelled Marmite though :-) )

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 09:51 AM

Who cares how you spell it? Just chuck it in the bin! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 02:31 PM

See! Steve and I do disagree on major topics. Marmite is the food of the Gods :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 03:39 PM

Austria so far. Mind you, I did enjoy the semi-porn in the Poland entry....

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 03:50 PM

Oi, Cyprus, eh? Heard worse!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 04:02 PM

Is this the Swedish singer or is it Queen Boadicea with claws?

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 04:05 PM

Is it just me or is every song angst-ridden? Boom-bang-a-bang!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 04:10 PM

So now we have a hunky Italian man wearing a very silly vest and singing in a high-pitched voice while two blokes behind him repeatedly jump to their deaths...

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 04:20 PM

Bonkers Finland!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 04:28 PM

Any Aussie bloke song that doesn't include the words "G'day, cobber, you old bastard" doesn't do it for me...

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 04:49 PM

The Moldovan gnome and unicorns were good.

I thought the Polish one was Britki Spearsov

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 04:52 PM

Norway, nice and funky with a jiggy rhythm. I liked it!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 04:55 PM

Germany, Erling Harland with a massive lunch packet but being attacked by a green octopus...

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:03 PM

Lithuania, she scrubbed up nicely, great voice, and one of the few performers who actually looked like she was enjoying herself. I liked it!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:03 PM

The Lithuanian lass was very pretty but I didn't rate the song. The Israeli song is about the Moldovan unicorns!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:04 PM

Israel, Spicepersons...

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:07 PM

Slovenian silliness, solid Eurovision!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:11 PM

Croatia, I'm questioning my own sanity here...

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:14 PM

Did Borat produce that one?

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:16 PM

The fashion for talons has spread to the UK. I hope Mae doesn't pick her nose...

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:29 PM

Listening through the recap and Czechia stood out for me. I think it was the harmonies!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:33 PM

Eeeeee. Our Sam's good inty

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 05:56 PM

Yeah, Sam, best song in it! If I was going to vote it might be for Norway (though I won't vote). I liked the Czech one too. And Cyprus. Good stuff. I liked our one a lot though the sound somehow didn't project it well on the telly. Loads of really good performances that I'll be happy to forget after tonight! ;-). Good show, good show!

So Liverpool produced two great football teams, eh? To quote Bill Shankly (aka God), that's right: Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 06:00 PM

Eeeee. That rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone brought a tear to this old stoney eye. Specially when they panned to Kyiv and the youth choir:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 06:05 PM

Norway were very good but I thought it was like a Tim Burton movie with music by Danny Elfman. I kept imagining the Nightmare that stole Christmas!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 06:19 PM

'ere, seeing as it's tomorrow in Australia do they already know the result? :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 06:42 PM

Did I conflate 2 movies earlier?

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 May 23 - 07:05 PM

Just goes to show: I can't bloody pick 'em fer toffee... :-(

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 May 23 - 07:12 PM

I enjoyed it. Must admit that I looked up Amoxicillin and found it was OK with alcohol so opened a very nice bottle of Morrisons best Verdeca. Didn't drink it all though. Mrs G had at least 1 glass :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Raggytash
Date: 13 May 23 - 08:56 PM

Sorry guys but I have to say it .............. you two are just sad bastards ................................. Eurovision !!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 May 23 - 03:35 AM

Another one that proves there is no cabal of "usual suspects". We disagree on important important subjects such as Marmite and Eurovision :-) Anyway you're only saying that because Ireland didn't qualify again :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 May 23 - 03:36 AM

On a more serious note, 2 weekends ago I was watching Hawkwind live on stage. You couldn't actually see the band as they were shrouded in darkness and mist. The music was loud and raw with, as you could guess, many special effects. The crowd were bouncing and full of mud (see Northern Kin thread). I couldn't make out many lyrics. The light show was absolutely spectacular. It was then I realised that entertainment is not just music. I love folk clubs and close up interaction with a good performer. I also love spectacle such as Hawkwind and, yes, Eurovision. There is room in my head for both of these and many more!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 May 23 - 04:08 AM

BTW, may the winning entry have had something to do with making sure the final was in Sweden on the 50th anniversary of ABBA winning with Waterloo? Not that I'm cynical or suggesting people may have voted tactically :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 May 23 - 05:53 AM

"Sad bastards??" But we're not! The song contest may well be unalloyed rubbish in some eyes (not mine), but it brings nations together in harmony and inclusivity in a troubled world, and I think Liverpool did a great job. As for Sweden, they take the song contest very seriously, more so than other countries, a bit over the top maybe, which is probably why they're successful.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Raggytash
Date: 14 May 23 - 07:12 AM

"but it brings nations together in harmony and inclusivity in a troubled world"

What a load of bollocks, it is petty minded and often rigged voting across the board.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 May 23 - 07:19 AM

Yebbut that could be part of the entertainment and millions still enjoy it! :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 May 23 - 08:49 AM

How is it petty-minded?!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 May 23 - 10:00 AM

50!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: BobL
Date: 15 May 23 - 03:49 AM

"Rigged voting"? Where have we heard that before? And without a shred of evidence either.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 May 23 - 05:33 AM

I don't think Trump was involved in Eurovision :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 May 23 - 07:01 AM

I don't think bloc(k) voting is the same thing at all as rigged voting. In any case, the result is decided not just by national juries any more, but by public voting too, 50:50.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 May 24 - 06:22 AM

why do people watch,what is the appeal

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 May 24 - 07:57 AM

It's on tonight and I shall be glued to the box :-)

After Doctor Who of course!

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Bill D
Date: 11 May 24 - 08:42 AM

I never see any of it, of course... but it popped up in my news feed this morning..
big controversy

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 11 May 24 - 10:51 AM

> why do people watch, what is the appeal

Herself will also be glued to that channel*, largely for the commentary. The late great Terry Wogan, who used to do the Eurovision commentary, gave it the level of respect it deserves, but admitted he could only do it when three sheets to the wind; Graham Norton has inherited the mantle in full measure, though possibly not the case of poitín.

I'll look forward to going outside afterwards to see if the aurora's visible.

* Sigh, but I've seen that episode of the Bletchely Circle before.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 11 May 24 - 03:25 PM

> Herself will also be glued to that channel

Correction: Herself will be watching the programme, but will follow house tradition in getting thoroughly wogan in the process. That's why you'll always find me in the kitchen at parties.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: BobL
Date: 12 May 24 - 02:35 PM

The Eurovision is a major reason I'm glad I don't have a telly...

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: gillymor
Date: 12 May 24 - 03:08 PM

Never seen it and don't know much about it but if Planxty participated in it it can't be all bad.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 May 24 - 01:20 AM

”The Eurovision is a major reason I'm glad I don't have a telly...”

What very strange ‘logic’!

Even if you had a telly, it’s not compulsory to watch the Eurovision Song Contest or, for that matter, any other programme, regardless of how heavily-advertised it might be. The viewer always has the option to watch something else, or nothing at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 May 24 - 03:23 AM

I agree with Bobl

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 May 24 - 03:36 AM

Ah, a pair of Luddites in our midst.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 May 24 - 10:08 AM

derogatory
a person opposed to new technology or ways of working.
"a small-minded Luddite resisting progress"
2.
historical
a member of any of the bands of English workers who destroyed machinery, especially in cotton and woollen mills, that they believed was threatening their jobs (1811–16).

I use technology, I am selective in my use. I do not consider watching eurovision on television or even having a television progress.
I can get all information I want, all news I want, without a television.
HA HA how funny, watching or having a television regarded as progress, what an outdated view, reminiscent of 1953.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 May 24 - 10:46 AM

You don’t get humour, do you?
Your loss.

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 May 24 - 03:39 AM

now this IS funny, a link to Hancocks ashes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b04mgxtgBackwoodsman it is customary when you are attempting humour to put a smiley emoticon

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 May 24 - 03:41 AM

joe offer, the link is perfectly safe it is bbbradio4 drama

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: skarpi
Date: 14 May 24 - 05:39 AM

Eurovision, well the music has almost one beat, and its, búmma búmma búmma búmma búmma búmma and now and the bamm bamm.
Once Eurovision had style, today no style just for fun.
All the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: BS: Damned Eurovision...
From: robomatic
Date: 20 May 24 - 05:45 PM

The thing about Eurovision for Americans is that at least it isn't "The Masked Singer".