Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest

Subject: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:11 PM

What did I do wrong.
Stuck at home and my daughters have insisted (nay demanded) that we all watch The Eurovision Song Contest.

What is it with this competition. My kids don't like folk music, but they like this.

What did I do wrong?

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Peace
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:20 PM

It could be a rap music competition, Villan. Count yer blessings.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Def Shepard
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:22 PM

I think it was Paul Simon who wrote, a different generation throws a hero up the pop charts. You have your music, your children have theirs.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:23 PM

But Def The Eurovison Song Contest at the ages of 11 and 16 !!!
I can't even get a word in.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Acorn4
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:33 PM

Get your own back by becoming a Morris Dancer if you're not one already.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:34 PM

he he I am not a morris dancer LOL

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Def Shepard
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:41 PM

Acorn said, Get your own back by becoming a Morris Dancer.

I personally have never waved a hanky in anger at anyone, I think Terry Pratchett said that as well :-D

Umm I have vague recollections of watching the Euro at the age of 11 but not at 16, I think the medications had kicked in by that time :-D

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:46 PM

>>Acorn said, Get your own back by becoming a Morris Dancer.
<<

Well I think I would come off worst with my arthritic knees!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 08 - 05:03 PM

Dustin was railroaded! Up the turkey!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 24 May 08 - 06:07 PM

From Russia with love

UK the strongest who came bottom :-)

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Acorn4
Date: 24 May 08 - 06:10 PM

A school I worked in once had some Norwegiam visitors, and a note appeared on the staffroom board the night before:-

"Don't mention the Eurovision Song Contest!"

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: skarpi
Date: 24 May 08 - 06:23 PM

and the UK ended in last place

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Acorn4
Date: 24 May 08 - 06:56 PM

But that was politics!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 24 May 08 - 07:40 PM

A useless song of course had nothing to do with it!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 25 May 08 - 02:28 AM

No one wants to win it, if you win you have to go to the trouble and expense of staging it next year.
If we really wanted to win it we could have emloyed any of the great songwriters we have in the UK [ of course this applies to any country ] but no, we put out a pile of amateur crap yet again.


eric

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: alanabit
Date: 25 May 08 - 02:56 AM

It's supposed to be crap, isn't it? No young group, which wanted to build up a real following among young people, would touch the tawdry spectacle with a barge pole. It's all about the costumes, the dance routines and the luvvies preening in front of their home audiences. My condolences to you for having to undergo that ordeal Villan!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 25 May 08 - 03:21 AM

Thanks Alanabit LOL :-)

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: fat B****rd
Date: 25 May 08 - 03:45 AM

I hope you're better now, Les. I read that the Russian winner had Timbaland as producer. Nice to see the two nations working together.
Oh, yes. I forgot. Timbaland is a big deal American 'r'n'b' performer. But all you 'Catters knew that already, didn'y you?.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 May 08 - 03:48 AM

Don't waste our sympathy Alan.

This man's an Aston Villa supporter - 50 years at the Holt End have left him with an involuntary twitch from dodging missiles, and acceptance of defeat and humiliation is second nature.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 25 May 08 - 03:53 AM

We had it on to see how few points the UK got, but I fell asleep!!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Jeanie
Date: 25 May 08 - 04:00 AM

I agree with Alan - it's the excruciating, bizarre awfulness of it all that makes it so wonderful to watch. The Eurovision Song Contest bears only scant resemblance to anything in mainstream popular culture. It needs to be watched and admired as a unique annual entity.

I love everything about it - always have. I've been watching it since the era of Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson. Magnificent !

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: breezy
Date: 25 May 08 - 04:14 AM

Lets get back to 'Europe' !!

Ireland had the right idea

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 25 May 08 - 04:26 AM

Well it certainly beats being a Boston United supporter Al LOL :-)

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 May 08 - 04:43 AM

One night I turned up to the Palace Theatre newark - it said an evening with Brian Johnson - and I thought it was the cricket commentator.

However it turned out to be the brother of Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson, and he was another eurovision winner apparently with a song called Singing Hi Hi Hi, Singing Low Low Low.

Well struck in years but still sprightly, he came on wearing a red soldiers tunic and the climax of his act was when he said, and now something bang up to date - and he sang Rolf Harris's Two Little Boys.

There was still some confusion in the audience (who were even older than me) at the interval as to there being no mention of chocolate cake, or talk of Derek Randal and Garfield Sobers.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: goatfell
Date: 25 May 08 - 05:26 AM

Russia won Good old Russia

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 25 May 08 - 07:33 AM

The Russian performer is responsible for popularising the mullet across the former Soviet Union, for which he should be drawn-and-quartered.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 25 May 08 - 07:41 AM

Pop is an aspect of American culture - if they were serious, it would have to be a Eurovision folk-song contest.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: alanabit
Date: 25 May 08 - 08:32 AM

Keep this thread going. It's entertained me better than the bloddy Eurovision Song Contest ever did.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 08 - 08:53 AM

Got to say it was really boring this year. Normally, as a family we've sat around boozed up and watched it fully loaded with postmodern irony. After all, it's meant to be camp, over the top and funny ... and half of the joy is in finding the year's most ill-conceived spectacle. But this year's was just beyond irony - dull power ballads and too-knowing attempts to camp it up. Wogan couldn't even be bothered to crack any jokes.

It was never about music, was it? But now, it's not even about entertainment.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 May 08 - 12:17 PM

"What did I do wrong.
Stuck at home and my daughters have insisted (nay demanded) that we all watch The Eurovision Song Contest."

You committed the stupid sin of giving in, Villan.
Grow some cojones and tell 'em it's your telly, you bought it, you pay the licence fee, you pay the Sky Subscription and you decide what's on! :-) :-)

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: autolycus
Date: 25 May 08 - 01:38 PM

Won't bore folk lovers with what I've worked out about the ESC (tho I wish Latvia had won, with a cheeky cheerful song about pirates th't at least had a choon.

I'd like to know what sort of person really loves that sort of entertainment; and I'm not talking lovers of kitsch or ironic amusement; more those who are in the audience infront of the stage.

a friend of ine lived next door to someone who played Abba morning, noon and night, ev-er-ry day.

that sort.


    Ivor

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,John from Elsie`s Band
Date: 25 May 08 - 02:35 PM

Eric the Red,
               Eric, I understand that we are one of five nations who cough up to pay for it, more fool us. That is why we get automatic entry. Surely there must be something more worthy upon which to spend the money. Perhaps after this year we may get our act together and let the rest just get on with it. Since Russia will be the host they have more than enough serious dosh to front it.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 25 May 08 - 02:45 PM

"Pop is an aspect of American culture - if they were serious, it would have to be a Eurovision folk-song contest."

Drivel. Pop is an aspect of the culture of all those nations. Also, I didn't know that the Eurovision was ment to be 'serious', I thought it was supposed to be light and fun. That I can't stand most of the songs is irellevant.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Big Mick
Date: 25 May 08 - 02:50 PM

kwitcherbitching!!! You could live here in the States and have to put up with American Idol and Dancing With The Stars. I would even put up with a singing turkey from Ireland to get away from this drek.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 25 May 08 - 03:08 PM

Mick - did you not know that Dancing with the Stars and American Idol are both British programmes, both in origin and in management? It's one of the ways we re-assert our authority over rebellious colonials.....

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 25 May 08 - 03:14 PM

Backwoodsman
I rule the roust as far as football and cricket is concerned and they daren't say boo to a goose. Knowing what side my bread is buttered I let them have the other crap LOL :-)

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 25 May 08 - 03:49 PM

There's nothing RnB about Timbaland!
He's just another Popstar, hopefully one that doesn't last long.
Could be worse tho'
My daughters' into Rammstein! Everyone here (that doesn't speak German) thinks the worst of them! One of their songs is apparently a recipe/how to make cookies.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: sapper82
Date: 25 May 08 - 04:33 PM

No TV so didn't watch it.
Last year I was picking up the Youtube clips of Eurovisions gone by. Lovely nostalgia trip!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 26 May 08 - 03:21 AM

Yo Big Mick, ever heard of the ' off ' button ?

Your pal eric

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 May 08 - 05:34 AM

"Backwoodsman
I rule the roust as far as football and cricket is concerned and they daren't say boo to a goose. Knowing what side my bread is buttered I let them have the other crap LOL :-)"

You need more tellies, Les! :-) :-)

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 26 May 08 - 06:49 AM

He he

I think they can go to the next one in Russia :-)

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 08 - 06:49 AM

We watch bits of it. Its hilarious! Surely no one actually takes it seriously? Please tell me you dont!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 26 May 08 - 07:00 AM

Of course not.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: SouthportFrank
Date: 26 May 08 - 08:27 AM

In its 50+ years, has the Eurovision Song Contest produced any classic pop songs? Maybe "Waterloo", but I don't consider that to be even in the top ten of Abba songs.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Wolfgang
Date: 26 May 08 - 10:47 AM

Congratulations (C. Richard) was second placed, so was Knock, knock, who's there.

A winner, Poupee de cire (comp.: Serge Gainsbourg), was No. 1 for several weeks in several European countries and was (and still is) covered all over the world. Puppet on a string was winner too. The Austrian winning title Merci Chérie can be sung still today by nearly each German speaker.

My personal favourite all time winning title was Non ho l'eta. Since the middle of the 80s I can't even hum any of the three first placed.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 26 May 08 - 12:34 PM

Dschingis Khan was very popular in Europe, Russia and Israel.
And most Israeli entries are popular here.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: paula t
Date: 26 May 08 - 02:33 PM

I think that some of our problem is that for years western European countries ruled the roost and were scathing of other countries and their culture and music. It's payback time!I also suspect that Terry Wogan's commentary has been heard and found offensive I base this on the comment made by the male presenter.He said that he wasn't going to say too much in case the English mocked his accent.
What goes around comes around eh?

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 26 May 08 - 03:21 PM

Tell me, did the Numa Numa song come from this competition? It was everywhere here across the pond, totally infectious although everybody thought it was from Japan.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Def Shepard
Date: 26 May 08 - 03:28 PM

WAV says Pop is an aspect of American culture - if they were serious, it would have to be a Eurovision folk-song contest. '

now this is a complete load of old cobblers, we've found next years UK entry for the Euro or none of the above

Actually I fell asleep thinking about watching the programme, and you're right this thread is far more amusing :-D

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 May 08 - 03:37 PM

wld - thanks for the nugget of info about Bryan Johnson. According to Wikipedia he came second though (and so did Pearl and Teddy).

Kitty

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Flashmeister
Date: 27 May 08 - 08:30 AM

If it's in Russia next year might i suggest penning a letter to the ruling mafia, sorry, government and moot the idea of reinstating the Gulag for the losers, or perhaps just contenders per se....like a Russian Eurovison olympic village...?

i bet some dead eyed 'reality tv' svengali is alreading copyrighting that idea...

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: AggieD
Date: 27 May 08 - 08:41 AM

Tee Hee I woz at Chippenham FF, so got to hear proper music, but hubbie fell asleep watching it.

I used to love it as a kid, all the family watched it & we used to really root for the UK no matter how rubbish we thought the song was & back then it was actually a competition. Now it's just a pseudo political event. I'm sure all those countries voted for Russia so they could still keep on getting their gas supplies.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Meggly
Date: 27 May 08 - 10:03 AM

Paula T

For certain Terry Wogan's comments have been heard and found offensive; I remember a big hoo-ha after the Danish hosted it one year. They talked about repremands; fortunately nothing came of it (sense of humour, folks?) and Wogan was slightly subdued the following year, but still on form.

Unfortunately, I would hazard a guess that the majority of people in the UK tune in because of Terry Wogan. If he weren't commenting on proceedings the Beeb's ratings might fall even lower than they did this year.

I only tuned in at the end this year and wanted to give Terry a big cuddle; he sounded very dejected. :-(

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Alan Day
Date: 27 May 08 - 02:26 PM

Wherever did the presenter get his suit?
I have never seen such an ill fitting suit in all my life.It was at least two sizes too small for him.
Al

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Eurovision Wardrobe Dept
Date: 27 May 08 - 02:59 PM

"Wherever did the presenter get his suit?"

Well 'ere at the wardrobe dept we only 'ave suits in three sizes, small, medium and large. Wot the presenter said woz 'e thought that the large suit made 'is arse look fat, so....

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 May 08 - 03:02 PM

What, you mean his arse wasn't REALLY that fat? What are you like....?

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 27 May 08 - 03:05 PM

Well, I was talking with some of my friends and they were all agreed that the reason those countries voted for Russia is because Dima Bilan is the heartthrob of the moment for millions of girls aged 13-28. Also worth remembering is that most of East Ukraine identifies itself as Russian.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Eurovision Wardrobe Dept
Date: 27 May 08 - 03:07 PM

Well wot I sez waz, no dearie, it don't make your bum look fat at all, well I fibbed. That'll teach 'im to not leave me a Christmas tip

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 May 08 - 03:09 PM

And what about that woman's voice! You could chop firewood with it.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Eurovision Wardrobe Dept
Date: 27 May 08 - 03:11 PM

"You could chop firewood with it"

'ow do yer fink we keep the workroom warm during the winter ducks?

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 27 May 08 - 03:19 PM

I haven't read all the above postings so I hope I'm not repeating things.It's pretty obvious to me, that the reason that the Russian entry did so well is that he is so well known! I bet, from Finland to Azebaijan, that guy's poster is adorning 1000s upon 1000s of teenage bedroom walls. All those voters in the Baltic States, Eastern Europe etc weren't voting for their neighbours, they were voting for a pop star they loved. Hungary, for example, gave the Russian entry a big score, and there is no love lost between Hungary and Russia. The rules of the competition are going to have to be changed to stop this sort of thing spoiling - even ending - the contest.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: trevek
Date: 28 May 08 - 03:13 AM

Ah, Russia wins... the rest of East Europe can breathe again... we still have oil and gas for a few months more.

However, doesn't it all illustrate a huge difference between Balkan mentality and North-West European mentality? In the Balkans they were killing each other a few years ago and now they giv each other 12 points, whereas Iceland still can't forgive UK for stealing a few fish-fingers in the 1970s.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 28 May 08 - 08:34 AM

The point is - and it's very obvious, the Eastern European countries aren't voting for Russia! They are voting for an artist they know and love! To illustrate the point further, if I say that Son House is my favourite singer, that doesn't mean I support or even like the USA as a country.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 May 08 - 08:41 AM

I blame the Russians!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 May 08 - 08:48 AM

Just listen this:http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=t8tuRKUlUS4
hilarious!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: theleveller
Date: 28 May 08 - 09:53 AM

Er... missed it as I was at the Ryedale Folk Weekend. Which Eastern European country won this year?

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 28 May 08 - 12:45 PM

Russia won. Dima Bilan is IMMENSELY popular not only in Russia, but in most of Eastern Europe and anywhere with a sizeable Russian minority (such as Israel).
Talking with several close Ukrainian friends, they all said that nobody was voting for Russia (except for the eastern part, which identifies itself as Russian), not a chance in hell that they would, but rather for Dima Bilan. As Tunesmith said, his poster adorns the bedroom walls of 1000s upon 1000s of girls.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 May 08 - 01:45 PM

I tell you what - if it had been a competition for dancing dogs - England would have won.

Britain's got talent, you know!

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Def Shepard
Date: 28 May 08 - 02:22 PM

The Eurovision Dancing Dogs Contest definitely has a ring to it. With all the other "talent" shows on television, I don't see how this one could miss.

Subject: RE: Oh No The Eurovison Song Contest
From: Rasener
Date: 28 May 08 - 03:51 PM

>>Britain's got talent<<
Cor just seen those Karate guys and by god they are as fit as i used to be at 21. Oh for those days again :-)