BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??

Subject: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Toenails John
Date: 20 May 06 - 02:15 PM

Yup. I just had to bring it up. That time of year again. Just wondering what views catters have on this overrated pointless annual lump of a screaming circus that some fools take seriously. I will stay neutral on the debate so as not to put into anyone's mind that it is a load of crap for the entertainment of the brainless, and that Terry Wogans Commentary is the only reason anyone watches it. Over to you, wonderfull, genuine talented musicians & singers for your thoughts.

I sincerely apologise for bringing this up on a music website where it has NO place, but BS is very appropriate.

Remaing neutral....
Tj

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:40 AM

Watched ten minutes of it, hardest part was listening to that creep Wogan. A once Irishman who refers to the British entry as us and we. Well see the British entry came 19th out of 24. Must really have annoyed Wogan.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: alanabit
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:43 AM

It is embarrassing to come from a land, which has won the ESC as often as the UK. Still, it is good to see things are improving. How bad were the winners this year. I think it was a pretend heavy rock group from Finnland, who dressed up in monkey suits. I spared myself the probable ordeal of hearing any of it. Did it sound any better than it looked?

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:49 AM

Well what I saw of it, it was the worst yet. How the judges came up with that circus act winning it, is beyond me. It's judgement nowadays on art presentation and costume. Gone are the days when it was a good song and a good voice ! Ah just my age showing.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Ernest
Date: 21 May 06 - 05:11 AM

horrible.... and the German group had a BANJO!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Declan
Date: 21 May 06 - 05:18 AM

There are no judges. The winner is chosen these days by a 'phone in vote in each of the countries participating. I suspect that a lot of the people voting for the Finnish entry did so to take the p*** out of the whole thing.

I kept waiting for the Power Rangers to come along and beat up the winning band!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: melodeonboy
Date: 21 May 06 - 07:44 AM

Just about everything I would have said about the Eurovision Sh*** Contest has already been said.

Just to make sure, "Divis Sweeney" was being ironic when he said, "Gone are the days when it was a good song and a good voice !", wasn't he? Please tell me he was; I've got "Puppet on a String" bouncing around inside my head and I shall have to reach for the bottle if it doesn't go away!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: skarpi
Date: 21 May 06 - 11:18 AM

Well Iceland where in the semifinal and our number kind a maked fun at
Eurovision , but I did not liked her at all she was very rude.

I am glad Finland won the Eurovison though , a haevy metal
music yes good .

this contest is no good anymore since Eastern countrys came in ,
we should have two semifinals , one for west and one for the east
and seven countrys from each should compete about the first plays.

The phonevoting way is good and bad .

All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 06 - 12:10 PM

It's camp panto and surely not meant to be taken seriously anymore? Is it? In the 60's when light entertainment on TV was sparse and package holidays even sparser, it brought a hint of the exotic into the living room. All those cosmopolitan accents and exciting backdrops.

Yes I noticed Wogan with the 'us' comment. Maybe just because he was doing the commentary over here. I don't know if Eire have their own production? But could never stomach the guy anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Toenails John
Date: 21 May 06 - 12:15 PM

Apparantly it's all over so is it! I spent last nite frequenting the public house of my choice, where all the talk was of MUNSTERS RUGBY WIN!!!!!. Nobody mentioned Eurovision. I honestly think nobody gives a b***ix any more. But I have to share one thing I heard this morning. America, are thinking of starting there own version of the contest with states competing against each other.... Ah for christ sake the idea should be killed, not encouraged. Any Rich Americans who would like to buy the entire rights to the whole shooting match, I'm sure if it went to vote we would all agree to sell up in the interest of sanity.

I'm going now to continue the Munster Rugby Celebrations..........
Tj!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 May 06 - 12:24 PM

Ahhh - C'mon, Divis. You're only jelous coz we got Wogan. He is the only thing worth watching the contest for. Tell you what, we'll send you Ant and Dec in return. Fair swap? ;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 21 May 06 - 12:28 PM

Come on melodeonboy, don't tell me you you never bought the greatest hits album of Eurovision ? a must for any lover of music.
Now go listen to Clodagh Rodgers 'Jack In The Box' that was the 1971 British entry, by an Irish girl. That will ensure you head for the bottle !

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 06 - 12:39 PM

And lets not forget Dana. If only. Lulu's Boom Bang a Bang Bang had it's merits. Well hidden I grant you.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: shepherdlass
Date: 21 May 06 - 02:13 PM

But it's hilarious! Was it the Lithuanians who really took the p*** this year (football chant "We are the Winners")? And every year Wogan gets that bit more jaded (even if he does insist on deriding accordions). Puhleese, if you want serious music, don't watch Eurovision ... it's high camp nonsense that knows it's no better than it ought to be. Those of us who revel in it once a year (more might be a problem) would hate it to change.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST,Bill the Collie
Date: 21 May 06 - 02:20 PM

Karen Matheson was in it one year - about 10 years ago - singing for France.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: skarpi
Date: 21 May 06 - 03:09 PM

no , please watch eurovision . If it were´nt for the eurovision
maybe ABBA would not be around, Dana , and many more people .

so watch and enjoy :>)

All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:27 PM

Today it's artistic flare and stage drama. That rubbish that won it last night proves that. We all remember one song that won it which had some merit.

For me it's "Tu Te Reconnaitras (Wonderful Dream)" Ann-Marie David 1973.

Away back here to listen to my Gordon Lightfoot.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: alanabit
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:44 PM

I can't recall a single Eurovision song, which I would willingly choose to hear again. It always was pop music for grannies. Nothing against grannies, of course, I used to have a couple of very nice ones. We did not have the same tastes in music though...

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:47 PM

I have to confess that I watched about 5 minutes of it. The thing that intrigues me is that all of the entries are trying desperately to be 'cool' and not getting it quite right, or sometimes getting it outrageously wrong! I speak, of course, as the least cool person I know!
I suppose that the most distressing aspect of the whole charade is often provided by singers and musicians from countries with fabulous traditional musics (some of the Balkan countries for example) who, for Eurovision, produce some bizzarre parody of Anglo-American pop music. But then I suppose that they would have no chance of winning with anything truly based on their own traditions. I have to remind myself that Eurovsion has nothing whatsoever to do with Folk Music ...

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 21 May 06 - 05:03 PM

Good point DB. They all try to be like American or U.K. acts. Then again when you go to Europe all you here is British or American music. In Spain last month a taxi driver who was bringing me to the airport had very little English, but he sang like a Lark to Robbie Williams on his car radio !

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Bert
Date: 21 May 06 - 06:37 PM

Aaah it's so sad.

Way back when it all started it was a great idea, back before sattelite communications,when TV had a range of about 50 miles and relayed forein transmissions were considered wonderful, even if a bit grainy.

What a wonderful idea it was,and the early ones were great.

But time took it's toll and it became nothing to do with the original concept of Eurovision. It became who could find the catchiest (Kitchiest) tune.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 06 - 07:40 PM

I did not see the contest but looked at the "voting". It's obvious that the pattern of voting is as normal, (voting for the neighbours). The secret ingredient fot Finland was that kids all over Europe who happened to see the show heard ONE song that appealed to them and of course "texting" is a kids' hobbie.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 22 May 06 - 02:56 AM

Didn't see it. Had a look at the Mudcat instead and am sure it is much better.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: alison
Date: 22 May 06 - 03:14 AM

have to admit I loved the finland entry - just for the whole "taking the piss" attitude...... and those platform boots were brilliant!!

give me the monsters as opposed to the lingerie clad dancing bimbos in some of the other groups hoping for the "sexy" vote.......any day...

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 22 May 06 - 03:32 AM

Remember the ex, soldier who won it in 1998 for Israel, "Diva". Dana International. That caused a storm.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: alanabit
Date: 22 May 06 - 04:06 AM

In a teacup?

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Haruo
Date: 22 May 06 - 05:00 AM

They sure are scary looking. Is Lordi Suomi for Loti?

Haruo

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: greg stephens
Date: 22 May 06 - 05:57 AM

Attacking an immigrant who has lived and worked in Britain for forty years for using the words "we" and "us" for Britain seems a touch insular to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST
Date: 22 May 06 - 06:06 AM

Possibly in one respect. But it did seem strange in another. Especially when he had his 'own' team there too. It's like football etc, doesn't matter how long people have lived here when it comes to competition I think more favour their roots. But if their roots team is out then they'll support the home team. That's the way it works in our family anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Ernest
Date: 22 May 06 - 06:44 AM

If I had to appear on a show like this, I`d wear a mask too...

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 22 May 06 - 08:46 AM

Given that Wogan works for the BBC, surely 'his team' is the BBC's entry?

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Alba
Date: 22 May 06 - 11:30 AM

Many a Talent has been rocketed to fame by the old Euro...**grin**

Let us not forget Celine Dion (oh yes the one and the same..of Titanic fame) won in 1988 for Switzerland! She indeed went on and on and on and on.......ect

Also remember the now classic Bucks Fizz winning entry "Making your mind up" or how about the Year Cliff (Dorian Gray) Richards failed to win with the unforgettable (unfortunately) 'Congratulations!'

Jude...

Heading out to the Garden singing...
My my, at waterloo napoleon did surrender
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself

Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - promise to love you for ever

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Brass Monkey
Date: 22 May 06 - 11:45 AM

Yes many a childhood role model has been born for us Brits from within the humble pit of the Eurovision song contest. The plasticism of our young professionals today often echoes the innocent days of our own Bucks Fizz and the wonderful commercialism we live with today. I raise my glass to all those developing Eastern European countries who aspire to drown their populace with the same, holding high the banner of mediocrity. Keeps the riff-raff in their place long into old age. Where would we have been without that people's hero - good old Terry Wogan.

A programme truly made for the hard of hearing as far as music goes anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: skarpi
Date: 22 May 06 - 04:03 PM

we had " Silvia Night " :<( she did everything CRAZY in semifinal
there we ended in 13th place.

hope she will never go again .

Bosnia had a great song along with Norway, but thats just me .


All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: alanabit
Date: 22 May 06 - 04:50 PM

I quite like the title of this thread, as it happens. When the ESC is on, I am happy to go just anywhere, where there is no television showing this tawdry annual orgy of mediocrity!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 May 06 - 06:34 PM

What a solemn attitude most of the people in this thread seem to have. I think Eurovision is always enormous fun, and quite hilarious. Especially with Terry Wogan's interjections, more like some uncle on the sofa making comments than any normal sort of commentary.

Musically of course it's rubbish almost all the time, but that's not the point. It's about putting on a show for a couple of minutes, and in some way   givig a hint of some distinct national style, and looked at in that way some if the acts were pretty good.

That didn't include the British entry. I was disappointed that it didn't achieve the nul points it deserved; it really was pretty unpleasant, especially that bloke who ponced around doing some kind of pseudo-rap. I caught a snatch of an interview with him, and he seemed even nastier when he was talking. Where do they dig these people up?

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 May 06 - 06:51 PM

What a solemn attitude most of the people in this thread seem to have. I think Eurovision is always enormous fun, and quite hilarious. Especially with Terry Wogan's interjections, more like some uncle on the sofa making comments than any normal sort of commentary.

Musically of course it's rubbish almost all the time, but that's not the point. It's about putting on a show for a couple of minutes, and in some way perhaps giving a hint of some distinct national style, and looked at in that way some of the acts were pretty good.

That didn't include the British entry. I was disappointed that it didn't achieve the nul points it deserved; it really was pretty unpleasant, especially that bloke who ponced around doing some kind of pseudo-rap. I caught a snatch of an interview with him, and he seemed even nastier when he was talking. Where do they dig these people up?

The Finn monsters were great fun, and I was pleased they won. Maybe next year it'll be monsters from all over Europe.

I see the Yanks are now planning to organise something analogous, with songs from each of the 50 states. Given a chance, that actually could be quite imteresting.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: AKS
Date: 23 May 06 - 06:39 AM

"Is Lordi Suomi for Loti?" (Haruo)

No, take the 'i' off the end and you'll have the meaning ;-) It is a loan word, mostly used to refer to certain English rank of nobility...

AKS

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 23 May 06 - 07:23 PM

.. however the new East European entrants are actually introducing
some high quality folk/pop/dance hybrid songs that are way above
the ability of the lazy shite insipid west european entries
that have traditionally cast a stench of hoplessness over the previous
half century of euro song bollocks..

[lulu and sandie shaw classic pop novelty songs excepted]

i was well annoyed when wogan started talking during the Croation song
and fucked up my DVD recording of it!!!



and finland did deserve to win..
its a good power pop/rock tune in its own right..

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 06 - 03:05 AM

Why nobody see/listen that Lordis song is absolity best. And everybody no see that porno things what other bands make. Lordi want tell only that "we are same people in this world"!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 24 May 06 - 09:49 AM

Heh, well, Lordi is a lame-ass GWAR rip-off, visually, and typical crappy 80s-style European metal, musically, but I'm glad they won. Very funny. I thought Severina (the Croatian that punkfolkrocker tried to record) had the best song, though, and I was hoping she'd win. But I'm a sucker for cheesy turbofolk, so...

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 May 06 - 07:06 PM

Whether something is "80s-style" or "90s-style" or "1860s-style" is surely not significant.

Judging the merit of anything - music, painting, ideas - on those kind of grounds is surely just chronological snobbery. What is important is whether something works as music or art or philosophy or whatever.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST,Mr Guest
Date: 24 May 06 - 07:53 PM

Finland probably got hit hardest by fall-out from Chernobyl..

Which may account for the appearance of Lordi band members ?

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 24 May 06 - 08:00 PM

Well, it didn't work for me, McGrath, because I dislike bloated, operatic, European-style "power metal." I actually don't care if it's from the 80s, 90s, or 00s. I'm simply not a fan of the genre. And something about Lordi just happens to reek of mid-80s Helloween to me. If you enjoy their music, well, good for you, dude. This must be a thrilling week for you, then, so live it up. But there's nothing snobbish about my opinion.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 May 06 - 05:16 AM

And don't forget... Eurovision gave us Riverdance and that git Michael Flatfootedly.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 25 May 06 - 10:48 PM

I took the Finnish song as tongue-in-cheek; certainly, with wordplays like "Arockalypse" and "time of Rockening". No, I didn't think it was great rock (or even Death Metal Rock), I just took it as a pisstake. And because of that, I was heartened to see people across Europe voting for this song, as a way of giving the two fingers to the MOR mediocrity that has always been part of ESC.

And yes, I do enjoy (most of) Wogan's interjections, in a way that I enjoyed the Victor Meldrew character in "One foot in the grave". He is an old fart - of course he is. And much of the time he makes me cringe. But he does make the whole pill more palatable.

This year we watched the singing with the sound off, while listening to Show of Hands' "Witness" (I recommend it, both the method and the album) and turned the volume up for the voting. I subsequently listened to the top three songs on the internet. Just to make sure I hadn't missed something groundbraking.

I hadn't, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 May 06 - 07:32 PM

But what on earth has "mid 80s" got to do with it, Lepus?

I get puzzled by the way people use "outdated", or dates, as if they were relevant as a criticism of music or writing or thinking. Right and wrong, clever or stupid, bright or dim, those are terms that can be relevant, and there are many more. But "outdated", "mid 80s" - so what?

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 26 May 06 - 10:16 PM

Jesus Christ, McGrath, I had no idea you were such a rabid Lordi fanboy. I mean, I said I was glad they won... I even said that they were funny! What more do you want, man?!

And I never said "outdated." And I said their music was "crappy," "bloated," "80s style" "power metal" because, well, in my opinion, it is. I don't dislike it because it sounds "old" or "outdated." (I mean, I'm sitting here listening to a postitively ancient Propagandhi song, and I'm enjoying that.) I dislike it because it's bad music. I was simply describing Lordi's sound as I hear it, and indicating that it's not a sound that I'm wild about. How on Earth could you find this to be controversial? I mean, if you said, for instance, that you loved mid to late-60s Sonny and Cher, but hated the music they produced in the early 1970s, would this be "chronological snobbery"? Or would that just be your personal taste?

My god, who cares anyways? It's fucking Eurovision, heh.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: GUEST,Alan
Date: 25 May 08 - 04:29 AM

Veteran Eurovision Song Contest commentator Sir Terry Wogan said last night he may quit covering the event after Britain's poor result.

Sir Terry said the British entry deserved more votes than it received and I will have to decide if I want to cover this event again after this disappointing result. Britain only received 14 points.


Sir Terry spoke out near the end of his commentary after Britain's entry Andy Abraham came 53rd in the contest.
The former binman finished joint last of the 25 finalists.

Russia romped to victory with a massive 272 points with a ballad called Believe.

Subject: RE: BS: Ok. Eurovision here we go??
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 25 May 08 - 09:56 AM

i can't comment on this event as I last watched it in 197-something as in those days there was sod all else on and only 3 channels.