Eurovision 2023

[Mike]

I’m off to the opening of this tonight (I think that’s what it is? (The Big Welcome’ or something), was £2 a ticket, but you have to have a Merseyside address.
Can’t say I’m overly excited, but I guess it should be fun. Night without kids at the very least.

[-james-]

I'm regretting not snagging some tickets. Stockholm 2024 it is.

[-james-]

I'm not sure I can be bothered with my usual autistic run through of the acts but it's the weakest year in quite a while. Sweden should win, potentially by a landslide. The only thing that might throw a spanner in the works is them drawing first half in the running order.

I've listened to every song way too many times already and it's always nice to hear people's first impressions of the contenders. Feel free to chip in if you don't mind spoilers; 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mCELuFz5I), 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJHe-iZ5HSI), 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWfbEFH9NvQ), 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxuO0qZITko)

[Lofty]

Is it true they don't serve alcohol at it?

[Pen]

What are the chances we (Finland) win this? Is Loreen sure to win it, or is there any value betting for Käärijä?

[-james-]

What are the chances we (Finland) win this? Is Loreen sure to win it, or is there any value betting for Käärijä?

I think your odds are quite short. It's going to be a huge crowd favourite and stands a good chance of winning the televote, though it looks like it'll be a fairly televote heavy set of finalists so I'm not sure it'll be a massive score. The main problem is I can't see much for juries to get excited about. Bit of a gimmicky song/stage, nothing special vocally. Sweden could very well beat them by 150-200 points with the jury, so you'd then be looking at Sweden around 10th with the public for a Finland win, which I find highly improbable.

Your best chance is drawing second half in the running order and Sweden drawing first. I think you'll (wrongly) go favs in the betting if that happens.

[Pen]

Thanks for that. Will leave the betting alone unless there's something properly lol worthy in the final.

[Mike]

Is it true they don't serve alcohol at it?
Nope, you could buy fruit cider, normal cider, pints of lager or oddly, 6 packs of Estella.

It was pretty good. I marked out pretty hard for Atomic Kitten :lol:

[Lofty]

They must have changed it then, I remember Barry Glendenning telling a tale of how he was sent to report on it years ago and they closed the bars when the show started, a tortute session for an old soak like him.

[niko_cee]

Sweden appear to have entered a sexy predator, whilst the children of whoever was SixPenceNonetheRicher appear to have turned up for Azerbaijan.

[Waffdon]

Sweden appear to have entered a sexy predator, whilst the children of whoever was SixPenceNonetheRicher appear to have turned up for Azerbaijan.

Loreen :drool:

Hopefully she’s still as banging as she was 10 years ago or whatever it was. The song was nearly as good as her. EUPHORIAAAAAAA

[Spikey M]

Is this actually worth watching tonight?

I see Ireland didn't make it through, which is a shame but their own fault for not picking John Lydon.

[Giggles]

I don't think I've heard our last 4 or 5 songs but have they ever got out of a semi? Should just send that turkey puppet every year.

[niko_cee]

Wild Youth to me didn't seem particularly wild or particularly young, but don't Ireland deliberately send shite ever since getting into a ruinous spiral of winning and hosting many times during the 90s?

[Offshore Toon]

Eurovision is always worth watching. I'm not even sure what criteria you'd want it to meet to be worthwhile. Surely not song quality?

[niko_cee]

Presumably the UK winning?

So maybe not by that measure. Song's not dreadful though, although not 'European' [ie wank] enough really.

It will be interesting to see if the banter is less terrible when it is conducted mainly in native tongue, probably not is my guess.

[Offshore Toon]

As long as we stop sending moon-toothed twats like Sam Ryder I'm happy.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A shit song but I kind of liked it weirdly.

The "Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe" bit hit hard.

[Offshore Toon]

The concept behind the song is good but it's come way too early tonight.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hasn't been a great start thus far.

None of the songs have really grabbed me.

At least Blanka is a looker.

Edit: Serbia was fucking weird.

[niko_cee]

Are Frankie Goes to Hollywood to cool for this or can we expect some sort of grande finale? Seems a good fit. Watching on delay so may have to catch up through the shit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Easily the best song so far.

[Manc]

Hands down the worst Eurovision in living memory.

[Baz]

Why is Sweden such a strong favourite? Dreadful.

[7om]

Poland for me so far, Clive.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why is Sweden such a strong favourite? Dreadful.

It's miles better than anything else we've had so far.

Although I was expecting more tbh.

[Waffdon]

Thought she was singing Euphoria for a second then.

She’s pissing it

[Offshore Toon]

It's a slow builder but the hype will mostly be because of the staging and she's already relatively big.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Another stinker here.

[wullie]

Liked the Italy one, but there's no way we're getting anywhere near the golden standard of 2017 overall here

[Baz]

It's miles better than anything else we've had so far.

Although I was expecting more tbh.

Fair enough. It was the first one I saw, just switched it on.

Estonia was good.

[wullie]

Now we're talking.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Business has picked up.

[Baz]

He looks like MC Grindah.

[Pleb]

Well Finland just turned up.

[Boydy]

This is quality. Human centipede of dancers and everything.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Even though I've got money on Sweden to win, I'm on the Finland train now.

[Waffdon]

What in the human centipede was that

[Pleb]

End the show.

[Baz]

This is 14. How many are there?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

this is 14. How many are there?

26 :D

The whole thing doesn't end until around midnight.

[Offshore Toon]

Finland was great but the judges won't rate it and Ukraine will rob too many public votes.

[Pleb]

Wait a minute...

[AJ23]

Finland song is ecstacy and heroin rolled into one. But I guess that's what Eurovision voters typically go for.

Portugal song sounds like the tune you usually hear being played by the mafia before they're about to murder someone.

[Boydy]

If Australia were to win, do they get to host the next year?

Edit: just googled, no, they nominate a co-host.

[Offshore Toon]

Australia shouldn't be in it so they can fuck off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They're not currently signed up for 2024 so who knows.

[AJ23]

Olly Murs has just turned up. With Boy George influences.

[wullie]

I like this Belgium one, it's completely ripped off about 6 different songs I can't place.

[7om]

Okay, now this Belgium shit is proper Eurovision.

[AJ23]

Armenia usually have really sexy women as their Eurovision representatives.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They've sent another this year too.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nice of Moldova to bring a flute wielding dwarf in a nutty mask.

[AJ23]

Some David Blaine bullshit with a manbun happening here.

[Offshore Toon]

Wee man on the flute for Moldova. :cool:

[Manc]

Get Ukraine in the bin.

[Waffdon]

A black Ukrainian?

[wullie]

I hope the war's been going on long enough that Ukraine aren't hoovering up the sympathy vote again for this load of old shit

[SvN]

I've got £50 on them winning the televote

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A black Ukrainian?

He's Nigerian who lives in Ukraine having went to Uni there.

[AJ23]

Come on Norway. Do it for Haaland and Odegaard.

[Offshore Toon]

Yep, I crashed Betfair's odds from 6.2 to 5.4 yesterday so I'm hoping the white sympathy vote continues.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This feels a bit like a club version of a sea shanty.

[Offshore Toon]

This feels a bit like a club version of a sea shanty.
:D

I quite like it.

[Boydy]

I thought Norway was a bop.

[AJ23]

What the fuck is going on here? Is he from the Black Forest?

[Mike]

Good old Germany!

[Boydy]

Quite like this German one too.

[wullie]

Was fully expecting to hate this but I love it, I think this is one of the first signs of a stroke

[AJ23]

Bring back Lena Meyer-Landrut.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bring back Lena Meyer-Landrut.

Yes!

:wub:

[AJ23]

Lithuania sounds like one of those acts who opened the 2012 Olympic ceremony.

[Waffdon]

She can sit on my face

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-65557858

Blonde backing singer here is from Essex.

[wullie]

Could see this being sang on Britain's Got Talent by someone with a dead nan or a choir full of people in wheelchairs.

[AJ23]

Ok. I'm thinking Israel are going to have a chance to win.

[Waffdon]

Free Palestine

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Israel :wub:

[wullie]

Good song, shame they couldn't find a looker to sing it

[Pleb]

Perfect.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Croatia :lol:

Fucking hell, Eurovision perfection.

[Waffdon]

Mon Croatia

[Offshore Toon]

Croatia delivering. :D

[Waffdon]

Is that Eddie izzard?

[wullie]

To think our act is going to come out and just sing a nice song after this

[7om]

Put the whole country of Croatia on a watchlist.

[Pleb]

The Villiage people have let themselves go.

[Mike]

Croatia… brilliant!

[AJ23]

UK doesn't sound good. And to think 70% or so of the Eurovision winners come from the second half...

[Waffdon]

Wtf is this

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This is horseshit.

[Boydy]

Jesus, she can't sing live.

[wullie]

Bit blah this, aiming for mid-table comfort this year by the looks of it

[Dan]

Is that Eddie izzard?

I thought that too :D

Not a great year all around, but Finland carried, then we got two solid rock songs & whatever Croatia just did. Pretty much everything else can piss off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bit blah this, aiming for mid-table comfort this year by the looks of it

Mid-table would be some effort.

I think there's more chance of 0 points.

[Mike]

First time hearing the UK song. It’s not very good.

[Waffdon]

The crowd are absolutely buzzing that’s over, clearly.

12 points I reckon.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1. Finland
2. Israel
3. Norway maybe?

My personal rankings.

[wullie]

I like Belgium, Germany and Italy but I assume none of them are coming close

[AJ23]

I think Israel might do it. Finland and Norway running close.

Perhaps France and Croatia not far behind.

[Dan]

Finland top for sure, then I had Germany second & Australia third, but I have to also support Croatia for being the only nonsensical entry this year, even if it was only a decent song

[wullie]

Also I'd dock 12 points every time an act does the heart thing with their hands.

[7om]

Finland, Belgium and Israel.

I actually liked our song, she just needed to belt it out a bit more.

[Mike]

There’s none I’d vote for this year.
Unless one of them runs in and slaps Sam Ryder, then they get my vote.

[Waffdon]

‘They must be on something’ :D

[AJ23]

I'm almost certain the BBC are providing all the ecstacy tablets to keep the competitors going.

Non taxed, of course.

[Offshore Toon]

Claudia Winkleman declaring that "everyone loves Sam Ryder" sums up why they're both shit.

[AJ23]

Imagine there's no Eurovision or Putin. It's not hard to try.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Should have gotten Gal Gadot on for this bit.

[Offshore Toon]

They keep giving it this 'musical city' shit but apart from The Beatles who have they got? Atomic Kitten and The Zutons?

[Pleb]

Somehow about Liverpool...oh wait.

[Shindig]

Jerry and the Not-the-Beatles.

[wullie]

Chucking in a Mel C solo track stretches the whole city of music thing a bit thin, weren't Frankie Goes To Hollywood meant to be part of this instead?

[Mike]

They keep giving it this 'musical city' shit but apart from The Beatles who have they got? Atomic Kitten and The Zutons?

Whole Again was the best bit of the show!

[Mike]

weren't Frankie Goes To Hollywood meant to be part of this instead?

They did the opening thing, played one song, was ace. Looked old though.

[Offshore Toon]

Sam Ryder being born in Bristol has thrown me as that's somewhere I'd consider a proper musical city. Maybe too musical for it's own good.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ukraine jury not giving us 12 points is disgusting.

[Boydy]

Why is Sweden doing so well? It was shit.

[Pleb]

Because Loreen.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

San Marino with some nice vote fixing there.

[AJ23]

Why is Sweden doing so well? It was shit.

Complete fix.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

James did say it was going to piss the jury votes.

[Boydy]

Yeah but why? What do the juries look for?

[Waffdon]

Loreen looks like she’s on crack

[AJ23]

Is this for real? Sweden winning by this margin? Wow.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah but why? What do the juries look for?

Juries are asked to focus their vote on 4 main sets of criteria:

Vocal capacity of the artist(s)
Performance on stage
Composition and originality of the song
Overall impression of the act

[Shindig]

5. How likely the winner is to afford hosting a Eurovision.

[Boydy]

Juries are asked to focus their vote on 4 main sets of criteria:

Vocal capacity of the artist(s)
Performance on stage
Composition and originality of the song
Overall impression of the act

On all those points Croatia should be winning.

[Lofty]

Loreen looks like she’s on crack

Like an evil Noomi Rapace.

[Offshore Toon]

mAIhow :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

On all those points Croatia should be winning.

:D

They've been screwed.

[Dan]

Juries are asked to focus their vote on 4 main sets of criteria:

Vocal capacity of the artist(s)
Performance on stage
Composition and originality of the song
Overall impression of the act

You forgot geographical proximity & level political/economic dependence

[Waffdon]

Didn’t think Germany would still be on 0 lol

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Didn’t think Germany would still be on 0 lol

Rock songs never do well with the juries but it should have some points thrown at it.

[Boydy]

Croatia on 3 and Germany on 0 is a travesty. Abolish the juries.

[niko_cee]

This might be the worst Eurovision ever. Zero interest in the voting, it becoming 'a thing' seems to have wrecked it from an unpredictability/enjoyment perspective.

[Boydy]

"Meditational state".

[wullie]

Italy doing better than I was expecting. This is all going to mean nothing when Croatia get 1500 points from the phone votes anyway

[Boydy]

Did he just say "a lot of bags" were happening backstage?

[7om]

This Swedish bird is high as a kite.

[Pleb]

The televotes is always the best part of the voting.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This Icelandic guy has done a bit much.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ukraine, Finland, Israel and Sweden should all do well in the televote.

[Pleb]

What the fuck is this :D

[wullie]

Just saw that Catherine Tate is doing our one. If she does it in any of her characters I hope we get kicked out forever.

[niko_cee]

Unpossible mate, founder members of the Eurovision Super League.

[AJ23]

This is going to be between the top 4.

Sweden. Israel. Italy. Finland.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This is going to be between the top 4.

Sweden. Israel. Italy. Finland.

I'd swap Finland and Italy.

I don't think Italy will do well enough in the televoting.

[AJ23]

I'd swap Finland and Italy.

I don't think Italy will do well enough in the televoting.

My mum reckons Belgium will do it. I've told her to go to bed.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ukraine will scoop up a lot of the public votes. Maybe even enough to crack that top 4.

[Pleb]

:D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Tate is smuggling some melons, Jesus.

[Boydy]

Catherine Tate's baps up round her ears in that dress.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The crowd are on the verge of a riot due to Finland not winning.

[7om]

Someone euthanise Tate ffs

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Shocked Germany got fuck all with the public.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stunned Ukraine got sub 200. I guess the voters don't give a shit now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's huge from Finland but it wont be enough.

[Boydy]

Yessss, Finland.

[Offshore Toon]

Finland deserve that at least.

[Boydy]

Fuck off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Closer than I thought it would be after the juries.

[Boydy]

1657514540639178752

[Manc]

Italy finishing 12 points shy of third has cost me a small fortune. Fucking Unicorns.

[Pleb]

Fuck off.
:D

Never in doubt.

[AJ23]

Sweden and Finland hate each other too. All comes back to ice hockey and Eurovision ultimately.

[wullie]

I got a fiver on Italy E/W for five places so double money isn't bad for having to watch Germany be needlessly insulted by the viewing public

[niko_cee]

They should have played Z Cars, You'll Never Walk Alone was dreadful [as was the Soldi thing].

Finding out that the German outfit have had a number one album over there makes me question Kiko's "everything is better in the fatherland" line.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why is this so big now? I was in town at kicking out time and it's absolutely crawling with drunks who have just watched it, a lot of them in organised events. It used to just be a joke or something enthusiasts would watch.

[Offshore Toon]

There were way more events this year because the UK was hosting, but it'll probably have a knock on effect for a bit.

[Don]

Ot appeals to the wokerati.

[igor_balis]

They keep giving it this 'musical city' shit but apart from The Beatles who have they got? Atomic Kitten and The Zutons?

The La's, The Teardrop Explodes, Lightning Seeds, Frankie Goes to Hollywood. I quite like The Pale Fountains and The Coral as well, but yeah, Beatles deffo doing a lot of heavy lifting on that reputation.

[Baz]

The La's, The Teardrop Explodes, Lightning Seeds, Frankie Goes to Hollywood. I quite like The Pale Fountains and The Coral as well, but yeah, Beatles deffo doing a lot of heavy lifting on that reputation.

Billy Fury.

[Kikó]

They should have played Z Cars, You'll Never Walk Alone was dreadful [as was the Soldi thing].

Finding out that the German outfit have had a number one album over there makes me question Kiko's "everything is better in the fatherland" line.

NOT THE MUSIC ..dots

[niko_cee]

Why is this so big now? I was in town at kicking out time and it's absolutely crawling with drunks who have just watched it, a lot of them in organised events. It used to just be a joke or something enthusiasts would watch.

Everything is a thing now.

No niche interest can survive the crushing mass of the proletarian Tiktok banter ball as it marauds down the mountain, scattering all and sundry.

It was a shame our one couldn't sing as it turned out, the radio edit of her song was so much better.

They should have had a bit of Space in the songbook bit.

[Boydy]

1657522052604076032

[Boydy]

I'm still mad.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Probably would make more sense if Sweden didn't have the second highest televote.

Clearly it was well received.

[igor_balis]

Jessie Ware next year plz.

[Offshore Toon]

Cha Cha Cha holds up very well to repeat listens but we need a remix.

[niko_cee]

That guy from Years and Years is doing the UK's entry next year.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nil points.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If the song's good he'll come top five. One of the biggest ifs imaginable of course.

[-james-]

Getting Danny L Harle to produce it is the bigger snag. I've said for ages the UK should get a PC Music nerd involved and they've finally done it. :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1742190409420316754

Okay then...

[niko_cee]

Is there a Caribbean themed ABBA song?

[Yevrah]

Talking of ABBA, I ended up at the Voyage show in Stratford over Christmas and while on the one hand impressive, it was a glimpse into a dystopian future I'd really rather not be part of.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I placed £10 at 8 million to 1 on St Kitts and Nevis to win the 2024 Eurovision, back in 2008. I knew this was going to be my year.

[Spikey M]

I mean, Australia and Israel are already in it, so why not?

[-james-]

It's a Royal Caribbean sponsorship announcement.

[niko_cee]

Talking of ABBA, I ended up at the Voyage show in Stratford over Christmas and while on the one hand impressive, it was a glimpse into a dystopian future I'd really rather not be part of.

It is indeed the end of all things (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67871115).

Humanity would be better served were it used as a ruse to cull the attendees en masse [sorry Yev].

[Waffdon]

It's a Royal Caribbean sponsorship announcement.

Great gaff

[Yevrah]

It is indeed the end of all things (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67871115).

Humanity would be better served were it used as a ruse to cull the attendees en masse [sorry Yev].

I'd take one for the team. Apparently the ABBA thing has been going for 18 months and I see no valid reason why it will ever end. There are at least six songs in it that will keep it going forever. In a moment of clarity while watching it I completely understood what the actors are all so terrified of - you don't really need any new ones if you can have Marlon Brando at various stages of his life in every film ever made from here on in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

To think I spewed up laughing when Digital Jack Nicklaus (https://www.soulmachines.com/meet-digital-jack) launched. The joke's on me now. IP is eternal, or at least 95 years of it is.

[Shindig]

"Guys, let's all go out for some live music. Here's Elvis, ripped straight from his studio albums with absolutely no stage banter and no dance moves. It's like he never left!"

[Manc]

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/feb/15/israel-can-compete-at-2024-eurovision-song-contest-say-organisers

Can't see any issues arising from this. None at all.

[niko_cee]

At least we won't come last!

:joy:

Unless Germany are under strict orders to give them 12 points.

[Jimmy Floyd]

After the Iraq invasion we got nul points and Israel were second last I think. Let the people decide.

[niko_cee]

Of course, we're winning this year, so it's irrelevant.

I bet they let Palestine in and we come second again.

[-james-]

Iceland are (probably) sending a Palestinian bloke. It's in Icelandic and a bit shit though so probably not going to a Ukraine. Ukraine look like they might do another Ukraine.

[-james-]

I'm meant to be going this year but the missus is TEAM BOYCOTT and I'm not sure I can be a thirty year old bloke at Eurovision on my own.

[Manc]

Certainly not a straight one. Take Floyd.

[niko_cee]

I see Israel might withdraw if their I'm sure not at all political follow up to November Rain gets hooked by the organisers.

Probably best they do to avoid the nil points they're probably going to end up getting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I thought you meant withdraw from Gaza for a second. Now that would be soft diplomacy.

[Ben]

He had me going after the first few words there too. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The pull of Eurovision is incredibly strong so I wouldn't rule anything out.

[Giggles]

The fact the cunts haven’t already been banned says the most.

[niko_cee]

Our entry seems pretty bleh. Very generic sounding, but maybe that's a good thing with all the europeople. The opening sounds like it was lifted from Barbie Girl and there's a very familiar sounding dance hook or whatever you call it running through the whole thing, maybe a bit cafe del mar I think.

Preferred Vic Reeves and the Wonderstuff's version.

[Boydy]

Just heard a clip of it. Sounded a bit like Cher's Believe in the background to me.

[niko_cee]

Staging was probably good but our Ollie has a way to go before he can pull off that sort of attempted Mercury performance.

Quite how the bastard lovechild of Billy Idle and Adam Ant is going to win for Croatia is anyone's guess.

[Pen]

You boys probably have the gayest entry in Eurovision history. Really trying to milk that gay voting base.

I agree that Croatia was shit and also why has no one sent a hot woman in skimpy clothes as is the great Eurovision tradition. Our middle aged Gunter lite won't even stand out here.

[niko_cee]

Quite aggressively gay though, not sure that's what Eurovision Camp usually looks like.

[Giggles]

Has the thing we sent been on yet?

[Pen]

That was something else. Hope you do well with that.

Getting strong Lofty's (disappointing) son vibes from Germany.

[Adramelch]

You boys probably have the gayest entry in Eurovision history. Really trying to milk that gay voting base.

I agree that Croatia was shit and also why has no one sent a hot woman in skimpy clothes as is the great Eurovision tradition. Our middle aged Gunter lite won't even stand out here.

When was the last time a hot woman in skimpy clothes won? Paparizou probably two decades ago? I guess people have realized those just don't win anymore.

[niko_cee]

A lot of Dante's inferno style staging.

[niko_cee]

What the fuck is this? Outstanding.

[Pen]

When was the last time a hot woman in skimpy clothes won? Paparizou probably two decades ago? I guess people have realized those just don't win anymore.

It's not about winning, it's about doing the right thing.

[Adramelch]

Oh yeah, I'm not saying they shouldn't. But sadly it's just like football, it's become all about the #stats.

[niko_cee]

Strong US boyband vibes off the host's entry.

[niko_cee]

They've only gone and dusted off the didgeridoos.

[-james-]

When was the last time a hot woman in skimpy clothes won? Paparizou probably two decades ago? I guess people have realized those just don't win anymore.

Eleni Foureira in 2018 and Chanel in 2021 came very close (both featured in the opening performance tonight). There have been attempted copy cats of the former every year since, and I think the latter is pretty much perfection of the genre.

[-james-]

Croatia favouritism is justified and will be the weakest winner in ages. I think a mammoth Ukraine televote is all that can stop it.

[Pen]

I don't get why they're favourites as there was nothing special in it, nor was it a "good" pop song.

I want us and Ireland through.

[niko_cee]

Ireland were dreadful.

Although most of them were. Poland would have been better if their lady could sing maybe. Potentially catchy tune

[Pen]

At least it wasn't as boring as most of tonight.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, lots of options for the 5 to get rid of.

[niko_cee]

Get fucked Australia. Good on Luxembourg, had a flavour of Tarkan.

[Don]

The nipple slip on the Finnish entrant :drool:

[Shindig]

The nipple slip on the Finnish entrant :drool:


That's worth a ban. You actual worthless cunt. EDIT: For those who don't want to click the spoiler: Dead children.

[SvN]

Taz, you can't do that here. I have banned you for 7 days. Next time it will be permenant.

[Spikey M]

There's a fair chance that this forum was the only thing keeping him tethered to a world outside of the war in Palestine and I'm not sure him spending more time in whatever anti-western echo chamber he's been stewing in for the last year or so is good for anyone.

[Manc]

Am I missing something?

[Spikey M]

Am I missing something?

Under his post about a nip-slip, there was a spoiler. Within the spoiler was a picture of 2 dead children in a bomb crater.

[niko_cee]

I had no idea what that pic was when I clicked it and eventually just gave up looking at it. Phone browsing win.

[Giggles]

I had the PC version, I think one of the kids eyes had popped out. In fairness those images should be all over the mainstream news instead of pandering to those Israeli animals.

[Pepe]

I clicked the spoiler, saw some rubble, scrolled along. Shit move, obviously, but lol at banning people in this fucking cemetery. We've been over this before though.

[Spikey M]

There's been worse in the video thread tbf

[Baz]

I thought it was a family photo of his nephews or something.

Made a nice change from that photo of his dodgy plastering he likes to post at random.

[-james-]

Who was the last person to get banned?

[Giggles]

Harold a few months ago.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjewg9enx27o

Israel's Eurovision contestant says "nothing will deter" her after getting booed during a dress rehearsal on Wednesday.

Eden Golan was performing her song Hurricane ahead of Thursday's semi-final in Malmo, Sweden.

In a statement, she said she was "proud to represent my country".

There have been several campaigns to block Israel from taking part in this year's contest following the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

But the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which hosts the event, has ruled Israel is allowed to compete.

After Wednesday's dress rehearsal, several videos surfaced on social media from audience members who had recorded Golan being booed by some members of the crowd.

:harold:

[-james-]

1788681278142718097

Incredible. Israel landslide on Saturday if this is accurate.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I would have thought there will be a big backlash, apart from anything else the bullying of a 20 year old woman is quite unedifying. Screaming at her won't bring back the Palestinian dead nor indeed will it bring back Taz from his ban.

[-james-]

The EBU will be doing everything in their power to prevent an Israel win. They've given them a terrible early spot in the running order and bookended then with sacrificial lambs Ukraine and Netherlands (the former had a good chance of winning and will be fuming). The fact they've done this confirms they're QUAKING in their boots imo.

It's all quite puzzling, I had expected an inflated vote share for them but 40% is bonkers. Even Ukraine only got 20% in the equivalent semi when they won by 200 points in '22. The mere fact that someone at RAI has done this is also curious; semi results are under absolute lock and key until after the final and everyone knows this. Best explanation imo is it's a distress signal and call to arms from il Taz for the rest of Europe and juries to get behind Croatia.

[-james-]

Just from last night there are loads of videos going about of the Israeli act being booed in the arena, and then in the post-semi press conference of the other qualifiers making it very clear they dislike her, like she was some smelly council estate kid with nits at a posh school.

Here is last year's runner up grovelling to his fans after a video was posted of him dancing about with the Israeli act:

1788683183816413204

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yet another example of the disconnect between acceptable public opinion / social media presented discourse, and what the opas and nonnas of Europe in their camper vans actually think.

[-james-]

The fanbase is in complete meltdown/denial mode. I haven't decided whether the cries that there will be no contest ever again if Israel win are hyperbole or not.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What do you think would happen if Israel won? Would the result be suppressed/changed by the organisers? How transparent is the process? Would a riot start?

[-james-]

There is always full transparency in the voting, but there would be utter disbelief and huge calls of conspiracy. I can't imagine the sort of security they're having to arrange for the final (apparently there were snipers on roofs last night).

If they do win I suspect it'll either be their or half of Europe's last participation for a while.