Be advised that Eurovision.tv really messed up their internet stream last year – totally unwatchable, because they got cute and tried to send a separate backstage stream simultaneously. Also be advised that if you plan to attempt to watch it live (3 PM Eastern, Noon Pacific), you will need to install a free plugin on your computer beforehand. Don’t wait until the last minute. The site will have the show available to stream for at least a month afterwards, but by then the winner is spoiled, isn’t it.

If you are into the bittorrent thing (tsk tsk), this site: http://thebox.bz can hook you up with a copy of the BBC broadcast a few hours after it airs, and a high-def copy a day or two later. Warning – the BBC’s commenter is SNARKY. They also have past contests available, as well as the semi-finals (they happen this Tuesday and Thursday) and that Father Ted episode – which is NOT better than Eurovision, but is definitely funny. I don’t know if thebox is accepting new members at the moment, but it’s worth a check.

Other acts that have participated in the contest besides ABBA: Olivia Newton-John, Celine Dion, Cliff Richard, Nana Mouskouri, Julio Iglesias, Silver Convention, Brotherhood of Man, and Mocedades. American hits that came from the contest include Volare, Waterloo, Love Is Blue (L’amour est Bleu), Save Your Kisses for Me, Eres Tu, Ciao Ciao Bambina, and Ooh Ahh Just a Little Bit. The contest also presented the world debut of Riverdance, which was created as a 7-minute “interval act” to fill the time while the votes were counted.

Musically the contest has improved tremendously in the last few years, but the costumes are still just as bonkers. Unfortunately most of the REAL crazy gets weeded out in the semifinals, now that most of the countries have to go through them to get to the final.

Anyway, thanks for the article, Happy Eurovision Week, and ESC IN THE USA!! (PS – Go, Norway!!)

I have mixed feelings about the language thing. Part of me loves the mangled English, and part of me really enjoys inventing translations. Like, for this year’s Macedonia entry, in my mind the lyrics of the song are “I’m going to do the girls in all these rooms! / Aaaaalll these rooms! / And these girls in these rooms, and these boys in these rooms too! / I’m going to do them all! Hooray!”

Yeah, poor Britain. Y’all don’t get the diaspora vote that the others do.

What I’m curious about is, do other people take it seriously? I know the Brits don’t, but do the, I don’t know, do the Ukrainians? And the Russians? Or does everyone think it’s silly?

Amen! 😀 Thanks for supporting my Eurovision views.

I knew that about ABBA, actually, though of course didn’t learn it nearly as soon as I wish I had. I just think of all the lost years watching Eurovision on Youtube… Sigh.

I’m still puzzle as to why Britain never get any votes from other European countries since we are the most tolerant and most kind to European diaspora who keep coming into our shores…. (with millions handing out as benefits to those who came in and declared incapacity or claiming child benefits, with more and more social housing in short supply etc. etc.)

Anyway, ABBA is a product of the Eurovision. After they win the competition they went on and became a legend in the music industry. I’m watching it this year and see what Belarus come up with this time!

Thanks for the post. 🙂

I KNEW YOU WOULD LOVE IT.

I’ve never seen Father Ted at all! I’m sure it’s better than Eurovision, but I’m not so sure that it’ll give me as much unalloyed happiness. Eurovision is just so cracked-out crazy.

Oh, but, isn’t the commentary in not English? I can’t understand any other languages well enough for the commentary — I might just about get the gist of the French, but not enough to enjoy it properly.

Hahaha, yeah, but I don’t have any culpability in Eurovision, so I can enjoy it without feeling responsible.