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if sweden win Eurovision...
56 replies
onlywhenidream said on May 24, 2008 16:53:
..can we start a petition to get Marie and Per to host the show next year? LOL ;o)
tevensso (moderator) said on May 24, 2008 19:14:
We won’t and they won’t. :) An Eastern country will win again, as always. And I hope by god that Per never sets his foot in the ESC.
whateveriam said on May 24, 2008 19:41:
He’s attempted to write for it though, hasn’t he? Even though he’s claimed in the past to hate it?
Roxerally said on May 24, 2008 21:06:
Per wouldn’t be so crazy as to do stuff for ESC!
The winner tonight should go to the UK – but it won’t despite the fact it was one of the best and I don’t often say that about the UK.
I liked Germany until they sang very out of tune!
Bosnia was good cheesy but fun to watch and far too weird!
Norway was good, Finland to much trying to be like Lordi without the costumes!
Israel was good but the guy singing looked like Amir Khan, I had to look twice!
tevensso (moderator) said on May 24, 2008 21:30:
Per wrote a song for 1979 (?) but it finished last, Gyllene Tider also refused to perform it so LLB did. He then wrote the lyrics for the 1985 contest, Kärleken är evig. I think it came second. The last entry I know of was written for 2000 or so, but was disqualified due to the fact that it leaked to the press that Per had written the song. I think the song was Högt i det blå, to be performed by Sven-Ingvars.
If there are any more, I don’t know.
Roxerally said on May 24, 2008 21:33:
... okay I take that back Per is a tad crazy!
I see the voting is as fun as it ever is!
tevensso (moderator) said on May 24, 2008 22:10:
HA HA HA! Sweden sucked, as always! :D And all Swedish media already announced her as the winner...
Roxerally said on May 24, 2008 22:18:
Charlotte was okay back in 1999 but not this time around, the UK press had her pinnned as a winner as well!
Wonder what odds I’ll get at the bookies on our famous Terry Wogan quitting hosting the Eurovision after yet another complete and utter farce!
Still rather Russia over Greece!
rox-kuryliw said on May 25, 2008 02:28:
sweden should of won, This contest is now a HUGE mess, and if there not in the Eu the should not take part ie russia Armenia ( where did that country come from ?! ) call me a racist but there are not EU , I think france german and uk should have option to pull out from now on. And take there funding with them with pleasure.
Roxerally said on May 25, 2008 06:49:
If the UK don’t pull out of funding such a farce year after year we are bloody stupid, why should massive donations from rich countries keep being given to such poor countries to support such crap year in year out.
Terry is talking about quitting hope to god he does, you can tell last night he didn’t enjoy that show as much as he normally does, the producer of the UK show has already said he has quit after last night, let’s hope Terry follows suit.
I may be in the UK but without a doubt our entry was good and I don’t say that often at all, it certainly didn’t deserve the points in got.
Roxerally said on May 25, 2008 06:52:
The most stupid thing is (and I liked the Russian entry, not though I want to hear it again!)
.... RUSSIA is not even in Europe!
onlywhenidream said on May 25, 2008 07:55:
I really liked Iceland’s offering. But I agree, this year was a mess. It is a bit of a joke...
Kerstin said on May 25, 2008 09:47:
Just some explanations...
Being or not being a member in the EU has nothing to do with taking part at the ESC. The relevant thing is being a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). So from a theoretical point of view even Egypt, Tunesia or Algeria are allowed to take part cos they ARE members of the EBU.
http://www.ebu.ch/en/ebu_members/actives/index.php
rox-kuryliw said on May 25, 2008 09:49:
Funny thing is i have never heard of some of the country’s takig part lol. well we should now call it ’European Broadcasting Union eurovision’ Lets get it correct lol
CRIZ said on May 25, 2008 09:59:
Fact seems to be that the votes go to the countries and not to the songs. That makes the show so useless. The whole show was a big mess. The hosts from the greenroom were childish, lots of songs were absolutely childish, ...I just zapped into the songs for some seconds and than returned to the movie I was watching on another channel. I think I liked the song from Greece. And yes our Angels were out of tune...but also the other first 3 songs....brrr....a mess for my ears. Charlotte from Sweden looked like an alien.......sorry to say..what did she do with her face?
Kerstin said on May 25, 2008 10:33:
rox-kuryliw, there’s no need to rename that contest cos the name is pretty clear: It’s called Eurovision Song Contest and the Eurovision Network is part of the EBU ;-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Network
whateveriam said on May 25, 2008 12:17:
We should still pay, because the EBU funds things other than just the ESC. I agree, something should be done about the bloc-voting, but nothing can be done sadly. Unless they can come up with a plan ensuring the best song wins, then I doubt the competition will last much longer.
Back to jury voting perhaps?
Roxerally said on May 25, 2008 13:01:
The question remains though how would the likes of these countries who screw the voting cope without the contributions they get from the likes of the UK, Germany, France and the other countries who make such a large donation each year. Without there money they’d be hosting the contest on a local beach in the middle of nowhere one can guess!
whateveriam said on May 25, 2008 13:26:
If we can afford to host it in somewhere small like the Brighton Dome, they can afford to host it on a beach ;-). Would teach them a lesson I suppose.
PiterPam said on May 25, 2008 23:41:
I must say almost every song from the West was crap! Only Norway, Iceland and Greece were ok. Especially Norway was a really nice.
I don´t like the Russian song very much, but Ukraine or Armenia were good too. So this time, it was a very normal voting. The western countries complain the Bloc-voting in the East, but aren´t better. Best example is Norway, Iceland, Denmark; or Portugal, Spain. And there are lots of cultures with different musictaste. All these cultures votes the winner, not only 2-3 western countrys.
If you have a really good song you can win as a western country, like Lordi or Olsen brothers, too. But with this crappy songs it is no wonder that the west sucks. All in all 90% of the songs were really bad.
BTW: I am from Germany, and my country´s performance and song was a disaster too.
tevensso (moderator) said on May 26, 2008 03:54:
What do you all expect? It’s the ESC, it’s supposed to be crap! Somehow the ESC brings out the bad taste everywhere. But as a Norwegian wrote the other day - “leave it, on Sunday it’s forgotten!” :D
onlywhenidream said on May 26, 2008 09:21:
LOL I agree Thomas... no one will really care until this time next year. I used to get really hung-up on the voting that takes place...but now I just watch it for the ’music’, and the performances. When the voting begins, I generally switch off.
Honestly, the Icelandic song was great - and if anyone didn’t see it, go to www.eurovision.tv and watch the video on there, or search for Euroband on YouTube. The video is worth a watch just to see the guy dancing at the beginning.
If anyone wanted to get in to the voting issue, my suggestion would be that the final votes are made up 50% from the public votes of each voting country and the other 50% by an independent panel made up of countries from outside the EU (or EBU if you like) to provide their ’expert’ opinion. I.e Australia, Canada, Mexico, India etc. That may make it more fair. Otherwise, just watch and smile!!!!!
:o)
rox-kuryliw said on May 26, 2008 10:18:
Id love to know which countries people are from that think Russia is Part of europe LOL so the EU broadcasts there, they will never be part of europe. Its growing each year soon chine and india will be taking part ! its bloody stupid.
nusaderenda said on May 26, 2008 13:27:
It was my hope already in 99 that Sweden would win so we could have Per and Marie as hosts...pity, SVT, you will probably never get the chance again!
(and Iceland should have won that year anyway!)
lol@ “ARE you ever been in school?”
7-Twenty-7 said on May 26, 2008 13:31:
“If you have a really good song you can win as a western country, like Lordi or Olsen brothers, too”.
When the Olsen Brothers won in 2000, only 3 ex-USSR were taking part in the contest: Russia, Estonia and Latvia (plus Lithuania, that didn’t take part that year due to the bad scoring they were awarded in 1999). But now it’s a totally different scenario. Having so many ex-USSR countries that award 10 or 12 to Russia (no matter if the song is good or bad), there’s no chance for a Western country (like The Netherlands, Belgium or Portugal) to win, that’s all.
Let me tell you that, since 2000, a former soviet republic has joined the contest every year. It was evident that the day all the ex-USSR would take part in the contest, Russia would win:
2000: Latvia
2003: Ukraine
2004: Belarus
2005: Moldova
2006: Armenia
2007: Georgia
2008. Azerbaijan
And, of course, ESC is not supposed to be rubbish. That’s the usual comment you’d hear from the bloody ignorants that don’t know a damn about it. If you don’t care about the current (and unfair) voting system, it’s a chance to discover many good songs and artists. San Marino only got 5 points, but the group that represented the tiny country, a young rock-pop band, is simply amazing.
Roxerally said on May 26, 2008 14:29:
It’s without doubt the voting that is the problem, the show it’s self is a laugh just to see some of the crap perform there and it’s even more hilarious when they are awarded heaps of points for being crap! What the hell was that Bosnia song about? It was ridiculously funny but didn’t deserve the points it got, not when you compare it to the likes of some of the Western countries who scored hardly anything.
Personally I think the four big West European nations - Britain, France, Germany and Spain who fund the Eurovision should refuse to do it anymore, make it more equal and say each country that wants to take part should pay an equal amount of money to warrant entry into the show, that’s half the Eastern European countries out right away because they couldn’t afford to join. Why should what I pay in licence fees to the BBC go towards a competition which has a very unfair voting system. I’d rather see the money we donate go towards some British enthusiasts who want to make films or something to screen on TV over here, I am sure the kind of money we donate could be much better spent!
PiterPam said on May 26, 2008 14:43:
@7twenty7
I know the San Marino song too, it was ok better than other songs in this event, but not a hit. And I watch this competition every year. There is an Eastern connection, yes. But they spend lots of points to western countrys too. It´s just the same case: You don´t like the folklore-sound from the east, they don´t like the modern sound from the west. And yes there is a little political voting, but as i wrote it before, you have these brotherships in the west too.
And many western countries gave 12pts to russia, why? Not because of the 5% immigrants, that could not be the reason.
I watch this event only for fun and from a very neutral view. And this time it was almost fair. The better songs won.
Here my list about the songs from the west:
UK (song was not that bad but you forgot it in about 1min)
GER (1000x heard and bad performance)
SWE (a singing alien?)
FIN (just a copy of Lordi)
ESP (an original performance, but just a funny song, nothing more)
FRA (Jesus....Jesus?!?!)
DEN (was quite nice, but not good enough)
POR (stupid, boring song)
ICE (very good performance and good refrain. But the song sounded like from the late ´90)
NOR (very nice song, good performance. But maybe to slow to be a winner)
GRE (good song, very pop. But for me, it reminds me a little bit of Britney Spears)
Maybe i have forgot some songs, just because i can´t remember them.
whateveriam said on May 26, 2008 15:30:
Enough of all the misguided ’We should stop funding ESC’ bullshit, the lot of you! I’ve had enough of everyone assuming something that isn’t true! First of all, I’d like to point this out - the money we donate to the EBU is well spent. What is it with this country and narrowmindedness whenever we lose something?
Let’s see, the money we donate. It funds ESC, yes I’ll let you have that one, it is also responsible for the relaying of sports events like the Olympics across the world, the Vienna New Years Day Concert, the Pope’s blessing at Easter, the Palio di Siena. On top of this, it promotes television networks to work together to produce documentaries and childrens cartoons - Alison, remember Animals of Farthing Wood? That was the the first animated co-production done by the EBU. And all that for a few million a year? Bargain I say.
Ha, and if we were ever to stop donating money to the EBU, you can bet your life the money saved wouldn’t ever reach any ’British enthusiasts who want to make films’, it would probably fund a defence case against a phone-in lawsuit or go into some execs pockets. To suggest we could spend it better...well, that’s one of the silliest things I’ve ever heard! Absolute power corrupts absolutely
So, enough of the assumptions. We have a choice. Just because we pay doesn’t mean we have to compete, we just do so, I don’t know why, we like punishing ourselves? And if we ever withdrew the money, it would have a detrimental effect on other things. Anyway, isn’t the money the EBU donates to the host country a partial grant, partial loan scenario, does anyone know? If so, then it gets paid back, no harm done.
Roxerally said on May 26, 2008 20:39:
Animals of Farthing Wood? Nope I don’t remember it but I was never really into cartoons!
whateveriam said on May 26, 2008 21:25:
@Emil_BG - Exactly. The Big 4 shouldn’t expect everyone to asskiss because they pay a bit of money in!
@Ally - Where were you in 1993? LMAO...I suppose you were a tad too old for it, but it was the first example I could lay my hands on!
first girl on t... said on May 27, 2008 07:17:
Russia deserved its victory. Their song was one of the best. I’m happy for Russia. Another my favourites would be Ukraine, Armenia, Israel (it deserved more points) and Spain (I laughed, very funny). So my opinion somehow coincided with the voting results.
Oh and geographically Russia is a part of Europe. To those who don’t think so I’d highly recommend to take a few geography lessons, you will learn a lot
2 PiterPam: I love your post
Roxerally said on May 27, 2008 07:31:
1993 - god I feel old, I was 16 and taking those all important exams!
whateveriam said on May 27, 2008 07:40:
Russia is only partially geographically part of Europe, around 25% (the bit the left hand side of the Urals), same way only 3% of Turkey is Europe (If I remember correctly, doesn’t it stop at Istanbul or Ankara?)
whateveriam said on May 27, 2008 09:43:
It costs the BBC, out of the millions it donates to the EBU, £173,000 to pay for ESC. That’s quite a bargain actually!
onlywhenidream said on May 27, 2008 14:58:
I know it has lots direction somewhat, but still an interesting debate.
I still think that Iceland was robbed! LOL
first girl on t... said on May 27, 2008 18:18:
whateveriam you are right, and notice that european part of Russia is a really huge territory. Btw if you are interested I live in the West Kazakhstan in Uralsk, this town is considered to be border between Europe and Asia. The town itself is in Europe, suburb is in Asia. At the place where the town ends there is a big boundary post with Europe and Asia written on it, so I can literaly say that I can be in Europe and Asia at the same time!
PS: sorry for off topic
Emil__BG said on May 27, 2008 19:12:
It’s not oftopic first girl!
Some people needs geographic lessons .
7-Twenty-7 said on May 27, 2008 22:02:
@ PiterPam:
If you think the Portuguese was ’stupid, boring song’, we are in trouble. It was one of the best songs, and the live performance was flawless. It got to the #2 spot in 2nd semifinal by a landslide (which is not very common to the Portuguese standards).
In addition:
“The Press Award, which is given to the most popular song among the accredited members of the press each year was awarded to the Portuguese entry Senhora do mar. The song was one of the favourites of the fans and press members throughout both Eurovision weeks.”
To your knowledge, no Western country gave 12 points (nor 10 or 8) to Russia. They got 12 from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia and Israel. And 10 from Finland, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Hungary. The highest score they got from the Western countries was 7 (from Germany, Czech Republic and Slovenia). It’s quite clear, isn’t it? Check your facts next time.
first girl on t... said on May 28, 2008 14:20:
Since when Finland is an eastern country, and since when Czech Republic is a western??? Check the map of Europe next time.
And let’s make it clear. There are blocs inside former USSR too, and even blocs of ex-USSR republics with other countries. Of course there are many Russians living there but still. Russia has a similar cultural background and close connections with only 2 - Ukraine and Belarus. The other blocs are:
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania – Baltic states, more connected with each other
Moldova – more connected with Romania than with Russia
Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan - the Caucasus countries, Azerbaijan is also more connected with Turkey as it’s a moslim country and have much in common
And some CIS countries gave more points to Russia because Dima Bilan is very popular there, in fact he is really huge. I’m not his fan but I must say he is a great perfomer. Many western popular artists would be happy to sell as much records as Dima does.
Kiwein1 said on May 28, 2008 14:34:
I am really shocked that many ppl here don’t seem to have any clue about Europe and its countries. Now this is bad news really.
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www.marie-fredriksson.com
www.planet-roxette.com
whateveriam said on May 28, 2008 17:03:
Yep, something should be done...you should be the Geography Crusader, and I could be the English Crusader, correcting spelling and grammar for the masses LMAO
pwbbounce (moderator) said on May 29, 2008 08:29:
@Whateveriam - If you correct any of my grammer I’ll be peed off!!! he he
whateveriam said on May 29, 2008 15:26:
Can I correct your spelling though? ;-) If so *points to a word*
Come on, poor standards of grammar and spelling just looks sloppy. But, anyway, back to Eurovision before someone punches me.
Russia won, but I preferred a good few other songs (not ours, sadly it was so bland you forget about it after one listen!)
davidc4 said on June 3, 2008 16:03:
surely it would make more sense to just give each song a number and let people vote for their favourite without putting the country name of the song or singer on the screen.....that would probably make it a bit harder for “block” voting.
7-Twenty-7 said on June 3, 2008 17:19:
first girl on something:
Czech Republic had more ties to Germany and the Old Austro-Hungarian Empire than to Russia or the Eastern Europe. Czechs are Catholic (a majority), while most of Eastern Europe is Orthodox. It makes it Western Europe.
I don’t have to check a map, but you certainly need some History lessons.
In addition, it’s a song contest not a popularity contest. The fact Dima Bilan is popular or not shouldn’t matter. Let’s say it this way: everytime the Russians send an extremely popular artist to Eurovision, there’s no need to vote. Just give Russia the prize, because the other countries won’t have a say at all.
Spain, France or Germany, even if sending a very popular artist, don’t have the same chances, because they don’t have so many loyal friends to vote for them. Plus, Russia will never be in the top bottom, even with the crappiest song ever, as their neighbours will always save them. They have the 12 from Belarus guaranteed (it has been the same since Belarus joined the contest, in 2004).
first girl on t... said on June 4, 2008 06:46:
Dear 7-Twenty-7:
U.N.O. defines Czech Republic as an Eastern European country, but think as you like if it makes you feel better. Anyway I’m not gonna argue with you about evident things.
In addition do you really think that all CIS countries are loyal friends of Russia? The fact you are saying so means that you know nothing about former ex-USSR republics and their relations with Russia. Some of the countries are even somewhat hostile to Russia now. I could tell you a lot, but I doubt others would be so interested
And about popularity, yes Dima Bilan is very popular and you know what, his song is a huge hit now, so it’s not so crappy after all, at least for those who voted for it.
7-Twenty-7 said on June 4, 2008 14:18:
U.N.O. can’t say whatever they want, but based in historical events Czech Republic is Western Europe. U.N.O. clasification is for stadistic use only, and not based in History. That says it all.
The fact some ex-USSR countries are hostile to Russia is yesterday news. And don’t call me an ignorant, because I know more than you suppose. The ex-USSR countries are plenty of Russians and people with Russian roots (lets mention 25% of the total population in Estonia, and 27% of Latvia). It’s not the Latvians, Estonians or Ukranians voting for Russia, but the Russians that are living there. That’s quite evident. So, the fact these countries are hostile to Russia doesn’t count at all.
Dima Bilan could be as much popular as you pretend, but if his victory was fueled by the Russians living in the former USSR countries (those who voted for it, as you said).
nixas said on June 6, 2008 05:55:
@7-Twenty-7: Dima Bilan was the second in Eurovision 2006 and I think that Europeans have known him since that time and some of them have liked him. But the thing is that in Eurovision 2008 there were only two single male singers - from Britain and from Russia - they were prominent thus. Dima’s victory could be explained also by the fact that there in his performance Evgeni Pluschenko, a Russian Olympic champion in figure skating took part - he has a lot of fans around Europe. And not only ex-Soviet countries could support Russians but also European women from any country.
Russian people were amazed by his victory and I believe that our Dima was the best!
I wish Roxette took part in Eurovision 2008!!!!!
first girl on t... said on June 7, 2008 18:20:
There are many Russians living in CIS (and btw I said that before) as well as many other CIS nationalities. I’m for example 1/4 Kazakh, 1/4 Russian, 1/4 Ukranian and 1/4 Belorussian or my sister in law she is 1/2 Russian and 1/2 Moldovan. So not only Russians live in CIS. And what did you expect? People voted according to their tastes. Basically West supports West, East supports East. It’s always been like that and if you are surprised by this than I don’t know where is the world coming to. And don’t say that only Russians voted for Russia. Saying so is as bad as saying that Sweden gave 12 points to Bosnia and Herzegovina because there are a lot of Bosnians living there. But if you prefer to think that Russia will be a Eurovision winner forever that’s your right of course
And I was not lying when I said that Dima Bilan is very popular, he has many fans all over former USSR, and when you are a fan, you vote for the artist no matter what country he represents. For example most people here would definitely vote for Sweden if Per&Marie took part even if they only sang kalinka-malinka in russian!
CRIZ said on May 24, 2008 17:49:
Haha..cool idea but do you think they would like to host a show presenting mostly really weak songs.....;o)