Eurovision 2004
May 4th, 2004, 04:21 PM
#1
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Eurovision 2004
It's about that time of year again. Is anyone going to Istanbul to see it? No? Then will you be attending a Eurovision party? It's not telecast here in the States so we have to have a little webcast party. Try as I may to get BBC America to carry it, they won't. Cretins.
Anybody got a favorite contender, good insider dirt, conjecture, hearsay, heresy, blasphemous rumors, etc about this year's contest?
Anybody got a favorite contender, good insider dirt, conjecture, hearsay, heresy, blasphemous rumors, etc about this year's contest?
May 4th, 2004, 10:31 PM
#2
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Terry Wogan (who's having a secret affair with Katie Boyle) will get a lifetime achievement award this year.
BTW, did you know that that "Dah dah didi dah da daaaah da" tune that Eurovision has always used at the beginning are the opening bars of the Te Deum, as arranged by Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687)?
Cultured lot over here, aren't we?
BTW, did you know that that "Dah dah didi dah da daaaah da" tune that Eurovision has always used at the beginning are the opening bars of the Te Deum, as arranged by Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687)?
Cultured lot over here, aren't we?
May 4th, 2004, 11:53 PM
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Well, the music was actually written by Marc Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704), Lully's contemporary and rival, the piece is indeed the overture to his Te Deum. Charpentier's music is well worth listening to, to my mind, I especially like his small-scale sacred pieces.
This seems like a good Website to learn more about him, if someone's interested.
http://www.charpentier.culture.fr/fr/index2.htm
This seems like a good Website to learn more about him, if someone's interested.
http://www.charpentier.culture.fr/fr/index2.htm
May 5th, 2004, 12:03 AM
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Is it true that the last place finisher from 2003 can't compete in this year's contest? That is, does "nul points" UK have to sit this one out?
I never thought the Eurovision contest was such a big deal until I happened to be in Malta when Malta won. People were SOO excited!
It's fun to watch, but I'm glad they don't do something similar in the U.S....sitting through FIFTY bad songs would be murder!
Anyway, the winning song from last year (where were the winners from? Turkey?) sounded pretty much like a rip off/rehash of that Holly Valance (sp?) song, Kiss.
I never thought the Eurovision contest was such a big deal until I happened to be in Malta when Malta won. People were SOO excited!
It's fun to watch, but I'm glad they don't do something similar in the U.S....sitting through FIFTY bad songs would be murder!
Anyway, the winning song from last year (where were the winners from? Turkey?) sounded pretty much like a rip off/rehash of that Holly Valance (sp?) song, Kiss.
May 5th, 2004, 12:13 AM
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For all of us on the other side of the Earth, what is the date and time for Eurovision Song Contest live in Turkey. I think we get a delayed telecast and I want to make sure this year that I dont find out the results before the telecast. I think the voting process with its biases and examples of regional nepotism, is as entertaining as the contest.
May 5th, 2004, 12:22 AM
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just got this from the eurovision website:
The Final shall take place on Saturday, 15 May 2004 from 21.00 CET to approximately 24.00 CET.
EBU Members from a total of 24 countries shall compete in the Final. There shall be 14 guaranteed places in the Final, i.e. for the Host Broadcaster, EBU Members from France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany, and EBU Members from the nine highest-scoring countries from the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest (not including any of the foregoing Members). Should any Member from the abovementioned nine decide not to participate in the 2004 Contest Final, its place shall be offered to the Member in the next ranked country.
All other Participating Broadcasters, up to a maximum of 26 countries, on a first come first served basis, shall participate in the Semi Final for a place in the Final. The ten countries with the highest scores in the Semi Final shall participate in the Final. The semi-final is on the 12th May.
The Final shall take place on Saturday, 15 May 2004 from 21.00 CET to approximately 24.00 CET.
EBU Members from a total of 24 countries shall compete in the Final. There shall be 14 guaranteed places in the Final, i.e. for the Host Broadcaster, EBU Members from France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany, and EBU Members from the nine highest-scoring countries from the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest (not including any of the foregoing Members). Should any Member from the abovementioned nine decide not to participate in the 2004 Contest Final, its place shall be offered to the Member in the next ranked country.
All other Participating Broadcasters, up to a maximum of 26 countries, on a first come first served basis, shall participate in the Semi Final for a place in the Final. The ten countries with the highest scores in the Semi Final shall participate in the Final. The semi-final is on the 12th May.
May 5th, 2004, 12:31 AM
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Well the gurning chappy representing France this year, Jonathan Cerrada, is the winner of France's answer to Pop Idol, "A la recherche de la Nouvelle Star". And he's actually Belgian.
Meanwhile, Britain's entrant James Fox (no, sadly, the UK isn't disqualified this year) is a reject from reality TV show Fame Academy, and bears a rather startling resemblance to Darren Day but with a slightly odder-shaped head.
Meanwhile, Britain's entrant James Fox (no, sadly, the UK isn't disqualified this year) is a reject from reality TV show Fame Academy, and bears a rather startling resemblance to Darren Day but with a slightly odder-shaped head.
May 5th, 2004, 12:35 AM
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Such is the power of the internet, it is possible to preview the songs as the contestants would like you to hear them (rather than under live performance conditions - at this point, Britons may blush a little after last year) on various websites.
http://www.keithm.utvinternet.ie/2004finals.htm
I believe there's a strong swell in favour of the Belgian entry, but one never knows whether the viewers are going to prefer the lowest common denominator bubblegum pop, a soulful torch song or something completely off the wall. The Turkish victory was hardly a surprise - after too many songs with not much individuality, a performer who leant back and wiggled her whatnots as she hit the high note - how could she lose?
http://www.keithm.utvinternet.ie/2004finals.htm
I believe there's a strong swell in favour of the Belgian entry, but one never knows whether the viewers are going to prefer the lowest common denominator bubblegum pop, a soulful torch song or something completely off the wall. The Turkish victory was hardly a surprise - after too many songs with not much individuality, a performer who leant back and wiggled her whatnots as she hit the high note - how could she lose?
May 5th, 2004, 01:09 AM
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Katie Boyle is a friend of mine, I find the remarks about any romantic ties with Mr Wogan distasteful and insensitive at best and offensive at worst, especially in light of the recent death of her husband.
As for her links with Eurovision, they are long gone, she prefers to spend time walking her dogs and other more worthwhile engagements.
As for her links with Eurovision, they are long gone, she prefers to spend time walking her dogs and other more worthwhile engagements.
May 5th, 2004, 02:35 AM
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We actually watched it sober for the first time last year...brutal! I plan on a glass or two this year as while it is still is awful it must be seen to be believed!
Terry Wogan is the best to watch commentating. I saw it 2 or 3 years ago and some Eastern European country was hosting and it was bizzare. The intervals has film shorts based on fairytales (some cartoon). I did not know if ot was trying to be artistic or just pure crap. Terry Wogan has a field day with this. Very funny.
Terry Wogan is the best to watch commentating. I saw it 2 or 3 years ago and some Eastern European country was hosting and it was bizzare. The intervals has film shorts based on fairytales (some cartoon). I did not know if ot was trying to be artistic or just pure crap. Terry Wogan has a field day with this. Very funny.
May 5th, 2004, 03:51 AM
#15
OK, I'll bite. I'm a poor uncultured American slob who doesn't have a clue what you're talking about. Although I am picking up an idea from this conversation that it's a cross between karaoke and the Olympics, with a nod to the seventeenth century. What is Eurovision?
May 5th, 2004, 05:35 AM
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Nikki,
It's even worse than that and you sound far too cultured to want to know. It's the worst song contest you have ever seen in your life with a heavy slavic twist from our Eastern European friends.
Actually it's a naff song contest that each country would feature a song and all the countries populations would vote for the best via phone. You cannot vote for your own country. Ireland won a few times and Celine Dion either won or just represented Switzerland before she took off in the states. I am so embarrased to even admit I know this.
Rumour is also that after Ireland won a few times in a row etc that we purposely put in bad entries because we can't afford to host the event again. Riverdance premiered at one Irish Eurovoision and came into the limelight from it.
My favourite winner is Dana International a Israeli Transexual. It's does not get any worse than this show
.
It's even worse than that and you sound far too cultured to want to know. It's the worst song contest you have ever seen in your life with a heavy slavic twist from our Eastern European friends.
Actually it's a naff song contest that each country would feature a song and all the countries populations would vote for the best via phone. You cannot vote for your own country. Ireland won a few times and Celine Dion either won or just represented Switzerland before she took off in the states. I am so embarrased to even admit I know this.
Rumour is also that after Ireland won a few times in a row etc that we purposely put in bad entries because we can't afford to host the event again. Riverdance premiered at one Irish Eurovoision and came into the limelight from it.
My favourite winner is Dana International a Israeli Transexual. It's does not get any worse than this show
.
May 5th, 2004, 06:22 AM
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Eurovision trivia, I'll start...
Abba found fame after winning the Eurovision song contest with "Waterloo".
Elton John once represented the UK (with Kikidee) with the song "Don't go breaking my heart". He came 2nd.
The voting section is the best bit. Politics abound. Greece always gives Cyprus maximum points and visa versa. I think from memory Germany and Austria have a similar arrangement.
The best fun to be had watching Eurovision is to hold a party, preferably fancy dress (each person or group representing a country). Friends have been known to wear nothing but cardboard boxes in attempts to replicate Swedish saunas.
Abba found fame after winning the Eurovision song contest with "Waterloo".
Elton John once represented the UK (with Kikidee) with the song "Don't go breaking my heart". He came 2nd.
The voting section is the best bit. Politics abound. Greece always gives Cyprus maximum points and visa versa. I think from memory Germany and Austria have a similar arrangement.
The best fun to be had watching Eurovision is to hold a party, preferably fancy dress (each person or group representing a country). Friends have been known to wear nothing but cardboard boxes in attempts to replicate Swedish saunas.
May 5th, 2004, 07:00 AM
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I am no longer in touch with the latest American slang I have been away so long. It's now replaced with Irish and English slang. Naff is ....Cheesy, not cool, outdated. Any equivalent in the U.S.?
