I am informed by the younger members of my family that it is possible for something to be so naff that it becomes cool. The dreaded Eurovision song contest comes into that category.
I am also told that putting seat covers in one's old banger is naff but using fake leopard skin ones is so naff that it's cool.

Celine Dion represented Switzerland ????
And Quebec allowed her to do this ? Wow.

OK, now I know what naff is, but who or what is an old banger?

I shall resist the urge to say 'Celine Dion' - but an old banger is a car. An old one that can just about get from A to B but may or may not pass its next safety inspection, but since it has probably been bought from one's first savings will probably feature in fond memories for years to come. For those who watch 'Keeping Up Appearances', Onslow and Daisy's car is an old banger. The one in their front garden (that the dog lives in) was one once.

The Eurovision was much more fun when contestants had to sing in their own language. There were some truly dreadful performances then. And it's true; after having ignored the show for many years, my kids, age 10 to 12, are now demanding to see it.
It's no contest really, since Belgium will win this year.

Just to add something to the response given to nikki. The contestants aren't well-known singers, but usually beginners (though now that the various winners of TV shows begin representing their countries, it's not really true anymore).


I don't know how they're selected by their countries. The french representant used to be chosen in a contest, with people calling to vote. It might still be the case, since people watching the equivalent of "American Idol" might well be actually interested in voting for the contestant for the Eurovision song contest too, and it could explain why he was chosen.


Also the "Eurovision" is actually an association of european TV broadcasters. Though now the only "eurovisioned" thing I'm aware of is this song contest, it seems to me that when I was a child, there were other "Eurovision" events. The Te Deum has been forever the opening music.

I watched the end of the contest last year or two years ago, can't remember, and I too regret that people don't anymore sing in their country's language. It was much more diverse and fun that way. One doesn't hear every other day a pop song in Hungarian or Turkish. Though some still sing in their language. But it apparently became a losing choice.

The Te Deum (thank you Keren, I stand corrected) was used as the intro, in our younger days, when any programme was relayed from another European country - even stuff that's now routine, like football matches, as well as those satellite extravaganzas, like the one where the Beatles first sang "All you Need is Love".

The nearest Song Contest equivalent was the outdoor game show called 'It's A Knockout' in English, and variants on its original French title (Intervilles) in many other countries. Eddy Waring, the English commentator, is probably the only person ever to have out-Woganned Wogan for kitschness.

Who can forget the matches between Poggibonsi, Umea and Alloa? Or the one-off Royal Edition in the UK, which probably did more to undermine the monarchy than anything since 1650?

I watched every year when I was living over there including the time ABBA won - I even think I voted for them but can't remember for sure.

Don't tell me Terry Wogan is still going strong?????

Terry's still going strong. You probably wouldn't have voted for ABBA -before a few years ago there weren't votes but juries of people from each country, hence the political voting with neighbouring countries giving each other 12 irrespective of the song

Funny I just had to explain to an Italian what the Eurovision is...Italy has never (?) taken part in the contest since they have the Sanremo Festival and feel that it's a lot better than the Eurovision contest. And sadly, that might just be true.

Also Germany always gives 10-12 points to Turkey and vice versa.

The only reason anyone in the UK watches this program is to hear Terry Wogan taking the proverbial Mickey out of everyone especially the presenters.
What was the one a few years ago?... Dr Death and the Tooth Fairy, the most entertaining few hours ever. Almost as funny as the political voting and the lack of feedback sound for the UK singers last year. Actually its a shame we are so facetious about it really, the rest of Europe take it soooo seriously.
Great show and I will look forward to it.
Muck

benatbath: You've jogged my memory. Now I remember when I did vote - it was on a visit several years ago when I was renting a cottage in Kent. Got my eras mixed up -- senior moment?

I watched it last year on the internet, since they don't broadcast it in the States. Don't remember the website for it though -- anyone know what it is for this year? It starts about noon, West Coast time, if I remember. It is one of the greatest comedy shows I've ever seen.

I cannot wait to see this..mostly because I long to watch something on television that you Must have a few drinks first

I learned that Israel is a part of Europe last year after seeing its entry in Eurovision.

My friends in Europe get the shakes when I mention Eurovision to them. And not the good ones.

Emily - I think you're mistaken. Italy have taken part, but I think their last entry was in 1997. They won the Eurovision in 1990.

And I'm sure it was their idea in the first place, precisely because of San Remo: the TV companies were desperate for something other than sport or pomp-and-circumstance to justify investing in what was then the miracle of international live broadcasting.

But the politics of the Italian media may have worked against participation in recent years (he said tactfully), or it may be that the rude comments about the last time they hosted might have had something to do with it.

Love the old banger remarks...Celine Dione represented Switzerland I believe under the premise that one of her parents may have Swiss citizenship???? It's something strange like that.

And yes the mad slavic one with cartoons was Dr Death and the tooth fairy etc. The announcers looked like an enhanced lap dancer (her) and a fuzzy handsome Antoine de Caunnes type character famous for very little. His french was pretty bad too.

Cant wait! I hope its truly awful.

P.S. we as Cailin mentioned do a pop idol type of selection for the Irish one the past two years. There were some good people that never made the final cut...shame

and some awful ones that did make the cut!! (what was it with the guy that came 2nd....he creeped me out!!)

Those who can tune in to BBC Radio's World Service might be interested to note that they are broadcasting a programme about the background to the Eurovision Song Contest tomorrow (Monday) at 9.30 a.m. British time.

You should be aware, however, that the programme will be presented by the sickly sweet Lorraine Kelly - the combination of cheese & sugar may be too much for all but the strongest stomach to bear.

Jim