[Music] Eurovision Song Contest 2024 ***Official Thread & Sweepstake**

[JOLovegrove]

Anyone else still humming Croatia's entry days after...?

 

[Pavilionaire]

It's not a family show - especially in its modern format. It's wonderfully popular, positive and fun, but it's aimed almost completely at adults. Kids have Junior Eurovision. It starts at 8 in the UK because it's a 4 hour show in which the majority of the audience start at 9pm.

The watershed is 9pm so anything starting at 8pm is liable to be watched by kids, especially on a Saturday night when many are allowed to stay up. I've spoken to people who watched it with their kids and were cringing with some of the inappropriate content.

The fact you are describing it as an adult show in itself is sad and shows just how far away from the original concept Eurovision has come. Like me, many kids in the land will have watched Brotherhood Of Man and Bucks Fizz storm to glory for the UK in the 70s / 80s when it most definitely was a family show. Indeed, the ripping off of the girls skirts was considered to be pushing the boundaries back then.

The show went too far this year. It is being used as a platform for various agendas at the expense of fun. I still don't fully understand why the Eurovision Top Boy got booed during the show, or why The Dutch got booted out.

 

[sydney]

i've waited a while ....it was absolute shyte and by and large cringeworthy. WTF is the western world morphing into ffs.(rhetorical ...don't bother)

 

[Beanstalk]

The watershed is 9pm so anything starting at 8pm is liable to be watched by kids, especially on a Saturday night when many are allowed to stay up. I've spoken to people who watched it with their kids and were cringing with some of the inappropriate content.

The fact you are describing it as an adult show in itself is sad and shows just how far away from the original concept Eurovision has come. Like me, many kids in the land will have watched Brotherhood Of Man and Bucks Fizz storm to glory for the UK in the 70s / 80s when it most definitely was a family show. Indeed, the ripping off of the girls skirts was considered to be pushing the boundaries back then.

The show went too far this year. It is being used as a platform for various agendas at the expense of fun. I still don't fully understand why the Eurovision Top Boy got booed during the show, or why The Dutch got booted out.

Without being facetious, Bucks Fizz won 43 years ago, and Brotherhood of Man 48 years ago. Things change. The world has thankfully moved on from kitsch crap like Save Your Kisses for Me and its objectively creepy lyrics.

Eurovision is almost always the most watched non-sporting event in the world every year, and it is a slick, camp, multimillion pound production that reflects its popularity. I was lucky enough to experience it in the flesh for work last year and it was fantastic. Big, bold, brash and fun. More importantly, it was very noticeably not marketed towards children, in any shape or form - almost a complete focus on the audience being adult. Anyway you'll be pleased to know that Olly Alexander's performance was broadcast at 21:08 so comfortably outside of the watershed. The watershed exists for a reason, and if parents decided that they would let their children watch something not aimed at them and were uncomfortable with that, then that's on them.

I'm not sure what agendas you think were being platformed but I had a lot of fun watching this year's contest (though the ABBA-tars thing was objectively crap). The EBU top boy got booed because he made the decision to kick the Netherlands out. Allegedly, the production team broke an agreement with the Netherlands camp to not film them in the green room, they did so, this caused a bit of a ruckus and things got out of hand. The Netherlands thought they'd come to an agreement to remain in the contest as was scheduled until the top boy rowed in and put his foot down - they were pulled from rehearsal as they were about to enter the stage. Thus the booing. It's worth remembering that Eurovision's die-hard following really care about it - they invest in it in a way I didn't understand until seeing it in person and when casual viewers are faced with trying to understand the in-jokes and attitudes towards certain parts of the show, it goes completely over their heads (myself included).

 

[sydney]

Without being facetious, Bucks Fizz won 43 years ago, and Brotherhood of Man 48 years ago. Things change. The world has thankfully moved on from kitsch crap like Save Your Kisses for Me and its objectively creepy lyrics.

Eurovision is almost always the most watched non-sporting event in the world every year, and it is a slick, camp, multimillion pound production that reflects its popularity. I was lucky enough to experience it in the flesh for work last year and it was fantastic. Big, bold, brash and fun. More importantly, it was very noticeably not marketed towards children, in any shape or form - almost a complete focus on the audience being adult. Anyway you'll be pleased to know that Olly Alexander's performance was broadcast at 21:08 so comfortably outside of the watershed. The watershed exists for a reason, and if parents decided that they would let their children watch something not aimed at them and were uncomfortable with that, then that's on them.

I'm not sure what agendas you think were being platformed but I had a lot of fun watching this year's contest (though the ABBA-tars thing was objectively crap). The EBU top boy got booed because he made the decision to kick the Netherlands out. Allegedly, the production team broke an agreement with the Netherlands camp to not film them in the green room, they did so, this caused a bit of a ruckus and things got out of hand. The Netherlands thought they'd come to an agreement to remain in the contest as was scheduled until the top boy rowed in and put his foot down - they were pulled from rehearsal as they were about to enter the stage. Thus the booing. It's worth remembering that Eurovision's die-hard following really care about it - they invest in it in a way I didn't understand until seeing it in person and when casual viewers are faced with trying to understand the in-jokes and attitudes towards certain parts of the show, it goes completely over their heads (myself included).

come on mate ....it was worse than an Anne Summer's catalogue ....when did Eurovision become a vehicle for cross dressers...??

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

come on mate ....it was worse than an Anne Summer's catalogue ....when did Eurovision become a vehicle for cross dressers...??

About 40 years ago.

Get with it, daddy-o

 

[sydney]

About 40 years ago.

Get with it, daddy-o

really H ....i'd rather fuckin' not ......ffs.
no wonder people don't pay their tv licence ffs.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Without being facetious, Bucks Fizz won 43 years ago, and Brotherhood of Man 48 years ago. Things change. The world has thankfully moved on from kitsch crap like Save Your Kisses for Me and its objectively creepy lyrics.

Eurovision is almost always the most watched non-sporting event in the world every year, and it is a slick, camp, multimillion pound production that reflects its popularity. I was lucky enough to experience it in the flesh for work last year and it was fantastic. Big, bold, brash and fun. More importantly, it was very noticeably not marketed towards children, in any shape or form - almost a complete focus on the audience being adult. Anyway you'll be pleased to know that Olly Alexander's performance was broadcast at 21:08 so comfortably outside of the watershed. The watershed exists for a reason, and if parents decided that they would let their children watch something not aimed at them and were uncomfortable with that, then that's on them.

I'm not sure what agendas you think were being platformed but I had a lot of fun watching this year's contest (though the ABBA-tars thing was objectively crap). The EBU top boy got booed because he made the decision to kick the Netherlands out. Allegedly, the production team broke an agreement with the Netherlands camp to not film them in the green room, they did so, this caused a bit of a ruckus and things got out of hand. The Netherlands thought they'd come to an agreement to remain in the contest as was scheduled until the top boy rowed in and put his foot down - they were pulled from rehearsal as they were about to enter the stage. Thus the booing. It's worth remembering that Eurovision's die-hard following really care about it - they invest in it in a way I didn't understand until seeing it in person and when casual viewers are faced with trying to understand the in-jokes and attitudes towards certain parts of the show, it goes completely over their heads (myself included).

Spot on.

Christ, by 9.08 you could be watching full frontal fanny on BBC2, 50 years ago!

Amazing how some people sudden turn into Mary Whitehouse when something other than a hairy-chested bloke in tight trousers and medallion, thrusting his groyne at a 16 year old female in very short skirt, is providing the pop-tastic entertainment.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

really H ....i'd rather fuckin' not ......ffs.
no wonder people don't pay their tv licence ffs.

But....we do pay our TV licenses

 

[Beanstalk]

come on mate ....it was worse than an Anne Summer's catalogue ....when did Eurovision become a vehicle for cross dressers...??

Odd response. If you're just realising that Eurovision is a bit of a representation of camp LGBTQ+ culture (and pretty much always has been) then I'm glad to break it to you! It has always been a big camp party!

Eurovision is great - if it ain't for you, that's okay. No need to rain on someone else's parade because it's not your thing. Just 160m odd audience who seem to tune in every year watching.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Without being facetious, Bucks Fizz won 43 years ago, and Brotherhood of Man 48 years ago. Things change. The world has thankfully moved on from kitsch crap like Save Your Kisses for Me and its objectively creepy lyrics.

Eurovision is almost always the most watched non-sporting event in the world every year, and it is a slick, camp, multimillion pound production that reflects its popularity. I was lucky enough to experience it in the flesh for work last year and it was fantastic. Big, bold, brash and fun. More importantly, it was very noticeably not marketed towards children, in any shape or form - almost a complete focus on the audience being adult. Anyway you'll be pleased to know that Olly Alexander's performance was broadcast at 21:08 so comfortably outside of the watershed. The watershed exists for a reason, and if parents decided that they would let their children watch something not aimed at them and were uncomfortable with that, then that's on them.

I'm not sure what agendas you think were being platformed but I had a lot of fun watching this year's contest (though the ABBA-tars thing was objectively crap). The EBU top boy got booed because he made the decision to kick the Netherlands out. Allegedly, the production team broke an agreement with the Netherlands camp to not film them in the green room, they did so, this caused a bit of a ruckus and things got out of hand. The Netherlands thought they'd come to an agreement to remain in the contest as was scheduled until the top boy rowed in and put his foot down - they were pulled from rehearsal as they were about to enter the stage. Thus the booing. It's worth remembering that Eurovision's die-hard following really care about it - they invest in it in a way I didn't understand until seeing it in person and when casual viewers are faced with trying to understand the in-jokes and attitudes towards certain parts of the show, it goes completely over their heads (myself included).

The BBC should be eternally grateful to the discretion of the Swedish organisers. We had already been randomly drawn to appear in the first half of the show, so in a position 1-13. With songs 1-10 being sung before the watershed it was lucky that Olly's soft core pornfest went out a mere 10 minutes (comfortably??) after the watershed.

I love Graham Norton, but it is clear he wanted to keep the whole thing light so didn't properly explain what had happened about Israel's participation, the Dutch entry and the back stage fracas. This created a mess - Israel got a ton of votes from the public and yet unless you'd done your own research you wouldn't have known why. The Israel song was OK but nothing special.

I don't think the UK have come up with such a catchy, memorable song or performance since 'Making Your Mind Up'. And that's the point - in deeming the likes of Bucks Fizz to be "kitsch crap" we have rejected and lost sight of the very essence of what makes a fun, memorable, winning Eurovision Song.

I agree with you that Eurovision is big, bold and brash but, sadly, it is no longer fun, and I speak as someone who watches the show every year. Apart from anything else, 4 hours is simply too long, and being held "in suspense" 20-odd times to wait for the news Switzerland had won 12 points from a jury was downright tedious.

 

[Beanstalk]

The BBC should be eternally grateful to the discretion of the Swedish organisers. We had already been randomly drawn to appear in the first half of the show, so in a position 1-13. With songs 1-10 being sung before the watershed it was lucky that Olly's soft core pornfest went out a mere 10 minutes (comfortably??) after the watershed.

I love Graham Norton, but it is clear he wanted to keep the whole thing light so didn't properly explain what had happened about Israel's participation, the Dutch entry and the back stage fracas. This created a mess - Israel got a ton of votes from the public and yet unless you'd done your own research you wouldn't have known why. The Israel song was OK but nothing special.

I don't think the UK have come up with such a catchy, memorable song or performance since 'Making Your Mind Up'. And that's the point - in deeming the likes of Bucks Fizz to be "kitsch crap" we have rejected and lost sight of the very essence of what makes a fun, memorable, winning Eurovision Song.

I agree with you that Eurovision is big, bold and brash but, sadly, it is no longer fun, and I speak as someone who watches the show every year. Apart from anything else, 4 hours is simply too long, and being held "in suspense" 20-odd times to wait for the news Switzerland had won 12 points from a jury was downright tedious.

Well we can disagree, and in no way a judgemental way, we come from very different eras, so I think that probably has a huge bearing on what our opinions are. I do think that Bucks Fizz were probably seen as kitsch in 1981 to be fair. The iconic Eurovision winning song in my life (I was born long after 1974) is Euphoria by Loreen! The contest moved away from things like Bucks Fizz and Johnny Logan because (European) pop music did. It reflects that.

I can actually give some insight as to why Graham Norton was light touch about political and controversial issues during commentary. The EBU paint themselves, and the ESC, as completely apolitical and something that operates outside of political views and standpoints. This is, of course, a myth in reality (no such thing as purely apolitical) but the rule for basically anyone involved with the contest is that they have to abide by an apolitical stance. The EBU are incredibly hard on this and it is becoming more and more complicated. It hamstrings broadcasters from making any comment that the EBU would not make thus Norton's inability to talk clearly about it. It's a big big issue for Eurovision but not really the BBC or Graham Norton's fault.

 

[sydney]

Spot on.

Christ, by 9.08 you could be watching full frontal fanny on BBC2, 50 years ago!

Amazing how some people sudden turn into Mary Whitehouse when something other than a hairy-chested bloke in tight trousers and medallion, thrusting his groyne at a 16 year old female in very short skirt, is providing the pop-tastic entertainment.

sorry h , please post a link to this

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

A Hero's welcome for Marko in Zagreb yersterday

 

[sydney]

Odd response. If you're just realising that Eurovision is a bit of a representation of camp LGBTQ+ culture (and pretty much always has been) then I'm glad to break it to you! It has always been a big camp party!

Eurovision is great - if it ain't for you, that's okay. No need to rain on someone else's parade because it's not your thing. Just 160m odd audience who seem to tune in every year watching.

what...?? no it hasn't , how old are you ffs ...?

But....we do pay our TV licenses

mugs

 

[Beanstalk]

what...?? no it hasn't , how old are you ffs ...?

Glad I could open your eyes @sydney. Lean into it! You might have some fun!

 

[Eeyore]

I didn't get what the Finnish 'performance' was all about. Some folk just like to push the boundaries for the sake of it. Makes a mockery really.

As for ours, I didn't rate it much. Homoerotic is the same as heteroerotic in the modern era so I don't know why it would be an issue. The problem really was that I didn't think it was very good.

 

[Bodian]

A Hero's welcome for Marko in Zagreb yersterday

Good for them. Bit like an open-top bus parade when you've lost the FA Cup Final (or come second after being well ahead in the Championship with three games to play).

 

[Pavilionaire]

Well we can disagree, and in no way a judgemental way, we come from very different eras, so I think that probably has a huge bearing on what our opinions are. I do think that Bucks Fizz were probably seen as kitsch in 1981 to be fair. The iconic Eurovision winning song in my life (I was born long after 1974) is Euphoria by Loreen! The contest moved away from things like Bucks Fizz and Johnny Logan because (European) pop music did. It reflects that.

I can actually give some insight as to why Graham Norton was light touch about political and controversial issues during commentary. The EBU paint themselves, and the ESC, as completely apolitical and something that operates outside of political views and standpoints. This is, of course, a myth in reality (no such thing as purely apolitical) but the rule for basically anyone involved with the contest is that they have to abide by an apolitical stance. The EBU are incredibly hard on this and it is becoming more and more complicated. It hamstrings broadcasters from making any comment that the EBU would not make thus Norton's inability to talk clearly about it. It's a big big issue for Eurovision but not really the BBC or Graham Norton's fault

Some interesting insight in this post. I'm not blaming Graham Norton but it was confusing for viewers and even the late great Terry Wogan would have had his work cut out to tread the fine line.

As for Buck's Fizz being seen as kitsch in 1981 - not really, they were pretty mainstream and took over the space Abba had vacated, with three or four years of big success, 3 No. 1s and 7 Top Ten hits, but are dated by today's standards. If you want 1981 kitsch crap I suggest "There's No One Quite Like Grandma", "Shaddup Your Face" or "Japanese Boy". Arguably, 1981 was the most eclectic year for music ever.

 

[BrianB]

Still a few copies left , probably not selling well in the rest of Europe .

Olly Alexander - Dizzy 7" Single - Polydor Store UK

7” Vinyl for the UK Eurovision Entry ‘Dizzy’ by Olly Alexander featuring Dizzy and Dizzy (Extended)

store.polydor.co.uk