Eurovision

Poe Poe Poe Poe!!!

I literally planned a trip around it! In Madrid now, just waking up from a post-lunch, pre-Eurovision siesta.

I’m 100% voting for Austria. And we’re going to hear Belgium in the clubs for years to come.

After hearing a cute NPR piece last week -- where NPR's Daniel Estrin interviewed Eurovision Australian contender Daniel Estrin, and then they patched in Hoobastank's Daniel Estrin -- I am voting for Australia !

Last year, since Italy's Maneskin had won the year before, Turin hosted the final -- which was in the Olympic Stadium, which is maybe 600 meters from my in-laws' apartment ! I wouldn't be surprised if my mother-in-law was able to hear it out the window !

Omigosh, I nearly forgot about this. Thanks for the reminder!

It's a very European thing, I'm not sure how many Americans are keen to watch. Just in case you are curious, you can stream the entire Eurovision finals for free via our national broadcaster's website in Spain TVE - https://www.rtve.es/play/videos/eurovision/

I try to watch every year, but do not hold hopes for Spain, unfortunately we do not have many friendly neighbors who will vote for us lol!

To give context of scale to our American friends, Eurovision brings in more viewers than the Super Bowl.

We are in London now, have watched a bit of it, plus some of the coverage talking about past years winners and popular/memorable acts in history.

I have not seen much activity or talk about it out and about though, other than a comment or two. Pubs are not bumping sports from the line up to show Eurovision. The BBC certainly has talked about it and lots of coverage, but just about any discussion or coverage is firmly "tongue in cheek". While popular, I think many keep it a guilty pleasure, to be viewed in the safety of your home.

I think many keep it a guilty pleasure, to be viewed in the safety of your home.

Perhaps in the Puritan England that is the case but I don't think in most of Europe it's seen as that. There are typically large viewing parties in the center of the main cities.

Voting just closed. Waiting for the results.

Sweden is sweeping, at least Spain is not totally at the bottom, sucks for Germany 😂

I’m watching it live on RAI Uno and it looks like the final voting is taking place. Should have a winner soon.

Eurovision has twice as many viewers as the Super Bowl. It is massive. Here it is mainly watched at home but there are lots of Eurovision parties that go on. It’s not seen as a serious artistic endeavour. It’s very much pure fun and entertainment.

Wow the televote is really making an impact for some! For Spain they really screwed us 😭

We have a winner. Not too impressed. How about you?

Well, I am a product of the 70's and 80's music so i dont get most music today.

You can hear all the winners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ-i8qCD5Ck

The winner seemed to be a clear favourite during the voting, and at one point it looked like she would be knocked out of first place. However the audience votes put her way over the top. She has made history in one way as she's only one of two people who have won Eurovision twice (I believe she won in 2012 also).

Given my age, I'm more of a fan of older music but some of the new stuff isn't too bad. Musicians these days have a lot more technical resources that weren't available back in the "good old days", so the concerts today are usually a lot of fun to watch.

That version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" actually made me weep -- especially when they cut to Kiev -- and I ain't a big weeper.

-- Mike Beebe

https://twitter.com/i/status/1657507401761734657
Yes it was tough. This is all I could find on-line.

Wow, that is an emotional song! Here's a video of the whole song....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIVgOypab1s

Yes, that was very emotional.
Finland was my favorite of the few I watched. It can be mesmerizing.

We have a winner. Not too impressed. How about you?

Not my cup of tea, but I'm not a big Eurovision fan. Congratulations to Loreen though for becoming first woman to win twice, and for making sure Sweden now ties Ireland's record of seven total wins.