Euro passion
Now that we’ve all gotten to know each other a little better over these last few blogs, there’s something you need to know; a tragic secret I’ve been concealing all my life. I am a Eurovision superfan!
I used to dream about running out on stage in a spangly disco dress, flag flying and yelling ‘hello Helsinki!’ (or wherever in Eastern Europe it happens to be), before shaking it like a polaroid picture and hoisting that trophy high. Unfortunately I am a bit tone deaf with two left feet, so nowadays I am merely an avid spectator and willing Eurovision pundit.
In the UK, many people have lost that loving feeling when it comes to Eurovision because of our poor performance over the last few years. Even when we’ve had half decent entrants (ok, none of them have been great but have you seen some of the other freaks there?), no one votes for us because they all hate us. Sigh.
‘It’s all political’ is the usual cry. ‘People only vote for their neighbours’! is another annual gem. We’ve heard it before (probably because it’s true). They tried to get around it in the last few years by introducing a semi-final round, but the four biggest financial contributors to Eurovision (UK, France, Germany and Spain) all get through automatically, which clearly creates bad feeling among those who have to sing for their supper.
This year the spangly Gods of Eurovision have decided to shake up the rules. Each country’s vote will be decided by a combination of 50% televoting results and 50% from the votes of national juries. To determine who went into the semi final, countries were separated into six pots to separate those who usually vote for each other. It all sounds extremely complex but we’ve been assured that this will be the fairest Eurovision of them all. Hmm..we’ll see!
Unfortunately, the whole sorry affair last year (poor old Andy the X Factor bin man was left on the scrap heap, despite some far worse candidates making hay with votes from their mates) had Sir Tezza de Wogan wringing his drunken hands in despair. Our humble host decided to call time on his legendary commentary, announcing his retirement once and for all. He will be sorely missed by Eurofans but I’m hopng Graham Norton will be able to add some much needed cheer to the proceedings.
This year’s contest will be taking place in three stages on 12, 14 and 16 May in Moscow, and I just can’t wait! In my next post, I’ll be bringing you a summary of the fitties, freaks and fabulous frocks lining up to entertain us this year. Stay tuned!
This week Gina has been mostly…worrying about the economy. The Chancellor basically admitted this week that the country’s gone down the crapper. Screw you guys, I’m heading back to Seychelles when la revolution comes!