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by - September 20, 2007 - 3:14 AM
I’m not sure how long this feature will run, but I’ve got at least a few good ones to unload. To kick it off, I simply must introduce you to the Eurovision Song Contest, clearly not as popular as the World Cup, but still a HUGE deal on the other side of the pond. In fact, i’s not only one of the longest-running TV shows in the world, Eurovision brings in more viewers annually than almost any other show on TV, outside of sporting events.
Around since the mid-50s, any country that’s an active member of the European Broadcasting Union is eligible to submit one song/artist to represent them in this, the mother of all song contests. Some countries opt to make a big deal out of their own finals (the Swedish national final is played out in stadiums all over the country), while others just nominate their favorite artist and send them off with a good-luck kiss.
The most famous winner to come out of Eurovision, hands-down (and also the one whose career was literally launched by the contest), was Sweden’s 1974 entry, ABBA, with the song “Waterloo.” But there have been other big names, as well. Céline Dion won for Switzerland in 1988 with the song “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi,” despite that she’d already hit it big years earlier, and Katrina and the Waves won for the U.K in 1997 with “Love Shine a Light,” a good decade after they released “Walking on Sunshine.”
Eurovision’s 1998 winner, Dana International, has an interesting story behind her. When Dana (real name: Sharon Cohen) was a kid growing up in Israel, she dreamt of entering the prestigious contest one day—of having her songs played outside of Israel (a country the size of Rhode Island). Interestingly, she was actually a he back then: Yaron Cohen. The transsexual pop star’s Eurovision entry, “Diva,” became a big hit all over Europe and was ultimately voted as 1 of 14 songs considered the best Eurovision songs of all time.
If you check out this clip of “Diva” you’ll get a good feeling for what the contest looks and smells like. Though votes are tallied over the phone and by SMS, Eurovision isn’t really just about national pride. What I mean by that is people really do take it seriously and vote for what they think is the best song, not just the song from their country. So what do you think folks, should America be allowed to participate?
Go ahead and vote America. Most of us here in England don’t bother. The contest is the largest bunch of cheese I’d ever seen. The only reason I watch it is because of the dry jokes Terry Wogan (famous DJ) makes. I find it hilarious that people take it seriously. As for another he/she check out this year’s winner.
posted by Ariane on 9-20-2007 at 3:44 am
You’re unable to vote for the song from your own country (except, I guess, by dialling another country’s voting number).
Very rarely, though, do people vote for what they think is the best song. Instead, all the Balkan countries vote for each other, Greece and Turkey both try to court Cypriot favour, and nobody votes for the UK when we’re too closely allied to the US.
A big part of the institution in the UK is the commentary provided by Official National Treaure, Terry Wogan, who never fails to poke fun at the aforementioned politik, not to mention the glorious awfulness of the contest itself.
I’ve maintained for years that, one day, the UK entry should be the big gay baldness that is Right Said Fred.
posted by Andrew Green on 9-20-2007 at 3:45 am
Andrew - If Right Said Fred were for the UK…oh imagine the hilarity, though not much better than the laundry commericals they’re doing now
posted by Ariane on 9-20-2007 at 3:56 am
Eurovision! As Andrew already mentioned, there are a lot of politics involved in the voting process (although sometimes I think it’s just the other countries’ excuse for not getting votes (instead of the fact that their entries suck). The contest has gone a bit downhill in the last few years with countries either sending “funny” or mainstream pop acts, and often the semi-finale is much more interesting than the actual big finale, considering a lot of the small/odd/interesting entries don’t make it.
(I would so vote for Right Said Fred)
posted by ennika on 9-20-2007 at 4:53 am
don’t forget, the irish dancing/singing show Riverdance came out of Eurovision…
Ireland was the host country one year, and the intermission entertainment was irish dancing, which was so popular it eventually brought about Riverdance the show..
posted by Leeenda on 9-20-2007 at 5:53 am
How can you mention Eurovision and not mention Lordi?
I would also vote for Right Said Fred. I had the cassette single of “I’m Too Sexy” and the B-side was that same song only IN SPANISH. It was truly, truly awful, and I don’t know what happened to the tape. I’m off to Google it and see if I can unearth an mp3 or two.
I don’t think the USA should be allowed to participate, but why oh WHY can’t BBC America show it?
posted by Rachel on 9-20-2007 at 5:56 am
In England, Eurovision is accepted as a kind of kitsch hangover from the 1970s, but apparently other European countries do take it very seriously indeed.
It’s an excuse for us Brits to feel a much-needed sense of superiority once a year, although when the results come in we realise just how hated we really are.
This year we got a resounding ‘Nul Points’ across the board. Hooray!
posted by Ross on 9-20-2007 at 7:02 am
ummm,i’m fairly certain that we have proven that, as a nation, we lack the ability to vote on people based on any actual talent beyond “popularity contest.”
posted by mri on 9-20-2007 at 7:48 am
EURO vision, says it all doesnt it. No US vision, but why not set it up?
There’s not a lot of people who actualy take it seriously, although Dutch media loves it.. as do students. Its a good reason to get plastered!
posted by illynoiz on 9-20-2007 at 10:18 am
Ratings for the voting procedures are said to be higher that for the part of the show with the songs.
posted by Ed on 9-20-2007 at 10:39 am
I’ve been a fan of Eurovision for a few years now - and I’m an old f*rt (50+ grouping but a mental_floss fan). I don’t think that the US should be allowed to enter. There are enough opportunities in the states for artists to enter the global market. Let’s not muddy it up for those who have less of a chance.
I could not believe last years winner, Lordi from Finland! IMHO, while he may be entertainingly theatrical, he sure didn’t win it on musical talent. Another political win.
Last year my favorite was the group from Germany, “Texas Lighting.” Not because of the name and myself being from Texas but because I was amazed that a country band from there could sound so American. I never figured that they had a chance of winning all of Europe but they did develop a large European fanbase because of all the exposure. I was impressed enough with them that I even got the Texas State Senate to proclaim each member as an Honorary Texan. And now I’m permanently entered on their backstage pass list. :)
posted by Steve S on 9-20-2007 at 11:44 am
I LOVE Eurovision. It’s kitschy and fun to watch. When Norway hosted it, Morten Harket from a-ha was the host. Hubba hubba!
And no, the US should not be allowed to participate. It’s Eurovision (which makes me wonder why Israel was allowed to participate, but that’s another story).
I’d also love to see BBC America broadcast Eurovision.
posted by Alison on 9-20-2007 at 3:42 pm
Israel is in because the requirements are being a member of the European Broadcast Union, and that includes Lebanon and (at least it used to) several North African countries.
posted by rich on 9-20-2007 at 5:17 pm
It’s not often I get to be smarter than mental floss…
The second to last paragraph says Israel is the size of Rhode Island. Actually it is 7x larger. I know this because I have ridden length of both Israel (about 7 hours on bus) and RI(about 45 minutes on bus), but for more precise measurements from wikipedia:
Israel: 8522 sq miles/22072 sq km (not including Palestinian Territories)
RI: 1214 sq miles/3144 sq km
It’s more like the size of NJ: 8721 sq miles/22588 sq km
posted by al on 9-23-2007 at 5:21 pm
Eurovision is regarded as one of the tackiest events of the year here in Spain. Having said that, on the day after mostly everyone seems to know who the winner is… While Spain won a few editions in the sixties, the rumour mill says that Spanish tv keeps sending under par performers because hosting the Eurovision gala is such a burden on the winner country’s television.
posted by Mar on 9-27-2007 at 3:32 am
A Serbian friend told me Eurovision is almost a matter of national pride!
posted by angeline on 11-11-2007 at 8:07 pm