Comments on: Things considered a big deal in Europe but not in the States – Part 1: Eurovision!

By: angeline

angeline — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:07:30 +0000

A Serbian friend told me Eurovision is almost a matter of national pride!

By: Mar

Mar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:32:17 +0000

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.

By: al

al — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:21:37 +0000

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

By: rich

rich — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:17:23 +0000

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.

By: Alison

Alison — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:42:43 +0000

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.

By: Steve S

Steve S — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:44:28 +0000

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. :)

By: Ed

Ed — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:39:56 +0000

Ratings for the voting procedures are said to be higher that for the part of the show with the songs.

By: illynoiz

illynoiz — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:18:50 +0000

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!

By: mri

mri — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:48:22 +0000

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.”

By: Ross

Ross — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:02:48 +0000

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!