The EuroWhat? Podcast: Recent Episodes
The EuroWhat? Podcast
The Eurowhat? Podcast launched in 2018 and features two Americans (Ben Smith and Mike McComb) attempting to make sense of the Eurovision Song Contest. The show tracks national selections and artist announcements, breaks down each year’s songs with a diverse array of guests, and dives into the 65+ years of contest history during the contest off-season, using Eurovision as a lens to analyze what’s happening in pop culture and the world.
We get caught up on September 2023 Eurovision Headlines, of which there are a surprising amount. We already have an artist, details on multiple selection processes, and more than 2 dozen countries ready to party in Malmö, Sweden. Efficiency Summary Belgium selects Mustii (1:02) Christer Bjorkman and Per Blankens join the production team (3:07) The EBU debates AI (6:53) Show Business: Patreon and the Great American Pop Culture Quiz (9:16) National Selections: United Kingdom, Switzerland, Malta, Cyprus, Ukraine, Germany (10:21) 2023 Streaming Stats (18:12) Cosa sta facendo Maneskin: VMA Bingo Edition (20:26) Photo by Mattias Diesel on Unsplash Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or reach out on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Our next episode will be about Noes on Camp.
From "Waterloo" to "Tattoo", Sweden has been a dominant force in the Eurovision Song Contest for more than 50 years, winning the competition seven times. We dive into the ESC history of next year's host country. Welcome to Sweden Summary Sweden: A Land of Contrasts (2:23) Sweden's Overall Record at Eurovision (4:19) The "Waterloo" Era (8:13) The "Digaloo" Era (13:36) The Carola Era (16:33) The Charlotte Era (22:54) The "Euphoria" Era (34:31) The "Heroes" Era (38:55) Cover image by Robert England from Pixabay Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or reach out on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics.
We say farewell to our host nations by discussing one area where Ukraine and the United Kingdom overlap: iconic runner-up entries. But what does "iconic" mean for Eurovision entries? Using data from the annual ESC Top 250 countdown, we construct a rubric to identify songs from across the decades that could be part of a Eurovision Hall of Fame. In this episode, we highlight the entries that finished in second place and have a perfect ESC Top 250 record. Iconic Summary Saying farewell to the United Kingdom and Ukraine (1:15) What is an "iconic" Eurovision performance? (6:48) 8 Iconic Eurovision Entries (11:09) Building a Eurovision Hall of Fame (30:23) Image by Maike und Björn Bröskamp from Pixabay Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or reach out on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Our most recent episode was about ABBA Gold in the 33 1/3 music criticism series.
With one month to go until Eurovision New Year and next year's host city and dates announced, it's been a fairly quiet month for the Contest. We check in with some of the national selection processes that are already casting for the upcoming season. Drought Summary Malmö, Sweden will host Eurovision 2024 (1:03) Norway Suggests Jury Changes (6:09) Patreon, Social Media, Guest Spots (8:48) Luxembourg is ready to play (12:37) Eurovision 2023 Impact Report (16:07) Sam Ryder Emmy Nomination (17:45) Cover Photo by Luismi Sánchez on Unsplash Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or reach out on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Our next episode will be about Abba Gold in the 33 1/3 music criticism series (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/abbas-abba-gold-9780826415462/).
Finland went all out in supporting their Eurovision entry "Cha Cha Cha" in ways that continue to reverberate weeks after the contest. We spoke with University of Helsinki researcher Zoë Jay and UMK associate producer/"Cha Cha Cha" dancer Matti Myllyaho about Finland's Eurovision 2023 experience. Zoë Jay Dr Zoë Jay is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki and the Centre of Excellence in Law, Identity and the European Narratives. She has a background in international relations and political science. Her research focuses on European politics, human rights, and the politics of international law, especially compliance with the European Court of Human Rights. Matti Myllyaho Matti Myllyaho is an associate show producer for Finland's national selection Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) and performed as a backing dancer in Finland's 2023 Eurovision entry "Cha Cha Cha". Sisu Summary tumblr and Eurovision Fandom Zoë Jay and Finland's Publc Response to Eurovision 2023 (4:47) Matti Myllyaho on Delegating "Cha Cha Cha" Dancing (25:42) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or reach out on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Our next episode will be about Abba Gold in the 33 1/3 music criticism series (https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/abbas-abba-gold-9780826415462/). Special Guests: Matti Myllyaho and Zoë Jay.
2020 was a dark time for live music. It also marked the first time in the Eurovision Song Contest’s 65-year history where the competition was canceled. Rather than letting the lights go down in Rotterdam, Eurovision’s fan community and the European Broadcasting Union found new ways to celebrate the contest’s artists with at-home concerts, fan-driven countdowns, AI analysis of song content, and internet watchalongs of remastered editions of previous contests. When the contest returned in 2021, “Open Up”—the slogan carried over from the 2020 contest—took on new meaning. Participating nations took extra precautions to put on their selection processes safely while Eurovision made sure it could be “back for good.” Fans had more say in who would be representing their nation, the Rotterdam Ahoy crew tested the feasibility of large-scale music events, and improvements in streaming platforms over the last decade meant that even more eyes were on the contest. What wide-ranging effects could this have as Eurovision breaks out of its European bubble and starts bleeding into other areas of pop culture, including the Billboard Hot 100 and the 2023 Grammy Awards? PopCon 2023 Summary What is Eurovision? (8:43) A Big Tent (12:07) An Interlude About Digital Streaming Technology (13:10) It is a Normal Year at Eurovision and Everything is Fine and We're Definitely NOT About to be Rocked By a Global Pandemic That Will Shut Everything Down Nine Months from Now (16:44)
EurovisionAgain (28:57)
Back for Good (35:02) Eurovision Song Contest: The Legend of Fire Saga (40:28) Televising Covid (42:08) New Engagement Opportunities (50:41) The Covid Bubble (53:30) The Grand Final (1:02:46) Eurovision Around the World (1:08:53) Thank you again to everyone listening, guests who have appeared on the show, guests who don't yet know they're going to be on the show (get hype!), and the Eurovision community at-large. This podcast is a labor of love and we're super proud to have made it to 200! Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com), reach out on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat), or give us a toot on Mastodon (https://douzepoints.social/invite/ZTd9ufAC). Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Sweden's host city selection process for Eurovision 2024 has been bopping along while everyone is out of office for summer vacation. We get caught up with our mailbag and some of the headlines from the last month. News Cruise Summary Mailbag: Jemini v Gemini Edition (1:10) Sweden Closes Bids for Eurovision Host City (2:43) Eurowhat AV Club (7:48) 2024 National Finals Taking Shape (9:06) Theodor Andrei Talks About Representing Romania (14:46) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or reach out on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the Eurowhat AV Club and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
The United Kingdom has had a very rough couple of decades at the Eurovision Song Contest. Now that they're back in the driver's seat, we try to figure out what went wrong. Stiff Upper Lip Summary Eurovision Voting Overhaul (0:55) National Finals: Australia Decides, Malta ESC, Ukraine's VidBir, Estonia's Eesti Laul, Albania's FiK (6:51) Cosa Sta Facendo Maneskin: Grammy Nominations Edition (8:59) The United Kingom at Eurovision Part 2 (11:51) Nul Points (18:21) 2010s Go Internal (35:07) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com), reach out on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat), or give us a toot on Mastodon (https://douzepoints.social/invite/ZTd9ufAC). Over on Patreon, we have a slew of bonus episodes featuring the American Song Contest, the Eurovision AV Club, and deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics. Thank you for your support!
Eurovision Selection Season draws nigh with more than half of the countries competing in 2023 airing some form of music competition. This is our guide to having the best Super Saturday experience. Selection Season Summary The Netherlands announce Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper (1:10) No American Song Contest on NBC's mid-season schedule (2:41) Selection Processes: Belgium, Romania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Germany, Portugal (4:55) Fan votes: Aussievision's Top 100 NFC and the ESC Top 250 (11:02) Що робить Kalush Orchestra? MTV EMA edition (16:55) How to get the most out of Eurovision Selection Season (19:16) Cover photo by Nabil Saleh on Unsplash Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions.
After we check in with the budding infrastructure for Eurovision 2023, we take a look at some of the non-winning entries over the years that still have an impact. Legacy Summary Eurovision announces the 37 countries going to Liverpool (0:43) Cyprus selects Andrew Lambrou (2:38) National final details: Spain, Norway, San Marino, Finland, Albania, Ukraine (4:03) Що робить Kalush Orchestra? (What is Kalush Orchestra doing?) (8:16) "SNAP" Chat: James Corden Edition (9:53) Eurovision Legacy Hits (11:53) Nightcore: the Party Cinderellas are Here (24:00) Cover art by ryo taka from Pixabay Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions.
Ben takes us through the history of the synth-filled vibes of the music genre known as Italo Disco. Mike's pop music diet growing up may have more in common with the style than he realized. Become a Patron! Patrons get access to bonus episodes like these every month. Italo Disco Summary Liverpool will host Eurovision 2023 (1:04) Just ASCing Questions: Italo Disco (4:15) 🕺What is Italo Disco? (7:23) 🪩 What makes a song "Italo Disco"? (9:49) 🎤 How has Italo Disco morphed since its heyday? (24:34) 🤔 What happened after Eurodance left the charts? (34:20) 🤖 What do modern Italo Disco influenced songs sound like? (39:40) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
It'll be either Liverpool or Glasgow that gets the opportunity to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine. We take a look at both cities as we wait for the announcement. Livergow Summary Snap Chat: American Top 40 Edition (1:46) Patreon: Xanadu (4:14) Liverpool vs. Glasgow (5:14) Cover art photo credits: Artur Kraft on Unsplash and Neil Martin on Unsplash Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions.
The United Kingdom will be extending its record of hosting the most editions of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023. We take a look back at several other records held by our host country in this episode. Welcome to the United Kingdom Summary Eurovision in the Wild: Live on NBC Edition (1:23) Intro to the United Kingdom at Eurovision (4:28) Silver 60s (6:55) Solid 70s (13:30) Ehhhhh 80s (19:24) Nostalgia for the 90s (24:25) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions.
Happy Eurovision New Year! As preparations for 2023 begin, we explore defending champion Ukraine's Eurovision journey over the last 20 years. Welcome to Ukraine Summary Host City When? 2023 Rules Edition (2:23) Sara James advances to America's Got Talent Finals (5:30) Cosa Sta Facendo Måneskin? MTV VMAs Edition (7:21) "SNAP" Chat: Hot 100 Edition (11:10) Welcome to Ukraine (12:33) Act I: Ukraine Enters the Eurovision Chat (14:39) Act II: Maximizing the Maximalism (21:05) Act III: Crimea (31:46) Favorites and Hopes for 2023 (40:38) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions.
"Nel blu, dipinto di blu" (also known as "Volare") is not only one of the most well-known Eurovision songs, it's one of the most successful Italian songs ever. We dig into the song's backstory and it's continued impact on popular culture. Volare Summary Noa Kirel confirms for Israel (1:27) Host City When: Short List Edition (3:43) SNAP Chat: Bubbling Under Edition (5:51) What do you know about "Volare"? (7:36) Sanremo 1958 (10:40) Eurovision 1958: Hilversum (14:26) The US Music Industry in 1958 (17:12) 1959 Grammy Awards (23:51) The Extended Legacy of Volare (26:40) Where are they now? (32:19) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions.
How did the first Eurovision Song Contest telecast come about in 1956? We talk about coronations, cattle calls, and continental broadcasting in this week's episode. Lugano Summary Host city when? Bid Process Edition (1:21) Snap Status (2:55) Cosa Sta Facendo Måneskin: VMAs Edition (3:54) Hooverphonic for Brussels Airlines (6:40) History of Eurovision: 1930 Onward (10:34) The European Television Season (14:53) The Birth of Eurovision (18:29) Eurovision History as Broadcasting History (24:32) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions.
Now that the United Kingdom will officially host Eurovision 2023 on Ukraine's behalf, we take a look back at the other times substitutes needed to be called in to produce the Contest. Host Country Where? Summary United Kingdom will host Eurovision 2023 (1:22) Israel selects Noa Kirel for Eurovision Wishlist (5:29) Rosa Linn's "Snap" is Charting (7:13) American Song Contest Emmy Nomination (9:04) Eurovision Latin America Song Contest Announced (9:57) Host Country Where? (11:37) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions.
With around 250 entries on the Reddit post for the 2022 Eurovision Iceberg, we take a look at some of the stories we missed (or skipped) in this year's Contest. Iceberg Summary Layer 1: What is the Eurovision Iceberg? (1:02) Layer 2: Electric Callboy, Sam Ryder Illuminati (3:41) Layer 3: The Eurowhat's Level (9:51) Level 4: Circus Mircus, S10 and Ronela, Carol McGee (10:52) Level 5: Subwoolfer Threatens to Eat Host, Achille Lauro Roblox (16:57) Level 6: "I'm Famous Singer in Estonia" (23:30) Level 7: Ochman's Confederate Flag T-Shirt (25:53) Level 8: Ronela Mistaken for ISIS Uprising (27:31) What does the Eurovision Iceberg tell us? (29:47) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions.
We're joined by @dudepoints to discuss some Swedish post-Eurovision activities: ABBA's Voyage concert experience and Martin Osterdahl's Max Anger book series. Midsommar Summary Ukraine will not host Eurovision 2023 (0:57) Eurovision Live to Tape 2022 (7:52) Eurovision in the Wild: AGT 2022 Edition (11:13) Main Topic: Midsommar with @dudepoints (13:54) ABBA Voyage (17:14) Max Anger (23:16) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions. Special Guest: dudepoints.
Professional TV quiz writer Alex McMillan joins us to talk about how to write tantalizing Eurovision trivia. We also learn about some of the differences between UK and US game show writing. Trivial Pursuits Summary News: Russia suspended (for realsies), Kalush Orchestra sells trophy, Cyprus using All Together Now (1:21) Eurovision Learned League 1DS (4:43) Welcome, Alex McMillan! (7:22) How does one become a quiz show writer? (12:18) How do you distill a body of knowledge into something manageable? (18:01) Differences in UK Quiz Writing and US Quiz Writing (26:25) What is the distinction between Trivia and Minutia? (31:49) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions. Cover Photo: Sean Benesh (https://unsplash.com/@seanbenesh?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/s/photos/trivia?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) Special Guest: Alex McMillan.
We check in with the Eurovision jury shenanigans and then offer a sample of what we've been doing over on Patreon. Andy Dehnart from Reality Blurred joins us to look back on NBC’s American Song Contest experiment. Just ASCing Questions Summary News: Jury Doody (1:42) Just ACing Questions: Is it you? Is it me? (Originally published May 9, 2022) (8:10) Could the American Song Contest have worked? (12:31) How could the American Song Contest have generated buzz? (19:09) Could the voting and jury have made more sense? (23:17) What would season 2 need to look like for this to succeed? (27:28) Is the ASC less than the sum of its parts? (38:45) Do we have predictions on who's going to win? (44:18) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions. Special Guest: Andy Dehnart.
Bradley Dalton-Oates joins us for a deep dive of the full Eurovision experience as a first-time attendee. Did Turin do a good job of promoting brand Italy? Long Time, First Time Summary How to watch Eurovision in Turin (1:13) How did the rehearsal shows compare to the Grand Final live show? (10:41) What did you think of the second semifinal? (14:27) What was your semifinal one experience? (23:00) The Rainbow of Death: Brand Italy (31:44) What about the United Kingdom Eurovision experience? (43:35) What is the status of the Big Five in 2022? (49:11) Final Shout Outs (53:26) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. You can find a service to subscribe to the show here (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Become a Patron! Patrons get access to our bonus podcast Just ASCing Questions. Special Guest: Bradley Dalton-Oates.
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra claimed the Eurovision 2022 trophy thanks to a record-breaking televote. Dave Steeves joins us to do a mini-dive into this year's Grand Final. Slava Ukraini Summary Numbers! (2:03) Jury Doody (11:12) Cosa Sta Facendo Måneskin: Wish.com Edition (16:33) Welcome to the off-season! (21:34) Eurovision 2022 Review Series Semi-Final 1 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/149) Semi-Final 1 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/150) Semi-Final 1 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/151) Semi-Final 2 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/152) Semi-Final 2 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/153) Semi-Final 2 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/154) Auto-Qualifiers (http://eurowhat.com/155) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Dave Steeves.
We started Eurovision Week with 35 semi-finalists. 20 have moved on to join the Big 5 in Saturday's Grand Final. We take stock of our predictions from last episode and make our picks for who will win Eurovision 2022. ¯_(ツ)/¯ Eurovision 2022 Grand Final Preview Summary Eurovision Semi-Final 1 (2:27) Eurovision Semi-Final 2 (12:34) Eurovision Grand Final Preview (24:37) Who will win Eurovision 2022? (31:42) Eurovision 2022 Review Series Semi-Final 1 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/149) Semi-Final 1 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/150) Semi-Final 1 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/151) Semi-Final 2 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/152) Semi-Final 2 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/153) Semi-Final 2 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/154) Auto-Qualifiers (http://eurowhat.com/155) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
We make our picks for who we think will advance from this week's Eurovision Semi-Finals. These predictions were made before rehearsals, but surely they're still accurate? Bubblicious Summary Eurovision Week 2022 (1:42) Our Semi-Final 1 Picks (6:55) Our Semi-Final 2 Picks (19:56) Eurovision 2022 Review Series Semi-Final 1 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/149) Semi-Final 1 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/150) Semi-Final 1 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/151) Semi-Final 2 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/152) Semi-Final 2 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/153) Semi-Final 2 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/154) Auto-Qualifiers (http://eurowhat.com/155) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
Glen Weldon from NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour joins us to discuss the songs that have automatically qualified for the Eurovision 2022 Grand Final. Standing Summary France - Alvan & Ahez - "Fulenn" (2:54) Germany - Malik Harris - "Rockstars" (6:54) Spain - Chanel - "SloMo" (11:49) United Kingdom - Sam Ryder - "SPACE MAN" (15:07) Italy - Mahmood e Blanco - "Brividi" (20:04) Eurovision 2022 Sommelier (25:37) Eurovision 2022 Review Series Semi-Final 1 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/149) Semi-Final 1 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/150) Semi-Final 1 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/151) Semi-Final 2 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/152) Semi-Final 2 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/153) Semi-Final 2 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/154) Auto-Qualifiers (http://eurowhat.com/155) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Glen Weldon.
Ned Raggett returns to discuss that last six entries of the second semi-final for Eurovision 2022. Will one of the boys with emotions be able to overtake Sweden’s melancholy? (No. The answer is no.) Himbo Summary Romania - WRS - "Llámame" (2:56) Poland - Ochman - "River" (9:21) Montenegro - Vladana - "Breathe" (17:03) Belgium - Jérémie Makiese - "Miss You" (22:45) Sweden - Cornelia Jakobs - "Hold Me Closer" (28:05) Czech Republic - We Are Domi - "Lights Off" (36:08) Eurovision 2022 Review Series Semi-Final 1 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/149) Semi-Final 1 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/150) Semi-Final 1 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/151) Semi-Final 2 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/152) Semi-Final 2 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/153) Semi-Final 2 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/154) Auto-Qualifiers (http://eurowhat.com/155) Available May 3 Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Ned Raggett.
The middle of the second semi-final for Eurovision 2022 is all over the map, but seems to have a lot of Americana vibes? Bre Booker returns to help us sort through the randomness. Americana? Summary San Marino - Achille Lauro - "Stripper" (1:46) Australia - Sheldon Riley - "Not the Same" (8:24) Cyprus - Andromache - "Ela" (14:28) Ireland - Brooke Scullion - "That's Rich" (21:30) North Macedonia - Andrea - "Circles" (28:56) Estonia - STEFAN - "Hope" (34:27) Eurovision 2022 Review Series Semi-Final 1 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/149) Semi-Final 1 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/150) Semi-Final 1 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/151) Semi-Final 2 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/152) Semi-Final 2 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/153) Semi-Final 2 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/154) Auto-Qualifiers (http://eurowhat.com/155) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Bre Booker.
Justin Ladia joins us to start our coverage of the second semi-final for Eurovision 2022, with Finland, Israel, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Malta on the docket this week. Subversive Summary Finland - The Rasmus - "Jezebel" (2:23) Israel - Michael Ben David - "I.M" (8:30) Serbia - Konstrakta - "In Corpore Sano" (16:17) Azerbaijan - Nadir Rüstəmli - "Fade to Black" (25:22) Georgia - Circus Mircus - "Lock Me In" (33:03) Malta - Emma Muscat - "I Am What I Am" (44:16) Eurovision 2022 Review Series Semi-Final 1 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/149) Semi-Final 1 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/150) Semi-Final 1 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/151) Semi-Final 2 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/152) Semi-Final 2 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/153) Semi-Final 2 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/154) Auto-Qualifiers (http://eurowhat.com/155) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Justin Ladia.
We have a running order! We have tickets when! We have Mike Nothnagel joining us to discuss the rest of the first semi final for Eurovision 2022: Portugal, Croatia, Denmark, Iceland, Greece, and Norway Lilith Fair (Taylor's Version) Summary Eurovision News: Running Orders and Tickets (sort of) (1:36) Cosa Sta Facendo Måneskin: Lollapalooza Edition (3:43) Welcome, Mike Nothnagel! (8:40) Portugal - MARO - "saudade, saudade" (9:35) Croatia - Mia Dimšić - "Guilty Pleasure" (14:34) Denmark - ReDDI - "The Show" (20:40) Iceland - Systur - "Með hækkandi sól" (26:28) Greece - Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord - "Die Together" (31:07) Norway - Subwoolfer - "Give That Wolf a Banana" (36:40) Eurovision 2022 Review Series Semi-Final 1 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/149) Semi-Final 1 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/150) Semi-Final 1 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/151) Semi-Final 2 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/152) Semi-Final 2 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/153) Semi-Final 2 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/154) Auto-Qualifiers (http://eurowhat.com/155) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Mike Nothnagel.
Evan Stewart joins us to discuss more entries from the Eurovision 2022 first semi-final. Will the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, Armenia, or Austria be able to challenge current favorite Ukraine? Meditation Therapy Summary Netherlands - S10 - "De Diepte" (4:14) Slovenia - LPS - "Disko" (9:33) Switzerland - Marius Bear - "Boys Do Cry" (15:09) Ukraine - KALUSH Orchestra - "Stefania" (21:19) Armenia - Rosa Linn - "Snap" (28:22) Austria - LUM!X featuring Pia Maria - "Halo" (32:51) Eurovision 2022 Review Series Semi-Final 1 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/149) Semi-Final 1 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/150) Semi-Final 1 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/151) Semi-Final 2 Part 1 (http://eurowhat.com/152) Semi-Final 2 Part 2 (http://eurowhat.com/153) Semi-Final 2 Part 3 (http://eurowhat.com/154) Auto-Qualifiers (http://eurowhat.com/155) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Evan Stewart.
Meredith Clark joins us to discuss Albania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, and Moldova as we kick off our coverage of the first semi-final for Eurovision 2022. Fairgrounds Summary Albania - Ronela Hijati - "Sekret" (5:32) Bulgaria - Intelligent Music Project - "Intention" (10:42) Latvia - Citi Zēni - "Eat Your Salad" (18:00) Lithuania - Monika Liu - "Sentimentai" (25:04) Moldova - Zdob și Zdub & Fratii Advahov - Trenulețul (29:57) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Meredith Clark.
In the last week of Eurovision Selection Season, we have a manageable number of internal selections to process and ease into the sunset with chill vibes from three national finals. One More Google Summary Tuesday: Switzerland (2:02) Wednesday: Georgia and Cyprus (4:52) Thursday: Belgium, United Kingdom, and Greece (10:44) Friday: Austria (22:57) Saturday: Sweden's Melfest, Iceland's Songvakeppnin, and Portugal's Festival da Cancao (27:18) Coming up this week: Israel, Malta, Azerbaijan, Armenia (40:41) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
Our brains may have turned into soup, but we survived the last overstuffed Saturday of Eurovision Selection Season. Just barely though... we were told there would be no math... Math Summary Internal selections: The Netherlands and Montenegro (1:43) 12 Points Germany goes to "Rockstars" by Malik Harris (5:25) Denmark's REDDI won "The Show" (11:13) WRS wins Romania's Selectia Nationala with "Llamame" (14:47) "Fulenn" wins France's C'est Vous Qui Decidez (19:09) Konstrakta will represent Serbia with "In Corpore Sano" (24:05) Cosa Sta Facendo Maneskin: iHeartRadio Edition (29:52) This week: Internal Selections, Songvakeppnin, Melfest, Festival da Cancao (31:59) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
We stand with Ukraine. Україна Summary Eurovision Response to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine (1:31) Eurovision in the Wild: David Byrne Edition (7:02) Australia Decides on Sheldon Riley's "Not the Same" (9:15) The Rasmus wins Finland's UMK with "Jezebel" (15:49) More Super Saturdays: Iceland, Sweden, France, Romania, and more (20:45) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
In the biggest Saturday for Eurovision 2022 selection season, 6 songs were chosen for Turin. We travel to Norway, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, San Marino, and Malta and examine a variety of TV formats along the way. Quante voci? In questa economia? Summary News: Kelly Clarkson, Snoop Dogg to Host American Song Contest; Ukraine Update (1:25) Azerbaijan announces Nadir Rüstəmli (4:32) Norway Gives That Subwoolfer a Ticket to Turin (6:19) Slovenia hits the "Disko" with LPS (13:07) Croatia Gives in to Mia Dimšić's "Guilty Pleasure" (15:35) Poland crosses the "River" with Ochman (18:25) Malta Thinks Emma Muscat is "Out of Sight" (21:48) Achille Lauro's "Stripper" is Una Voce per San Marino (27:24) Cosa Sta Facendo Maneskin: Vibe Rate Edition (32:53) This week: Australia Decides, Finland's UMK, Iceland's Songvakeppnin, Melfest Heat 4 (34:08) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
It was another busy week for Eurovision as Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia made their picks for Turin. We get caught up and look ahead to the next Super Saturday in this week's episode. HyperRoop Summary Austria selects Lum!x and Pia Maria to perform "Halo" (1:25) Ukraine's VidBir chooses Alina Pash's "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" (3:49) Estonia puts all its "Hope" in STEFAN (9:23) Monika Lui wins Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo with "Sentimentai" (14:36) Citi Zeni's "Eat Your Salad" wins Latvia's Supernova (19:02) Cosa Sta Facendo Maneskin: BRIT Awards Edition (23:42) Romania's Selectia Nationala holds a semi-final (25:22) This week: San Marino, France, Malta, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia (27:44) Nordic Process Check-in: NRKMGP and Melfest (30:33) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
North Macedonia, Ireland, Israel, and Italy have determined their songs for Turin, and that was only about 1/3 of Eurovision Super Saturday number 1 for the 2022 season. We recap this weekend's non-stop content stream. Oops! All Screens! Summary Eurovision 2022 Hosts (1:22) North Macedonia runs "Circles" around Andrea (3:50) Brooke representing Ireland? "That's Rich" (6:02) Michael Ben David wins X Factor Israel with "I.M." (12:08) Cosa Sta Facendo Maneskin? Italy Picks "Brividi" Edition (15:52) Super Saturday: Melfest, EMA, Supernova, Selecrtia Nationala (21:23) This week: Song drops, NRK MGP, Pabandom is Naujo, Eesti Laul, VidBir, Una Voce Per San Marino (31:48) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
Moldova made a surprise internal selection and Spain made its Eurovision selection at last week's Benidorm Festival. We discuss these songs and look ahead to the first Super Saturday of 2022! Convoluted Summary Zdob si Zdub will represent Moldova again (1:15) Spain choose Chanel's "SloMo" at Benidorm Fest (4:14) Pabandom and MGP (8:48) Cosa sta facendo Måneskin? Sanremo Edition (16:49) Midweek Selections: Eesti Laul, North Macedonia, Ireland (17:48) Super Saturday: Iceland, Melfest, Israel, EMA, Supernova (20:45) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
Ben returns with his thoughts about Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo, Norway's 2022 process, Maneskin's appearance on Saturday Night Live, and a look ahead to EMA and Benidorm. [Episode Title] Summary News: Sound of Beauty Logo and Slogan, American Song Contest Delayed (1:13) Last Week in Eurovision: Norway's Melodi Grand Prix and Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo (5:06) Eurovision in the Wild: Australian Open, Peacemaker, Maruv (10:52) Cosa sta facendo Måneskin? Saturday Night Live Edition (12:26) This Week in Eurovision: Slovenia's EMA Fras and Spain's Benidorm Fest (18:24) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
Dave Steeves returns to the program to discuss Norway's Melodi Grand Prix, a casual approach to Eurovision Selection Season, and the pivoting that is happening in response to the pandemic. Pivot Summary Last week in Eurovision (2:51) Malta snippets drop Finland UMK announces acts and songs Poland switches to a national final Omicron disrupts Melfest and Songvakeppnin Cosa sta facendo Måneskin? Coachella edition (8:27) Norway's Melodi Grand Prix begins (10:57) Coming up this week (18:43) Spotify Playlists Eurovision Selection Season 2022 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Lc19haW2ZINm7MX6VWrb2?si=805cedcbe1084b90) EuroWhat Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5jx73fNIBsTO8alQvTy9qz?si=538762591ef54170) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Dave Steeves.
This week we travel to Lithuania for Pabandom is Naujo, check out the Eurovision menus in Romania and Latvia (ooo, salad), and see how famous Maneskin's birthdays are. Hunker Down Summary Montenegro chooses Vladana and "Breathe (Unforgivable)" (1:16) Song drops: Romania and Latvia (2:57) Pabandom is Naujo! Week 1 (6:14) Cosa sta facendo Måneskin? Famous Birthdays Edition (10:32) This week: Finland's UMK artists, Norway's MGP, Poland's Artist (maybe) (13:38) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
It's full steam ahead to Eurovision 2022, with Albania making its (correct?) choice, a wild ESC 250 countdown, and looking forward to selection season series starting Saturday. Unprecedented Summary Eurovision 2022 Selections: Festivali i Këngës 60 () Cosa sta facendo Måneskin? New Year's Rockin' Eve Edition () ESC 250 Results () Coming up this week: Montenegro and NRK MGP Artists, Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo () Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe (https://www.eurowhat.com/subscribe), please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
The Czech Republic has made their selection, a number of processes have released more details, and we check in with the Eurovision Class of 2021. Class of 2021 Summary Selections: We Are Domi, S10, Amanda Tenfjord (1:22) Processes: Pabandom is Naujo, Australia Decides, Benidorm, Festivali i Këngës (8:15) News: Eurovision 1964 Video Clip; Cosa sta facendo Måneskin? (12:40) Checking in on the Class of Eurovision 2021 (16:31) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
With a lot of new folks discovering Eurovision over the past year and selection season 2022 underway, we put together a tutorial to answer the question: How does Eurovision work? Eurovision 101 Summary Bulgaria's Intelligent Music Project debuts "Intention" (1:01) What's Måneskin Up To? Grammys and the Voice (6:10) Selection season news (8:35) Estonia's Eesti Laul Slovenia's EMA freš Czech Republic's online selection Sweden announces artists for Melfest 2022 Una Voce per San Marino begins casting round Norway's Melodi Grand Prix details its format Albania's Festivali i Këngës releases its songs Eurovision 101 What is the Eurovision Song Contest? (16:54) What are the Eurovision rules? (19:33) What does a year in Eurovision look like? (23:09) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
The dreaded Nul Points visited Rotterdam at Eurovision this year. We take a look at the sordid history of the dubious distinction. Nul Points Summary News: Georgia's Circus Mircus, American Song Contest Launch Date, Estonia's Eesti Laul, Albania's Festivali i Këngës, Czech Republic's Online Selection (2:23) Eurovision Again: 2004 (11:01) Nul Points: A Taxonomy (13:58) A Pointless History of Eurovision (21:44) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
Belarus won't be competing at Eurovision in the foreseeable future, so this seems like a good time to take an historical view of the country and its identity. Belarus Summary News: Australia, Germany, American Song Contest, ESC Top 250 (1:11) A Brief History of Belarus (6:33) Belarus at Eurovision (14:22) Belarus Today (28:49) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
Does breaking the fourth wall work at Eurovision? Ben takes us through a collection of songs that try to go meta. Metaverse Summary News (1:16) Eurovision Again: 2012 (10:23) When Eurovision Goes Meta (15:16) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
Maura Johnston guides us through how the Billboard Charts work and why Måneskin and Duncan Laurence cracked the American Top 40. Hot 100 Summary Host city when? Torino 2022! (0:45) How do the Billboard charts currently work? (2:52) How Duncan Laurence May Have Got on the Billboard Charts (7:40) Why is "Beggin'" rocketing up the Hot 100? (12:35) Other Eurovision Hot 100 Appearances (18:02) Why a 25-year gap between chart appearances? (22:16) Will Eurovision tracks be making more Hot 100 appearances? (32:00) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Maura Johnston.
We continue our series of music competitions with Eurovision connections by visiting Chile's Viña del Mar International Song Festival. Viña del Mar Summary Eurovision Again: 1968 (1:07) Belgium Selects (3:29) What is the Viña del Mar Festival? (6:41) El Monstruo (16:16) Xuxa vs El Monstruo (19:56) Enrique Iglesias and Paolo Meneguzzi vs El Monstruo (31:20) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
As we wait for the Eurovision 2022 host city announce, we take a look at the five cities hoping to stage the event for Italy. Quale Città? Summary News: ABBA, Dunkin Radio, Belgium, Eesti Laul, Melfest (3:17) Italian City Thunderdome (12:13) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat).
Italian music aficionado Bradley Dalton-Oates takes us on an historical tour of the Sanremo Music Festival and its relationship with Eurovision. Sanremo Summary How were you introduced to Sanremo? (1:29) How would you describe the Italian music scene? (5:43) Sanremo's Influence (10:35) Sanremo History (17:46) What might Italy hosting Eurovision look like? (27:47) Wrapping up (32:02) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Bradley Dalton-Oates.
Dave Steeves facilitates a play through of the Eurovision Song Contest Board Game. Mike en Ben verstaan de Nederlandse taal niet. Bordspel Summary Introduction to the Best/Worst Idea (1:30) Eurovision Song Contest: The Board Game (4:08) The Grand Final (28:19) Review: did we like the Eurovision Board Game? (33:12) Links / Credits Cover art: Mike McComb
31: Eurovision Gifts for 2018 (https://eurowhat.fireside.fm/31)
Episode Transcript (https://share.descript.com/view/8IKQZ0EWllk) (Descript) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Dave Steeves.
New Wave has been part of the music competition journey for many Eurovision contestants. We take a look at the contest's history. New Wave Summary * News: Eurovision Again 2006 HD, Måneskin cracks the US Top 40, Spain visits Benidorm (0:50) * Birth of a New Wave (6:33) * How It Works (11:37) * SMASH!! and Other Alumni (14:49) * "Russian" New Wave (21:27) * 2021 Info (25:55)
Links * Cover art: Andres Putting (all) | Eurovision.tv * New Wave homepage * Italian Kidz Bop is called Filling the Music (Twitter) * Episode Transcript (Descript)
Film buff and Eurofan Evan Stewart joins us to discuss the Hatari documentary A Song Called Hate. A Song Called Hate Summary Eurovision Again: 1980 (0:57) News Desk: Belarus (https://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-btrc-comments-on-suspension-of-its-membership-in-ebu-141319-2021/), Italy, Måneskin A Song Called Hate intro Welcome, Evan Stewart (https://twitter.com/evanmstewart)! Let's Talk About the Documentary Who is the audience for A Song Called Hate? Would you recommend this movie? Links / Credits Cover art: Andres Putting | Eurovision.tv
62: Morocco 1980 (http://eurowhat.com/62)
A Song Called Hate (https://www.levelk.dk/films/a-song-called-hate-6771) Homepage Episode Transcript (https://share.descript.com/view/zG8VNeZPiR2) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, please rate and review us. We welcome your feedback and the ratings will help other Eurovision fans find us. Want to support the show? Join our Patreon (https://patreon.com/eurowhat)! Listener support has helped with getting episode transcriptions and refreshing our website (https://eurowhat.com). Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email (mailto:eurowhatpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Twitter @eurowhat (https://twitter.com/eurowhat). Special Guest: Evan Stewart.
Meredith Clark joins us to discuss some of the societal issues that Eurovision struggles to address in the fandom discourse. The Discourse 2021 Summary Welcome, Meredith Clark! Twitter (https://twitter.com/MeredithLClark) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/MeredithLClark/) (1:17) Eurovision Politics 2021 (5:02) The Online Fandom (13:49) How do we break down the discourse? (24:28) Links Cover art: Thomas Hanses | Eurovision.tv
98: Let's Talk Turkey (http://eurowhat.com/98)
The struggle for racial justice and Eurovision 2021 Part 1 (https://bakercatherine.wordpress.com/2021/05/21/your-rhythm-is-rebellious-the-struggle-for-racial-justice-and-eurovision-2021-part-1/) | Part 2 (https://bakercatherine.wordpress.com/2021/05/26/if-you-dont-get-it-if-you-if-you-dont-get-it-eurovision-2021-and-the-struggle-for-racial-justice-part-2/) (Catherine Baker) An Ode to Latvia, the Overlooked Gem of Eurovision (https://www.vulture.com/article/who-is-the-greatest-eurovision-competitor-latvia.html) (Vulture) Episode Transcript (https://share.descript.com/view/z67sJtpocmG) (Descript) Special Guest: Meredith Clark.
Author Seanan McGuire joins us to explain how the elves helped Eurovision Song Contest: the Story of Fire Saga earn a Hugo nomination. It was the Elves Summary
EurovisionAgain: 1969 (0:56)
Happy Birthday, Fire Saga! (5:17) Welcome, Seanan McGuire (http://www.seananmcguire.com/)! (11:14) How does Fire Saga fit into the sci-fi/fantasy genre? (13:47) What is the Hugo Awards (http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2021-hugo-awards/) nomination process? (16:18) How can Eurofans help? (21:11) Links Cover art: Netflix Episode Transcript (https://share.descript.com/view/Re7uzGVxWSQ)
64: Win Win Win Win (http://eurowhat.com/64)
89: 12 Points to Fire Saga? (http://eurowhat.com/89)
Hugo-Nominated Eurovision Song Contest: the Story of Fire Saga is a Bardic Fantasy (https://www.tor.com/2021/04/29/hugo-nominated-eurovision-song-contest-the-story-of-fire-saga-is-a-bardic-fantasy/comment-page-1/) (Tor.com) Pegasus Awards (http://www.ovff.org/pegasus/) The 79th World Science Fiction Convention (https://discon3.org/) (DISCON III) Special Guest: Seanan McGuire.
Bre Booker joins us to discuss the pre-recorded Live on Tape performances from the 2021 Eurovision Song Celebration YouTube specials. Live on Tape Summary News Desk (2:48) Welcome, Bre Booker! (8:14) American Song Contest Submissions (https://www.americansongsubmissions.com/) Open (11:10) Eurovision Song Celebration Live on Tape Performances (14:11) Would Eurovision Plan D have worked? (34:07) Links Cover art: EBU | Thomas Hanses Eurovision Song Celebration Part 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOHwiWElR1A) | Part 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFwGuT3q21s) (Both geoblocked in US) Madcon performs "Glow" at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcH3hdz8Eks)
23 That's How You AI a Song (http://eurowhat.com/23) (Discussion of Father Ted) Special Guest: Bre Booker.
Ryan's back! We help to provide a revised head canon to fill the gap between 2018 and 2021 and review this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Revised Head Canon Summary * Welcome back, Ryan! * Grand Final Thoughts and Stats (8:12) * Semi-Final 1 Stats (16:42) * Semi-Final 2 Stats (23:58) * Final Thoughts (35:37)
Links * Cover art: NPO | NOS | AVROTROS | Nathan Reinds * Episode Transcript (Thanks, Patreon supporters!) * Where Can I Watch the Eurovision Song Contest in the US?
Special Guest: Ryan Brazell.
33 songs competed on the Eurovision stage Tuesday and Thursday but only 20 advanced to the 2021 Grand Final. Who will win the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam? Eurovision 2021 Grand Final Preview Summary * Discovering Peacock will be carrying Eurovision * Where Can I Watch the Eurovision Song Contest in the US? * First Semi-Final (3:22) * Second Semi-Final (7:23) * Grand Final Thoughts (13:38) Links * Cover art: EBU | Andres Putting * Spotify Playlists: Eurovision 2021 | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final | Selection Season * Eurovision 2021 Contest Page
The Eurovision 2021 Semi-Final Spectacular is here! We make our picks for the 20 songs we think will qualify for the Grand Final in Rotterdam.
Eurovision 2021 Semi-Final Preview Summary * News + The American Song Contest + Where Can I Watch the Eurovision Song Contest in the US? + Rehearsals: Covid Incidents (No Spoilers) * Semi-Final 1 Predictions (6:36) * Semi-Final 2 Predictions (15:25)
Links * Cover art: NPO/NOS/AVROTROS Nathan Reinds * Episode transcript (Thanks, Patreon supporters!) * Spotify Playlists: Eurovision 2021 | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final | Selection Season * Eurovision 2021 Contest Page + Semi-Final 1 Review Episodes - 113: Container Ship of Love - 114: Satan's Glowup - 115: Will It Play in Winnipeg? + Semi-Final 2 Review Episodes - 116: Me in Grease! - 117: Cake or Death - 118: Over-Egged Pudding + The Big 5 + The Netherlands: 119: Critical Condition
Mark Blankenship joins us to discuss the Eurovision auto-qualifiers. Are the Big 5 and the Netherlands in good shape or are they in critical condition?
Critical Condition Summary * News + Great American Pop Culture Quiz Show + Eurovision Village (Opens Saturday, May 15) + Where Can I Watch the Eurovision Song Contest in the US? * Welcome, Mark Blankenship! + Mark and Sarah Talk About Songs * The Big 5 and host country the Netherlands: + France - Barbara Pravi - "Voila" + Germany - Jendrik - "I Don't Feel Hate" + Italy - Måneskin - "Zitti e Buoni" + Spain - Blas Cantó - "Voy a Quedarme" + United Kingdom - James Newman - "Embers" + The Netherlands - Jeangu Macrooy - "Birth of a New Age"
Links * Cover art: + Top row: Gabriele Giussani | Victor Frankowski | NDR + Bottom row: FTV / Joêl Saget | Steven Bernhard | Rinse Fokkema * Episode transcript (Thanks, Patreon supporters!) * Spotify Playlists: Eurovision 2021 | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final | Selection Season * Eurovision 2021 Contest Page + Semi-Final 1 - 113: Container Ship of Love - 114: Satan's Glowup - 115: Will It Play in Winnipeg? + Semi-Final 2 - 116: Me in Grease! - 117: Cake or Death - 118: Over-Egged Pudding
Special Guest: Mark Blankenship.
Maura Johnston joins us to discuss the last section of Eurovision 2021 Semi 2. Topics include pudding, track suits, and CVS Bangers.
Over-Egged Pudding Summary * News (1:12) + Eurovision 2021 will have an audience + Eurovision Pre-Party Roundup: Concert in the Dark | Spain | Dadivision | Adriatic + "Husavik" at the Oscars + Rehearsals start this weekend * Welcome back, Maura Johnston! (8:29) + @maura on Twitter * Semi-Final #2 Part #3: + Portugal - The Black Mamba - "Love is on My Side" (9:26) + Bulgaria - VICTORIA - "growing up is getting old" (14:01) + Finland - Blind Channel - "Dark Side" (18:55) + Latvia - Samanta Tina - "The Moon is Rising" (24:04) + Switzerland - Gjon's Tears - "Tout l'Univers" (29:54) + Denmark - Fyr og Flamme - Øve Os På Hinanden (34:57)
Links * Cover art: + Top row: Lora Musheva | Arturs Martinovs | Arlindo Camacho + Bottom row: Oscar Alessio | Nicolai Egense | Mona Salminen * Episode transcript (Thanks, Patreon supporters!) * Spotify Playlists: Eurovision 2021 | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final | Selection Season * Eurovision 2021 Contest Page + Semi-Final 1 - 113: Container Ship of Love - 114: Satan's Glowup - 115: Will It Play in Winnipeg? + Semi-Final 2 - 116: Me in Grease! - 117: Cake or Death
Special Guest: Maura Johnston.
Taber Bain helps us navigate cake body horror, Jenna Maroney energy, and existential despair in the Eurovision experience.
Cake or Death Summary * Welcome, Taber Bain! + @cakesandcourage * Eurovision 2021 Semi-Final 2 Part 2: + Moldova - Natalia Gordienko - "Sugar" (3:53) - Chișinău Academy of Music, Theatre, and Fine Arts + Iceland - Daði & Gagnamagnið - "10 Years" (10:01) - Think About Aliens (iOS | Android) + Serbia - Hurricane - "Loco Loco" (15:41) - Comrade Detective (Amazon Prime) + Georgia - Tornike Kipiani - "You" (23:25) - "Can't Get You Out of My Head" <<< BEN CLICK THIS + Albania - Anxhela Peristeri - "Karma" (27:38) - "E cmendur" (Kenga Magjike 2017)
Links * Cover art credits: + Top row: Natalia Gordienko | Norik Uka | Giorgi Tsaava + Bottom row: Dejan Milicevic | Brita Ran * Episode transcript (Thanks, Patreon supporters!) * Spotify Playlists: Eurovision 2021 | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final | Selection Season * Eurovision 2021 Contest Page + Semi-Final 1 - 113: Container Ship of Love - 114: Satan's Glowup - 115: Will It Play in Winnipeg? + Semi-Final 2 - 116: Me in Grease!
Special Guest: Taber Bain.
Lindsey Weber from Who Weekly joins us to talk about Flo Rida, Greece, Grease, and why Eurovision is the highlight of spring.
Me in Grease! Summary * News (3:21) + Duncan Laurence on the Billboard Hot 100 + Eurovision Fire Saga: Hugo Award and Oscar? * Welcome back, Lindsey Weber! (7:55) + @lindseyweber | Who Weekly * Semi-Final 2 Part 1: + San Marino - Senhit - "Adrenalina" (9:54) - Senhit's Freaky Trip to Rotterdam - Jessie J wins China's The Singer + Estonia - Uku Suviste - "The Lucky One"(16:19) - Muusikal Grease trailer + Czech Republic - Benny Cristo - "OMAGA" (21:56) - "OMAGA" Full Band Performance + Greece - Stefania - "Last Dance" (25:49) - "Kisses & Dancin'" - Netherlands - Junior Eurovision 2016 + Austria - Vincent Bueno - "Amen" (31:28) - "Greased Lightnin'" on Musical! Die Show + Poland - Rafał - "The Ride" (35:23) - Neon Muzeum
Links * Cover art: + Top row: TVP | Fabrizio Cestari | Haris Farsarakis + Bottom row: ORF Roman Zach-Kiesling | David Turecky | Karl Saare * Episode transcript (Thanks, Patreon supporters!) * Spotify Playlists: Eurovision 2021 | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final | Selection Season * Eurovision 2021 Contest Page + 113: Container Ship of Love + 114: Satan's Glowup + 115: Will It Play in Winnipeg? * The Great American Pop Culture Quiz Show
Special Guest: Lindsey Weber.
Graphic designer Justin Ladia joins us from Winnipeg to help us close out the first semi-final of the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. North America has opinions!
Will It Play in Winnipeg? Summary * Welcome back, Justin Ladia! + Twitter | Instagram | Website * Semi-Final 1 Part 3: + Israel - Eden Alene - "Set Me Free" (2:28) - Trijntje Oosterhuis (Netherlands 2015) "Walk Along" + Romania - Roxen - "Amnesia" (10:03) - Movies on Freeform + Azerbaijan - Efendi - "Mata Hari" (16:39) - "Cleopatra" "Live" "Performance" + Ukraine - GoA - "SHUM" (22:50) - Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine: Winnipeg + Malta - Destiny - "Je Me Casse" (30:41) - Every Stefon Ever
Links * Cover art: + Top row: Bogden Petrice | Dunskie Borg | İctimai Television İTV + Bottom row: Anastasiia Mantach | Shai Franco * Episode transcript (Thanks, Patreon supporters!) * Spotify Playlists: Eurovision 2021 | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final | Selection Season * Eurovision 2021 Contest Page + Semi-Final 1 Part 1: 113: Container Ship of Love + Semi-Final 1 Part 2: 114: Satan's Glowup
Special Guest: Justin Ladia.
Ned Raggett joins us to discuss the heaven and hell aspects of Eurovision Semi-Final 1. Who knew that 2021 would be Satan's pop culture year?
Satan's Glowup Summary * Welcome back, Ned Raggett! + @nedraggett | By the Bywater | Ned's Patreon | Bandcamp Daily * Eurovision 2021 Semi-Final 1 Part 2 + Slovenia - Ana Soklic - "Amen" (2:54) - "Verjamem" at the 2012 Eurovision Semi-Final (YouTube) + Sweden - Tusse - "Voices" (9:59) - Black Widow trailer (YouTube) + Cyprus - Elena Tsagrinou - "El Diablo" (17:46) - Tacos El Diablo (Oxnard, California) + Norway - TIX - "Fallen Angel" (23:58) - Hit Parade: Bat Out of Hell Edition (Slate) + Croatia - Albina "Tick-Tock" (30:25) - D-Side "Pushing Me Out" (YouTube) + Belgium - Hooverphonic - "The Wrong Place" (35:37) - The Progressive Underground's Primer to Trip-Hop (WDET)
Links * Cover art (via Eurovision.tv) + Top row: Bojan Simoncic | Willy Vanderperre | Panos Giannakopoulos + Bottom row: Mislav Zabarovic | Gustav Ike & Streetchic Media | NRK / Julia Marie Naglestad * Episode Transcript * Spotify Playlists: Eurovision 2021 | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final | Selection Season * Eurovision 2021 Contest Page + Semi-Final 1 Part 1: 113: Container Ship of Love
Special Guest: Ned Raggett.
A container ship of ~~40~~ 39 songs heads to Rotterdam for Eurovision 2021! Chris King joins us to discuss entries from Australia, Ireland, Lithuania, North Macedonia, and Russia.
Container Ship of Love Summary * News (1:04) + We have a Patreon now! + Belarus out + Rock the Roof + Eurovision Spain Online PreParty April 24 * Welcome back, Chris King! (6:26) + @ckingsc on Twitter * Eurovision 2021 Semi-Final 1 Part 1 + Australia - Montaigne - "Technicolour" (7:27) - "metal peach embodies technicolour" (Twitter) + Ireland - Lesley Roy - "Maps" (15:36) - PopDirt's Lesley Roy archive circa 2009 (PopDirt) + Lithuania - The ROOP - "Discoteque" (21:10) - Yo Gabba Gabba dancing with Mya (YouTube) + North Macedonia - Vasil - "Here I Stand" (27:36) - Honeyland trailer (YouTube) + Russia - Manizha - "Russian Woman" (33:12) - Russia's Tajik-born Eurovision star on the abuse she's received (BBC)
Links * Cover art + Top row: Jess Gleeson | Martin Trajanovski | Egor Shabanov + Bottom row: Vaidas Jokubauskas | Ruth Medjber * Episode Transcript (Descript) * Spotify Playlists: Eurovision 2021 | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final * Eurovision 2021 Contest Page
Special Guest: Chris King.
All Eurovision 2021 songs are in! (Except Belarus... that's a whole thing...) We discuss the latest entries and think about promo season.
A Whole Thing Summary * Selection season is over! (1:48) + Azerbaijan salutes(?) "Mata Hari" + Georgia's Tornike sings to "You" + Is Malta #DestinedForGreatness with "Je Me Casse"? * Controversies (it's a whole thing...): North Macedonia, Russia, Belarus (11:40) * What does Eurovision promo season look like for 2021? (16:22) * Announcement: We've launched a Patreon! (22:59)
Links * Cover art: Carlton Agus | İctimai Television (İTV) | Giorgi Tsaava * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Croatia | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Lithuania | Norway | Portugal | Sweden * Eurovision 2021 Calendar * #99: Merry FiKmas
We're in the homestretch of an unusual Eurovision Selection Season. Melfest is the main event, new songs, scandals... ok, maybe not so unusual...
The Homestretch Summary * "Husavik" Awards Watch: The Grammy Awards and the Oscars (1:12) * The Last Week of Eurovision 2021 Selection Season + Tuesday: Belarus potentially disqualified (5:43) + Wednesday song drops: (11:20) - Austria's Vincent Bueno "Amen" - Greece's Stefania "Last Dance" - Switzerland's Gjon's Tears "Tout L'Univers" - Bulgaria's VICTORIA's "Growing Up is Getting Old" + Thursday song drops: (23:54) - United Kingdom's James Newman "Embers" - North Macedonia's Vasil Garvanliev "Here I Stand" + Friday song drops: (32:25) - Poland's Rafal "The Ride" - Latvia's Samanta Tina "The Moon is Rising" + Saturday's Songs: (39:00) - Sweden's Melfest Final chooses Tusse's "Voices" - Iceland's Daði & Gagnamagnið "10 Years" * Coming Up: Heads of Delegations, Georgia, Malta, and Azerbaijan (50:52)
Links * Cover art Stina Stjernkvist / SVT * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Croatia | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Lithuania | Norway | Portugal | Sweden * Eurovision 2021 Calendar * The Museum of Whales You Will Never See (Penguin/Random House) * The Warsaw Neon Museum (Atlas Obscura)
Oops! Everyone looked at the calendar and realized Eurovision entries are due next week! We give a first listen to 25% of the 2021 field.
Oops! All Songs! Summary * Songs Dropping All Over Thursday and Friday + Belgium is "The Wrong Place" for Hooverphonic (1:57) + Remember Romania's Roxen? She has "Amnesia" (5:13) + The Netherlands gives "Birth of a New Age" from Jeangu Macrooy (8:02) + Philipp Kirkorov, in association with Philipp Kirkorov and the Dream Team, presents Philipp Kirkorov's "Sugar" by Moldova's Natalia Gordienko (a Philipp Kirkorov production) (10:39) + Australia's Montaigne sees in "Technicolour" (19:11) + Serbia goes "Loco Loco" for Hurricane (22:04) * Super Saturday 2: The Revenge! + Uku Suviste is "The Lucky One" to win Estonia Eesti Laul (25:48) + Denmark goes retro with Fyr Og Flamme's "Øve Os På Hinanden" (29:32) + The Black Mamba's "Love is on My Side" wins Portugal's Festival da Canção (33:57) + Italy's Sanremo rocks out with Måneskin's "Zitti e Buoni" (36:39) * MOAR SONGS + Flo Rida joins Senhit for San Marino's "Adrenalina" (42:32) + Russia's surprise national final picks Manizha's "Russian Woman" (46:20) * Next week: Sweden's Melfest final and Oops! Even more songs! (51:33)
Links * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Croatia | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Italy | Lithuania | Norway | Portugal | Sweden * Eurovision 2021 Calendar * Intro audio clip: @Xarlable (Twitter)
It's the calm before a hurricane of Eurovision entries washes ashore for 2021. We give Cyprus, Germany, Ireland, and Slovenia a first listen.
Eye of the Hurricane Summary * Song Drops + Cyprus summons "El Diablo" (1:54) + Germany says "I Don't Feel Hate" (8:31) + Ireland opens up its "Maps" (14:49) + Slovenia: can I get an "Amen"? (17:53) * Weekend Recaps + Sweden's Melodifestivalen Heat 4 (21:00) + Portugal's Festival da Canção Semi-Final 2 (24:49) * Coming Up This Week (28:16) + Tuesday: Italy's 71st Sanremo Music Festival starts + Thursday: Moldova, Netherlands, and (maybe?) Belarus Drop Songs + Saturday: Estonia's Eesti Laul Final, Denmark's Melodi Grand Prix, Daði Freyr documentary on Iceland's RUV + Monday: Russia's surprise national final; Senhit's Freaky Trip to Rotterdam concludes with San Marino's song
Links * Cover photo RTVSLO * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Croatia | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Lithuania | Norway | Portugal | Sweden * Eurovision 2021 Calendar * Zara Larsson's "Love Me Land" (YouTube)
Sábado Gigante 2021 ha quedado atrás y estamos listos para discutir un puñado de nuevas canciones de Eurovisión. Eso es todo el español que conocemos.
Sábado Gigante Summary * Song Selection Updates + Czech Republic releases Benny Cristo's "OMAGA" (1:34) + James Newman will represent the United Kingdom again (4:09) + Norway's Melodi Grand Prix Final: TIX wins with "Fallen Angel" (6:08) + Finland's UMK chooses "Dark Side" by Blind Channel (16:02) + Blas Cantò will sing "Voy a Quedarme" for Spain (21:59) * Other Super Saturday Happenings + Estonia's Eesti Laul semi finals cut 24 acts to 12 (23:45) + Sweden's Melodifestivalen Heat 3 (29:48) + Portugal's Festival da Cançao Semi 1 (33:36) * Coming Up This Week (37:56) + Bulgaria launches Victoria's a little dramatic feedback platform + Serbia's Hurricane will sing "Loco Loco" + Cyprus releases Elena Tsagkrinou's "El Diablo" Wednesday + Germany's Jendrik presents his song Thursday + Ireland's Lesley Roy debuts "MAPS" on Friday + Slovenia's EMA reveals Ana Soklic's song Saturday
Links * Cover photo Raul Tejedor / RTVE * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Croatia | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Lithuania | Norway | Sweden * Eurovision 2021 Calendar
Poof! Croatia has entered the Eurovision chat! Pow! Melfest names a woman! Surprise! Our first genuine "What?!" delivered on this show.
Poof, Pow, Surprise! Summary * News: "Husavik" Awards Watch and a Rotterdam Stage Update (1:23) * Weekend Recap + Croatia's Dora selects Albina's "Tick-Tock" (4:54) + Sweden's Melodifestivalen Heat 2 (12:25) + Norway's Melodi Grand Prix Heat 5 (20:55) * Song Updates (26:25) + Czech Republic's Benny Cristo drops "Omaga" + Song titles from North Macedonia and Moldova + Bulgaria's Victoria gets a little dramatic on YouTube * TV This Week + Estonia's Eesti Laul Semi Finals Thursday and Saturday + Finland's UMK Picks (29:15) + Spain's Blas Cantò will sing "Memoria" or "Voy a Quedarme" (34:17) + Portugal's Festival da Cançao begins (35:54)
Links * Cover photo Renato Branđolica / HRT * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Croatia | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Lithuania | Norway | Sweden * Eurovision 2021 Calendar * TuVeia's "Bli med meg på gar’n" performance (YouTube)
Lithuania and Ukraine have determined their entries and Eurovision gets realistic about its scenarios for Rotterdam.
Determined Yet Realistic Summary * News (1:04) + Örs Siklósi of AWS (Hungary 2018) + Eurovision Scenario A off the table + "Husavik" Awards Watch + Ukraine selects "Shum" for Go_A + Germany selects Jendrik * Recaps + Lithuania definitively chooses The ROOP's "Discoteque" (11:50) + Sweden's Melfest Heat 1 (14:30) + Norway's Melodi Grand Prix Heat 4 (20:48) * Coming Up (28:55) + Denmark will release Melodi Grand Prix entries Wednesday + Spain will release Blas Cantó's "Memoria" and "Voy a Quedarme" Wednesday + Slovenia and Serbia change up their selection processes + RuPaul's Drag Race UK will host the RuRuvision Song Contest + Croatia's Dora takes place Saturday * Our picks for Estonia's Eesti Laul Semi-Final 2 (35:05)
Links * Cover photo: E. Blaževič / LRT * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Croatia | Estonia | Finland | France | Lithuania | Norway | Sweden * Eurovision 2021 Calendar * Ticket refund/resale info (Eurovision.tv)
We try to keep calm as we discuss the live audience at France's Eurovision final, Sweden's Melfest "plan" and make our picks for Eesti Laul Semi 1.
AHHHHHHHH! Summary * France chooses Barbara Pravi's "Voila" (1:17) * Norway's Melodi Grand Prix Heat 3 Recap (8:44) * Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo! Semi-Final Recap (12:41) * Could Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga get a Golden Globe nomination? (15:50) * What is Sweden's plan for this year's Melodifestivalen? (21:47) * Other news: Senhit's "Alcohol is Free"; Croatia tweaks Dora; Bulgaria's a little dramatic; Iceland's song date (26:33) * Our picks for Estonia's Eesti Laul Semi-Final 1 (31:37)
Links * Cover art: Screen from France 2/YouTube * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Estonia | Finland | France | Lithuania | Norway * Eurovision 2021 Calendar * Pia Zadora's famously bought Golden Globe was not bought, Pia Zadora continues to insist (The Dissolve)
Norway opts for a preliminary "Hero", Lithuania takes us to the "Discoteque", and France gets ready for you to decide their Eurovision entry.
Où est la Discoteque? Summary * Israel selects "Set Me Free" for Eden Alene (1:27) * Other news: Vasil is back for North Macedonia, Portugal and Finland release songs, Cyprus drops in February (4:49) * Lithuania Pabandom is Naujo Week 2: The ROOP visits the "Discoteque" (7:04) * Norway Melodi Grand Prix: Raylee is a "Hero", Mike is a villain (11:46) * France C'est Vous Qui Décidez Preview (22:24)
Links * Cover art: NRK (screen) * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Estonia | Finland | France | Lithuania | Norway * Eurovision 2021 Calendar
Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo and Norway's Melodi Grand Prix have begun and we are optimistic about Eurovision Selection Season 2021.
Pabandom is When Summary * Process updates: France has a date, Finland has a slate, Israel has to adjust, Italy's gonna Italy (1:36) * Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo Heat 1 (9:47) * Norway's Melodi Grand Prix Heat 1 (17:07)
Links * Cover photo D. Umbraso / LRT * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Estonia | Finland | France | Lithuania | Norway * Eurovision 2021 Calendar
We have songs to talk about! Israel and Norway have Eurovision tracks in the wild while we consider the optics of putting on the Contest amid a pandemic.
Hoe is de Zorg Summary * Process updates: Greece, France, Finland, Sweden (1:25) * Israel: Three songs (leaked) for Eden (7:18) * TV This Weekend: Norway's NRK Melodi Grand Prix and Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo (19:01) * What are the four Eurovision scenarios? (28:13)
Links * Cover Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Estonia| France | Norway * Eurovision 2021 Calendar
From Albania's FiK selection to Senhit's latest disco cover to the results of ESC 250, we discuss a lot of Eurovision news from over the holidays.
Disco Toilet Summary * Anxhela Peristeri wins Albania's Festivali i Këngës with "Karma" (1:41) * Selection season updates (10:10) + Lithuania, Croatia, and Italy announce contestants + Belarus is open for submissions + Serbia's Hurricane and Ireland's Lesley Roy are coming back + Spain will use a national final for Blas Cantó's song + Israel announces three songs for Eden Alene + Slovenia will use EMA to select Ana Soklic's song + San Marino's Senhit covers Abba's "Waterloo" + Iceland's Daði needs a choir (Google Drive) * ESC 250 Results and Analysis (25:07)
Links * Cover screen from RTSH / YouTube * Spotify Playlists: Selection Season | Albania | Estonia | France * EuroWhat's On 2021 Calendar
We're celebrating 100 episodes and the end of 2020! After checking the news, we look at our Spotify Wrapped, ESC250 ballots, and our origin stories.
100: Spotify Warped Summary * Eurovision at the Grammys (1:41) * New Eurovision Logo for 2021 (5:05) * Selection updates: Israel, Estonia, France, Sweden, Portugal, Croatia, Italy (6:31) * Festivali i Këngës Picks (11:49) * Spotify Wrapped or Warped? (22:04) * Our ESC250 Ballots (30:30) * How did we get radicalized into Eurovision? (35:50)
Links * A Data-Driven Identity for the Eurovision Song Contest That Unites and Celebrates (Clever Franke Eurovision logo case study) * Spotify Playlists: Albania | Estonia | France | Selection Season 2021
Eurovision season usually begins in December with Albania's Festivali i Këngës, sometimes known as FiKmas. We dig into FiK's history.
Merry FiKmas Summary * Eurovision 2021 Updates: Semi-Final Allocations and Plan C Videos (2:49) * Artist Updates (7:52) + Cyprus will send Elena Tsagkrinou with "El Diablo" + Bulgaria's VICTORIA floats "Ugly Cry" for consideration + Senhit covers "Amar Pelos Dois" + Damir won't represent Croatia; Aksel won't represent Finland + The ROOP will compete in Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo * National Selection Updates (16:53) + France's National Final coming in January + Norway expands Melodi Grand Prix 2021 + Upcoming drops: Sweden's Melodifestivalen Acts, Estonia's Eesti Laul songs * Main Topic: Albania's Festivali i Këngës and How to Open Up (25:36)
Links * Cover Image by Peggy and Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay * Eurovision Selection Season 2021 Playlist (Spotify) * #71: Sticks Nix FiK Picks
Turkey was last at Eurovision in 2012. We wanted to take this opportunity to comb through its history at the Contest and gobble up any information we could find.
Let's Talk Turkey Summary * Corrections: Stupid Sexy Flanders Edition * News (3:15) + Belgium's Hooverphonic changes its lineup + Ben Dolic won't return to represent Germany + Albania's Festivali i Këngës releases 26 songs and its (tentative) schedule + Israel hops online to choose Eden Alene's song + Estonia announces the 24 entries for next year's Eesti Laul * Turkey at the Eurovision Song Contest + Debut (13:17) + 1980s (22:41) + 1990s (28:39) + Every Way That I Can and beyond (34:07)
Links * #67: Hungary for Turkey * Turkey at Eurovision playlist (Spotify) * Fesitvali i Këngës 59 playlist (YouTube)
We could all use a distraction during gestures at universe. Here are some picks for Eurovision-adjacent media from our AV club.
Eurovision AV Club Summary * News: 41 Countries to Participate at Eurovision 2021, Daði & Gagnamagnið for Iceland, Senhit covers "Rise Like a Phoenix" (2:38) * Selection Season process details: Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo, Finland's UMK, Croatia's Dora, Denmark's Melodi Grand Prix (7:56) * ESC 250 voting opens November 9 (13:19) * Eurovision Book Club! (16:11) + Three Minutes of Eternity (Amazon) + Being Conchita: We Are Unstoppable (Amazon) * Eurovision Movie Club! (29:16) + Monsterman (Amazon Prime) + Souvenir (Trailer) + Cupcakes (Trailer)
Links * Photo by Juraj Gabriel on Unsplash * #20: Bite The Apple * #31: Eurovision Gifts for 2018 * Bem Bom Trailer (YouTube)
The Masked Singer has proven to be an international hit and a potential aftermarket for Eurovision alumni. Mike from Aussievision joins us to discuss the insanity.
Take! It! Off! Summary * News: 38 countries so far, Norway dates, Italy process (2:00) * Iceland Airwaves presents Live from Reykjavik (5:54) * Netflix offers Fire Saga For Your Consideration (8:07) * Main Topic: The Masked Singer as Eurovision Aftermarket (15:56) * Special Guest: Mike from Aussievision discusses the Australian version of the Masked Singer (26:51)
Links * King of Masked Singer: Ryan Reynolds and Dami Im * #28 The Aftermarket
Special Guest: Aussievision.
Will Howells has created a database called Six on Stage, cataloguing every performer on the Eurovision stage. We chat with him about the project and get caught up on the news.
Six on Stage Summary * How to build a database (1:03) * Watching and re-watching (and re-watching) Eurovision (12:16) * The singers under the stairs (20:36) * News + 4 plans for Eurovision 2021 (37:06) + Country updates: Sweden's Melfest schedule, Belarus drops VAL, Dream Team journal (41:36) + "Congratulations" and happy birthday to Senhit (49:11) + Hatari's A Song Called Hate premieres (52:18) + Eurovision in the Wild: America's Got Talent, Just Dance 2021, the People's Choice Awards (53:39)
Links * @WillHowells on Twitter * Six on Stage * #89: 12 Points to Fire Saga?
Special Guest: Will Howells.
Ben flies solo again with another audio essay, this time looking into performers who made double, triple, and even quadruple visits to the Eurovision stage. Double Trouble Summary * Eurovision, Again? (0:55) * Defining a "Lead Artist" (2:00) * Golden Boy (3:17) * The Four-Timers Club (4:25) * Three is a Magic Number (9:04) * CAROLA (11:00) * Close Close Close, but No Cigar (13:07) * Second Time's the Charm (15:36) * Glow-Ups (17:33) * The Direct Opposite of a Glow-Up (20:50) * Failure to Launch (24:58) * Keep That Same Energy (25:56) * What's Another Year? (26:50)
Links * Cover art: EBU / Andres Putting / Thomas Hanses (Eurovision.tv) * Six on Stage website * Sound Off or contact the show to Ask Us Anything * #59: 12 Angry Points
Rotterdam gets to take a mulligan on 2020 as we look ahead to how preparations for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest begin to take shape. Rotterdam, Ahoy! Take 2 Episode Summary * Mailbag and Eurovision in the Wild (2:13) + Eurovision at the DNC + The Crossword: Friday, August 21 in the New Yorker + Animal Crossing Fashion by Nitro Gnome + "Zenit" by ONUKA in Just Dance 2021 * Where are we with countries and artists for next year? (18:35) + Senhit's Freaky Trip to Rotterdam: "Ding a Dong" + Ben's NRKMGP Presentation * How is Rotterdam planning for Eurovision 2021? (27:43) + With COVID, how is the 2021 edition of Eurovision Organized? (RTS)
Links * Cover Photo by Gerard Lakerveld on Unsplash * Episode 61: It's Rotterdam! Ahoy! (Caution: some YIKES content)
We welcome Helen Groothuis back to the show to workshop how on earth the American Song Contest is supposed to work?
Americandom is Naujo! Episode Summary This episode's conversation is a bit more freestyle than usual, so timestamps don't make a whole lotta sense. However, here are a number of topics that we touch on, more or less in order:
- Variety publishes the first story about the American Song Contest announcement
- Who is Ben Silverman and why is Mike jealous?
- Are there any reality competitions we haven't watched? (Ed Note: No.)
- What network(s) could broadcast this?
- What are our hopes/dreams/fears/lingering questions on how this is supposed to work?
- Can we come up with a better title than American Song Contest?
Links * Intro Clip: "Wells for Boys" (Saturday Night Live / YouTube) * Cover Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash * US Version of Eurovision Set for 2021 (C21 Media) * Helen Groothuis on Twitter | YouTube | Patreon
Special Guest: Helen Groothuis.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) turns 70 this year! How did the EBU come into being? We dive into telecommunications history and evolution to find out.
A Brief History of the EBU Summary * Topic Intro (1:53) * Dueling Telegraphs in 1843 (4:20) * What do you know about Napoleon III? (10:29) * The Radio Makes Waves (17:18) * The International Broadcasting Union and Proto-Eurovision (31:58) * Telecommunications Needs Post World War II and the Birth of the EBU (38:50)
Links * Morse Code and the Telegraph (History) * The 1865 International Telegraph Conference (ITU) * International Broadcasting Union (Nature) * Suzanne Lommers, "The quality of high-culture broadcasting" (Inventing Europe) * Morten Michelsen, "European Music? The International Broadcasting Union's 1930s Concert Series Concerts Européens" (Transnationalizing Radio Research) * Suzanne Vega is the 'Mother of the mp3' (Observer) * International Radio Conference; Atlantic City, 1947 (ITU) * EBU - 70th Anniversary (EBU)
We open up our mailbag and a chilled bottle of pinot grigio as we get caught up on Eurovision news from the last month.
Wine Aunt Energy Episode Summary * Mailbag (1:27): + How to pronounce "Niamh" + Bucks Fizz boiled sweets + The worst Halloween candy + Bruno Toniolli * No, really, are "Husavik" and "Jaja Ding Dong" eligible for Oscars? (6:30) * #EurovisionAgain (13:10) + Copenhagen 2014 + Jerusalem 1999 * Eurovision Back for Good (20:43) * Returning artist updates (24:09) + Moldova + Greece + Israel + Slovenia + San Marino * Artists not returning (41:58) + Croatia + France + Italy + Albania + Germany
Links * Cover art photo by Stephanie Greene (Unsplash) * #60: Hallelujah * The Real Eurovision's Dadi Freyr Talks Netflix's 'Icelandic' (Vulture) * Hera Bjork's "Jaja Ding Dong" cover (Facebook)
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga arrived on Netflix last week and 12 Points from America joins us to discuss the music in Will Ferrell's new comedy.
12 Points to Fire Saga? Episode Summary * Welcome, 12 Points from America! Erik, Danny, Sam, and Derek! (2:20) * What were your overall impressions of the music in the movie? (7:23) * Will non-Eurovision fans "get" the Song Along? (20:30) * Was there anything missing from the Eurovision music experience? (39:33) * Outro: We discuss The Story of Fire Saga as a movie on 12 Points from America! (46:30)
Links * Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Music from the Netflix Film) (Spotify) * @12PointsUSA (Twitter) * Bulgaria's 2017 Postcard (Facebook Video) * #54: Madame X is Eurovision
Special Guest: 12 Points from America.
We try our 12 Minutes from 2007 on a complete newbie to Eurovision. What does our guest Justin Ladia think of the festivities from Finland?
I Am Confusion Summary * Welcome, Justin! What do you know about Eurovision? (2:29) * Serbia - "Molitva" - Marija Šerifović (5:50) * What was that postcard? (10:18) * Ukraine - "Dancing Lasha Tumbai" - Verka Serduchka (14:13) * United Kingdom - "Flying the Flag (For You)" - Scooch (22:25) * What were the results? (26:19)
Links * Justin Ladia on Twitter | Twitch | Instagram * 12 Minutes from the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest (YouTube)
Special Guest: Justin Ladia.
Chris King joins us to chat about UK quiz and panel shows—including Pointless Eurovision—and the rock block of Serbia, Ukraine, and the UK from Eurovision 2007.
12 Minutes in 2007 Summary * Called Into Questions and UK quiz shows (1:31) * News: Eurovision 2021 to take place May 18, 20, 22 (12:39) * #EurovisionAgain: 2018 and 1988 (14:24) * Main Topic: 12 Minutes from the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest (21:02) + Serbia - Molitva - Marija Šerifović (25:27) + Ukraine - Dancing Lasha Tumbai - Verka Serduchka (31:11) + United Kingdom - Flying the Flag (For You) - Scooch (38:41)
Links * Chris King on Twitter (@ckingsc) * Pointless Celebrities: Eurovision (YouTube) * #18: Indistinct Pterodactyl Squawking (2018 Post-Final Episode)
Special Guest: Chris King.
The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest did not happen. We discuss three Eurovision-adjacent song contests that did happen in the first half of 2020.
AfriMusic, AI, and the Free European Song Contests Summary * News: Andorra returns? Cyprus re-selects (2:09) * #EurovisionAgain: Riga 2003 and Italy 1991 (5:07) * What is the AfriMusic Song Contest? (17:13) * What is the AI Song Contest? (28:35) * What is the Free European Song Contest? (36:18)
Links * 87 AfriMusic, AI, and the Free European Song Contests playlist (Spotify) * AI Song Contest Playlist (Spotify) * Uncanny Valley's Process Blog (RMIT University) * AI Songfestival Webseries (YouTube) * Free European Song Contest performance recap (YouTube)
The 2020 Eurovision Season comes to an end with Europe: Shine a Light. @dudepoints joins us to reminisce and set the record straight on the Riga Beaver.
Shine a Light Summary * Welcome, @dudepoints! (1:58) * The Riga Beaver and Kozmens (3:16) * Eurovision: The Saga of Fire Song announced by Netflix (12:01) * Eurovision 2020 Tribute Album drops (15:54) * Who "won" Eurovision 2020? (19:59) * Our 2021 Wishlist (42:23) * Europe: Shine a Light Epilogue (47:30)
Links * dudepoints.fun * "Volcano Man" teaser (YouTube) * Europe: Shine a Light full show (YouTube) * #EurovisionAgain 1974 (YouTube)
Special Guest: dudepoints.
EurovisionAgain impresario Rob Holley speaks with us about the Eurovision Twitter time machine extravaganza.
EurovisionAgain Summary
- News Desk (1:58)
- Eurostream 2020 Voting | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
- Alternate Programming for Eurovision Week ESCXtra Guide
- Netflix Updates
-
EurovisionAgain with Rob Holley (11:30)
Links * #60: Hallelujah (Eurovision 1979) * #EurovisionAgain Website | Twitter | Podcast * Fundraising Links for Terrence Higgins Trust, Mermaids, Stonewall UK * Throw Yourself into the Dorky World of Pop (Telegraph)
Special Guest: Rob Holley.
Music critic Ned Raggett joins us to discuss rockism, poptimism, and why Eurovision songs are worthy of critique.
What is Poptimism? Summary * Welcome, Ned! (1:00) * Newsdesk: Eurostream 2020, Eurovision in Concert, Europe Shine a Light, Blas Cantó duets with Kelly Clarkson (4:32) * What is "poptimism"? (12:36) * Poptimism vs. Rockism (23:56) * The Rise of Eurovision in the US (34:15)
Links * Where to find Ned: Twitter @nedraggett | Patreon | By-the-Bywater * 333Sound (33 1/3 Project) * The Reconsideration of Abba, a Band Beyond Taste (Pitchfork)
Special Guest: Ned Raggett.
We are thrilled to announce that we have have partnered with several websites and outlets to work together on Eurostream 2020!
Online Eurovision Song Contest 2020, ‘Eurostream’, to be held on May 5, 7 & 9 Following the cancellation of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, several major Eurovision websites have joined forces to organize the first-ever 100% online edition of the Contest.
Under the joint name Eurostream 2020, three scheduled live shows will be broadcast online for viewers around the world.
Eurostream 2020 Format Prior to the live shows, draws will be held to determine the running order for the two Semi-Finals. These will take place on April 21 and 28, respectively, and will be broadcast online. The same countries that were supposed to participate in the Semi-Finals of Eurovision 2020 will take part in the Semi-Finals of Eurostream 2020.
The Semi-Finals will take place on Tuesday, May 5 and Thursday, May 7. Ten countries from each broadcast will advance to the Grand Final based on online public voting (50%) and the votes of national juries consisting of music professionals (50%). Just like at Eurovision, the qualifiers will be announced in a random order, with detailed results to be released following the Final.
The Grand Final will take place on Saturday, May 9. The 20 qualifiers from the Semi-Finals will join the countries of the Big 5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom) and the 2020 host country, The Netherlands, which have already pre-qualified for the Grand Final. The same voting system will be applied to compile the results for the Grand Final of Eurostream 2020.
There will be no live performances from the artists during the live shows of Eurostream 2020. Instead, snippets of the official preview videos will be shown. Editors from several Eurovision websites will be joining via live stream to comment on the songs and their chances. You can expect several surprises during the three scheduled live shows.
Eurostream 2020 Broadcast Schedule (subject to change): * Running Order Draw Semi-Final 1: Tuesday, April 21 (20:00 CET / 2pm Eastern) * Running Order Draw Semi-Final 2: Tuesday, April 28 (20:00 CET / 2pm Eastern) * Semi-Final 1: Tuesday, May 5 (21:00 CET / 3pm Eastern) * Semi-Final 2: Thursday, May 7 (21:00 CET / 3pm Eastern) * Grand Final: Saturday, May 9 (21:00 CET / 3pm Eastern)
Eurostream 2020 partners: * 12 Points From America * aussievision.net * Ding-a-Dong Podcast * escdaily.com * escgo.com * escinsight.com * esckaz.com * escnation.com * escplus.es * escplus.com * escxtra.com * eurovisionary.com * eurovisionunion.com * eurovisionuniverse.com * EuroWhat? Podcast * evrovizija.rs * scorewiz.eu * songfestival.be * songfestivalforum.nl * songfestivalweblog.nl
Eurostream 2020 Contact Information Eurostream 2020 can be found on Facebook and Twitter, where the latest information about the upcoming event will be shared. For answers on more practical questions regarding the project, broadcasts and voting, we kindly redirect you to the joint website, eurostream2020.com.
Despite Eurovision's cancellation this year, the fandom is still fully engaged in the Contest. Eurovision Obsession's André Durham joins us to chat about how we're coping.
Fanopticon Summary * Special Guest: Welcome back, André Durham! * Eurovision News (1:48) + 2021 Participation, Fast Passes, and Returning Artists + Songwriters have opinions about the 2020 cancellation + The Soul of Eurovision Saga + France re-releases Tom Leeb's "Mon Alliée (The Best in Me)" * Voting! (12:43) + Eurovision Obsession's 2020 Tournament Bracket + Spain wins Spain's RTVE Poll + Australia's OGAE selects Iceland * Concerts! (25:27) + Eurovision Home Concerts (Episode 1) + Surie Lockdown Eurovision Party + Victoria at Home * Rewatch! (32:17) + Eurovision 2019 is still on Netflix + #EurovisionAgain Saturdays at 9pm CET / 3pm Eastern + Broadcasters planning out special May programming * Who do you think would have won Eurovision this year?
Special Guest: André Durham.
We look back at the songs that missed out on being in the weird limbo space created after the cancellation of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest.
The (Other) Ones That Got Away 2020 Edition Summary * News: the transition from Eurovision 2020 to Eurovision 2021 (2:13) * The Ones That Got Away: Albania, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Ukraine (11:24) * What does Lithuania do with the Roop and Pabandom is Naujo? (27:06)
Links * 82: The (Other) Ones That Got Away playlist (Spotify) * Eurovision Selection Season 2020 playlist (Spotify) * Wintergatan "Marble Machine" video (YouTube) * Eurovision 2020: In Memoriam (Vulture)
No news is good news. This news is bad news. Eurovision 2020 has been canceled. Now what?
Links * Rob Holley's thread about why this decision is correct (Twitter) * Ticket information (in Dutch, but Google Translate should help you out) (Songfestival.nl) * Help out Songfestival.be with a fan event (Twitter)
We finish up our initial evaluations of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest entries with the last nine songs to drop in March.
WHY ARE WE YELLING? Summary * Coronavirus vs. Eurovision (1:44) * Does Austria's song make us feel "Alive"? (6:22) * Ireland's "Story of My Life" splits opinions (10:21) * Are we "Running" to or from Cyprus? Or the mall? (15:13) * Should Bulgaria's "Tears Getting Sober" be the favorite? (19:09) * What do "YOU" think of North Macedonia's entry? (22:54) * Guess which of us is "FREAKY!" over San Marino's entry (27:03) * Does Malta get "All of My Love"? Some? Any? (35:36) * Does Azerbaijan say gay rights with "Cleopatra"? (40:07) * Russia continues to Russia with "UNO" 44:23
Links * 81: WHY ARE WE YELLING? Playlist (Spotify) * Mike @rube_goldberg (Twitter) * Ben @benmsmith (Twitter)
We made it through the end of Eurovision Selection Season! Well, the competitions in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Portugal, at least.
This is Fine Summary * Eurovision in the Wild: Geeky Podcasters Edition (1:07) * Coronavirus shenanigans (2:48) * Georgia's Tornike Kipiani tells Western Europe to "Take Me As I Am" (5:30) * Eden represents Israel and Ethiopia with "Feker Libi" (8:46) * Netherlands adds to the "Grow"-ing field with Jeangu Macrooy (11:03) * Gjon's Tears shed for Switzerland with "Repondez-moi" (14:29) * Denmark says "YES" to Ben and Tan (18:53) * The Mamas make a "Move" for Sweden (23:58) * "Looking Back" at Aksel's UMK win in Finland (29:18) * Portugal chooses Elisa's "Medo de Sentir" (34:37)
Links * Geek Bowl XIV (Geeks Who Drink) * 80: This is Fine Playlist (Spotify)
Somehow we managed to be verbal after mainlining hours upon hours of Eurovision content this past weekend. It's Songageddon 2020!
Songageddon 2020 Summary * Thursday (1:35) + United Kingdom drops James Newman's "My Last Breath" (with special guest Helen Groothuis) + Germany has a "Violent Thing" with Ben Dolic + Azerbaijan announces Samira Efendi * Friday (13:09) + Belarus chooses VAL's "Da Vidna / Да вiдна" instead of "La-Ley-La" * Saturday (16:48) + Estonia's televoters show Uku Suviste "What Love Is" + Moldova goes to "Prison" with Natalia Gordienko + Damir Kedžo wins Croatia's Dora 2020 with "Divlji vjetre" + Iceland's Daði Freyr wins Songvakeppnin with "Think About Things" + Melfest Andra Chansen * Sunday (46:36) + Greece debuts Stefania's "Superg!rl" + Roxen's "Alcohol You" will represent Romania + Hurricane blows away Serbia's Beovizija with "Hasta la Vista" * Monday (55:46) + Russia announces Little Big + Georgia debuts "Take Me As I Am" * Coming up this week: everything else! (58:42)
Links * 79: Songageddon 2020 Playlist (Spotify) * Myths, Legends, And Questions: How To Talk To The British About Eurovision (ESC Insight) * @dril (Twitter) * Sing Your Face Off Might Make You Poke Your Eyes Out (What Else is On) * Die Antwoord + Teletubbies (YouTube)
Special Guest: Helen Groothuis.
We're in the eye of the Eurovision Selection Season storm thanks to a light TV schedule this weekend. Time to practice the "I'm a Little Tempest in a Teapot" dance!
Remedial Dance Party Summary * Ukraine's Go_A wins VidBir with "Solovey" (1:54) * Slovenia's Ana Soklič wins EMA with "Voda" (7:05) * Sweden's Melfest Heat 4 in Malmö (12:52) * Portugal's Festival da Cançao Semi-Final 1 (23:13) * Poland's Alicja Protects the "Empires" from the Lake Malawi Trojan Horse (23:13) * This week: Germany, United Kingdom, Belarus, Serbia, Croatia, Estonia, Iceland, Moldova, Romania (27:53)
Links * 78: Remedial Dance Party playlist (Spotify) * Does Klemen Slakonja have the range? (YouTube) * Is Netflix doing a shadow viral campaign for Iceland? (Reddit)
The Eurovision 2020 songlist has hit double digits after this past weekend as we encounter internal selections and national final results.
Anarchy in the NRK Summary * Armenia's Depi Evratesil (2:09) * Lithuania's Pabandom is Naujo Final (6:32) * Norway's NRK Melodi Grand Prix Final (11:27) * Sweden's Melodifestivalen Heat 3 (21:01) * Iceland's Songvakeppnin Semi-Final 2 (24:49) * France releases Tom Leeb's "The Best in Me" (31:07) * Belgium releases Hooverphonic's "Release Me" (35:35) * This Weekend Romania Songs, Portugal's Festival da Cancao, Slovenia's EMA, Ukraine's VidBir, and Poland's Szansa na Sukces (42:20)
Links * 77: Anarchy in the NRK Playlist (Spotify) * OneLook Dictionary
Saturday proved to be a marathon as Australia, Latvia, and Italy chose their Eurovision entries and a whole bunch of other countries made progress.
Sanremo LXX (Long, Xtra Xtra) Summary * Eurovision in the Wild: Oscars 2020 Edition (1:43) * Israel selects Eden Alene (7:00) * Australia Decides on Montaigne (8:36) * Latvia chooses Samanta Tina (13:47) * Malta's X Factor belongs to Destiny (21:06) * Italy's Sanremo 70 ends with Diodato win (23:00) * Other checkins: Lithuania, Sweden, Iceland, Ukraine, Norway (30:46)
Links * 76 Sanremo LXX (Long, Xtra Xtra) Playlist (Spotify) * "Into the Unknown" Oscars Performance (YouTube)
It's time to update your Eurovision Top 2 videos as Czech Republic makes their choice and Australia, Italy, and Latvia get ready to make theirs.
Austvia Superdecides Summary * Semi-Final Allocation for Realsies This Time (1:40) * Eurovision Ticket Sales (5:15) * Spain releases Blas Cantó's "Universo" (8:28) * Czech Republic chooses Benny Cristo's "Kemama" (10:12) * Greece selects Stefania (14:16) * Weekend Recaps: Lithuania, Norway, Sweden (15:58) * Italy's Sanremo Festival Begins (33:27) * Our picks: Australia Decides (35:35) * Our picks: Latvia's Supernova (44:49) * Coming up this weekend: Malta, Ukraine, Iceland, Poland,
Links * 75: Austvia Superdecides Playlist (Spotify) * Australia Decides Aussievision Online Poll (Aussievision)
Czech Republic came to play, y'all. We do a deep dive on this year's Eurovision selection entries and check in with news across Europe as we wait for the semi final draw.
Semi Final Allocation Czech In Summary * Semi Final Allocation (0:48) * Finland's UMK Entries' Slow Drip (6:11) * Czech Republic's Seven Songs for Eurovision (8:38) * Denmark and Belarus Narrow Down Their Fields (25:51) * Norway's Melodi Grand Prix Heat 3 Recap (28:09) * Lithuania's Pabandom iš Naujo Heat 3 Recap (34:59) * Coming up this week: Tickets, Spain's Song, Sweden's Melfest, Moldova's Auditions, Poland's Szansa na Sukces (38:54)
Links * Playlist: 74: Semi Final Allocation Czech In (Spotify) * Eurovision 2020 Accessibility Plans Revealed (Eurovoix) * Eurovision Semi Final Allocation (YouTube—Geoblocked in the US)
We have an avalanche of Eurovision news this week, including two new artist selections, a bunch of songs, and Billie Eilish?
Boys! Summary * Martin Österdahl named Eurovision Executive Supervisor (1:25) * Jon Ola Sand discusses the US at Eurovision (3:24) * Artist announcements: Tom Leeb for France, Vasil Garvanliev for North Macedonia (6:35) * Song drops: Portugal, Iceland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Moldova, Finland (9:08) * Norway Melodi Grand Prix Week 2 (19:00) * Lithuania Pabandom iš naujo! Week 2 (26:25)
Links * #73 Boys! Playlist (Spotify) * Martin Österdahl Book List (GoodReads)
Eurovision Selection Season 2020 begins in earnest with Norway's revamped Melodi Grand Prix and Lithuania's fashion makeover.
DRIP in a Box Summary * Jeangu Macrooy will represent the Netherlands (1:10) * Norway's Melodi Grand Prix Heat 1 (3:40) * Lithuania's Pabandom iš naujo! Heat 1 (9:23) * Serbia announces its contestants (14:33) * Czech Republic announces their artists (16:25) * This week: Portugal, Latvia, Iceland, Slovenia (20:45)
Links * DRIP in a Box Playlist (Spotify) * Latvia Supernova auditions (YouTube)
We're barely a week into 2020 and we already have Eurovision drama up to our ears (HI ALBANIA!). We get caught up on the news from over the holidays in this episode.
Sticks Nix FiK Picks Summary * Albania's Fesitvali i Këngës chooses Arilena Ara's "Shaj" (1:51) * Georgia Idol chooses Tornike Kiniapi (13:34) * Australia Decides fills its roster (16:39) * Selection process news: Italy, Netherlands, North Macedonia (23:07) * ESC 250 Results (25:42) * Coming up this week: Ukraine artists, Norway's Melodi Grand Prix, Lithuania's Marathon (30:34)
Links * Playlist: 71 Sticks Nix FiK Picks (Spotify) * Festivali i Këngës: The Aftermath (Jessie Hong) * ‘America’s Got Talent’: Australian singer Jordan Ravi was ‘robbed’ by ‘AGT’ judges, say 28% of viewers (Gold Derby)
408 songs competed on the Eurovision stage this decade. 148 did not qualify for the Grand Final. From those, we picked 20 that still hold up.
Episode Summary * 2019 picks (4:03) * 2018 picks (7:39) * 2017 picks (11:40) * 2016 picks (16:40) * 2015 picks (22:07) * 2014 picks (28:03) * 2013 picks (33:48) * 2012 picks (41:56) * 2011 picks (46:05) * 2010 picks (49:23)
Links * 70: The Ones That Got Away 2010s Edition playlist (Spotify) * ESC 250 Countdown (ESC Radio)
Ben flies solo this week after getting too caffeinated while prepping for the last Eurowhat of the year. He develops a theory about Eurovision in the last decade and makes an audio essay about it. It involves snacks.
Episode Summary * How to define a decade (1:48) * Pop, with a Folk flourish (4:15) * Power ballads! (6:10) * The Azerbaijan Pop machine (9:00) * Italy returns (11:18) * Fuego, Replay, and repetition (14:48) * Folk, with a Pop flourish (17:26) * Interesting choices, struggling titans (19:06) * Balance shifts again (22:18)
Links * Hit Parade: Rolling in God's Uptown Road Edition (Slate) * Episode 69: Ben's Grand Eurofying Theory Playlist (Spotify) * Interstitial music in this episode from https://filmmusic.io ||
"Beauty Flow" by Kevin MacLeod || Creative Commons License
Tickets! Hosts! More selections! Eurovision 2020 is in full swing, but we look back at 2019 pop culture and make a 2020 wish list in this episode.
Episode Summary * Eurovision tickets on sale... for 20 minutes (1:32) * Eurovision Hosts: Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley, Jan Smit (6:26) * Austria selects Vincent Bueno (9:38) * Albania's Festivali i Këngës takes place this week (12:18) * Czech Republic invents some genres (14:55) * Festivus Grievances and Holiday Wishes (17:43) * What did your Spotify Wrapped look like? (29:50) * What other podcasts caught your ear this year? (36:52) * The Most Important Piece of Pop Culture of 2019 (42:12)
Podcasts We Recommend * By the Book * Cocaine and Rhinestones * Dolly Parton's America * Extra Hot Great * Hit Parade * List Envy (Mike's episode) * Who? Weekly * You're Wrong About
Other Links * Vincent Bueno competes in Austria's 2016 National Final (YouTube) * Festivali i Këngës YouTube Playlist * Episode 68 Spotify Playlist
Hungary's reasons for withdrawing from Eurovision sound similar to Turkey's. What else do the two countries have in common?
Hungary for Turkey Summary * Eurovision 2020 Logo (1:32) * Cyprus announces Sandro Nicolas (4:03) * Bulgaria announces VICTORIA (7:07) * Sweden announces Melfest lineup (8:39) * Australia Decides: Mitch Tambo and iOTA (12:06) * Estonia presents its 24 songs (14:50) * Internal selections: Russia, France, Spain (16:49) * Main Topic: Hungary for Turkey (18:26) * Spotify Playlist
Links * Hungary pulls out of Eurovision amid rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric (The Guardian) * Is Eurovision too hot for government and public media? (Index.hu (Translated)) * Turkey to return Eurovision 'if no more bearded divas' (Hürriyet Daily News) * Inching away from democracy? (Politico) * How Hungary Became a Haven for the Alt-Right (The Atlantic) * It happened there: how democracy died in Hungary (Vox)
Our Senior Hatari Correspondent Ben traveled to Reykjavik to check in with the Iceland Airwaves festival and what's going on in the Icelandic music scene.
Episode Summary * How Many Countries are in Europe? We have an answer! (1:21) * National Selection Hopscotch (2:44) + Featuring Czech Republic, Estonia, Australia, and more! * ESC 250 Voting is open! (7:16) * Eurovision in Chicago: Onuka, Il Volo, Flying Steps (9:31) * Iceland Airwaves (15:53)
Links * 66: Iceland Airwaves Playlist (Spotify) * Iceland Airwaves homepage
Lebanon was supposed to debut at Eurovision 2005. We examine the unexpected ways international relations impact the Song Contest.
Lebanon-starter Summary * Open Up 2020 (1:26) * Duncan Laurence releases "Love Don't Hate It" (4:02) * Mailbag: How to break a tie in 1970 (5:15) * How Many Countries are in Europe? (9:02) * Eurovision in the Wild: Game Shows, Elton John, Stamps (11:43) * Main Topic: Lebanon at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest
Links * Aline Lahoud "Quand tout s'enfuit" * Lebanon-Isreal relations deteriorate in 2006 (Daily Star Lebanon) * Lebanon's Media Landscape (Fanack) * Internet Archive: Lebanon.com Feb 4 | Mar 6 * #63 Flags on the Play
We jump back 50 years to that time Eurovision had a four-way tie for first place... and no way to break it.
Win Win Win Win Summary * How many countries are in Europe? (1:44) * Are you the next Jon Ola Sand? (9:05) * Update: What WAS that Germany postcard? (12:17) * Eurovision 1969: The Big Tie (14:16) * Netherlands - Lenny Kuhr - "De Troubadour" (19:35) * Spain - Salomé - "Vivo Contando" (22:00) * United Kingdom - Lulu - "Boom Bang A Bang" (24:04) * France - Frida Boccara - "Un Jour, Un Enfant" (27:40)
Links * Executive Supervisor job description (PDF) * Germany's 1979 Postcard discussed in Episode 60 (YouTube) * The 1969 Eurovision Song Contest (YouTube)
Who knew that flags—symbols of national identity—could have political implications at the Eurovision Song Contest? Drink!
Flags on the Play Summary * News (1:48) + Belgium chooses Hooverphonic + Spain surprises with Blas Cantó + Jon Ola Sand will be moving on + Grabbag * Flags at the Eurovision Song Contest (12:05) + Controversy 1: Israel 2000 (15:21) - Music video | Performance | Guardian Article + Controversy 2: United Kingdom 2007 (23:49) - Results of 'Making Your Mind Up' | Performance | Pandora's Track | Malta's vote + Controversy 3: Russia 2015 (33:17) - Performance + Controversy 4: Armenia 2016 (40:10) - Flag policy + Controversy 5: Iceland 2019 (43:49) - Haaertz | Jerusalem Post | Hatari Interview
Links * Eurovision in Concert Tickets
Remember that time Morocco competed at the Eurovision Song Contest? We don't since neither of us existed at the time. Let's learn about it together!
Morocco 1980 Summary * RUV fined for Hatari's antics (1:36) * Country count (3:37) * UK and Spain go internal (4:37) * Morocco at the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest (8:53)
Links * You're Wrong About (Apple Podcasts) * This is Sweden Calling by Des Mangan (Amazon)
Happy Eurovision New Year! We're talking about Eurovision 2020's host country the Netherlands and the host city of Rotterdam.
It’s Rotterdam! Ahoy! Summary * Happy Eurovision New Year! (1:23) * The Mailbag (4:58) + Prioritization Grids: Random and Normal + Fun with our Eurovision Lyrics Generator + Eurovision in the Wild: From Russia with Love Edition + Please Clap * The Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest (12:13) * Ahoy, Rotterdam! (22:00)
Links * EBU's revisionist history (ESCXtra) * Switzerland song submission form (SRF) * Blue Jeans and Bloody Tears (YouTube) * The Netherlands at Eurovision Spotify Playlist (Spotify) * Rotterdam Tourist Information * The Number Ones: Domenico Modugno’s “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)” (Stereogum)
With Tel Aviv about to pass the Eurovision hosting baton to Rotterdam or Maastricht, we watch the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest to see what has changed in the last 40 years.
Hallelujah Summary * Welcome back, Chris King! (1:28) * Netflix Eurovision casting news: Dan Stevens and Demi Lovato (3:04) * Host City Announcement Friday (5:43) * The 1979 Eurovision Song Contest (7:39) + Postcards (11:40) + Performances (19:33) + Did the correct entry win? (39:04) + The Aftermath (44:38)
Links * #27: Orchestras, Synthesizers, and Lulu * The EuroWhat? #20: Bite The Apple
Special Guest: Chris King.
Nothing courts Eurovision controversy quite like the juries. We journey back to 1997 when the introduction of the televote made the juries A Thing.
12 Angry Points Summary * Mailbag: Big 5 Rehab Redux with Germany and the UK (2:07) * Eurovision in the Wild: German chocolate edition (5:00) * How Many Cities in the Netherlands? (7:36) * Netflix Eurovision update (9:03) * A Brief History of Eurovision Juries (11:32)
Links * Ben's Eurovision in the Wild (Twitter) * #29: Start Voting Now * #35: Molasses Flood
Helen Groothuis joins us as we finish our Eurovision gut rehab project with France and a United Kingdom intervention.
The Big 5 Gut Rehab (France and United Kingdom) Summary * Welcome, Helen! (1:55) * How many cities in the Netherlands? (3:44) * Eurovision on Netflix (6:02) * France (11:17) * United Kingdom (21:54)
Links * Helen on Twitter | Blog | YouTube * Eurovision in the Wild: Germany's Levina in a Boston grocery store?
Special Guest: Helen Groothuis.
Our July renovations continue as we wander the Eurovision wilderness with Big 5 countries Spain and Germany.
The Big 5 Gut Rehab (Spain and Germany) Summary * How many cities in the Netherlands (0:47) * Podcast Awards: Please Clap (5:15) * Gut Rehab: Spain (6:45) * Gut Rehab: Germany (18:17)
Links * Podcast Awards nomination ballot
We love a summer renovation project and the Eurovision Big 5 could use some work. Well, maybe not Italy...
The Big 5 Gut Rehab (Italy) Summary * How many cities are in the Netherlands? (1:10) * #SayNomNomNom (3:43) * What is the Big 5? (7:11) * Gut Rehab: Italy (12:54)
Links * Podcast Awards Nominations now open! * #27: Orchestras, Synthesizers, and Lulu
As Eurovision explores making the American Song Contest a thing, we watch NBC's new songwriting series Songland. Is the process telegenic?
Visiting Songland Summary * Remember Bravo's Platinum Hit? (3:37) * NBC's Songland (6:43)
Links * Platinum Hit homepage (really?!) (BravoTV.com) * Songland homepage (NBC.com) * Songland Podcast (iHeartRadio)
Maura Johnston joins us to discuss Madonna's Eurovision performance, Madame X, and how the Queen of Pop can navigate 2019.
Madame X is Eurovision Summary * Welcome, Maura Johnston! * Grand Final scoreboard updates (3:32) * Hatari wins Iceland Kids' Choice Awards (8:01) * Eurovision in the Wild: Billboard Edition (9:06) * Barbara Dex update (10:10) * Madonna: Eurovision, Madame X, and 2019 Pop (14:47) * What other superstars should Eurovision seek out? (40:50)
Links * Video: Hatari wins kids' choice awards (Jump to 22:45) (RUV) * FYR Macedonia's Eye Cue dress eBay listing * Eurovision 2019 Finale and the Occult Meaning of Madonna’s Controversial Performance (Vigilant Citizen)
Special Guest: Maura Johnston.
André Durham from Eurovision Obsession joins us to discuss the Eurovision 2019 Grand Final and dig into the semi-final data.
Satisfactory Winner Summary * Duncan Laurence's "Arcade" from the Netherlands wins (3:13) * Semi-Final 1 Data Dump (10:41) * Semi-Final 2 Data Dump (18:00) * How did the auto-qualifiers do? (25:37) * The Eurovision viewing experience (31:57) * Awards! (45:37)
Links * @euro_bruno's Belarus jury detective work (Twitter) * Barbara Dex voting open! (Songfestival.be) * "I Wanna Love You Tender" (YouTube) * Thanks to our guest André Durham! Follow his projects here:
Eurovision Obsession | @escobsession | Our Queer Experience | Payne County Pride
Special Guest: André Durham.
This is it. The Eurovision 2019 Semi-Finals are done and we know what 26 countries will compete in Saturday's Grand Final. We add our own wild speculation to the mix.
We break down the results from the semi-finals and how accurate our predictions were (Hint: hoo boy...) and what we think of Israel's presentation of the Contest so far. After checking in with the auto-qualifiers rehearsals, we make our picks for who will win the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Will Iceland's "Hatrid mun sigra" sigra? Could Australia's "Zero Gravity" rise to the top? Is Netherlands' "Arcade" playing a winning game? Or will France's "Roi" reign supreme?
Eurovision 2019 Grand Final Preview Summary SPOILER WARNING: We know not everyone watches the semi-finals and some folks may still be avoiding any information about the auto-qualifiers’ rehearsals. If you want to remain unspoiled, you may want to save this episode until after Saturday’s Grand Final. Who knows, we could be hilariously wrong in everything, so you may have that to look forward to.
- How was the first semi-final? (4:15)
- How was the second semi-final? (18:08)
- Eurovision Grand Final preview (36:26)
- Our predictions (44:42)
Links * Where can I watch the Eurovision Song Contest in the US * Play Eurowhat Bingo
Happy Eurovision week! Ben and Mike have done their rankings, mixed them with other data, and have made their picks for which songs will make it to the Grand Final.
Eurovision 2019 Semi-Final Predictions Summary SPOILER WARNINGThis episode will discuss details from the rehearsal clips on Eurovision's YouTube page. It will be safe to listen to the Semi-Final 1 section on Wednesday to find out how ~~wrong wrong wrong~~ accurate we were and we clearly indicate when the Semi-Final 2 section begins.
- Is Eurovision Geoblocked? (1:02)
- Interval Acts confirmed (2:08)
- Our rankings process (6:04)
- Semi-Final 1 Predictions (8:33)
- Semi-Final 2 Predictions (21:23)
Links * Where Can I Watch the Eurovision Song Contest in the US? * Eurovision World Odds Tracker
Dave Steeves joins us to discuss the Eurovision auto-qualifiers as we ask the eternal question "Could Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the host country advance if they had to compete?"
The Mountaintop Summary * Language musing (1:56) * EBU Eurovision Podcast (4:08) * Hatari Merch (5:55) * Spain - Miki - "La Venda" (8:43) * France - Bilal Hassani - "Roi" (12:54) * United Kingdom - Michael Rice - "Bigger Than Us" (18:11) * Italy - Mahmood - "Soldi" (25:45) * Germany - S!sters - "Sister" (32:14) * Israel - Kobi Marimi - "Home" (39:07)
Links * Italy Wins OGAE Poll 2019 (Eurovoix) * The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast (iTunes)
Special Guest: Dave Steeves.
We finish our coverage of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals talking about Russia, Albania, Norway, Netherlands, North Macedonia, and Azerbaijan.
Eurovision 2019 Semi-Final 2 Part 3: Johnny Bravo Summary * Russia - Sergey Lazarev - SCREAM (2:10) * Albania - Jonida Maliqi - Ktheju Tokës (8:31) * Norway - KEiiNO - Spirit in the Sky (13:01) * Netherlands - Duncan Laurence - Arcade (18:17) * North Macedonia - Tamara Todevska - Proud (24:01) * Azerbaijan - Chingiz - Truth (28:22) * Final Thoughts (36:00)
Links * Eriona Rushiti (Albania) interview (Opusalb) * "Adios Johnny Bravo" (YouTube) * KEiiNO covers "Shallow" (Spotify) * "Proud" Acoustic (OnAir.MK)
The second semi-final of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest will include Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Croatia, Malta, and Lithuania. We can confirm these are songs.
Eurovision 2019 Semi-Final 2 Part 2: These Are Six Songs Summary * News: Interval acts, Netta on the charts, Madrid Pre-Party, Ticket$ (3:04) * Denmark - Leonora - "Love is Forever" (15:57) * Sweden - John Lundvik - "Too Late for Love" (20:15) * Austria - PAENDA - "Limits" (25:33) * Croatia - Roko Blažević - "The Dream" (30:08) * Malta - Michela - "Chameleon" (35:48) * Lithuania - Jurijus - "Run with the Lions" (40:21) * Final Thoughts (45:48)
Links * Where can I watch Eurovision in the US? * Interval acts for Eurovision 2019 revealed (Eurovision World) * EDM Music & Dance Songs Chart / Dance Songs Chart (Billboard) * PreParty Spain * Eurovision Tickets (Leaan) * Thousands of Eurovision tickets still unsold (Globes)
We start our exploration of the second semi-final of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest with special guest Lindsey Weber.
Eurovision 2019 Semi-Final 2 Part 1: Sorry, Country Summary * Welcome back, Lindsey Weber! (0:50) * News: Logo drops Eurovision; Full album available; Special Guests (4:54) * Armenia - Srbuk - "Walking Out" * Ireland - Sarah McTernan - "22" * Moldova - Anna Odobescu - "Stay" * Switzerland - Luca Hänni - "She Got Me" * Latvia - Carousel - "That Night" * Romania - Ester Peony - "On a Sunday"
Links * Who? Weekly * Rita Ora and Alex Sparrow?! (TMZ)
Special Guest: Lindsey Weber.
With running order in hand, we finish covering Eurovision Semi Final 1, talking about Georgia, Iceland, Estonia, Portugal, Greece, and San Marino.
Eurovision 2019 Semi-Final 1 Part 3: Extremely Online Summary * Followups! My Heritage Gets a B; Italy's Feeling the Music (1:25) * News: Eurovision in Concert; Madonna; Running Order (2:52) * Georgia - Oto Nemsadze - Keep on Going (8:16) * Iceland - Hatari - Hatrið mun sigra (14:59) * Estonia - Victor Crone - Storm (21:52) * Portugal - Conan Osíris - Telemóveis (27:03) * Greece - Katerine Duska - Better Love (31:43) * San Marino - Serhat - Say Na Na Na (36:27) * Semi Final 1 Wrapup (45:33)
We finish the first half of the first Eurovision semi-final discussing Poland, Serbia, and Slovenia. Then Australia and Belgium kick off our second half coverage.
Eurovision 2019 Semi-Final 1 Part 2: “Oof” Summary * News Desk: Score presentation, "Douze Points", security, and photo apps (1:46) * Poland - Tulia - "Fire of Love (Pali się)" (10:01) * Serbia - Nevena Božović - "Kruna" (18:53) * Slovenia - Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl - "Sebi" (22:29) * Australia - Kate Miller-Heidke - "Zero Gravity" (26:17) * Belgium - Eliot - "Wake Up" (30:01) * Overview (34:24)
Links * Mockup of how new score presentation would have worked in 2018 (YouTube/ESC Luxembourg) * Kidz Bop
We welcome Eurovision newbie Chris King to our first discussion about the first semi-final. This week's countries include Belarus, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, and Montenegro.
Let’s Discuss Eurovision 2019 Semi Final 1 Part 1 Summary * Belarus - Zena - "Like It" (3:28) * Cyprus - Tamta - "Replay" (9:54) * Czech Republic - Lake Malawi - "Friend of a Friend" (18:40) * Finland - Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman - "Look Away" (23:58) * Hungary - Joci Pápai - "Az Én Apám" (31:58) * Montenegro - D Mol - "Heaven" (37:35) * Overview and predictions (45:04)
Links * @CKingSC * Chris Words * Five Course Trivia * AfriMusic Song Contest
Special Guest: Chris King.
Another Eurovision Selection Season is behind us, but we are still holding out hope for a strong write-in campaign for six entries that didn't make the cut.
We welcome back Noam Roth to the Eurowhat! He gives us an update on what's going on in Tel Aviv as the city gets ready to host the Contest. Then we hand out our honorable mentions for this year's selection season entries that have a place in our hearts even if they don't have a place on the Eurovision stage.
The Ones That Got Away (2019) Summary * Our bracket winner is... (1:17) * How are things in Tel Aviv? (2:00) * The Ones That Got Away (8:26) * Noam's Eurovision Prediction (29:21)
Links * EuroFreak (YouTube) * OGAE Israel (Facebook)
Special Guest: Noam Roth.
The madness of Eurovision Selection Season has come to an end. With 16 songs to discuss, we change up the format to get into competition mode.
Madness! Summary * We Stan Hatari: Öskudagur edition (2:01) * Eurovision Madness Bracket! (4:11) * Round of 16 (6:59) * Round of 8 (20:18) * Final Four (30:22) * The Grand Final (35:06) * VOTE in our Twitter poll
Links * End of Selection Season Bracket (pdf) * Israeli Civil Rights Organisation Calls For Hatari To Be Banned From Entering Israel (Eurovoix) * Hatari costumes are selling like hot-cakes for Öskudagur (Iceland Monitor)
Sweden's Melodifestivalen — AKA Melfest — will wrap its 59th edition on Saturday. We go through the 12 entries competing to represent Sweden at Eurovision in Tel Aviv.
Melodifestivalen Running Order 1. Jon Henrik Fjällgren "Norrsken (Goeksegh)" 2. Lisa Ajax "Torn" 3. Mohombi "Hello" 4. Lina Hedlund "Victorious" 5. Bishara "On My Own" 6. Anna Bergendahl "Ashes to Ashes" 7. Nano "Chasing Rivers" 8. Hanna Ferm & LIAMOO "Hold You" 9. Malou Prytz "I Do Me" 10. John Lundvik "Too Late for Love" 11. Wiktoria "Not with Me" 12. Arvingarna "I Do"
Links * Melodifestivalen - Our mock jury and televote special (Aussievision) * The Number Ones: The Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" (Stereogum) * Melfest Playlist (Spotify)
The loose ends of Eurovision national final season started wrapping up this past weekend, with seven songs selected, one country confirming withdrawal, and tickets... well...
Loose Ends Summary * Ukraine confirms withdrawal (1:54) * Tickets are on sale... until they're not. Surprise! (3:27) * Belgium asks Eliot to "Wake Up" (4:28) * Looking at Finland's "Look Away" (6:33) * HATARI (9:54) * Can Moldova "Stay" on track? (15:04) * Norway ~~Greenbaum's~~ "Spirit in the Sky" (17:47) * Portugal's "Telemóveis" splits the room (20:54) * Georgia Idol or Georgia Idle? (24:13) * Serbia's "Kruna" (26:49) * Coming up: The Last Week of Selection Season! (29:22)
Links * Intro clip: IMSLAND covers Hatari (YouTube) * Kan demands cancellation of insider Eurovision ticket sales (Globes) * Finland: YLE Considers Format Change for UMK (Eurovoix)
Eurovision ticket prices? Yikes. Lithuania Marathon finale shenanigans? Yikes. Ukraine's Vidbir Inquisition? YIKES. It's been a week, y'all.
YIKES Summary * Eurovision ticket prices announced (1:25) * France not a fan of Duz Pua (3:42) * Ben and Mike are 23rd cousins twice removed (5:55) * Germany chooses S!sters' "Sister" (7:14) * Hungary's Joci Pápai returns to Eurovision with “Az Én Apám” (11:04) * Ukraine was A THING (13:08) * Denmark's Leonora changes the tone with "Love is Forever" (22:07) * How Many People in Lithuania? Jurijus "Run with the Lions" (28:31) * Melfest Checkin (33:19) * This week: Finland, Georgia, Iceland, Moldova, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Belgium, North Macedonia (34:54)
Links * MyHeritage: Twins! * MARUV discusses the contract (Twitter)
All the things happened this past weekend in Eurovision-land and the trend that's emerging: Eurovision is in a mood.
Eurovision is a Whole Mood Summary * Australia locked in until 2023! (1:39) * Israel chooses Kobi Marimi (2:36) * Poland announces Tulia (5:01) * Greece announces Katerine Duska (7:11) * Dora: Croatia chooses Roko Blazevic's "The Dream" (8:46) * Eesti Laul: Estonia chooses Victor Crone's "Storm" (11:27) * Supernova: Latvia chooses Carousel's "That Night" (14:39) * EMA: Slovenia chooses Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl's "Sebi" (18:24) * Selectia Nationala: ~~Wiwiblogs~~ Romania chooses Ester Peony's "On a Sunday" (21:21) * Semi-final checkins: Iceland, Sweden, Hungary (drama!), Lithuania, Ukraine, Portugal (30:47)
Links * What's up with Eurovision tickets? (Spoiler: the price) (Eurovision World) * When the Jury System Does Not Work (Eurovisionary)
Eurovision 2019 Selection Season is in full swing! We dive into the Euro Vortex with the United Kingdom, Montenegro, Italy, and Hatari among many others.
First up, Ben and Mike recover from last week's polar vortex by checking in with some Eurovision in the Wild on US TV. Kseniya Simonova—the sand artist from Ukraine's 2011 entry "Angel"—blew away Terry Crews on America's Got Talent and might win the final? Meanwhile, CBS has enlisted some Eurovision help with The World's Best while the Tennis Channel is causing folks to ask "Is this a Eurovision?"
This past week has brought about a handful of selections. Russia reminds us that Sergey Lazarev will be their only one for 2019. The United Kingdom will try to make Michael Rice's "Bigger Than Us"... something. Australia finally decided. Montenegro introduces this year's first group. And Italy has opinions about "Soldi" by Mahmood. Like... A LOT of opinions.
There was also a vortex of semi-finals throughout the weekend, with Iceland, Lithuania, Sweden, and Romania getting closer to making their final choices. Could we be on the cusp of a Hatari / Laura Bretan collaboration in 2020? We'll need to get through the chaos of next weekend's dozen or so selections and broadcasts.
Euro Vortex Summary * Eurovision in the Wild (1:49) * Russia selects Sergey Lazarev (7:21) * United Kingdom chooses "It's Bigger Than Us" (8:43) * Australia Decides (12:34) * Montenegro: "Heaven" sent (18:08) * Italy has opinions about Sanremo (21:22) * Checking in with the Semi-Finals (27:42)
Links * Explaining the Melfest Heat 2 Results (Gustav's Expert Blog) * Hatari vs. Netanyahu (Wiwiblogs) * Romanian Referendum to Ban Same-Sex Marriage Fails (NPR)
We discuss Australia Decides with Mike and Dale from the Aussievision Podcast! Which entries are we most excited about in this year's field?
Eurovision selection season is starting to get into full swing. We have artist announcements from three countries kicking off this episode, with Austria's choice reminding us of Netta. Speaking of last year's winner, we take a listen to her follow-up single "Bassa Sababa"—does it capture our imagination the way "Toy" did last year?
Coming up this week will be Australia's first-ever national selection Australia Decides. We could have done our own deep dive into the ten songs competing for the ticket to Tel Aviv, but why not bring in some actual Australians to help us out? Mike and Dale from the Aussievision Podcast conquered all the timezones to discuss the Australian music scene, which reality shows actually work as launch pads, and reminisce on the awesomeness of the looks from RuPaul's Drag Race season 6. Oh, and we chat about the 10 songs that will be competing this Saturday.
We close the show talking about the three other selection finals happening this week. A handful of semi-finals are happening as well. Will any of them bring about the downfall of capitalism? Yes, that question is on-topic.
Australia Decides Gets AUSome Summary * Artist Selections: North Macedonia, Finland, Austria (1:52) * Netta's "Bassa Sababa" (7:02) * Australia Decides with Aussievision (9:30) * Upcoming Selections: Italy, United Kingdom, Montenegro (48:59) * How Many People are in Lithuania? (52:13) * Preliminary Rounds: Iceland, Ukraine, Sweden, Romania (53:50)
Links * Intro clip: Learning to Play Your Keyboard (Trash Night Video) * Bondage-Synth-Punk Trio Hatari Announce Final Gig After Failing To Dismantle Capitalism (Reykjavik Grapevine) * Aussievision Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Special Guest: Aussievision.
We have Eurovision semi-final logistics! Hosting logistics! France and Czech Republic selection logistics! It's the most wonderful time of year!
First, we do what little extrapolation we can based on how this year's Semi-Final Allocation draw shook out. Spoiler: a random draw created a random assortment. Now that we know how the field has divvied up, we can speculate on how hosting duties will be split among the four presenters. Oh no, four presenters again? Hmmm. We also learned that FYR Macedonia will be renamed North Macedonia eventually, Eurovision hasn't caught up with the news quite yet.
Going over this past weekend's selections, we do a deep dive into the exciting conclusion of France's Destination Eurovision. We have some opinions about some of the design choices made by eventual winner ~~Waluigi~~ Bilal Hassani, 36% of Frenchmen can't be wrong, right? As for the Czech Republic, we're not so sure the televoters got it right, as they broke the jury tie by awarding Lake Malawi the ticket to Tel Aviv. Over in Malta, The X Factor wrapped with Michela Pace winning the chance to represent her country at Eurovision.
Finally, after trying to get an accurate headcount of folks still competing in Lithuania, we take a look at the week ahead. Estonia's Eesti Laul, Sweden's Melodifestivalen, plus songs from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and last year's winner Netta are on our calendar. Things are ramping up quick—trust the process!
Logistics! Summary * Semi-Final Allocation (1:41) * Eurovision 2019 Hosts (4:17) * North Macedonia (6:37) * Destination Eurovision Final (France) (7:29) * Czech Republic Selection (16:25) * Michela Pace wins Malta X Factor (19:58) * How many people are still in the Lithuania Marathon? (21:56) * This Week in Eurovision (24:54)
Links
- Eesti Laul (Estonia) 2019 Playlist (Spotify)
- Grace Jones Citroën ad
A flood of Eurovision updates this week, including Spain's selection and artists from Belgium, Netherlands, and San Marino.
After learning that there was such a thing as the Molasses Flood 100 years ago AND that it was not at all funny, we pick up right where we left off in last week's episode. Or, more like 15 minutes after we signed off because Belgium announced Eliot Vassamillet as their artist.
Fast forward to this past weekend, and we were ankle deep in selection news. Spain's Miki won the Operacion Triunfo Eurovision Gala with "La Venda" and will be bringing the party to Tel Aviv. San Marino revealed that Serhat will represent them for the second time while the Netherlands have selected Duncan Laurence as their act for Eurovision 2019.
Then we get knee deep in the oncoming flood of selection shows this coming weekend. We highlight the frontrunners in France's Destination Eurovision before taking a peek at this weekend's schedule of events. It's just going to get busier moving forward—I hope you're ready!
- Belgium selects their artist (1:44)
- Spain chooses Miki's "La Venda" (3:05)
- Serhat for San Marino (7:19)
- Duncan Laurence (aka Duncan de Moor) for Netherlands (10:22)
- France's Destination Eurovision Final Preview (13:13)
- Elsewhere this weekend (23:34)
We break down the entries in Czech Republic's Eurovision selection and talk triangles. Lots of triangles.
After we triangulate our opinions on the triangle-inspired logo for this year's competition, we also chat about the expected ticket sales date (hint: it's the end of this month). We do go on a bit of a tangent about a possible name change for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, but we're waiting on Greece to cosine that.
For our main topic, we go through the eight entries up for consideration in the Czech Republic's online selection. Although the AirBnB video concept left a lot to be desired, there may be some contenders to build on the momentum "Lie to Me" brought to Lisbon last year. We check in on France's Destination Eurovision semi-final before planning our TV schedule for the weekend.
- Dare to Dream logo (1:28)
- Tickets update (4:14)
- Former Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia? (5:39)
- Czech Republic Selection Rundown (8:02)
- Destination Eurovision Semi-Final 1 (35:58)
- TV This Week (40:22)
Happy new year! Now that we can begin 2019 in earnest, we have our first Eurovision entry up for discussion.
This week's episode starts with some Eurovision in the Wild. Ben rocked a Swedish pop music quiz while Mike spotted Englebert Humperdinck (ESC 2012) on the way to Detroit. We also discuss the ESC 250 countdown and some of the surprises in this year's edition.
We also have some updates on how preparations for Tel Aviv 2019 are moving along. Florian Wieder's stage concept has been announced and the outdoor cats among us may be interested in some new accommodations that will be available for this year's Contest. We also confirm that Mike and Ben are not outdoor cats.
The main event is Albania's selection for Eurovision 2019. Although the selection process could have used some tightening up from a production standpoint (sorry, @ESCAlbania), we're optimistic about "Ktheju tokës" by Jonida Maliqi.
We're also optimistic about Cyprus, Spain, and San Marino's selections—unless the Human Ken Doll comes out to play. Selection season is upon us, and we are ready for the shows this weekend!
- Eurovision in the Wild (1:17)
- ESC250 (6:12)
- Tel Aviv 2019 Updates (8:44)
- Albania chooses "Ktheju tokës" by Jonida Maliqi (11:57)
- Cyprus Update (21:19)
- San Marino Trolls the Internet (23:46)
- Spain Chooses 10 Finalists (27:46) Editor's note: Spain's final will be January 20
- This weekend's calendar (29:08)
Links * Engelbert Humperdinck Tour Dates * Czech Republic 2019 candidates playlist (YouTube) * Selection Season Google Calendar
As we wrap up 2018, we get ready for Albania's Eurovision selection process, check in with Spain, and see how Spotify puts us on blast.
First up, the 57th edition of Festivali i Këngës will begin Thursday with three days of competition to determine the first Eurovision entry for 2019! Will the new format of the competition lead to better results for the country in next year's Contest?
Meanwhile, Spain's selection process will reveal the 17 songs up for consideration in their selection process. It's a little convoluted, but perhaps this method will allow the country to move up the scoreboard in Tel Aviv?
Now that you can find the Eurowhat on Spotify, we take a look at our own usage to talk about what music we've been listening to in 2018. Yes—we do listen to non-Eurovision music... at least Ben does.
Have a happy holiday, a fantastic new year, and we'll see you in January!
Spotify Wrapping Up 2018 Summary * Albania's Festivali i Këngës (1:30) * Spain's Operacion Triunfo Selection (4:58) * Spot us on Spotify (7:07) * Wrapping Up 2018 (8:50)
Links * Eurovision Selection Season 2019 Playlist (Spotify) * Now That's What I Call Music: The Popjustice Edit (Spotify) * Ben's 2018 Playlist (YouTube)
Are you looking for Eurovision gifts for friends or loved ones? We have suggestions.
As we get ready for the holidays and the end of 2018, there's plenty of excitement afoot for 2019. Armenia has made the first artist selection for next year's Eurovision Song Contest. Meanwhile, Latvia and Estonia have released their songs up for consideration for the competition. Could there be a winner in the mix or is it still too early to tell? (Spoiler: It's too early.)
We take a stop in Sweden to discuss Melfest preparations—is it February yet? Also, we gush over the Swedish Pop Music Industrial Complex thanks to an episode of Slate's Hit Parade podcast. These leads to a discussion of Abba, Benny and Bjorn's visit to UK's X Factor, and how that show's season finished with (or without?) Brenden Murray.
As if these early Eurovision gifts weren't enough, we have made our list of suggestions if you are stumped on what to get the Eurofan in your life. We talk books, video games, music collections, and the random delights if you let a search box do the work for you.
Join yule lads Ben and Mike for a festive edition of the Eurowhat!
Eurovision Gifts for 2018 Summary * Armenia Selects Srbuk (2:54) * Latvia and Estonia have songs (5:24) * Melfest Prep Begins (8:27) * Hit Parade (11:34) * The Ex-Eurovision Contestant Factor (13:44) * Eurovision Gifts for 2018 (16:53)
Links * All the X Factor 2018 Voting Percentages (ITV) * Eurovision Fanhouse * EuroPops Etsy / RedBubble * Eurovision Selection Season 2019 (Spotify)
Happy Thanksgiving! We're talking turkey this week and that means either the country or Ireland's Dustin the Turkey. Guess what we chose.
Before we gobble up our main topic of Dustin the Turkey, we check in with how Eurovision planning is going in Tel Aviv. We have our final count of participants—42!—and an indication that tickets for the Contest could be up for grabs next month. We also recommend booking your lodging now if you are planning on going, otherwise you may find yourself camping in the suburbs of Tel Aviv.
Our favorite scrivener Jan Ola Sand is the star of This Week in Boycotts and he is not here for your political shenanigans. He's also most likely not a fan of being in a segment called This Week in Boycotts. Meanwhile on the X Factor UK, Brendan Murray is not a fan of the themes of movies or big bands when it comes to song selections. Will he be a fan of ABBA in next week's semi-final?
Also, Junior Eurovision is a thing.
As for our main topic, we travel back to 2008 when the people of Ireland decided that they should be represented at Eurovision by a somewhat surly puppet named Dustin the Turkey. His song "Irelande Douze Points" may live in infamy, but was it a good Eurovision entry?
Gather the family, scoop up some Irish stew (or goulash if you prefer), and enjoy this week's episode!
Dustin the Turkey Day Summary * 42 Countries (1:37) * Eurovision Tickets (3:39) * Hotel Alternatives in Tel Aviv (5:32) * This Week in Boycotts: Jan Ola Sand (7:03) * The Ex-Eurovision Contestant Factor: Movies, Big Bands, and ABBA (8:36) * Junior Eurovision (13:36) * Dustin the Turkey (14:42)
Links * Dustin the Turkey claims RTÉ set him up to fail (The Irish Sun) * Dustin the Turkey wants to represent UK at Eurovision competition (Irish Mirror)
How does the voting process work at Eurovision? If you think it's confusing now, the history of voting at the Contest has many surprises.
With mid-term elections happening this week in the US, we wanted to talk about how voting works when the consequences aren't as... consequential. One can dream, right?
Speaking of, we discuss next year's slogan "Dare to Dream" as well as other preparations currently taking place in Tel Aviv. If you're planning on going to the Contest, you may need to pack some Dramamine if you haven't booked your hotel yet.
There is some good news: the stage will be designed by a firm very familiar with Eurovision and other high profile music events, including the X Factor. We check in with how Brendan Murray is doing on the UK edition. ... Um... Dare to Dream...
Finally, we dive into the history of all the different methods used to distribute points at the Eurovision Song Contest. Point pools, age-defined juries, and potential 14-way ties are just some of the quirks that used to be part of the competition. We also explore how ties factor into the festivities.
United States, start learning about Eurovision voting now!
Start Voting Now Summary * Dare to Dream and other preparations (1:22) * The Ex-Eurovision Contestant Factor (8:23) * This week in boycotts (13:10) * Voting at the Eurovision Song Contest (1956-1974) (14:39) * The Usual Way (1975-2015) (20:05) * The Current Method (2016-Present) (25:30) * Tie-Breakers (30:30)
Links * Tel Aviv will bring a special Cruise ship for Eurovision 2019 (Eurovision World) * Florian Wieder Sizzle Reel (YouTube) * Brendan Murray on X Factor: Believe / High & Dry / Youngblood
Eurovision provides an aftermarket for winners of singing competitions. Why don't we have that in America? Andy Dehnart from Reality Blurred joins us to discuss.
First up, we check in with the soon-to-be-final tally of countries participating in Eurovision 2019. We were at 40 once Armenia confirmed, but Bulgaria announced their withdrawal due to budget concerns. Speaking of budget concerns: Ukraine is still in the mix and will have a national final in February. Also having a national final: Australia! Fingers crossed for Aboriginal trip hop making its debut in Tel Aviv?
For our main topic, we discuss the tangled relationship between European singing competitions and Eurovision. The Voice and the X Factor have been viable feeder systems the last few years, with the United Kingdom's version of the latter becoming an end goal for some Eurovision alumni.((Brendan Murray is currently on the X Factor UK live shows.)) You could say that Eurovision works as a tournament of champions or an All-Stars edition of all the singing shows. But... why doesn't that exist in the US?
We lean on Andy Denhart's reality show expertise to help us answer some of these questions, as well as expose some of the more bizarre factoids we've all squirreled away. Sinbad on Star Search? Battle of the Reality Network Stars? Murder and sex scandals destroying franchises? This episode has it all!
The Aftermarket Summary * Andy Dehnart / @realityblurred (1:00) * Country count (3:21) * The European Singing Competition Industrial Complex Aftermarket (6:48)
Links * Australia's national selection process (SBS) * Bulgaria leaves Twitter * Brendan Murray tries to "Break Free" (YouTube / X Factor UK)
Special Guest: Andy Dehnart.
Orchestras used to be a requirement at the Eurovision Song Contest. In this episode, we take a look at the evolution of live (and "live") music at the competition.
We're getting close to having a final-ish guest list for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest with 40* countries confirming their interest.((Armenia confirmed after we recorded.)) Yes, it's still a Facebook Maybe at this point and there are still three countries who have been invited but haven't responded. RETURN OUR CALLS, MOLDOVA.
After we check in with the Irish boycott situation and Cher's foray into Abba's catalog, we dive into the history of the music of the Eurovision Song Contest. Orchestras used to be a thing for the first 20 years of the competition. Once backing tracks were introduced in the mid-1970s (Hi again, Abba!), it was only a matter of time before Eurovision would catch up with a more modern pop sound. ... I mean, 25 years? We're now 20 years beyond that revolution and we're still encountering new sounds that run afoul of Eurovision's definition of a song. It's beyond fascinating.
Get ready for a teach-in and grab the moment to listen to this episode!
Orchestras, Synthesizers, and Lulu Summary * Eurovision guest list (1:19) * MyHeritage sponsorship (4:31) * Eurovision in Asia not a thing (7:07) * The next stage (9:10) * Gimme gimme gimme Cher's new album (13:19) * This week in boycotts (14:29) * Live music at Eurovision (15:35)
Links * Eurovision's History of Instruments (YouTube) * And the Conductor Is...
Tel Aviv will be hosting Eurovision in 2019! I mean, we pretty much knew that, but now it's official!
On this episode of the Eurowhat Podcast, we check in with the venues around Tel Aviv that will be hosting the big events in May. Will the Tel Aviv Convention Center be big enough to hold the Eurovision fandom? How is the green room supposed to work? And are hotels already busting budgets for fans?
In case Tel Aviv doesn't work out as an option, details about Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam have been revealed. Speaking of the Netherlands, we have the final recap of Glennis Grace's journey on America's Got Talent. Did she triumph through adversity, despite having to perform with Bebe Rexha?
Finland's UMK, Sweden's Melfest, and Iceland's Söngvakeppnin have been added to the calendar, while Ireland's songwriters have been murmuring about a possible boycott. We don't talk about Junior Eurovision—there's too much to discuss with the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships instead. Oh! And Ralph Siegel's birthday is coming up! Happy birthday, buddy!
So much to celebrate in this episode—download and join the fun!
Tel Aviv and Other Headlines Summary * Tel Aviv is the host city! (1:15) * Eurovision in Concert (5:46) * This is not an America's Got Talent podcast (7:12)((h/t to Who Weekly's This is not a Westworld Podcast)) * Participants Update (10:22) * Ireland Boycott? (14:52) * This is definitely not a Junior Eurovision podcast (15:56) * Eurovision in the Wild: Rhythm Gymnastics edition (16:37) * Happy birthday, Ralph Siegel! (21:49)
Links * Intro Clip: Tel Aviv Travel Guide (Traveling Israel) * Glennis Grace’s Heartbreaking Story (Zondag Met Lubach) * IASCA May Boycott Eurovision 2019 (Eurovoix) * Knots Happen: Equipment Malfunction At Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships (Deadspin) * Deep Zone Project release anthem for World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship (WiWiBlogs) * Voyage of the Rock Aliens trailer
We know the Eurovision Song Contest will be in Israel((Maybe Tel Aviv, maybe Jerusalem)) in May, so now is the perfect time to start planning your vacation!
First, Mike and Ben go over some of the news items from the last couple weeks. Will there be boycotts of the 2019 Contest? Denmark doesn't think so, while Estonia and Spain are full speed ahead on their Eurovision plans. America's Got Sweden's rig from this year's Melfest while Madame Monsieur met their song's namesake. Also: ninjas. VIP ninjas.
After playing catchup, we offer our advice on how to make your way across the pond to attend next year's Eurovision. Do you have your passport yet? How can you get to Europe/Israel and back on the cheap? Where should I stay? HOW DO I PAY FOR THIS?!
Don't panic. Place your carryon in the overhead bin and listen to this week's episode of the EuroWhat to get a head start on your European vacation.
Planning Your Eurovision Vacation Summary * Eurovision in the Wild (0:00) * Getting Your Passport (12:01) * Getting to Europe and Beyond (14:54) * Options on Where to Stay (23:49) * How to Save Up for a European Vacation (29:16) * A few more things to consider (34:47)
Links * Eurovision and national final stars sign letter calling for boycott of Eurovision 2019 (WiWiBlogs) * America's Got Talent performance inspired by Sweden's Benjamin Ingrosso? (ESC Xtra) * Imri Ziv (2017) on Israel Ninja Warrior VIP (Mako) * U.S. Passport Form Finder * U.S. State Department: Israel Travel Information
Israel has had a fascinating history at the Eurovision Song Contest. Now that they will be hosting the 2019 edition, we've invited Noam Roth from EuroFreak to talk about his country's participation.
Now that the budget kerfuffle is behind us and Israel's broadcaster has paid its deposit to the EBU, we can officially start talking about the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest! Noam Roth—who reached out to us on our Facebook page—joins us this week to be a tour guide through Israel's 45 years of participation at Eurovision.
Along with the past, we look toward the future in terms of evaluating possible host cities Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Eilat. Will the chart-topping success of Netta's "Toy" bring a new sound to the 2019 Contest? And will the tweaks made to Israel's selection format for next year's artist and song continue the hot streak the country has experienced?
Israel's Notable Entries * Natati la khaiai (1974) * A-ba-na-bi (1978) * Hallelujah (1979) * Chai (1983) * Derech Ha-Melech (1989) * Diva (1998) * The Silence that Remains (2005) * Golden Boy (2015)
Links * EuroFreak YouTube Channel * Noam Roth on Twitter
Special Guest: Noam Roth.
We gave a computer more than 300 Eurovision Song Contest entries from the last decade and this is what it gave us. Songwriting might not be so hard after all.
The EuroWhat is back after a surprise hiatus with a jam-packed episode. First, Ben and Mike catch up on a month of random Eurovision sightings. Starbucks? NBC's daytime and nighttime schedule? Johnny Weir's Instagram? Yes, yes, and yaaaaaaaaaas. Have you encountered any Eurovision in the Wild? Let us know! Have a better name than "Eurovision in the Wild"? DEFINITELY let us know.
Then we switch gears to talk about the concept of songwriting. Britcoms have previously tackled this topic, specifically Father Ted's series two episode "A Song for Europe." Surely we could write a song better than "My Lovely Horse," right? I mean, we have just as much musical and songwriting talent as Dougal and Ted...
Nah, let's just have a computer take care of it. In our two-step process (songwriting may not have more than two steps, after all), we compiled the lyrics of more than 300 Eurovision entries and gave them to a bot to develop a predictive keyboard. We were hoping that the bot would spit out next year's winning entry, but the technology isn't quite there yet. But if you are looking for a song title generator, we've got you covered.
Plug in your headphones and enjoy this week's episode of AI's Got Talent?
That’s How You AI a Song Summary * Eurovision in the Wild (4:19) * Father Ted "A Song for Europe" (13:44) * An Intro to AI and Markov Chains (19:29) * Step 1: Compile It (The List is Really Long) (22:04) * Step 2: We Used Botnik (That's How We Wrote a Song) (25:34) * Eurovision Song Titles (29:23) * Next Week's Episode (33:16)
Songwriting Resources * Eurovision Song Title Keyboard: https://tinyurl.com/EurowhatTitleGenerator * Eurovision Song Lyrics Keyboard: https://tinyurl.com/EurowhatLyricsGenerator * How to Write a Song for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC Insight)
Links * Netta on the Today Show (NBC) * Johnny Weir en "Fuego" (WiWiBlogs) * Farmer's Insurance: "Hall of Claims: Abstract Accident" (iSpot) * Glennis Grace America's Got Talent Audition and Judges' Cuts performance (NBC) * Father Ted song My Lovely Horse turned down by committee (BBC)
Is there anything more EuroWhat? than the World Cup? How about World Cup songs performed by Eurovision Song Contest alumni? Yeah, that oughta do it...
This week, Ben and Mike take a listen to a handful of songs from 2018 that were created for the sole purpose of ~~cashing in~~ celebrating the quadrennial ~~soccer~~ futbol extravaganza that is the FIFA World Cup. Did you know that there is an official World Cup anthem as well as an official song? AND an official Coca-Cola song?
The music doesn't stop there. Countries that weren't even in the tournament added tracks to the playlist, with Eurovision alumni from Malta and Azerbaijan leading the charge. Host country Russia brought back their famous Grannies as well as the stellar voice of Polina Gagarina. Iceland's last act to qualify for a Eurovision final—2014's Pollapönk—rocks out to celebrate their homeland qualifying for the tournament for the first time. And a remix from one of 1979's most famous acts also promotes Moscow.
There's controversy, international intrigue, and a whole lotta flopping in this installment of the EuroWhat? podcast!((Oh, and congrats, France. We recorded this well before the Final.))
World Cup Song Contest Summary * Jason Derulo featuring(?) Ira Losco - "Colors" (4:46) * Arash, Pitbull, Blanco, Nyusha - "Goalie Goalie" (9:21) * Russia's Gonna Russia (13:07) * Pollapönk - "Boltann í punginn" (17:21) * Dschinghis Khan - "Moskau Moskau Moskau Moskau" (19:54)
World Cup Playlist Links * Mark and Sarah Talk About Songs - Olympic Anthems * World Cup Eurovision Stars Part 1 and Part 2 (WiWiBlogs)
Happy 4th of July! In honor of America's birthday, special guest Maura Johnston joins us to discuss the prospect of the US competing at Eurovision. Could we? Should we? If we somehow got an invite, who should represent whatever our sound is?
After introducing our guest, we catch up on some listener feedback and check in with Israel's status as Eurovision 2019 host. We also start filling out our dream cast for Will Ferrell's potential Eurovision project for Netflix.
For our main topic, we go over all the criteria to be a fully eligible member of the EBU and Eurovision festivities. Even though the US will never meet the current eligibility requirements, we speculate on who could possibly fly the flag at Eurovision. Is American pop in 2018 too egocentric? Are there any stars who are big enough (but not too big) to compete? And just how many failed talent shows have we watched over the last two decades?((A lot... like... a lot a lot.))
Will there be fireworks in this debate? Download this week's episode!
Putting the US in E_rovi_ion Summary * Listener Feedback (4:33) * Israel Update (5:30) * Will Ferrell's Netflix Project (6:31) * Eurovision Eligibility (10:22) * Should the US participate if given the chance? (14:10) * Who should represent the US at Eurovision? (19:05)
Links * America is so winning Eurovision next year (Late Show with Stephen Colbert) * Maura Johnston's website
Special Guest: Maura Johnston.
What if the Eurovision Song Contest were a secret plot to take over the world by forcing people to exercise daily to the winning song? On this week's episode, Ben, Mike, and special guest Josh Hehner explore this dystopia(?) in the 1980 film The Apple.
To celebrate his recent birthday, Ben took in a midnight screening of the 1980 not-quite-a-cult classic The Apple. In this movie, a Eurovision-like song contest is the starting point of an Adam-and-Eve-like story involving hippies, bedazzled beards, lyrics lacking subtlety, and a literal deus ex machina. If this sounds baffling, we invited Apple superfan Josh Hehner to help with bringing some sense to whatever the heck is going on.
Along with talking about the movie, we check in with what really happened in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. Which the movie got sorta right? We discuss the practicality of National BIM Hour, surgery scheduling strategy, and how the movie might have predicted OrangeTheory. Finally, we make our picks for which songs from the soundtrack could make viable Eurovision entries and pour one out for the late, great Donna Summer.
Find your shiniest lamé outfit and add this week's EuroWhat to your exercise playlist.
Bite The Apple Summary * Hi, Josh! (1:30) * The Apple synopsis (Spoilers, I guess?) (6:01) * The WorldVision Song Contest and the world of The Apple (13:42) * How's the soundtrack? (28:31) * What really happened in 1994? (35:28) * Could The Apple work at Eurovision? (37:48)
Links * B-Fest * Riverdance debut at Eurovision 1994 (YouTube)
Special Guest: Josh Hehner.
Happy pride! The Eurovision off season can be a drag, so let's talk about drag at Eurovision!
First up, we check in with how Eurovision 2019 prep is going. Short version: it's been three weeks; cool yer beans. There have been a couple of Eurovision sightings in the US, including "Toy" in Times Square and San Marino(?) on the Billboard Charts(????).
As for the main topic, Ben and Mike take a tour of Eurovision's surprisingly brief drag history. Are there really only five entries? And where are the drag kings and other ways to play with gender? Join us as we spill allllll the tea.
Eurovision Drag Race Summary * News (1:02) * Drag at Eurovision (12:59) * Drag at the National Finals (33:23) * Next time on the EuroWhat? (40:01)
Videos * Ketil Stokkan - “Romeo” (Norway 1986) * Sestre - "Samo Ljubezen" (Slovenia 2002) * DQ - “Drama Queen” (Denmark 2007) * Verka Serduchka - "Dancing Lasha Tumbai" (Ukraine 2007) * Conchita Wurst - "Rise Like a Phoenix" (Austria 2014) * The Hungry Hearts - "Laika" (Norway NF 2016) * Lolita Zero - "Get Frighten" (Lithuania NF 2017) * Dismissed - "Hearts Align" (Sweden NF 2017)
Links * Verka Serduchka: a Drag Queen's Guide to Infiltrating Post-Soviet Pop Culture (The Calvert Journal) * Drag Kings Registry * Europe's Drag Kings Meet for London Showdown (Sky News) * Sergey Lazarev (Russia 2016) serving the tea (Instagram) * Kamil Show discussion (Episode 10) * Trailer: The Apple
The gang is back together to discuss the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final. Our special guest Dave Steeves shares his experience as an audience member in Lisbon and we all weigh in on the dubious honor of the Barbara Dex award.
This week we finally check in on the Grand Final results, including Austria's surprise jury win and the awkwardness of Israel's overall win. We look at the semi-final results and which countries just missed qualifying and which countries barely made it to Saturday's show. There were some surprise entries up for consideration for the Barbara Dex fashion faux pas award, but the right country... won? Mike and our guest Dave Steeves also share stories of what it was like in the arena during the semi-finals and the jury final before sharing summer plans for the podcast.
Episode Summary * Grand Final wrapup (2:24) * Rating the rankings (21:17) * The semi-final bubbles (26:17) * Barbara Dex award (32:33) * What were the stage setups like? (38:58) * How do the results work during the jury final? (43:35) * What did you think of the hostesses? (46:39) * Programming notes (47:27)
Links * Episode Title (@JimMFelton) * Barbara Dex Award announcement (Song Festival) * Official Eurovision results (Eurovision.tv)
Special Guest: Dave Steeves.
The Grand Final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest takes place Saturday, May 12. That means this is our last chance for wild speculation. We break down what happened at the semi-finals before sharing our hopes and dreams for which countries we want to win.
This week we welcome Barbara Sawhill to the panel to chat about what happened in Tuesday and Thursday's live shows. We discuss just how wrong we were about our semi-final one predictions, particularly why some power house countries failed to advance. Although we did much better predicting the second semi-final, there were still some surprises Thursday.((Including Mike's audio failing to record, so he's sitting out this week.))
Twenty-six countries are left. Who's going to win? It's the most exciting episode of the year as we head toward one of the most exciting Eurovision Grand Final competitions in years.
Special Guest: Barbara Sawhill.
It's showtime! 37 countries will be competing in the Eurovision semi-final rounds Tuesday and Thursday. We share our thoughts on the rehearsals as well as suggestions for how to make your Eurovision party on Saturday a fun experience for everyone.
Our preview begins with an explanation of how Eurovision's complicated points system works. If you are hosting a Eurovision party this year, we offer recommendations on food, party games, and viewing options in case Logo's coverage isn't your thing. Then the crew talks about the semi-final rehearsals, including which acts are most improved, which have fizzled, and which we're most excited to see. It's Eurovision Week!
Semi-Final Preview Summary * How does Eurovision scoring work in the semi-final and Grand Final? (3:07) * Tips for Hosting a Eurovision party (18:43) * How to Watch the Eurovision Song Contest in the US (25:26) * Talking about the semi-final rehearsals (30:26) * Which countries are the most improved? (32:25) * Which countries have fizzled? (41:40) * Which entries are we most interested to see? (54:45)
Links * Video: How Scoring Works at Eurovision (YouTube)
As the Eurovision semi-finalist rehearsals are underway in Lisbon, the EuroWhat chats about the six auto qualifiers for this year's Grand Final. Will Portugal be a repeat winner? Will a Big Five country take the crown? Why so serious, Europe?
After a brief check-in with the first semi-final rehearsals—get well soon, Mikolas Josef!—we take a look at the jury who will provide half the Eurovision points. Could a hologram performance of "Waterloo" be in the near future? Also, before we talk about the Big Five, we speculate on whether France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are at a disadvantage as auto qualifiers. Along with host country Portugal, we dive into the last six entries of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in preparation for the big events next week. GET EXCITED!
Summary * Rehearsals underway (2:00) * Judging the Juries (7:31) * ABBA reuniting! (10:10) * Is the Big Five at a competitive disadvantage as auto qualifiers? (12:07) * The last six Eurovision 2018 entries (21:06) * Programming notes (55:40)
Eurovision 2018 Auto Qualifiers * Portugal - Cláudia Pascoal - "O Jardim" (21:06) * Spain - Alfred and Amaia - "Tu Canción" (26:59) * United Kingdom - SuRie - "Storm" (33:20) * France - Madame Monsieur - "Mercy" (39:18) * Germany - Michael Schulte - "You Let Me Walk Alone" (45:06) * Italy - Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro - "Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente" (50:02)
Links * Jury List (Eurovision.tv) * Explaining the New Jury Rules (ESC Insight)
The second half of the second semi-final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest is a European hodgepodge of pop, rock, dance, ethno-jazz, and... whatever it is Montenegro's doing (never change). We break down the last nine semi-finalists in this week's podcast.
Eurovision 2018 Semi-Final 2 Hodgepodge Summary * Listener Feedback (3:03) * Eurovision: The Board Game (5:37) * Avicii (8:24) * LogoTV's Plan (10:02) * Traveling to Eurovision (11:22)
Second Semi-Final Second Half Running Order * Georgia - Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao - "For You" (16:16) * Poland - Gromee featuring Lukas Meijer - "Light Me Up" (23:04) * Malta - Christabelle - "Taboo" (28:46) * Hungary - AWS - "Viszlát Nyár" (35:46) * Latvia - Laura Rizzotto - "Funny Girl" (41:48) * Sweden - Benjamin Ingrosso - "Dance You Off" (49:11) * Montenegro - Vanja Radovanović - "Inje" (56:14) * Slovenia - Lea Sirk - "Hvala, Ne!" (1:02:51) * Ukraine - Melovin - "Under the Ladder" (1:08:00)
Links * Eurovision Game (2007 Edition) (Board Game Geek) * English version of "Viszlát Nyár" (YouTube) * Final Fantasy VIII Intro (YouTube)
The first half of the second Eurovision semi-final is extra bubbly this year. Er... that should be bubble-y because there are few sure bets, even among perfect streak holders. We break down the field in this week's episode.
Eurovision 2018 Australia and Others Summary * Eurovision Album Drop (2:58) * Eurovision in Concert (9:18) * Second Semi-Final First Half (11:50)
Eurovision Second Semi-Final Running Order * Norway - Alexander Rybak - "That's How You Write a Song" (11:50) * Romania - The Humans - "Goodbye" (19:47) * Serbia - Sanja Ilic and Balkanika - "Nova Deca" (25:35) * San Marino - Jessica featuring Jenifer Brening - "Who We Are" (30:47) * Denmark - Rasmussen - "Higher Ground" (38:46) * Russia - Yuliya Samoylova - "I Won't Break" (43:26) * Moldova - DoReDos - "My Lucky Day" (49:54) * Netherlands - Waylon - "Outlaw in 'Em" (54:29) * Australia - Jessica Mauboy - "We Got Love" (59:38)
Links * Eurovision Album iTunes | Amazon | Google Play * "We were rooting for you..." (YouTube) * San Marino funding list leaked (Oikotimes) * "I Won't Break" at Moscow Eurovision Party (YouTube)
Before the big party in Lisbon next month, we chat about the London Eurovision Party and other pre-festival shindigs. We also finish up talking about the first semi-final, including our hopes and dreams for what we'll see on stage.
Bringing the Party Summary * London Eurovision Party (4:28) * Eurovision Song Contest First Semi-Final Second Half (11:19)
First Semi-Final Running Order * First Half (last week's episode) * FYR Macedonia - EyeCue - Lost & Found (11:19) * Croatia - Franka - Crazy (19:05) * Austria - Cesár Sampson - Nobody But You (26:14) * Greece - Yianna Terzi - Oneiro Mou (32:40) * Finland - Saara Aalto - Monsters (38:00) * Armenia - Sevak Khanaghyan - Qami (45.42) * Switzerland - ZiBBZ - Stones (51:22) * Ireland - Ryan O'Shaughnessy - Together (57:40) * Cyprus - Eleni Foureira - Fuego (1:05:35)
Links * Croatia's Plagiarism Funtimes:
Initial story (ESC Xtra) | Franka's response (Facebook)| HRT's response (ESC Xtra) * Other Eurovision Pre-party Events
Riga | Moscow | Israel | Madrid | Eurovision in Concert * Let us know about your Eurovision viewing party!
This week we begin our analysis of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in earnest. First up: the first half of the first semi-final! Which entries are locks for advancing to the Grand Final? Who might get help from the running order? Why is Staples playing Eurovision songs from 2016?
First! Summary * Eurovision Viewing Parties (3:50) * Why is Staples playing "Sunlight"? (5:20) * Analyzing the semi-final (9:36)
First Semi-Final Running Order 1. Azerbaijan - Aisel - X My Heart (9:36) 2. Iceland - Ari Olafsson - Our Choice (14:48) 3. Albania - Eugent Bushpepa - Mall (19:52) 4. Belgium - SENNEK - A Matter of Time (27:16) 5. Czech Republic - Mikolas Josef - Lie to Me (31:27) 6. Lithuania - Ieva Zasimauskaitė - When We're Old (37:44) 7. Israel - Netta - Toy (43:29) 8. Belarus - Alekseev - Forever (47:44) 9. Estonia - Elina Netšajeva - La Forza (52:22) 10. Bulgaria - Equinox - Bones (58:09)
Links * Oddschecker: Overall | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final * Eurovision Viewing Party form
This week we have a mini episode where we remember some of the Eurovision national final entries that won't be making the trip to Lisbon. We also take a moment to remember Lys Assia, the original ESC chanteuse.
Episode Summary * Remembering Lys Assia (2:56) * Scandilove (Norway) (7:05) * Í Stormi (Iceland) (11:31) * Sunset (Latvia) (14:52) * Леля (Lelya) (Ukraine) (19:35) * Puerto Rico (Armenia) (22:07)
This week we chat about the last six entries for Eurovision 2018 with special guest Barbara Sawhill. Are we buying the hype for Israel's "Toy" as this year's favorite? Do we have "Bones" to pick with Bulgaria? What is up with Georgia's curtain lady?
Dita Von Teese Curtain Monster Summary * Eurovision in the Classroom (2:34) * Russia - Yuliya Samoylova - "I Won't Break" (9:04) * FYR Macedonia - Eye Cue - "Lost and Found" (18:17) * Israel - Netta - "Toy" (25:38) * Lithuania - Ieva Zasimauskaitė - "When We're Old" (39:26) * Bulgaria - Equinox - "Bones" (46:34) * Georgia - Iriao - "For You" (54.40)
Links * Edurne's "Amanecer" video (YouTube) * Ireland's Eurovision entry facing broadcast ban in Russia over gay dancers (Independent.ie) * Johnny Manuel on America's Got Talent (YouTube) * Eurovision 2017 YouTube Data series (What Else is On)
Special Guest: Barbara Sawhill.
Eurovision's 2018 selection season is approaching the end, which means one thing: Sweden's Melfest! Well, two things: lots of internal selections coming through the pipeline. No matter how you count it, we're in the homestretch!
Melfest Fest Summary * Eurovision hodgepodge * Azerbaijan - Aisel - "X MyHeart" (5:44) * Portugal - Cláudia Pascoal - "O Jardim" (10:42) * Belgium - SENNEK - "A Matter of Time" (14:06) * Croatia - Franka - "Crazy" (19:30) * Australia - Jessica Mauboy - "#WeGotLove" (24:21) * Austria - Cesár Sampson - "Nobody But You" (29:25) * Ireland - Ryan O'Shaughnessy - "Together" (34:07) * Norway - Alexander Rybak - "That's How You Write a Song" (39:29) * Sweden - Benjamin Ingrosso - "Dance You Off" (49:46)
Links * Ukraine's broadcaster woes (Eurovision World) * Melodifestivalen (SVT.se) * Christer Bjorkman talks about the Melfest App voting results (ESCExtra)
It's another whirlwind trip around Europe as we hopscotch through another set of Eurovision selections. We have outlaws, humans, monsters, and wannabe heroes in the mix, but will it be opera that takes the top prize in Lisbon? Remember the Diaspora? Summary * Listener question: Who famous? (1:40) * Armenia - Sevak Khanagyan - "Qami" (5:55) * Romania - The Humans - "Goodbye" (12:30) * Cyprus - Eleni Foureira - "Fuego" (18:41) * Netherlands - Waylon - "Outlaw in 'Em" (23:51) * San Marino - Jessika (f/ Jenifer Brening) - "Who We Are" (30:58) * Finland - Saara Aalto - "Monsters" (35:25) * Estonia - Elina Netšajeva - La Forza (42:31) * Poland - Gromee feat. Lukas Meijer - Light Me Up (47:12) * Iceland - Ari Olaffson - “Our Choice” (52:03)
Links * Romania finalists Feli and Alexia & Matei * Iceland finalists Dagur Sigurðsson and Heimilistónar (Source)
The second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest started filling up this past week as nine countries made their selections. There are elevated pianos, Moldovan wedding hijinks, and baffled rockers—it must be the height of selection season! Stupor Saturday Summary * Catching up with Ben (1:56) * Serbia (7:12) * Germany (11:23) * Moldova (15:14) * Ukraine (21:31) * Slovenia (26:05) * Latvia (31:13) * Hungary (36:48)
Links * Sanja Ilić and Balkanika - “Nova Deca” - Serbia (YouTube) * Michael Schulte - “You Let Me Walk Alone” - Germany (YouTube) * DoReDos - “My Lucky Day” - Moldova (YouTube) * Philipp Kirkorov's Instagram * Melovin - “Under the Ladder” - Ukraine (YouTube) * Lea Sirk - “Hvala, ne!” - Slovenia (YouTube) * Laura Rizzotto - “Funny Girl” - Latvia (YouTube) * AWS - “Viszlát nyár” - Hungary (YouTube)
Three more songs have joined the 2018 Eurovision field—two from national selections and one from... just showing up? San Marino has a business proposition for you while Israel poses a challenge to the concept of live vocals. Plus, we get ready for the onslaught of Stupor Saturday. Get excited! Get Excited Summary * Greece - Yianna Terzi - "Oneiro Mou" (1:36) * Belarus - Alekseev - "Forever" (8:03) * Montenegro - Vanja Radovanović - "Inje" (14:24) * Artist selections: FYR Macedonia, Croatia, Israel (19:27) * San Marino's investment opportunity (27:01) * Stupor Saturday prep! (35:47)
Links * Greece lyric video (YouTube) * Belarus national final performance (YouTube) * Montenegro national final performance (YouTube) * Netta Barzilai on HaKokhav HaBa (YouTube) * Global Rockstar projects and press release
Lindsey Weber from the Who Weekly podcast stops by to chat about how the Olympics are the perfect world event to prep for Eurovision before getting into the songs selected for Malta, Switzerland, the UK, Denmark, and Italy.
The Who? and the What? Now! Summary * Olympics and Eurovision (1:06) * Questions from Lindsey Weber (9:49) * Malta: Christabelle Borg "Taboo" (19:04) * Switzerland: ZiBBZ "Stones" (27:41) * United Kingdom: SuRie "Storms" (31:10) * Denmark: Rasmussen "Higher Ground" (38:03) * Italy: Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro "Non mi avete fatto niente" (41:31) * Upcoming Selections (47:55)
Links * Who? Weekly * Things to Know When You Go to Eurovision
Special Guest: Lindsey Weber.
This week, Ben and Mike do a deep dive into the United Kingdom's Eurovision selection process and take a look at why the country has struggled for so long at the Contest. Plus, a roundup of headlines from the last week. Links Ryan O'Shaughnessy's US Tour — https://ryanosmusic.com/pages/show-dates Malta's entry: "Taboo" by Christabelle — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyrC8jJ8eb8 Switzerland's entry: "Stones" by ZiBBZ — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXOlPGnkZFY The United Kingdom's contestants: * + Goldstone - I Feel the Love + Jaz Ellington - You + Liam Tamne - Astronaut + RAYA - Crazy + Asanda - Legends + SuRie - Storm
Gwenno "Tir Ha Mor" — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rCeygWexyA CHVRCHES "Get Out" — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHUKKrcXfJs
We have songs to talk about! France, Czech Republic, and Spain have selected and boy do we have opinions. Russia and Ukraine continue their Eurovision dramarama. Oh, and the semi-finals have been allocated. Messy, Messy Summary * Semi-Final Allocation * France selects "Mercy" by Madame Monsieur * Czech Republic selects "Lie to Me" by Mikolas Josef * Spain selects "Tu canción" by Alfred & Amaia * Russia confirms Yuilia Samoylova * FYR Macedonia is looking for songs * Upcoming selection processes
Links * Ryan's Tattoo (Instagram) * "Mercy" backstory (ESC Insight) * “Lie to Me” official video (YouTube) * Tu canción performance (RTVe) * FYR Macedonia press release (Eurovision.tv) * "Here We Go" by PeR (YouTube)
This week is a mini-episode of the EuroWhat with minor updates about what's happening in Eurovision selection season. We'll be hopscotching from Armenia to France, Belarus to Serbia, and places in between. * Armenia field complete (Playlist) * Belarus shenanigans (with news from Eurovoix) * Denmark songs * France final set (Finalist Playlist) * Hungary (Heat 1) * Lithuania * Romania (Heat 1) * Serbia * What’s on TV this weekend? * Spotify Playlist
On this week's episode of the EuroWhat Podcast we discuss what "Europe" is (note the air quotes), get acquainted with this year's hostesses, get caught up with some of the selection processes and look forward to others. What is “Europe”? Summary * What is Europe? (1:36) * Eurovision hosts (6:33) - Announcement from Eurovision.tv * Selection Updates (11:30) * Lithuania * Switzerland * Czech Republic * Belarus - Shenanigans reported by Wiwiblogs * Norway * Armenia * What selections are we looking forward to? (40:05)
We're podcasting, y'all! Welcome to the EuroWhat? In our opening episode of The EuroWhat? podcast, our Eurovision News and Entertainment Research Division Specialists introduce themselves to our listening audience before sharing their first impressions of Albania's entry. Then the crew hopscotches around Europe (and Australia) to chat about the seven artists already announced from internal selections. Who do we like? Who are we concerned about? Will there be jazz? * Intro 0:00 * Who are you? What are you doing here? 3:02 * Albania First Impressions 11:02 * Internally Selected Artists 23:02 + Australia + Austria + Azerbaijan + Belgium + Finland + Georgia + Netherlands