[Leanne]

I think Terry Wogan sums up the UK's approach to Eurovision very well. He says "we", but he's actually Irish. I do miss his wry programme commentary. It made Eurovision for me. He was never cruel. Made me giggle All of Europe knew about his cheeky commentary on the BBC, even though they couldn't hear it on their services. He's Eurovision legend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoJze...FD83FA92634130

[Leanne]

Watching the first semi-final right now. Semi-finals are only shown on BBC Three, who always treat it with a great deal of cheek. Italy is back in it this year after their mammoth sulk. My Twitter timeline is running faster than ever right now. Here are all the countries taking part in this fun-fest, this year from Germany

Albania (RTVSH)
Armenia (AMPTV)
Austria (ORF)
Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV)
Belarus (BTRC)
Belgium (RTBF)
Bosnia & Herzegovina (BHRT)
Bulgaria (BNT)
Croatia (HRT)
Cyprus (CyBC)
Denmark (DR)
Estonia (ERR)
Finland (YLE)
France (France TV)
FYR Macedonia (MKRTV)
Georgia (GEGT)
Germany (NDR/ARD) (Host Broadcaster)
Greece (ERT)
Hungary (MTV)
Iceland (RÚV)
Ireland (RTÉ)
Israel (IBA)
Italy (RAI)
Latvia (LTV)
Lithuania (LRT)
Malta (PBS)
Moldova (TRM)
The Netherlands (TROS)
Norway (NRK)
Poland (TVP)
Portugal (RTP)
Romania (TVR)
Russia (C1R)
San Marino (SMRTV)
Serbia (RTS)
Slovakia (STV)
Slovenia (RTVSLO)
Spain (RTVE)
Sweden (SVT)
Switzerland (SRG/SSR)
Turkey (TRT)
Ukraine (NTU)
United Kingdom (BBC)

[sabaue]

Any front runners this year Leanne?

[Leanne]

Originally Posted by sabaue

Any front runners this year Leanne?

Georgia have been the best so far. Quite rocky

YouTube - Georgia - "One More Day" - Eurovision Song Contest 2011 - BBC One

This is the video. It's a different presentation live on stage

[Rob M]

? Have Blue got any chance for the UK this year, I doubt it. I think the rest of the Euro countries gang up on us these days.
Even Matt Monro could do no better then second place in 1964 with I Love the Little Things.

[Nick_Bradley78]

Nope we have no chance due to political voting, I've no idea why we still subsidise it.
In fact we have as much chance of winning it as hosting the world cup.

[Leanne]

Originally Posted by Nick_Bradley78

Nope we have no chance due to political voting, I've no idea why we still subsidise it.
In fact we have as much chance of winning it as hosting the world cup.

Winning isn't important. It's just a bit of fun, Mr Grumpy Pants Its an epic part of the annual television landscape, and radio too. As far as subsidising it is concerned, the BBC, as well as four other country's national broadcasters, do invest more than most other national broadcasters, but still spend a lot less than they would have budgeted for their normal Saturday night schedule. And they also piggy-back a great deal of background stuff on BBC Three, online services, and Radio 2. If they ever tried to take it away, I'm quite confident there would be unrest on the streets. We don't need to win anything. Just enjoy it

[Alfred]

Originally Posted by Robm

? Have Blue got any chance for the UK this year, I doubt it. I think the rest of the Euro countries gang up on us these days.
Even Matt Monro could do no better then second place in 1964 with I Love the Little Things.

But Monroe had bad luck - Gigliola Cinquetti with Non ho l’età was unbelievable good

[Rob M]

Yes Alfred, Gigliola Cinquetti's song was just great. I really like Gigliola Cinquetti, especially her runner up song in the 1974 Eurovision song Contest, a song called Si..and yes Gigliola did represent Italy in two Eurovision song contests.

[Marty]

Originally Posted by Leanne

Winning isn't important. It's just a bit of fun

oh that it was just a bit of fun. In reality .... it's balls. Overly long anachronistic irrelevant balls, cheap no brainer jingoism masquerading as trendy kitsch high camp that simply clogs up a Saturday night schedule as if it was something worthwhile like a three hour show about paint drying.

[voice1]

Who pee'd in your Wheaties, Sir Martin of Negativity?

[Bren]

I think Marty is right, it is one of the most boring shows ever

[Nick_Bradley78]

I watch the results count most years if I'm in, mainly to get really annoyed.

[Tina...]

I agree it is boring...maybe if the semi's are shown on BBC 3 , they should also show the final. Then maybe BBC 1 could show something interesting, like a variety show or a Block Buster movie.

I doubt we have a chance to win and the programme drags on and on and on, you switch channels throughout the evening just to see we have nil poi and say to yourself, flippin' heck ain't it finished YET!

[Marty]

The results phase is like the Maastricht treaty meets Opportunity Knocks only without the benefit of Tony Holland's magical musical muscles and Hughie Green's rich transatlantic smarm.

If only the scoring was somehow linked to electrified artistes areas, I'd probably watch, hell, I'd probably run up a phone bill.

[Nick_Bradley78]

I quite like that concept, or some sort of prize for winner and lowest scorer "holiday to Tampa for our winner, year in Tripoli for our loser" that sort of thing?

[Leanne]

Well you can knock it, but the Saturday night final gets more viewers than the next two channels together. It's water-cooler television on the following Monday.

Tina. Blockbuster films? Well, the BBC rarely shows films at any time. It would be a complete waste of resources since there are so many subscription services. No film they could ever show would attract even half the viewers of the Eurovision Song Contest, and no such film would be remembered at the water-cooler on Monday.

[sabaue]

I used to love watching the semi-finals and the finals. I wish I could get it here.

[Tina...]

Well I've just heard JEDWARD again, maybe they do stand a chance after all.

[Leanne]

I found a video of Marty and Nick enjoying life

YouTube - Statler and waldorf (excellent)