I'm gonna count how many days it takes SBS to actually correct the mistake of having Brinck up as this years entrant for Denmark.
Consider the fact that I posted something for their blog over 24 hours ago telling them to correct it (either its an oversight for their web team just copying and pasting info from last year, or the researcher is SERIOUSLY wrong).
So its been 1 day so far.
Not being nasty, its just part of providing an accurate service for Eurovision fans in Australia.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
SBS brings Eurovision fever to Australia
Just under a fortnight ago I had the fortune to attend a SBS filming for "The A to Z of Eurovision" - a preview and history show of sorts for Eurovision screening the week prior to the final.
This is part personal review and preview of what you'll see on your screens in a fortnights time...
The show is hosted once again by the wonderful Julia Zemiro (star of 'Rockwiz' and original cast member of 'Eurobeat') and Sam Pang.
Don't expect personal insights from these two however, or loads of secrets to be revealed from their first venture into Eurovision land last May.
This show is purely scripted, and stuck to the formula of "A is for... Australia", etc
The good -
Admittedly "A is for Australia" sounded rather silly considering we can't actually be part of Eurovision - but it served as a segue for an interview with 'Mr Eurovision' Johnny Logan, 3 time winner for Ireland, who was born in Frankston. Ahhhh yes, Australia DOES have a relationship with Eurovision! Even if only 10 people in the audience remembered the words to "Hold Me Now", it was a much appreciated appearance.
There are other pre-recorded, out of studio interviews scattered amongst the show. These include Gina G (another proud Aussie) who represented the UK in 1996, and also Dima Bilan, winner for Eurovision in 2008, who just proclaimed how excited he was in his limited English (a nice little piece of filming from Dimas recent Aussie tour).
One of the 'moments' was the inclusion of Bjorn Again, both in mimed performance and also as reviewers of some of this years entries. It appears they did more research and knew more than their hosting counterparts.
And also Meow Meow (who?), burlesque dancer, giving fashion tips was funnier than anything on the show (made all the funnier by what she was in fact wearing as fashion). At the end she turned out to be THE highlight of the show, performing a wonderful rendition of 'Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son' - the winning song from Luxembourg in 1965 sung by Frances Gall.
I'm against having guests on a show about something that have no relationship to the topic or benefit to the momentum of the show, but Miow Miow certainly met the criteria a thousand times over. Unlike...
From good to just not good enough -
Les Murray singing 'Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu'. Not that Les was a bad singer, far from it. But one expects that they would at least ask the star PRIOR to filming whether he has any memories or relationship to Eurovision rather than during the filming and it looking awkward. Do we really want to talk about the World Cup on a Eurovision show? hmmm... a little potential audience research might say no...
Also, don't expect to see all of this years acts previewed on the show. There were a scattering of clips including the favourite Germany, and other favourite (ummm... since when!?!?) Armenia, short snippets of Belgium, Denmark, France, Romania, and the obligatory Greek entry, 'the crying girl from' Latvia, the 'so bad its brilliant' Lithuania, and 'the one to laugh at 'Serbia' (not my thoughts by the way, but how they were represented on the night).
From not good enough to the downright tacky -
All was looking good in terms of entertainment, detail and quality until the introduction of "The Eurovision dancers" about 1 minute into the show. The 6 dancers looked like they just stepped straight out of the 50th Eurovision anniversary, which was a cringeworthy experience even back then. They danced along to various classic songs, in no way representing anything original or referencing the original act.
There are also discussions on dancing, how to run a Eurovision drinking game and voting procedures. All good things to discuss in regards to Eurovision, but for me, this is where the show REALLY falls down. The somewhat self-proclaimed 'Eurovision Expert' featured managed to spend 5 minutes discussing the voting process and got it wrong. Surely if you are an expert you would get it right?
I know the details dont matter to most how voting occurs (especially in a country that cant vote), but talking about it like you are the authority on the subject and getting it all wrong is not on.
OVERALL -
This show will be a great piece of education and entertainment for the more casual Eurovision fan or SBS watcher, but there's nothing new to really be gathered here for the more avid fan apart from building up to the actual event. The representations given by the hosts were straight out of BBC/Terry Wogan witticisms book. They didnt go as far as to claim that Eurovision is all about sequins and political alliances (and thank god for steering clear of that stereotype), but it didnt exactly make it look like the professional and report it as the world biggest song contest either. They found the middle ground - Eurovision is fun, which for 99% of the viewership, it is.
It would be nice if SBS could take it a little more seriously though as one of their biggest rating shows every year. They have already laid the foundations - its own coverage rather than taking the BBC coverage we had for years. That was a huge step, introducing its own commentary rather than Wogan which really drove many people to watch it here for years. Wogan leaving was a godsend, and the opening for Australian viewers to get a more local flavour on the shows. So bravo to SBS for that. The next step, move away from the comedy side of things... let's give it some respect on our screens. If thats too much of a risk, perhaps hire a Eurovision expert to be part of the commentary team alongside the comedian? One who knows the facts and figures without an autocue and has something to say about the history and entries?
Or at least an expert Eurovision researcher that gets the facts right for the commentators to read (rather than straight off a press release)?
I'm waiting for your call SBS.
At least then you wouldn't need to be told to take Brinck off your website as this years entrant for Denmark.
This is part personal review and preview of what you'll see on your screens in a fortnights time...
The show is hosted once again by the wonderful Julia Zemiro (star of 'Rockwiz' and original cast member of 'Eurobeat') and Sam Pang.
Don't expect personal insights from these two however, or loads of secrets to be revealed from their first venture into Eurovision land last May.
This show is purely scripted, and stuck to the formula of "A is for... Australia", etc
The good -
Admittedly "A is for Australia" sounded rather silly considering we can't actually be part of Eurovision - but it served as a segue for an interview with 'Mr Eurovision' Johnny Logan, 3 time winner for Ireland, who was born in Frankston. Ahhhh yes, Australia DOES have a relationship with Eurovision! Even if only 10 people in the audience remembered the words to "Hold Me Now", it was a much appreciated appearance.
There are other pre-recorded, out of studio interviews scattered amongst the show. These include Gina G (another proud Aussie) who represented the UK in 1996, and also Dima Bilan, winner for Eurovision in 2008, who just proclaimed how excited he was in his limited English (a nice little piece of filming from Dimas recent Aussie tour).
One of the 'moments' was the inclusion of Bjorn Again, both in mimed performance and also as reviewers of some of this years entries. It appears they did more research and knew more than their hosting counterparts.
And also Meow Meow (who?), burlesque dancer, giving fashion tips was funnier than anything on the show (made all the funnier by what she was in fact wearing as fashion). At the end she turned out to be THE highlight of the show, performing a wonderful rendition of 'Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son' - the winning song from Luxembourg in 1965 sung by Frances Gall.
I'm against having guests on a show about something that have no relationship to the topic or benefit to the momentum of the show, but Miow Miow certainly met the criteria a thousand times over. Unlike...
From good to just not good enough -
Les Murray singing 'Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu'. Not that Les was a bad singer, far from it. But one expects that they would at least ask the star PRIOR to filming whether he has any memories or relationship to Eurovision rather than during the filming and it looking awkward. Do we really want to talk about the World Cup on a Eurovision show? hmmm... a little potential audience research might say no...
Also, don't expect to see all of this years acts previewed on the show. There were a scattering of clips including the favourite Germany, and other favourite (ummm... since when!?!?) Armenia, short snippets of Belgium, Denmark, France, Romania, and the obligatory Greek entry, 'the crying girl from' Latvia, the 'so bad its brilliant' Lithuania, and 'the one to laugh at 'Serbia' (not my thoughts by the way, but how they were represented on the night).
From not good enough to the downright tacky -
All was looking good in terms of entertainment, detail and quality until the introduction of "The Eurovision dancers" about 1 minute into the show. The 6 dancers looked like they just stepped straight out of the 50th Eurovision anniversary, which was a cringeworthy experience even back then. They danced along to various classic songs, in no way representing anything original or referencing the original act.
There are also discussions on dancing, how to run a Eurovision drinking game and voting procedures. All good things to discuss in regards to Eurovision, but for me, this is where the show REALLY falls down. The somewhat self-proclaimed 'Eurovision Expert' featured managed to spend 5 minutes discussing the voting process and got it wrong. Surely if you are an expert you would get it right?
I know the details dont matter to most how voting occurs (especially in a country that cant vote), but talking about it like you are the authority on the subject and getting it all wrong is not on.
OVERALL -
This show will be a great piece of education and entertainment for the more casual Eurovision fan or SBS watcher, but there's nothing new to really be gathered here for the more avid fan apart from building up to the actual event. The representations given by the hosts were straight out of BBC/Terry Wogan witticisms book. They didnt go as far as to claim that Eurovision is all about sequins and political alliances (and thank god for steering clear of that stereotype), but it didnt exactly make it look like the professional and report it as the world biggest song contest either. They found the middle ground - Eurovision is fun, which for 99% of the viewership, it is.
It would be nice if SBS could take it a little more seriously though as one of their biggest rating shows every year. They have already laid the foundations - its own coverage rather than taking the BBC coverage we had for years. That was a huge step, introducing its own commentary rather than Wogan which really drove many people to watch it here for years. Wogan leaving was a godsend, and the opening for Australian viewers to get a more local flavour on the shows. So bravo to SBS for that. The next step, move away from the comedy side of things... let's give it some respect on our screens. If thats too much of a risk, perhaps hire a Eurovision expert to be part of the commentary team alongside the comedian? One who knows the facts and figures without an autocue and has something to say about the history and entries?
Or at least an expert Eurovision researcher that gets the facts right for the commentators to read (rather than straight off a press release)?
I'm waiting for your call SBS.
At least then you wouldn't need to be told to take Brinck off your website as this years entrant for Denmark.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Catching up on the 'Eurovision in Concert' stuff...
Just watching a few of the interviews of my friends website - www.escdaily.com (go visit, its a refreshing change from the rather favourited Oikotimes site).
Learned 5 things from watching:
1. Jon Lilygreen representing Cyprus (but hails from Wales) appears to be proper mental. At least he'll be laugh to be around at the parties and is more than welcome to join our gang
2. Tom Dice has great taste - the Belgium guitar boy cites his favourite Eurovision entry as 'My Star' by Brainstorm. Additionally, Tom Dice is in my mind THE big dark horse for 2010 - what a simple performance done so well
3. Lithuanias InCulto are a pure joy to watch on stage, despite the 'joke' tag they should qualify for being entertaining AND a good band
4. Albanias Juliana Pasha has proven to more than just myself that her mighty voice deserves a top 5 place this year
5. And lastly, Eurovision feels a lot further away than just 17 days away.
Learned 5 things from watching:
1. Jon Lilygreen representing Cyprus (but hails from Wales) appears to be proper mental. At least he'll be laugh to be around at the parties and is more than welcome to join our gang
2. Tom Dice has great taste - the Belgium guitar boy cites his favourite Eurovision entry as 'My Star' by Brainstorm. Additionally, Tom Dice is in my mind THE big dark horse for 2010 - what a simple performance done so well
3. Lithuanias InCulto are a pure joy to watch on stage, despite the 'joke' tag they should qualify for being entertaining AND a good band
4. Albanias Juliana Pasha has proven to more than just myself that her mighty voice deserves a top 5 place this year
5. And lastly, Eurovision feels a lot further away than just 17 days away.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Its been 11 months...
I did go to Moscow last year, and as soon as the fun started I tended to neglect my blogging duties for Euroclub and Eurocafe and sleeping till 2pm.
This year, I will not repeat that mistake!
I'm attending the event once again in Oslo, and its been on cards since about ummm... my 3rd day in Moscow. I basically returned to home (Sydney) in June, booked my flights in July and its all set.
Since last writing, I also became a travel agent in my 'real' life. Some say its following a underlying love, others would say its just to facilitate my travels :P
I'm booked to leave Australia on 15th May - into London for a day, and then 3 days in Iceland (although considering current circumstances that involve a volcano, that could change), and then 10 days in Oslo. I'm doing stuff after Oslo as well, but Eurovision is certainly the highlight. Again, not a cheap trip by any means, however it is one I don't mind paying for. The experience of Eurovision last year made me happier than anything I can think of for the past 5 years - I met lots of lovely people who I now call 'friends' from around the world, and I danced and sang my little heart out for a week to some very fun music indeed. And the show itself blew my mind. I've never seen anything as big as Eurovision, or experienced an event that people all loved so much.
Eurovision is a very special thing, and it goes beyond just 2 semis and a final every year. The parties were a highlight, and the people.
Anyway... please follow my blog. I'll be giving my thoughts on the entries, and also posting up some Australian following of Eurovision.
In fact, expect another post come the end of tonight.
This year, I will not repeat that mistake!
I'm attending the event once again in Oslo, and its been on cards since about ummm... my 3rd day in Moscow. I basically returned to home (Sydney) in June, booked my flights in July and its all set.
Since last writing, I also became a travel agent in my 'real' life. Some say its following a underlying love, others would say its just to facilitate my travels :P
I'm booked to leave Australia on 15th May - into London for a day, and then 3 days in Iceland (although considering current circumstances that involve a volcano, that could change), and then 10 days in Oslo. I'm doing stuff after Oslo as well, but Eurovision is certainly the highlight. Again, not a cheap trip by any means, however it is one I don't mind paying for. The experience of Eurovision last year made me happier than anything I can think of for the past 5 years - I met lots of lovely people who I now call 'friends' from around the world, and I danced and sang my little heart out for a week to some very fun music indeed. And the show itself blew my mind. I've never seen anything as big as Eurovision, or experienced an event that people all loved so much.
Eurovision is a very special thing, and it goes beyond just 2 semis and a final every year. The parties were a highlight, and the people.
Anyway... please follow my blog. I'll be giving my thoughts on the entries, and also posting up some Australian following of Eurovision.
In fact, expect another post come the end of tonight.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
OK - time for the recap...
Sat in 2nd row at the finals next to the Norwegians. You can imagine it was a bloody brilliant night, full of atmosphere. I promise you the opening part of the show looked just as amazing in the arena. Thats the first time I really liked Dima Bilan.
Downside to the show - well, that morning the gay parade attempted to start and the police arrested everyone. The tv news showed that, but neglected to mention the amount of people who were injured etc. I believe that included one of the guys from De Toppers - the Dutch entry. When we got to the arena it was surrounded by police. We were asked to hide our flags and to stick to the pathway made the line of the police. You could see the looks on their faces like they were one step away from clubbing us all to death. Friggin' scary shit. I went in via the media entrance to avoid them all - probably best for guys who are wearing kilts (I was like their protection being a female, hehe).
After the show my friend Paul and I were interviewed by Russia Today news - featuring the GAYEST man ever as host. Paul lent me his Union Jack flag as we stood in the freezing cold waiting for the interview to start live to air. I'm most certain I looked thoroughly shocking and now I'm told I'll get a copy of it on dvd to watch over. arghhhhhhhhh!
Went to the afterparty where much free alcohol (as per usual) was consumed, as well as some very alcoholic strawberries and icecream. We didnt spot many acts there - they had their own VIP section.
Around 6am the party was winding down and despite my best efforts to leave, Paul kept pulling me back inside. In the end he dragged me over to Euroclub, insisting it would still be open. It wasnt.
Anyway, best thing ever! I cant wait for Oslo Eurovision 2010!
Sat in 2nd row at the finals next to the Norwegians. You can imagine it was a bloody brilliant night, full of atmosphere. I promise you the opening part of the show looked just as amazing in the arena. Thats the first time I really liked Dima Bilan.
Downside to the show - well, that morning the gay parade attempted to start and the police arrested everyone. The tv news showed that, but neglected to mention the amount of people who were injured etc. I believe that included one of the guys from De Toppers - the Dutch entry. When we got to the arena it was surrounded by police. We were asked to hide our flags and to stick to the pathway made the line of the police. You could see the looks on their faces like they were one step away from clubbing us all to death. Friggin' scary shit. I went in via the media entrance to avoid them all - probably best for guys who are wearing kilts (I was like their protection being a female, hehe).
After the show my friend Paul and I were interviewed by Russia Today news - featuring the GAYEST man ever as host. Paul lent me his Union Jack flag as we stood in the freezing cold waiting for the interview to start live to air. I'm most certain I looked thoroughly shocking and now I'm told I'll get a copy of it on dvd to watch over. arghhhhhhhhh!
Went to the afterparty where much free alcohol (as per usual) was consumed, as well as some very alcoholic strawberries and icecream. We didnt spot many acts there - they had their own VIP section.
Around 6am the party was winding down and despite my best efforts to leave, Paul kept pulling me back inside. In the end he dragged me over to Euroclub, insisting it would still be open. It wasnt.
Anyway, best thing ever! I cant wait for Oslo Eurovision 2010!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Oh, theres only one night left with everyone here for Final and I feel like the comedown has already started. It will be utterly empty on Sunday night :(
Its like Melbourne Comedy Festival comedown or Edinburgh Fringe comedown. And I hate it. I think I've taken the right decision though to book into a hotel for tomorrow and just sleep it all off after a MASSIVE one planned for tonight. I only know 2 people still here on Sunday night - 2 Norwegians. So we are going to dinner together on Sunday which is nice.
I truly love the Eurovision spirit
If I told you I've made about 60 new friends here I wouldnt be exaggerating. There's most people from the UK fanclub - about 40 of them. And at least another 4 UK people from the media. There's a group of 5 Norwegians. 2 Russians. A handful of Swedes. 10 Irish. 3 Spaniards (who in fact were screaming at me from across the road "Australian girl" because I was walking alone to Eurocafe and they wanted me to wait and walk with them to be safe). I don't know, there's a lot of others... too many people. I have had so many photos with people taken as the "aussie girl". Probably more than Alex for Norway! Apparently he 'doesnt do photos' cause too many people ask for a photo with him.
Oh yeah, and I'd say 90% of them are gay men. You dont come to Eurovision to pick up as a woman, thats for sure. Simon from the UK club last night had 2 women (who we suspect were the 2 dopey Russian girls who blog on esckaz) trying to pick him up. I had to tell them in broken English that they are in the wrong place. hehe
Plans are already underway for next year. If Norway wins, I'm there!
I have been ordered to take my inflatible flag tonight by everyone to show off the Aussie flag. I'm in 2nd row. Its BOUND to be on the broadcast. Please, please watch the final for me, if nothing else. Its on Sunday at 7pm.
Here's also hoping nothing bad happens today. The gay parade is on and hopefully no-one gets hurt. I think everyone I know is smart enough to stay well away. But theres also been reports that the police found bullets and a gun hidden in the arena on Tuesday night - possible Eurovision assassination? Fucking frightening. But you cant live your life being scared all the time.
Its like Melbourne Comedy Festival comedown or Edinburgh Fringe comedown. And I hate it. I think I've taken the right decision though to book into a hotel for tomorrow and just sleep it all off after a MASSIVE one planned for tonight. I only know 2 people still here on Sunday night - 2 Norwegians. So we are going to dinner together on Sunday which is nice.
I truly love the Eurovision spirit
If I told you I've made about 60 new friends here I wouldnt be exaggerating. There's most people from the UK fanclub - about 40 of them. And at least another 4 UK people from the media. There's a group of 5 Norwegians. 2 Russians. A handful of Swedes. 10 Irish. 3 Spaniards (who in fact were screaming at me from across the road "Australian girl" because I was walking alone to Eurocafe and they wanted me to wait and walk with them to be safe). I don't know, there's a lot of others... too many people. I have had so many photos with people taken as the "aussie girl". Probably more than Alex for Norway! Apparently he 'doesnt do photos' cause too many people ask for a photo with him.
Oh yeah, and I'd say 90% of them are gay men. You dont come to Eurovision to pick up as a woman, thats for sure. Simon from the UK club last night had 2 women (who we suspect were the 2 dopey Russian girls who blog on esckaz) trying to pick him up. I had to tell them in broken English that they are in the wrong place. hehe
Plans are already underway for next year. If Norway wins, I'm there!
I have been ordered to take my inflatible flag tonight by everyone to show off the Aussie flag. I'm in 2nd row. Its BOUND to be on the broadcast. Please, please watch the final for me, if nothing else. Its on Sunday at 7pm.
Here's also hoping nothing bad happens today. The gay parade is on and hopefully no-one gets hurt. I think everyone I know is smart enough to stay well away. But theres also been reports that the police found bullets and a gun hidden in the arena on Tuesday night - possible Eurovision assassination? Fucking frightening. But you cant live your life being scared all the time.
Friday, May 15, 2009
We went out till 8am last night/today. We came home on the Metro with packed carriages of workers heading to their jobs staring at us. Excellent semi to celebrate (because we all got the countries we wanted through and the songs were fantastic).
Qualifiers were:
Greece
Norway
Azerbaijan
Ukraine
Lithuania
Estonia
Denmark
Croatia
Albania
Moldova
As expected, we sat behind the Greeks which meant the audience was extremely loud. They have heaps to be proud of though - Sakis was unbelievable visually. I waved my flag for Norway. We all got up and danced to Ukraine.
We might all be going to Athens next year...
Anyway, all that fantastic stuff happening meant it was a big party back at Euroclub with the two favourites, and it means we got back an hour later than the night before.
I met the other 2 Aussies here last night. I'm not alone! 2 guys from Canberra, my old home town (at least during 2009).
And my mate Ewan finally emerged from his press bunker and came out with us. He got me a 'anti crisis girl' singlet. I love him!!!!
People saw me jumping up and down and squealing miles away, and just knew it had something to do with Svetlana stuff :)
This is what Eurovision is really about. I get the same buzz as Melbourne years ago. I know this will become an addiction and I'll want to see everyone year after year at this event.
Qualifiers were:
Greece
Norway
Azerbaijan
Ukraine
Lithuania
Estonia
Denmark
Croatia
Albania
Moldova
As expected, we sat behind the Greeks which meant the audience was extremely loud. They have heaps to be proud of though - Sakis was unbelievable visually. I waved my flag for Norway. We all got up and danced to Ukraine.
We might all be going to Athens next year...
Anyway, all that fantastic stuff happening meant it was a big party back at Euroclub with the two favourites, and it means we got back an hour later than the night before.
I met the other 2 Aussies here last night. I'm not alone! 2 guys from Canberra, my old home town (at least during 2009).
And my mate Ewan finally emerged from his press bunker and came out with us. He got me a 'anti crisis girl' singlet. I love him!!!!
People saw me jumping up and down and squealing miles away, and just knew it had something to do with Svetlana stuff :)
This is what Eurovision is really about. I get the same buzz as Melbourne years ago. I know this will become an addiction and I'll want to see everyone year after year at this event.
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