Nul points?

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by HighFlyer

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler

Originally posted by Decker
V-Flyer Eurovision Party anyone? [;)]

Now there's an idea[y] A few drinkies, music and Sir Terrance.

I'm all up for flying out to Iain's pad in Belgrade to do it proper [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

But wouldn't that mean going 'orange'?

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by HighFlyer

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler

Originally posted by Decker
V-Flyer Eurovision Party anyone? [;)]

Now there's an idea[y] A few drinkies, music and Sir Terrance.

I'm all up for flying out to Iain's pad in Belgrade to do it proper [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

But wouldn't that mean going 'orange'?

[Neil]

Erm can we not take the OT thread OT and ensure it is kept OT for serious Eurovision discussing please....

[Neil]

Erm can we not take the OT thread OT and ensure it is kept OT for serious Eurovision discussing please....

[Decker]

Sorry rule in OT is no no OT is not enforced by mods

[Decker]

Sorry rule in OT is no no OT is not enforced by mods

[Neil]

Originally posted by Decker
Sorry rule in OT is no no OT is not enforced by mods

Stupid rule not having a rule so the OT threads can go OT [ii]

[Neil]

Originally posted by Decker
Sorry rule in OT is no no OT is not enforced by mods

Stupid rule not having a rule so the OT threads can go OT [ii]

Originally posted by Neil

Originally posted by Decker
V-Flyer Eurovision Party anyone? [;)]

How fabulous...

I have already issued an open invite to come to Belgrade[:D] We can even fit in a visit to the air museum [:)]

Iain

Originally posted by Neil

Originally posted by Decker
V-Flyer Eurovision Party anyone? [;)]

How fabulous...

I have already issued an open invite to come to Belgrade[:D] We can even fit in a visit to the air museum [:)]

Iain

I think Ireland have the right idea this year - see here.

Although the political voting is truly horrendous it does not always produce Eastern European winners (in the accepted sense of the term).

The last ten years have provided winners from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Greece and Turkey - all sort of in the East. Admittedly the dominance of Eastern Bloc countries in the last few years is depressing but probably lends itself to the expansion of the EU and the dispersal of Eastern Europeans - all of whom are keen to vote for their homelands and as relative newcomers to the competition look on it as a way to wave the flag and be patriotic. - look and see who the UK has voted for in the last couple of years and you'll see what I mean.

Generally the big Western European countries do bad with Spain, France, Germany and the UK almost always finishing in the lower half of the table. This is probably due to the general apathy of the natives of these countries. The last time the UK made the top 10 was in 2002 when Jessica Garlick finished joint 3rd.

FM

I think Ireland have the right idea this year - see here.

Although the political voting is truly horrendous it does not always produce Eastern European winners (in the accepted sense of the term).

The last ten years have provided winners from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Greece and Turkey - all sort of in the East. Admittedly the dominance of Eastern Bloc countries in the last few years is depressing but probably lends itself to the expansion of the EU and the dispersal of Eastern Europeans - all of whom are keen to vote for their homelands and as relative newcomers to the competition look on it as a way to wave the flag and be patriotic. - look and see who the UK has voted for in the last couple of years and you'll see what I mean.

Generally the big Western European countries do bad with Spain, France, Germany and the UK almost always finishing in the lower half of the table. This is probably due to the general apathy of the natives of these countries. The last time the UK made the top 10 was in 2002 when Jessica Garlick finished joint 3rd.

FM

[Darren Wheeler]

If the 'Big Four' finally get fed up with coming last due to the partisan voting, I can see them pulling out all together. If that happens, you can kiss Eurovision goodbye. It nearly bankrupted RTE after 3 wins and there were doubts Estonia could afford to host it in 2002.

[Darren Wheeler]

If the 'Big Four' finally get fed up with coming last due to the partisan voting, I can see them pulling out all together. If that happens, you can kiss Eurovision goodbye. It nearly bankrupted RTE after 3 wins and there were doubts Estonia could afford to host it in 2002.

[Neil]

That won't be allowed to happen Darren. The EBU bend over backwards to ensure they look after the Big 4, giving them an automatic place in the Final is a huge thing as now the only other confirmed finalist in the previous winner. The EBU know there is problems with the voting and they were they have drawn the semi finals this year will mean that some of the neighbour voting won't/can't happen, and hopefully it will enable some more Western countries to get to the final. There has even been talk off going back to part Televoting/part Judge voting.

Whatever happens, long live the ESC!

[Neil]

That won't be allowed to happen Darren. The EBU bend over backwards to ensure they look after the Big 4, giving them an automatic place in the Final is a huge thing as now the only other confirmed finalist in the previous winner. The EBU know there is problems with the voting and they were they have drawn the semi finals this year will mean that some of the neighbour voting won't/can't happen, and hopefully it will enable some more Western countries to get to the final. There has even been talk off going back to part Televoting/part Judge voting.

Whatever happens, long live the ESC!

Originally posted by Neil
..the way they have drawn the semi finals this year will mean that some of the neighbour voting won't/can't happen.

As I understand it though - all participant countries will still vote in the final. I still think that although we may see more Western European countries in the final the predominance of the East will be evident in the top 10. There no weighting either so tiny little countries have the same points to award as the big ones. Incidentally apparently there is nothing (other than the BBC) that would prevent England, Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland having seperate entries so maybe that's a route to winning - although I doubt England will get any votes anyway. [:)]

The big 4 used to be the big 5 - did the EBU bend over backwards to keep Italy?

FM

Originally posted by Neil
..the way they have drawn the semi finals this year will mean that some of the neighbour voting won't/can't happen.

As I understand it though - all participant countries will still vote in the final. I still think that although we may see more Western European countries in the final the predominance of the East will be evident in the top 10. There no weighting either so tiny little countries have the same points to award as the big ones. Incidentally apparently there is nothing (other than the BBC) that would prevent England, Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland having seperate entries so maybe that's a route to winning - although I doubt England will get any votes anyway. [:)]

The big 4 used to be the big 5 - did the EBU bend over backwards to keep Italy?

FM

[Neil]

Originally posted by FamilyMan
The big 4 used to be the big 5 - did the EBU bend over backwards to keep Italy?

Italy left in 1997 and whilst the big 5 were important then, the big 4 are much more critical now. With these new smaller Eastern countries, and the 'wow factor' that is needed to stage the show, there is virtually no chance of them being able to find the hosting of the contest without the Big 4, so losing them now would mean, as Darren said, the end of the ESC. Also, the time Italy left was just as the new countries were starting to enter so losing 1 of the big 4 was a blow, but having 5/10 new countries wanting to enter made it easier to cope with.

[Neil]

Originally posted by FamilyMan
The big 4 used to be the big 5 - did the EBU bend over backwards to keep Italy?

Italy left in 1997 and whilst the big 5 were important then, the big 4 are much more critical now. With these new smaller Eastern countries, and the 'wow factor' that is needed to stage the show, there is virtually no chance of them being able to find the hosting of the contest without the Big 4, so losing them now would mean, as Darren said, the end of the ESC. Also, the time Italy left was just as the new countries were starting to enter so losing 1 of the big 4 was a blow, but having 5/10 new countries wanting to enter made it easier to cope with.

[HighFlyer]

Neil, don't embarrass yourself even further ....

Thanks,
Sarah

[HighFlyer]

Neil, don't embarrass yourself even further ....

Thanks,
Sarah

What would be interesting is if Kosova put in an entry[:w]

Iain

What would be interesting is if Kosova put in an entry[:w]

Iain

[Neil]

Well, an interesting choice by the UK last night I think. At least we have a someone who can sing (very well) although I'm not sure the song is very 'Eurovision', but you never know. I preferred Michelle Gayle myself but I think her performance and vocals were messy and probably cost her the win.

Roll on 24th May, I can't wait...