United Kingdom will NOT withdraw anytime soon. I assure you of that.

 

I just don't understand the UK's (& the BBC's) attitude to the contest.

 

With the exception of last year we have sent crap performed by has been's/never will be's in recent years to the contest, yet we arrogantly expect to do well (see Pete Waterman's Radio 2 interview today).

 

The only year we did not do that recently was last year, and hey presto we got a decent result (for once!).

 

It's hardly rocket science is it? I mean we don't send a pub team to represent England in the Football World Cup; yet that is exactly how we treat the ESC, and little wonder the rest of Europe is bemused by our arrogance.

 

In my view either the UK should take the contest seriously, as most of Europe do. Or we should withdraw from the contest.

 

And this year turning down the offer of Dramatico Records to have the UK represented by an internationally successful recording artist with a song co-penned by the multi Ivor Novello award winning Guy Chambers; produced by the Grammy Award winning William Orbit & a video directed by the legend that is Kevin Godley just sums up the UK's attitude, throwing away a surefire Top 5 finish for a bottom 5 cert.

There may be that. But I think Eurovision isn't exactly top of David Cameron's cut list.

 

Regardless of what people say, Eurovision is still incredibly popular here. I bet IF Cameron was to axe it, then he would be quite unpopular!

There may be that. But I think Eurovision isn't exactly top of David Cameron's cut list.

 

One of, if not THE biggest event on the gay calendar in the UK? I'm sure the torys would love for us not to enter :lol:

There may be that. But I think Eurovision isn't exactly top of David Cameron's cut list.

 

Regardless of what people say, Eurovision is still incredibly popular here. I bet IF Cameron was to axe it, then he would be quite unpopular!

Hence why I said he'd go for it as a high-profile but ineffective cut :P Like it or not, it's popular as a folly in most people's eyes in the UK. Most people would think it was something that ought to be cut, not knowing that it's just £200,000...in any case, we wouldn't be getting rid of it, we'd just not be sending anything to it anymore.

 

Although good could come of it. He could force the BBC to flog it off to some other channel, which would be perfect if ITV or Channel 4 ended up with it.

I agree with you that it is a poor year and we do get those, but it's just the way I'm feeling about the contest at the moment, for the reasons I outlined above.

 

Armenia is shockingly in my top 5 of the final iirc, but was outside my top 10 of all 39 entries. Losing Croatia, Sweden & Malta to Ukraine, Israel/Turkey and Russia was a massive blow for the contest's reputation I feel based on the fact last year all the rubbish was weeded out in the semis. It looked like the contest was well on the road to recovery and now it just seems slightly farcical again :(

 

I guess it's subjective though. There would have been people last year up in arms about what went out in the semis like we are this year. Though I'm not a fan of any of the four songs you pointed out, Turkey arguably gave one of the standout performances in the semi last night, and definitely deserve a place in the final, and Alyosha was vocally very strong. Israel don't deserve to be there based on their vocal but like I predicted yesterday, the juries would no way have let that 'classy' song slip away in the semis. Anna was shaky/marmite vocally, and one of Feminnem missed their cue on one of the verses, so that could be why they both DNQ'd :(

 

Obviously I'd have preferred Croatia and Sweden in the final to Ukraine and Turkey personally, but I guess ultimately the latter two that gave the better performances...I'm hoping and praying that all of the rubbish through to the final will finish bottom ten, and we'll have a strong and decent top ten tomorrow, but only time will tell.

One of, if not THE biggest event on the gay calendar in the UK? I'm sure the torys would love for us not to enter :lol:

Up there with Brighton Pride at least.

I agree with the predictions on the whole (especially the top 10) but I'll be slightly annoyed if Arsemia wins, i dont dislike at all but it just doesnt scream winner to me so its interesting many are predicting it to win now! I wonder if they win, if Azerbaijan will withdraw next year?

 

I really hope Germany wins but i reckon it'll just go top 5 (which would still be a great achievement). Turkey and Greece will be close to the top 5. Its funny about Denmark, i wondered what people were on about before i saw the semi (that it looks rather uncomfortable etc) but my goodness i was shocked how true that was, the girl looked happy enough but the bloke looked like he didnt wanna be there, did he even crack a smile? :lol: If they can sort it out i reckon they could be top 3 IMO.

 

I still think Romania and Belgium are gonna be the dark horses (despite Belgium's place in the final). Whoever wins its certainly gonna be exciting. I wonder if Azerbaijan has any chance to win now? Also has the betting now changed due to the running order?

 

I wonder if they win, if Azerbaijan will withdraw next year?

Oooh, now that's a question and a half :o

I guess it's subjective though. There would have been people last year up in arms about what went out in the semis like we are this year. Though I'm not a fan of any of the four songs you pointed out, Turkey arguably gave one of the standout performances in the semi last night, and definitely deserve a place in the final, and Alyosha was vocally very strong. Israel don't deserve to be there based on their vocal but like I predicted yesterday, the juries would no way have let that 'classy' song slip away in the semis. Anna was shaky/marmite vocally, and one of Feminnem missed their cue on one of the verses, so that could be why they both DNQ'd :(

 

Obviously I'd have preferred Croatia and Sweden in the final to Ukraine and Turkey personally, but I guess ultimately the latter two that gave the better performances...I'm hoping and praying that all of the rubbish through to the final will finish bottom ten, and we'll have a strong and decent top ten tomorrow, but only time will tell.

 

I guess it is to do with taste, but some of the results this year and left me baffled! I can see your reasons for Sweden and Croatia not making it and can see that Ukraine and Turkey put in good performances, but I never thought what happened last night could happen - Israel?! He'd better improve a lot tomorrow to make up for last night! :lol:

 

Fingers crossed tomorrow throws up a generally pleasing result!

I agree with the predictions on the whole (especially the top 10) but I'll be slightly annoyed if Arsemia wins, i dont dislike at all but it just doesnt scream winner to me so its interesting many are predicting it to win now! I wonder if they win, if Azerbaijan will withdraw next year?

 

I really hope Germany wins but i reckon it'll just go top 5 (which would still be a great achievement). Turkey and Greece will be close to the top 5. Its funny about Denmark, i wondered what people were on about before i saw the semi (that it looks rather uncomfortable etc) but my goodness i was shocked how true that was, the girl looked happy enough but the bloke looked like he didnt wanna be there, did he even crack a smile? :lol: If they can sort it out i reckon they could be top 3 IMO.

 

I still think Romania and Belgium are gonna be the dark horses (despite Belgium's place in the final). Whoever wins its certainly gonna be exciting. I wonder if Azerbaijan has any chance to win now? Also has the betting now changed due to the running order?

 

Not much at all really, I wonder if it's less important than we all make it out to be :lol: Last year, Fairytale would have won from 1st, midway or last in the draw, I'm certain of it, and Yohanna came on 7th and by rights should have been long forgotten by the end but still managed 2nd place. In fact, only really Jade was really late in the draw. The only recent example of a song probably doing a lot better than it otherwise would have earlier on is Maria Haukaas Storeng in 2008, but having said that it managed 4th in its strong semi, so it wouldn't have probably come below 8th wherever it had been in the draw.

 

I really think Safura still has a chance, I wouldn't write her off completely like AKOE seem to be doing. If she comes as low as 7th as some people are predicting I'll be utterly gobsmacked, moreso than Sweden/Croatia DNQ'ing yesterday.

Romania for the win although I've only heard a few of the finalists.

Hence why I said he'd go for it as a high-profile but ineffective cut :P Like it or not, it's popular as a folly in most people's eyes in the UK. Most people would think it was something that ought to be cut, not knowing that it's just £200,000...in any case, we wouldn't be getting rid of it, we'd just not be sending anything to it anymore.

 

Although good could come of it. He could force the BBC to flog it off to some other channel, which would be perfect if ITV or Channel 4 ended up with it.

Channel 4 would be an awful decision...it'd get flogged to T4 and we'd end up having some unsigned band being sent that only British indie kids listen to. We'd obviously have to go via the semi finals too as they wouldn't be able to fund keeping us in the big four, so we probably wouldn't see the final for quite a while!

 

ITV on the other hand... :magic:

Channel 4 would be an awful decision...it'd get flogged to T4 and we'd end up having some unsigned band being sent that only British indie kids listen to. We'd obviously have to go via the semi finals too as they wouldn't be able to fund keeping us in the big four, so we probably wouldn't see the final for quite a while!

 

ITV on the other hand... :magic:

 

I'd LOVE ITV to get it! I can't imagine they'd go down the internal selection route either, I reckon they'd do a national final of some sort, and hopefully try to promote it well to get some decent entries. Won't happen though as it's still a big ratings hit/talking point for the BBC every year.

FINAL final predictions;

 

1. Belgium

2. Germany

3. Azerbaijan

4. Armenia

5. Turkey

6. Greece

7. Romania

8. Israel

9. Denmark

10. Serbia

11. Ireland

12. Georgia

13. Iceland

14. Norway

15. Portugal

16. Cyprus

17. Ukraine

18. Spain

19. Bosnia-Herzegovina

20. Albania

21. Russia

22. Moldova

23. France

24. Belarus

25. United Kingdom

 

Let's go with blind faith :cheer: Armenia just does not feel like a winner at all, great song but nothing 'winner' about it.

Ooh I'd love you to be right Rich! Tom Dice would be a worthy winner, though I really can't see it myself. :(

Ooh I'd love you to be right Rich! Tom Dice would be a worthy winner, though I really can't see it myself. :(

 

It's pretty interchangable between my top 6 really, I just don't want to pre-empt a win for Armenia :drama: Ask me again in 2 hours and I'll say something else :lol:

I agree on Armenia, I'm not feeling the winners vibe off it.

 

I do think it'll be one of Belgium, Germany or Turkey that wins it. I can see Azerbaijan being hampered quite a bit with it's position....but it should still get a top 5...

Edited May 29, 201015 yr by Sabrewulf

Well I got 8 of the top 10 right which wasn't bad in this unpredictable contest :cheer: Shame I didn't follow my gut and swap Belgium round with Germany, I wasn't quite sure which one to put at the top. Interesting that in such a ballad heavy final, uptempos ruled the top 4! Great that Lena's charm and charisma did indeed win people over and let's be honest, she showed more personality than I've seen from any act in any Eurovision contest in years and I'm glad Peter's prediction of 15th and right hand side of the scoreboard didn't come true :P Satellite>>>>Fairytale :cheer:

 

My thoughts on all of the placings;

 

1. Germany - 246 - Fantastic, she really deserves such an outright win with the best song of 2010 so far, Eurovision or otherwise - 7 weeks and counting :kink:

 

2. Turkey - 170 - Great performance, this definitely deserves 2nd place, so different to every other song in the contest!

 

3. Romania - 162 - Amazing presentation and performance from these two, a little higher than I expected but I'm really pleased for them!

 

4. Denmark - 149 - Haha, did a bit better than I'd expected - Christer must be kicking himself that he didn't put this in the MF semis

 

5. Azerbaijan - 145 - I was enjoying it struggling to pick up votes at the start :kink: Nice to see it finish top 5 in the end though, it's a very strong song

 

6. Belgium - 143 - I wish this had got 7 more points, I would have won a lot more money :P Incredible result for a fantastic performance from Tom, more like this please Belgium!

 

7. Armenia - 141 - Glad it didn't come close to winning as I'd feared. Really good song/performance though.

 

8. Greece - 140 - Thank god Keith AKOE's prediction didn't come true - 12 points from the UK though (as usual) - who says we don't vote for foreign language songs :P What IS our ongoing obsession with Greece/Turkey and why aren't juries dampening it down? Romania would have been a much worthier 12 pointer from us.

 

9. Georgia - 136 - I predicted 12th so not far out. Decent performance - the song's still just above average for me though.

 

10. Ukraine - 108 - Everytime Ukraine and Russia send amazing songs, they'll be top 3, everytime they don't they'll be top ten or just outside regardless. Not hugely shocked here but I still think the song is complete dirge.

 

11. Russia - 98 - Ridiculously high is all I'll say.

 

12. France - 98 - Amazing :cheer: almost top ten twice in a row! Great performance from France for a brilliant dance song.

 

13. Serbia - 82 - Glad this didn't trouble the top ten :lol:

 

14. Israel - 71 - Really pleased this is only 14th, overhyped to the max by the bookies.

 

15. Spain - 68 - Higher than I expected, maybe the second performance helped Mika Sayer? :P

 

16. Albania - 62 - Do they live for just below mid-table with their pedestrian dance pop? About where I expected for it to be honest...deserves no more or no less...

 

17. Bosnia & Herzegovina - 51 - Terrible, glad this flopped.

 

18. Portugal - 43 - Surprised it did so well in the semi! Her final performance was a lot weaker so not surprised at this slump. Nice to see them in the final three years on the trot though!

 

19. Iceland - 41 - Awful result but not entirely unexpected - this sort of thing stopped doing well in the contest years ago. Still, it didn't stop Denmark :lol:

 

20. Norway - 35 - :rofl: I put this at 14th in my predictions but I had a suspicion it might end up doing even worse. Really overblown and came across as very self loving. I'm pretty sure A1 or Bjorn Johan Muri wouldn't have done this badly :drama: The curse of Frederik Kempe strikes again :heehee:

 

21. Cyprus - 27 - Poor old Jon, I liked the performance but I guess it didn't really stand out compared to some others.

 

22. Moldova - 27 - Exactly where I predicted them to be. This isn't anything overly special in my opinion.

 

23. Ireland - 25 - Disaster for Niamh, easily the biggest shock flop of the year, I didn't see this coming at all. I guess these generic 90s style power ballads have had their day in Eurovision (see Norway)

 

24. Belarus - 18 - Terrible vocals/accents and incredibly twee. No shock here.

 

25. United Kingdom - 10 - Did it deserve anything better? No. I cringed watching it and Azerbaijan, Georgia and Albania - what the hell were you listening to giving points to this? :heehee: Please BBC, I'm begging you to follow Germany (who incidentally followed our lead last year with their selection process :o) and pick a decent contemporary song/performer/songwriter, because I'm fed up of feeling embarrassed watching our entries - this hardly reflects the UK music scene. I still think we can win, even next year, if we find a great potential Europe wide smash hit, but more effort and thought really needs to go into the whole thing.

 

I'm trying to think which Swedish song could have made an impact in the final, I still think Keep On Walking would have done well with the juries but another slower song might have been a disadvantage. Manboy is perhaps too dance pop, and written by Floperik Kempe :P Kom I guess could have done very well though!

Manboy or Kom would've poked Ukraine out of that top ten I reckon!