Smint

Yes the world is getting really, really dangerous. So irrespective of his politics, if someone does get shot then that isn't a way of winning the argument and just furthermore inflames revenge attacks from people who share his politics, often scapegoating the innocent.

Wow thanks Gezza for such an amazing rundown - was going to say trip down Memory lane but was barely alive during this year. But so so much quality! Looking forward to 1981 as well!

Satisfying? Not to millions of Eurovision fans who have enjoyed the contest for decades. :( Unless enough countries did that so they expelled Israel but EBU would never go for that, would they?

Article about it. Yes it's that horrible Julia Hartley Brewer but it's illustrative of what I think is common, garden homophobia dressed up as "too offensive". She says she would feel the same about heterosexual nudity but funnily, enough it's the male gay one that she singles out. https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/05/14/pear...lm-on-steroids/ Yes you could argue she's a reactionary bigot but for me, it subtly shows that homophobia is on the rise and many people are now saying the "quiet bit loud". Don't want to be negative but guess it shows what we are dealing with in society.

Thanks for clarification but that feels a bit "all countries are equal but some are more equal than others" But we live in a world where money talks. Although the fact that UK phoned in its entrants with no.hope of winning for several years but people still watch means that maybe there would still be healthy ratings for a UKless show f they didn't qualify on merit.

Well not in all the interim elections especially with the hot topic of abortion getting the Dem vote out, but Biden not taken a braver stance of Israel has cost him a lot of the votes. But Trump, WTF are people smoking? I feel really sorry for trans people as he's just declared he's going to end all rights for them on day 1 - the evil fascist.

Guardian comments won't buy it anyway I would have thought. :P But as everything is so utterly shite in this country now, this won't work either as the Tories have been in power 14 effing years and so all has gone to pot on their watch. And more importantly, no one likes Sunak. He doesn't even have a cult following like Bravermann, Truss do.

Although a lot of the controversies were of the EBU's own making, in a way I almost feel sorry for them as we live in a world where everything is hyper scrutinised on social media in very passionate terms, leaks are instant and there are very passionate people on all sides of an issue (including, unfortunately elements this year which weren't at all interested in the contest previously). Whatever they do next year, they will inevitably make decisions that will upset certain people and often they have to make choices based on money and sponsorship. It will be a difficult path for them to manage - I think what sticks out is lack of consistency though, if they addressed that then it would at least be clear, even if it upsets some people. But they're probably too constrained to do that, a bit like the BBC nowadays. It's just really sad. :(

Wouldn't it be fairer if UK (and the other big 4 countries) had to qualify like all others? Has that every been seriously considered and if not, why not?

Exactly ^^^^^ 'Happy Christmas (War is Over)' is just phenomenal. Very unique sounding, great structured song and heartfelt message. I'm finding the moden Spotify playlist of encouraging Christmas music which puts generic lyrics about snow, Santa, presents over a few sleighbells tiresome compared with something as classic as this. Def in my top 3 Christmas songs ever.

Not for me in the slightest. I liked it. But full on male homo-erotica (with no females to balance it like with the Spanish song) probably is for other audiences as straight audience can find it too much. Those were the comments from some people in the group that I was watching it with too. Disappointedly.

Same here. Acknowledge that it is a very sad situation all round with all this division (and looking at Twitter is probably the worse thing to do) and don't want to cause any harm. Take care and all blessings :) x

Try again I didn't say ALL of the votes for Israel were from right wing pro Zionists but if you looked on Twitter there are dozens of figures such as I mentioned and Tommy Robinson himself telling their followers to do EXACTLY that. So there is invariably some correlation. And personal insults won't make a difference. Sorry! I could make aspersions about someone cheering on a country that has slaughtered over 30000 children and broken every International law possible. I certainly don't want your "Education" thank you very much.

So you are seriously saying that NOT giving Israel a 12 is because of "lingering antisemitism"? Why should they have got one. Need to ask why all Western European countries did give Israel a 12? And I'd say right wing pro Zionist campaigns

Friends who I was with said it was too homoerotic to do well I thought it was good performance, good song but I'm one of those who thinks that Eurovision generally doesn't reward quality.

You've got the likes of Andrew Neil, Laurence Fox and every right wing hack/scumbag who couldn't give a rat's arse about Eurovusion watching it this year and voting for Israel to piss of the lefties. So that wasn't a surprise at all. Shocked if we saw the voting percentages but think we don't and thank goodness. Interesting that Ukraine, a country that is undergoing invasion gave Israel nil.

Did Israel win the televote overall or was it Ukraine or Croatia? Sorry missed that in excitement Thrilled Switzerland won. I would have been really mortified and scared if Israel won in terms of the message sent out Overall, the ABBA thing using the crappy Voyage footage was such a let down. Was expecting at least a recorded message from actual ABBA.

Honey G vibes!

Excellent performance from Olly - looking good!

Latvia and Ireland are the best! :wub:

I'm hoping for resistance. A few of my friends who normally watch Eurovision have got Palestinian flags and are now in Central London on a demo against the genocide Annoyingly have prior engagement but that's where my heart is!

I dont think Israel are being criticise for their song being political...it's not about the song, it's about the country and the double standards of EBU banning Russia but not Israel.

What anti semetism are you seeing? Or do you mean anti Israel?

Zionist lobby obviously as well - like how Facebook/YouTube was spammed with pro invasion propaganda for months. This will be Israel's equivalent of Berlin 1936 Olympics. Well next year will be as well if/when they win but hopefully amd very sadly it might not take place if countries start boycotting

'To cut a long story short' is probably their BEST song artistically but do prefer listening to some of their mid 80s like 'Only When You Leave'. Love that Jona Lewie track. Shame it doesn't figure high in the Spotify dictatorship Christmas playlists anymore. Don't get me started... Didn't realise 'Banana Republic' made top 3!