ScottyEm

By winning, do we mean fairly or by corruption? Assuming the former, Biden. I get why many are voting Trump (don’t wanna jinx it etc) but that path for Trump is sooo narrow.

People assume the margin of error will typically benefit GOP on Election Day. Two interesting takes from 2016 election. Nevada was predicted to go to Trump, but went to Clinton. Texas was somewhat closer than predicted. If the same margin of error reoccurs there again which and given it’s virtually neck and neck and apparently the turnout is off the scale, a Biden win is a very realistic outcome. It would also be the biggest political story of the year in the US - and delicious to see.

The debate over Trump vs Biden isn’t a classic left v right debate. Moderate republicans are reluctantly hanging Trump dry, his narcissism is off the scale and is toxic for American democracy. It’s irrelevant if you like some of his economical policies. If you’re willing to turn a blind eye to his racism, the mountain of rising corpses, his unbelievable lack of intelligence, disregard for science,empathy and Christ the list goes on, I refuse to listen/understand/comprehend. You’ve had four years to see the experiment predictably blow up and cause entrenched divisions - and you’re willingly dragging everyone else down with you into the gutter.

Postponing is, for most, the preferred option as I’m sure it is for The EBU, delegates etc. But to have everyone available again for a large chunk of time later in the summer and to then get everything ready for May 2021 in a shorter time period is an almighty ask. I also envisage the remote live performances being problematic for less wealthy countries who simply cannot compete with the likes of Sweden, Germany etc.

I think the most likely outcome is that it goes ahead without an audience rather than an outright cancellation. Postponing would be a near impossibility as you have to have all 41 acts available at the same time (not to mention everyone behind the scenes) to all be available at the same time - and a significant period of time. There’s two months to go, a lot more will be realised and it’s likely impact in the coming days/weeks.

Well that’s a lot to process in 3 minutes. Needless to say this is absolutely BANGIN!

Well yes that would be quite a feat!

Semi 1 is 2018 Semi 1 all over again. I think we just accept now that there will be a lot of upset on May 12th.

Unless something astonishing happens on stage, this is clearly gunning for 19th place in the Semi?

The over 40s are hating it but they are still praying at the alter of Nicki French. It’s a contender in audio form, now let’s see this come even more to life on stage.

WELL! Not what I expected, it’s clearly brilliant and clearly a contender.

Yes - this is solid. A shame Cyprus is in the much tougher semi, it’s not as immediate as their last two but I trust Cyprus to nail the staging.

This is marginally better than shards of glass being spilt into my ears.

Nobody But You went nowhere? That gospel twist is the middle was divine and you could easily distinguish the first chorus to the last, it really built.

Nope, not for me

On the one hand, I’m glad we have this sort of entry in the mix. On the other hand, I’m not rushing to hit repeat either.

It’s not for me but at least Greece are tapping into a youth market.

Beautiful Lie felt like top five material. This really is a very odd choice. This year really is going swiftly up the shitter!

Terrible. But Croatia are consistently woeful anyway, so I wasn’t expecting anything from them. Yes this year has taken quite a nosedive. Don’t think this will be troubling us on Saturday.

Well we’ve turned the dial up from 2/10 to 6/10. Well produced, great vox, probably our best song (competitively) since 2011. Needs more movement though, a bit of add-libbing. I think jury support is in the bag, but will need exciting staging to pull in public votes.

John Newman? I’m good with that

The affiliation with Radio 1 and BBC making noises that it needs to freshen up gives me comfort it’s not Steps.

I still think it’s a new (unknown) artist but with strong affiliations with someone like Mabel (co-written for instance). Either way, I’m expecting a strong and competitive song.

AGREED. Even if you like them, five 40-somethings doing rigged aerobic moves to a poorly produced pop ditty is a sure fire for last place.

This would be right up there with Brexit in terms of appalling decisions. Can’t see Greg James getting his hands dirty with a group who were last in the charts twenty-odd years ago to a demograph of listeners mostly in their teens.