h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*pretending she isn't aware that the contest is already into semi-finals but is listening through all the songs*

So far, I like

Iceland
Latvia
Greece
Romania

Ah, I'm detecting that my background of having danced Balkan/East European folk dances for several years definitely has an influence - see, my ear is accustomed to some of the rather peculiar scales/rhythms/sounds.

OK, scratch all of the above - go Finland!

I can't help it - I love Russian entry. The Udmurt grannies are just hilarious.

crvvens its that time of year again!

The babushkas are sweet, but so is the Danish Song "Where Is My Sweater?"

Your sweater? Pulled over your head so that you could go out for a fishing trip...?

(sorry, requires some rather detailed knowledge of rather old Danish pop songs...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjKHDrpV_64)

Watching the second half of the songs included in the first semi-finals.

So far, Cyprus is my favourite among those.

Although the Danish singer had a good voice, but the song itself - nah....

And yes, the babushkas are cute, but one of them is singing off-tune and another (or possibly the same one) slightly off-beat as well.

And it wouldn't surprise me if it's the smallest and also cutest (and possibly oldest) babushka

Hmmm.... watching the 'while-we-count-the-votes' of the first semi-final, I find I have a blind spot when it comes to Azerbajdzian (?) dances - although I see a lot of similarities compared with other Eastern Europe folk dances.

Oh bah, Finland didn't make it - but at least Cyprys got to the finals.

Darn, the second semifinal had too many good songs...

OK, loved Serbia's song, it kick-starts all my folk dancing instincts - I can totally see a choreographer coming up with something !genuine' to match this.

Makedonia - yeah, well, yes.

*jumps back in horror*

Holy sh*t what is that? Indian chief? Or what? Honestly, that was so unrelated, I'm going to ignore it completely (Netherlands).

Portugal - hmmm.. think they tried too hard to make a 'popular' song, because a proper Fado is so much better than that.

Slovenia, me likes. Actually brought back some scenes from Songs of Fire and Ice.

SWEDEN! Oh - my - gosh! I think we might have ourselves a winner this year!

Seems we have to say Grattis!

Thanks!

And the video is here:
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=sweden_wins_2012_eurovision_song_contest

Comment from my mother (74):

Why the does she have to wriggle around all the time - can't she just stand still? And that fringe of hers - what's the point? Can't see her eyes!

Mum, it's a choreography - there's point.

And now, if some kind person could please explain to me why there needs to be a 'h' as the second letter in the word 'choreography' (had to look it up, because it looked wrong somehow)?

It comes via French from the Greek 'khoreia' (dance). It's the same root which gives us 'chorus'.

And I probably won't shut up any time soon, but did you see the finishing scene where he hoisted her up only to melt at her feet? Nice!

And what the made the UK think they'd win by sending Engelbert Humperdinck? Retirement time?

Vevo version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y03iOela5OU

E-FOOOOOO-RIAAAAA!

Second position ever (along with several other countries) in winning the ESC! Only Ireland to beat now... (seven times)