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

Hati, I'm pretty sure that Orcus had his tongue in his cheek there.

We British haven't taken the competition seriously for twenty years and more. We regard it as an exercise in light comedic entertainment and celebration of truly terrible music, our own entries included.

The idea that, for want of a better phrase, new eastern European nations take it seriously and regard it as a way of placing their flag on the European map comes as something of a shock to us, and we have trouble understanding it. I'm sure that no offence was intended.

I'm all for expansion! I only just found out about this place. Such a shame I missed it..

Hati, there is a little in my posts here so please don't get offended, no offence is meant

Song quality does have something to do with it. France didn't help themselve putting out a bad song with the use of a singer who was half a pitch flat on most important notes for example. But look for yourself at the statistics, I spent half of the voting time being absolutely spot on on who was going to get the 10 or 12 points (i may have been the wrong way around but not on the identies) from countries such as Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, Grece, Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina etc.
It's completely understandable as well, people are quite likely to vote for their nearest neighbours as they are most familiar to them and share much culture. Personally I think they should bring back the old panel voting -that was partisan too, but not so extreme.

*shrugs* I guess we take it as seriously as you do.

Israel and Armenia qualify for Eurovision because they are full members of the European Broadcasting Union. By that principle, expect Libya and Egypt's entries into the contest next year

Had a fab night here watching and voting. Our voting schemes included minus votes, and extra points for NOY having 6 people on stage. I was a bit too pissed on the old retsina to try posting anything on hootoo, but MuBeta's article seems to have captured the essential points. All the males in the room went dotty for Norway, and even went off to download the song. "Ve are da wieners" was a fun song, our lovely local lad Brian Kennedy gave a fantastic performance, but we phone voted for Finland. Of course.

What can I say, we surely share the same cultural values with Finland, after all it's the only nation in the world who speaks at least a bit understandable language, we do have the same kind of humour as Lithuanians and as for Russians and Latvians - their number in the population is just that high.
I am just usually pi$$ed off if anyone generalises too easily. There is a reason I don't mention my homeland on my U-page.
Ah well, sorry for being hypersensitive here, I don't really care that much about ESC or politics, for that matter.

Croz, I'm pretty sure that Morrocco have taken part at least once or twice in the past based upon that EBU link.

What's the European Broadcasting union?

BTW to illustrate an earlier point, Russia (2nd place) were given 12 poinst by:
Belarus, Finland, Israel (lots of former Russians there I understand)Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Armenia. They got 10 points from Poland and Estonia.
How can the UK compete with that?
My voting Bloc idea was entirely frivolous. I mean persuade the French to vote for us? Shurely not

UK can compete with that by changing the immigration policy, of course.

Ineed

You may also try Russian or Turkish singer.

"UK can compete with that by changing the immigration policy, of course."

So I take it the UK will give 12 points to Poland next year

And now that Serbia and Montenegro have split up, there'll be even *more* entrants next year.

Now keep your eyes on Bosnia&Herzegovina.

we voted for Germany and the reason the UK won't win any more is because now *everybody* can sing in English if they want we (and Ireland) have lost our big advantage and I am SO pleased that the badly-sung songs scored badly sorry I missed it all and didn't read the blog

Mol

"Finland, Finland, Finland,
The country where I want to be,
Pony trekking or camping,
Or just watching Lordi.
Finland, Finland, Finland.
It's the country for me."

Apologies to MP.

<"UK can compete with that by changing the immigration policy, of course."

So I take it the UK will give 12 points to Poland next year>

Or the Eurovision Committee will force just on entry from Poland/UK.

The UK is full of Polish people. Which isn't a bad thing the girls are gorgeous. Ooooo, those accents!!!

However, I used to work with a Polish woman who looked like an ancient Ronald McDonald, so not all good then



I'll get me coat