50th Eurovision song contest

[amnesiac]

http://www.eurovisionshop.tv/skin/eurovision_2005/img/en/email-top.jpg

Well it's less than 100 days to go to the television event of the year... the golden jubilee staging of the campest, most ridiculous, equally reviled and hated show on Earth... the Eurovision Song Contest.

Let this thread be the only place I and other freaks indulge our scarily obsessive love to the monster that gave birth to Abba, Celine Dion and Linda Martin. It also spawned Ruslana and her Wild Dances, choreography that saw yours truly clinch the UCC LGB GOSCAR for Best Performance in Gay Dance last week.

For information on national selections, the contest in general and Eurovision history, I'd recommned visiting www.esctoday.com

For a message board devoted to Eurovision, try www.escforum.com I'm wkd and we use VBulletin so GayCorkers will be familiar with the layout.

The official EBU site is poor but the link for anybody interested is www.eurovision.tv

Other resources

www.rte.ie/star
www.bbc.co.uk/eurovision
www.doteurovision.com

[EverythingFadesAway]

Just maybe...I'm crazy!

[amnesiac]

Links to MP3s of the songs selected for Kiev so far...

http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/39.gif Albanija - Ledina Celo - Nesër shkoj (http://www.oikotimes.com/ALB.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/40.gif Andora - Marian van de Wal - La miranda interior (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/andorra2005.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/41.gif Bjelorusija - Angelica Agurbash - Boys and girls (http://www.oneurope.biz/05/belarus05.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/43.gif Bugarska - Kaffe - Lorrain (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/bulgaria2005.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/14.gif Cipar - Constantinos Christoforou - Ela ela (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/cyprus2005.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/8.gif Danska - Jakob Sveistrup - Tander pa dig (http://www.oneurope.biz/05/denmark05.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/26.gif Estonija - Suntribe - Let's get loud (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/estonia2005.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/22.gif Finska - Geir Ronning - Why (http://home.tiscali.be/verlind/andy/20_Geir_Ronning_Why.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/15.gif Nizozemska - Glennis Grace - My Impossible Dream (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/netherlands2005.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/27.gif Makedonija - Martin Vučić - Ti si son (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/macedonia2005.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/31.gif Malta - Chiara - Angel (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/malta2005.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/32.gif Poljska - Ivan & Delfin - Czarna dziewczyna (http://www.oneurope.biz/05/poland05.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/23.gif Slovenija - Omar Naber - Stop (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/slovenia2005.mp3)
http://www.esctoday.com/images/flags/17.gif Turska - Gülseren - Rim rimi ley (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/turkey2005.mp3) [/b]

[Bootyzilla]

Turska - Gülseren - Rim rimi ley (http://home.onego.ru/~pavic3x/songs/2005/turkey2005.mp3) [/b]

Hmmm. I think I had one of those once. It was not pleasant.

[Bootyzilla]

[IMG]the monster that gave birth to Abba, Celine Dion and Linda Martin


And there was me thinking that Linda Martin was the love child of Lucille Ball and a bottle of Fabric Softener. Just goes to show what I know... [:-((]

[amnesiac]

The birth of Linda Martin... in technicolor! (http://www.keithm.utvinternet.ie/I1984.wmv)

[EverythingFadesAway]

Hmmm. I think I had one of those once. It was not pleasant.

Lmao! ..........................space to fill!

[apollo]

I just don't get Eurovision, I think it's a pile of tosh!

[EverythingFadesAway]

In your eyes, I see the light...

[amnesiac]

United Kingdom: Publicity appearances by Gina G and Javine
Sat 26 Feb 2005 11:50

With just a week to go to the United Kingdom selection programme "Making Your Mind Up", the battle is hotting up to gain votes. Both Gina G and Javine will be making publicity appearances at London venues to promote their entries, while model Jordan has gained publicity in revealing that she is five months pregnant.


Tonight at G-A-Y club at the Astoria Theatre in London, former United Kingdom representative Gina G will be appearing to promote her entry Flashback, and will no doubt perform her 1996 entry Ooh aah...just a little bit for good measure. The club is located at 157 Charing Cross Road in London.

On Tuesday 1st March, just around the corner from the above venue, Javine will appear at Ghetto, in Falconberg Court, to promote her entry Touch My Fire, described as an eastern flavoured dance track.

Not to be outdone on the publicity front, Katie Price, also known as the model Jordan has announced that she is five months pregnant by her boyfriend, singer, Peter Andre. The 26 year old revealed that they are both "ecstatic", and that they had delayed the announcement due to medical check ups to confirm the baby was healthy. Jordan already has a two year old son, who was born blind, by footballer Dwight Yorke.

If Jordan was successful in next weeks final, she would be about eight months pregnant by the time the Eurovision Song Contest takes place on the 21st May in Kiev. However she would not be the first pregnant singer to appear on the Eurovision stage. In 1981 the lead singer of the Israeli group Habibi was pregnant at the time, and in 1988 a heavily pregnant Kirsten Siggaard appeared for Denmark, causing presenter Pat Kenny to ask "is there a doctor in the house?"

Also appearing in "Making Your Mind Up" on Saturday 5th March is Andy Scott Lee and the group Tricolore. The programme will be hosted by Terry Wogan and Natasha Kaplinsky.

[ippy]

the malta song is lovely - the albanian one is just incredibly fab tho! [:-D] [:-D] [:-D] - very setabesque!

[amnesiac]

I think Malta and Netherlands could be the power players with two power ballads!

Albania could be the big ethnic showstopper to watch!

[amnesiac]

Well the Brits have chosen not to send an eight month pregnant and tuneless Jordan to Kiev. Instead they have plumped for a poor man's Beyoncé in the form of the sixth member of Chavs Aloud, Javine.

Donna and Joseph look certain to be crowned victors of You're A Star tonight with a song called Love. All it's missing is some macaroni.

Eastern European "ethnic" beat!
Repetitive chorus line!
Drums!
Wild Riverdancing!
Key Change!

It's a nice piece of Eurononsense and the poor McCauls really give it their all. Unlike recent Irish entries, it is something that will be fun to dance drunkenly to in Instinct. [:-D]

[Silversmile]

I HATED the Eurovision...right up until I first started going out on scene when I was 18. (Actually, the same can be said for pop music in general). That was a year and a half ago and I still remember being in The Other Place and the song that won it for Turkey came on. (The same one that Sheila Fits-Patrick played at AMC.) I still go crazy whenever it comes on. Actually, I can't find it anywhere, and i'd love to play it on the show-does anyone have a link for it? I'd really appreciate it.

And then there's the Ukrane song. I loved that too, but I think i've heard it too many times in the pubs and club. But it's still a good song.

Nostalgic Dave

[Sheila Fits]

Hi Kids

Greetings from Limerick.Your favouite Euro whore here.Well after the weekends Eurovision-tele feast I just felt I had to put pen to paper and give my views.

"making your mind up" uk show.

Javine was out of this world looked hot and very eastern beats her backing dancers were hot too especially the guy with the short blonde hair he reminds me of the sexy one from liberty x (what are they up to at the mo....)

Have to say Jordan made a good effort and had the right ingredients (sexy basically) not the best of voices though then again she is a few months pregnant looked fantastic though

Gina G.....sorry sweety it was oohhh aaaahhhh just a little bit -----dated.

Andy Scott Lee.......Nice voice looked well but going no where in Eurovision these days sorry Andy(whilst we are talking about ex pop idol contestantys can anyone tell me where the hell has michelle macmanus gone ??????Loved her....us fat girls have to stick together)

Tricolore.........G4 minus 1 .....Again dont think the song was Eurovision material....Reminded me of our rugby teams signature song Irelands call .Fantastic singers and quite cute but to be honest not their bag wouldnt say they were that disappointed.

"your a star"

First of all have to say the BBC show was far more professional in their whole presentation

"Mccaul"

If you were to sit down and pick the best parts out of Eurovision shows or songs over the past 10 years and put them together you would get LOVE ?
Catchy
Drums
Beats
Irish dancing to disco beats
(didnt some of ye see me doing something similar at Amc. mmmmmmmm)
They all important key change
And to be honest you the brother and sister thing is always going to be of interest to Euro audiences.To be honest a clear winner since Saturday night.

I dont know if it will win in Kiev but I would be very very surprised if our guys dont at least qualify for the final and make it into the top 10 at the final.

"Jade"
Obviously a gr8 bunch of girls with a huge amount of talent they had the correct attitude from day 1 and it was a very novel idea to have 4 hot rock/pop chicks playing guitars representinh us at Eurovision.They looked gr8 on both nights and gave it their all last night but in my opinion I do feel the song was not Eurovision material.They sang one of their own songs last night and I thought that was a lot more suitable.But I have no doubt we will be hearing a lot more from Jade

"the henry girls"

My favourites from day one .very dissapointed with their performance on Saturday night to be honest they seemed p****d off with the whole thing at that stage especially the girl on the harp she seemed bored sh**less.Steven is a grower looked well the other night.Song was nice !!!!!!but I didnt think it or the band had any punch which was a pity.


As to Javine v Mccaul .............Dont know 2 totally different songs but I feel that the fact we will have performed 2 days before and qualified (fingers xd) and Javines song will be only performed once I think that we could have to upper edge because even at this stage I have heard Mccaul maybe 4 times and I just wanna hear it and hear it again.

Anyway thats me done .Will talk to you all later in the week .
DONT FORGET AMI 2005 NEXT SUNDAY AT THE OLYMPIA .COME ALONG AND SUPPORT SHEILA AND LETS BRING ANOTHER ALL IRELAND TITLE BACK TO CORK.

Kisses
Sheila AMC 2005
p.s.silversmile if you private message me with your email address or telephone number i can send you 2 different copies of "every way that I can" by sertab

[LittleTimmy]

So what's the verdict on the Irish entry this year? I think it's cheesy yet catchy and memorable. A lot better than anything we've put forward recently (purely in eurovision terms not musical terms!).

[Silversmile]

What?!?

We have our one already? Who won it? Was it the brother and sister?
When did this happen and why was I not informed?

Irritable Dave [X-(]

[LittleTimmy]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0307/eurovision.html

There's a link to it....

[Silversmile]

"Donna and Joseph McCaul will represent Ireland in the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine"

The semi-final? What's that? I thought the Ukrane won it last year and so that's where they host the final. Im confused. If that's the case then where is the final?

What's going on? Im scared! [:-((]

Dave

[LittleTimmy]

"Donna and Joseph McCaul will represent Ireland in the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine"

The semi-final? What's that? I thought the Ukrane won it last year and so that's where they host the final. Im confused. If that's the case then where is the final?

What's going on? Im scared! [:-((]

Dave
How non-gay are you??? [:-D]

[Sheila Fits]

Hi again my lovlies.

Just to clarify all the Eurovision rules.

SILVERSMILE SWEETIE CALM DOWN THIS MIGHT MAKE IT CLEARER TO YOU.

Firtsly because there are so many "new" countries wanting to enter the Eurovision they have to split all entrants into 2 groups.

The semi final in which Ireland will be partaking first is on I think a few nights before the live final.

The semi will also be held in Kiev and it includes the countries who got the least amount of votes last year(that includes us) plus the countries that did not qualify for the final last year plus any new countries e.g.Bulgaria I think are entering this year.

I think there are about 25 countries in total.

Out of this there will 10 picked to proceed to the final to join the big four "UK,France,Spain and Germany"

These countries are always in the final irrespective of the placing from the previous year.

They will also be joined with the highest scoring countries from last year and the winning country i.e.Ukraine.

So I think that Serbia/Montenegro,Greece,Cyprus,Turkey, and Sweden will deffo be in there.

Hope that clears everything up sweetie.

Kisses Sheila AMC 2005

p.s.thanks for the p.m. will call you later after work so we can organise something x

[Silversmile]

I am SO gay! Mm-hmm

......girlfriend.....

And I think that proves it![\:D-]

[Silversmile]

And also,

Thank you Sheila for clearing that one up. I get easily confused dont'cha know. [:-O ]

[Andor]

http://dynimg.rte.ie/000037ed0b2.jpg

.....


http://homepage.eircom.net/~donalnorton007/keyless_2004_website/keyless_comedy_main_files/podge_rodge_painting.gif

[EverythingFadesAway]

I think they've a great chance..
So fuckin' camp!

[amnesiac]

http://www.esctoday.com/images/logos/2005_green_logo.jpg

The running order of the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest semifinal has been decided by a draw, which took place yesterday afternoon in Kiev. Under guardianship of the delegation heads, people of host broadcaster NTU and a delegation of the European Broadcasting Union, 2005 hosts DJ Pasha and Volodymyr Klytschko executed the 'lottery'. Ruslana, one of the three hosts for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, could not be present due to the flu.


Running order of the semifinal to be held on19th May:

01. Austria
02. Lithuania
03. Portugal
04. Moldova
05. Latvia
06. Monaco
07. Israel
08. Belarus
09. The Netherlands
10. Iceland
11. Belgium
12. Estonia
13. Norway
14. Romania
15. Hungary
16. Finland
17. FYR Macedonia
18. Andorra
19. Switzerland
20. Croatia
21. Bulgaria
22. Ireland
23. Slovenia
24. Denmark
25. Poland

Global.Kryner will open the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest semifinal for Austria. The Austrians seem to have a guaranteed place in the opening of the contest. In 2002 Austria was drawn third. In 2003 and 2004 Austria was the second country to make its apearance.

Nuno Resende who'll represent Belgium was awarded the 11th spot, last year's lucky number for Ruslana in the semifinal in Istanbul. Ivan & Delfin are the last to perform in the semifinal, representing Poland. After the withdrawal of Lebanon, only 25 countries will be taking part on 19th May in Kiev.

Ireland's Donna & Joe have been gifted a late performance in the running order. Singing 22nd of 25 artists should help their bid to make the final of the 2005 Eurovision Songt Contest.

[amnesiac]

http://www.esctoday.com/images/logos/2005_green_logo.jpg

The running order of the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest final has been decided by a draw, which took place this afternoon in Kiev. Under guardianship of the delegation heads, people of host broadcaster NTU and a delegation of the European Broadcasting Union, 2005 hosts DJ Pasha and Volodymyr Klytschko executed the 'lottery'.



Running order of the final to be held on 21st May:

01. Semifinal spot
02. United Kingdom
03. Malta
04. Semifinal spot
05. Semifinal spot
06. Turkey
07. Semifinal spot
08. Albania
09. Cyprus
10. Spain
11. Semifinal spot
12. Serbia & Montenegro
13. Semifinal spot
14. Sweden
15. Semifinal spot
16. Ukraine
17. Germany
18. Semifinal spot
19. Greece
20. Russia
21. Bosnia & Herzegovina
22. Semifinal spot
23. Semifinal spot
24. France

One of the 10 semifinalists that proceeded to the final will open the final of the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. With the song Chacun pense à soi, French representative Ortal will be the last of 24 finalists to make her appearance on the stage of the Palats Sportu in Kiev.

[amnesiac]

http://www.esctoday.com/images/logos/2005_green_logo.jpg

Curiosity has an end... this year's Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted by three celebrities: Ruslana, DJ Pasha and Volodymyr Klytschko.


Last year's Eurovision winner Ruslana will be one of the three hosts of the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. Together with the boxing Olympic gold medallist, Volodymyr Klytschko and national radio and TV star, DJ Pasha, Ruslana will be hosting both the semifinal and the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev.

"Their role on stage and in the backstage area is still a secret. You will have to watch the show for details," announces Svitlana Bazhanova, Head of Delegation of Ukraine.

Ruslana, who was supposed to conduct today's draw for the running order with her fellow hosts, has got the flu! This means that she will be unable to play a part in today's draw for the running order in Kiev.


"Unfortunately, Ruslana can not be present to conduct the draw", supervisor Svante Stockselius said. The other two hosts, DJ Pasha and Volodymyr Klytschko, will be present.

"After the lengthy tours in European countries Ruslana is finally in Ukraine now, where she is handling issues concerned with Eurovision Song Contest 2005", her official website wrote yesterday.

Those who met Ruslana in Istanbul know her as an active and dynamic girl. However, now she has to calm down a bit. Ruslana, take care!

[amnesiac]

Who'd have thought it? Amnesiac singing the praises of the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

And why?

The IBA has gone and put every entry in this year's Eurovision Song Contest online. And there are some right corkers in there.

I hear you can get odds of 100/1 on Moldova to win the contest.

Could be worth it..

Anyway, make your own minds up. The videos
(http://eurovil.iba.org.il/)

And here are a couple worth keeping an eye on...

SONGS TO WATCH

SEMI FINAL

02. Lithuania
Eurovision by numbers but something about it tells me it will do well.

04. Moldova
Crazy incomprehensible rock stuff.

00. Norway
Glamrock! Skit!

09. The Netherlands
One of two power ballads that could burst the ethnic bubble with tele voters. If you like Whitney you'll love this.

10. Iceland
Clever, modern pop song from the runner up to Charlotte Nielson in '99.

15. Hungary
The best folksy entry this year... live performance rumoured to be show stopping.

19. Switzerland
Sexy crazy cool girl band. Vanilla Ninja.

22. Ireland
Leprechauns! Key change! Four chord chorus intro! Drums! Riverdancing!

AND IN THE FINAL

02. United Kingdom
Touch My Fire... Javine could pop out again... and the song is catchy... if Turkish...

03. Malta
The beached whale Chiara returns. Can the woman who ate too many Maltaeasers finally bring the contest to Valletta?

06. Turkey
Rim Rimmi Ley. 'nuff said.

08. Albania
"De be da, de be da" follows in recent winners' footsteps. Pretty girl, repetitive but weak song enhanced with drums, dancing, and an ethnic flavour.

19. Greece
The one to watch I feel. Up tempo dance song with good live stage show and Mediterranean feel. Good position in the running order too.

21. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Brilliantly camp tribute to 50 years of Eurononsense from an atomic kitten clone called Feminem.

[Cinaed]

Chiara, the beached whale, Maltaeasers....how original, Amnesiac [:-?]

I'm not a fan of Norway (mostly due to my ignorant Norwegian flatmate), but that lead singer looks familiar...where have I seen him before....

and is it Estonia that has the Spice Girls crossed with Sex and the City?

[Cinaed]

oo! Greece is fab! I love your wan's nose- i mean, your wan!

The dancers are hot too! Too bad they probably all smell like kebabs.....



FYR Macedonia is Enrique's fat, older cousin, Miguel Iglesias.

Well, it's not like they're a real country anyway...what were we expecting?

[amnesiac]

Who's your favourite Cinaed?

[Cinaed]

We love Estonia! Chavs aloud with bad wigs and accents!!!

and Monaco= Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez' love child...

all in all, gonna be steep competition...

not really...Chiara will CRUSH them all!!! [:-))] [:-D]

[amnesiac]

oo! Greece is fab! I love your wan's nose- i mean, your wan!

The dancers are hot too! Too bad they probably all smell like kebabs.....

Greece is being represented by Helena, who previously scored a bronze medal in the 2001 contest with the Boo favourite "Die For You."

A lot of people are tipping Greece for the top, but I think Albania and Cyrpus (and others) are very similar; too simialr perhaps. A song needs to stand out in the final to garner enough votes to win.

[Cinaed]

oh, then definately Austria. Austria is like no one else. It's 'Copacabana' with an Evita/Lola/Cuban/Fidel Castro twist, and a tuba!!! Eurostruuuuuudel anyone?

[amnesiac]

Austria is opening the semi final. I have doubts whether we will be seeing them on the Saturday night! I think our position in the running order, singing 22nd of 25th without much strong competition before and after will greatly help our chances of making the final.

Bookmakers are offering generous odds on either Donna or Joe falling off stage in Kiev. Worth a flutter?

[Cinaed]

cyprus-
good beat, but the intro is too long, but the guy is VERY hot! TOTAL Fla! for his sake, i hope that people know Cyprus is a country-- i didn't!
omg, for the dance break, they need to rip off his clothes and drench him in water (a la Ricky Martin in 'la vida loca'). so now, is he Greek or Italian?

albania-
ah yes, 'De Be Da'. she and Javine must have used similiar lyricists. She has a very Ruslana-esque, almost Anastacia quality to her...i think the only way she could make it work is if she sustains some of the higher notes, and lays them on a track over the 'De be Da' bit. is that allowed Amnesiac? I remember you explaining the rules during the infamous 'night of tin foil', but alas, I have no short term memory of the event left.

as far as donna or joe falling offstage, i couldn't be arsed. don't like them. i liked the guy in you're a star, the hot one. who do i mean? i don't remember who he was. but i liked him!

[Cinaed]

now that i've seen it, i'm all for Ireland in the finals!!!!! What a great idea! Jo and Donna make such a lovely couple-- butch lesbians for ESC!!! I feel like I might've seen them in Loafers....

The song is great, but the 'Dunh dunh dunh DUNH' beats need to be phased out....and the opening was a bit confusing....better opening....and can we get Jo some surgery? the Swan or something?

and totes to one of them falling off the stage....better have Chiara waiting in the wings as a cushion!

[amnesiac]

cyprus-
good beat, but the intro is too long, but the guy is VERY hot! TOTAL Fla! for his sake, i hope that people know Cyprus is a country-- i didn't!
omg, for the dance break, they need to rip off his clothes and drench him in water (a la Ricky Martin in 'la vida loca'). so now, is he Greek or Italian?

Constantinos is a seasoned Eurovision veteran. The song is weak just like "Shake It" was last year but give him a tight vest and rip it off at the break and you could well have a top five performance! Poor Lisa Andreas must be spinning in her sixth form uniform!

albania-
ah yes, 'De Be Da'. she and Javine must have used similiar lyricists. She has a very Ruslana-esque, almost Anastacia quality to her...i think the only way she could make it work is if she sustains some of the higher notes, and lays them on a track over the 'De be Da' bit. is that allowed Amnesiac? I remember you explaining the rules during the infamous 'night of tin foil', but alas, I have no short term memory of the event left.

No. One of the few rules in Eurovision land is that all vocals must be sung live on the night by a maximum of six on stage performers. But the girl can sing live, so I've no fears on that score. She'll need a big stage show but I think it's a definite top 10. The problem this year, I feel, is that too many countries have gone down this ethnic beat route. I well feel they could split their televote and a strong ballad, an up tempo pop song or even a folksy tune could slip in and take the Grand Prix!

[Cinaed]

is Moldova for real? I think Chiara needs to just sit on them and put them out of their misery....

Hungary is great though! The dancers would be fantastic, if they can in any way simulate their video live.

[amnesiac]

The British public broadcaster BBC launched its official 2005 Eurovision Song Contest website. "More thrilling than the UK elections, more colourful than Jordan's rubber suit and much more welcome than the thought of a night on an island in a tent on the Dnipro river banks", according to the Entertainment Department of the BBC. They might be right!


Besides message boards, wallpapers and videos you can also test yourself, learn who are Ukraine's most famous sons and daughters, apply to be on the official backup jury and become the ultimate Eurovision Song Contest superfan. In the Terryisms generator you can make Terry Wogan talk. Among them, his famous but controversial 2001 quote "look, it's Doctor Death and the Tooth Fairy", referring to show hosts Søren Pilmark and Natascha Crone.

Appearantly, we scared Terry Wogan with our story about tent accomodations in Kyiv. "Wogan is worried that he'll be staying in a tent when he visits the Ukraine next month. He spoke on his Radio 2 show about potentially having to sleep in an orange tent erected on Truhanov Island in the middle of the main river in Kiev.

Just as the BBC Entertainment Department, we can't imagine Terry Wogan in a tent either. But if it happens, we will definitely pay him an early visit to wake up with Wogan.

[amnesiac]

www.popjustice.com

As it's a bit of a lull news wise until the rehearsals kick in in a few week's time we'd thought we'd do a quick run down of the best key changes to look forward to for this year.

5. Norway (http://www.eurovision.tv/english/videoliste.htm#897). Now we don't normally go for Bon Jovi-esque Eurovision entrants but this has got a rather fab "Living On A Prayer" type chorus and a great key change just where you want it before the last chorus. We don't think we'll be jumping in our seats but who knows when you get carried away with the excitement on the big night. And anyone who can wear 6 inch silver platforms and a still carry off a beer gut needs a cheer....

4. Estonia (http://www.eurovision.tv/english/videoliste.htm#890). If you don't mind shouty girl bands then this is the one for you. Estonia go for the classic slow handclap, followed by a "Whooo!", followed by a key change which always works for the Schlagerboys.

3. Romania (http://www.eurovision.tv/english/videoliste.htm#1150). Yet another classic build up; instrumental break played on oil drums and chainsaws and then a slow chorus repeat while someone winds a very loud clock up in the background, a pause while someone farts and there's the key change! Hurrah!

2. Netherlands (http://www.eurovision.tv/english/videoliste.htm#899). The Schlagerboys tend to get a bit bored in ballads and go to the bar, however this one (and Malta) is rather fabulous in a dramatic diva type way. Just when you think she's bottled the key change on the last chorus she only goes and does it mid-sentence. On the fourth word!! Cue outstretched arms and camera 4 sweeping round the hall.... Oh and by the way Glennis, what's a Durrr-eam??

1. Bosnia. (http://www.eurovision.tv/english/videoliste.htm#685) There can be no competition this year key change-wise as Bosnia has two of them. The first comes just before the second verse (just like "Making Your Mind Up" and "Let it Swing") and just when you think it's all over in comes another just before the last chorus. Hurrah! Well done Bosnia! Douze points from the Schlagerboys...

[amnesiac]

http://www.keithm.utvinternet.com/images/05gall51.jpg

[amnesiac]

Excellent BBC RADIO FOUR documentary (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/politicsofpop) about the politics of the Eurovision Song Contest! For both lovers and haters of the Eurovision Song Contest!

[Swimmy]

Amnesiac, is the Eurovision still on the go? You would never know it was still on the go, especially on this forum. Who do you want to win and don't tell me you want those two Irish (strange goings on there I tell ye) gingers to win??

[amnesiac]

I want Iceland to take a long overdue victory but I think Athens, Sarajevo and Budapest are more likely destinations for the 2006 contest!

[passionfruit]

http://instinctbarcork.com/images/poster13.jpg


Instinct's Contribution to the Eurovision

Thursday 19th
eurovision semi-final live with commentary on acts from the
biggest eurovision fans

Friday 20th
eurovision karaoke - spot prizes for best look/soundalike
performances by “past winners”

Saturday 21st
eurovision final live followed by a special eurovision performance
from miss fabula

[Cinaed]

what about Javine?! ...and Chiara [:-(]

[apollo]

http://instinctbarcork.com/images/poster13.jpg


Instinct's Contribution to the Eurovision


OMG!!! Loving the poster! [:-D]

[amnesiac]

OMG!!! Loving the poster! [:-D]

Pff, ESCtoday meets The Eurovision song Contest - 50 Years - An Official History Book.

[:-P]

Anyone ditches MY party for Instinct's and they are dead to me.

[apollo]

Pff, ESCtoday meets The Eurovision song Contest - 50 Years - An Official History Book.


You really do like that book don't you. LOL! [:-P]

[Swimmy]

By the sounds of it if I said I have a Eurovision ....... Amnesiac would say "I want one now!!!!!!"

Is ESCtoday some programme on the television?

[passionfruit]

It was only when I had finished the poster that I noticed it looks like Ruslana is doing rude things to Dana and Linda Martin looks horrified by the whole affair! :)

[apollo]

It was only when I had finished the poster that I noticed it looks like Ruslana is doing rude things to Dana and Linda Martin looks horrified by the whole affair! :)
OMG! You're right it does kind of look like Ruslana is fisting Dana! [:-O ] I wouldn't have noticed it until it was pointed out though.

[amnesiac]

Ah fisting. Johnny Logan has fisting and squatting to thank for both his Eurovision victories you know.

In news from Kyiv, the McCauls have retained their four chavs in heat from their disastrous Late Late Show performance but the dance routine has been significantly tweaked. Apparently it's a major improvement!

[Cinaed]

So they're no longer going to be flailing around the stage, with the very real danger of being thrown off?

pity.

[amnesiac]

People in Kyiv are suggesting it could scrape into the Final.

I refuse to believe it but imagine if we had McCauls to cheer on at my birthday!

[Swimmy]

Would cheering the McCauls be a good or bad thing? I have nothing personal against them but I think it is the case of lambs at the slaughter house.....they are so young and mildly innocent don't you think?

[amnesiac]

RTÉ ONE - Saturday May 14th

15:05 Eurovision Song Contest Preview 2005 Marty Whelan presents a preview of all the entries at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, including a look at Ireland's Donna and Joe who will be singing 'Love?'

16:50 Nuacht RTE The latest stories

17:00 Euro Vision for Asia Charity concert held in Dublin earlier this year to aid victims of the tsunami in Asia. Presented by Mary Kennedy and Carrie Crowley. With Linda Martin, Niamh Kavanagh and more

[spiller]

RTÉ ONE - Saturday May 14th

15:05 Eurovision Song Contest Preview 2005 Marty Whelan presents a preview of all the entries at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, including a look at Ireland's Donna and Joe who will be singing 'Love?'

16:50 Nuacht RTE The latest stories

17:00 Euro Vision for Asia Charity concert held in Dublin earlier this year to aid victims of the tsunami in Asia. Presented by Mary Kennedy and Carrie Crowley. With Linda Martin, Niamh Kavanagh and more

well i know what im doin for the afternoon as im at home sick!!! [:-((] [:-(]

[amnesiac]

http://esc.ruz.net/live/ireland001.jpg
http://esc.ruz.net/live/ireland002.jpg
http://esc.ruz.net/live/ireland003.jpg

[amnesiac]

http://www.doteurovision.com/kievpics/jpgs//.modified/800_mod_IMG_6142.JPG.jpg
http://www.doteurovision.com/kievpics/jpgs//.modified/800_mod_IMG_6146.JPG.jpg

[spiller]

okay! i hope that either Ireland, Austria, Norway or Bosnia-Herzegovina win! as i cant choose between them!

[amnesiac]

The "Scandinavian" party (Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark) took place in the EuroClub in KYiv last night. Our own Donna and Joe are going down a storm in Kyiv. By all accounts they are wowing journalists and other delegations with their warmth, good humour and kitsch somewhat embarrassing stage act.

Given that they are performing towards the end of the show, with a routine much improved from the Late Late Show and sandwiched between two of the weakest songs in the semi, many are suggesting this might JUST scrape into the Grand Final Saturday night... which would be fantastic for my birthday party!

Last night our Joe performed a duet with Sweden's rather handsome Martin Stenmarck.

Here's their Martin...
http://web.westinpromotion.com/images/uploadedMartin-3-webb300.jpg http://www.karlskoga.se/konsertforening/MartinStenmarck.jpg http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00177/Martin_Stenmarck_177137a.jpg

And this is our Joe...
http://www.keithm.utvinternet.ie/big_con5.jpg

[apollo]

And this is our Joe...
http://www.keithm.utvinternet.ie/big_con5.jpg

He looks like an inbred ginger version of "Joe 90"
http://www.newvideo.com/images/boxart/AAE70928-03.jpg

[EverythingFadesAway]

What's the story with Instinct?
Do they have a big screen?
Is there a charge in?
Details...

[amnesiac]

Grandmama bang those drums!

http://www.esctoday.com/images/2005/IMG_6056_0.JPG

[amnesiac]

http://www.esctoday.com/images/2005/IMG_6217_0.JPG

[amnesiac]

McCaul girl

http://www.esctoday.com/images/2005/IMG_6368_0.JPG

[amnesiac]

A poodle from Portugal

http://www.esctoday.com/images/2005/IMG_6042_0.JPG

[spiller]

The "Scandinavian" party (Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark)


since when are we in scandinavia??? why isnt finland there???

[apollo]

since when are we in scandinavia??? why isnt finland there???
God bless Eurovision geography, probably afraid that if there was a "British Isles" party it would end up in fighting. [:-P] [:-D]

[spiller]

yea thge brits getting odd as we rarely vote for them!!

[amnesiac]

What will Terry Wogan think? (http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1487149,00.html)

Eurovision means frothy pop, doesn't it? Not any more. Dorian Lynskey reports from post-revolution Ukraine

Thursday May 19, 2005
The Guardian

On the souvenir stalls of the Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kiev's Independence Square, the two key events of the city's recent history sit side by side. Mugs and T-shirts bearing the logo of the imminent Eurovision song contest nestle between mementoes of last winter's orange revolution, which locals call "the Maidan". There are scarves printed with revolutionary mottoes and flattering portraits of President Viktor Yushchenko, whose disputed election defeat by the incumbent's chosen candidate, Viktor Yanukovich, triggered massive demonstrations in the square and the end of a decade of political corruption in Ukraine.

It has been the unenviable task of Svante Stockselius to try to separate the two. In March, Stockselius, the executive supervisor of Eurovision, decreed that the contest be "non-political" after the shock winners of the poll to find Ukraine's entrant were a trio called GreenJolly, with their orange anthem, Razom Nas Bahato (Together We Are Many). One verse ran: "No falsifications! No lies! No machinations! Yes Yushchenko! Yes Yushchenko! This is our president!", which certainly makes a change from Boom Bang-a-Bang. "If it is political propaganda, then it might be against the rules," Stockselius fumed. Holding back the tides of politics six months after a revolution, however, is the kind of challenge only King Canute would propose.
It may seem bizarre that a country's new cultural era should begin with an event customarily associated with kitsch outfits and appalling lyrics, but that is how the cards have fallen. One of Yushchenko's first actions after taking office on January 23 was to affirm his government's commitment to hosting Eurovision (slogan: "Awakening"), acknowledging that this is Ukraine's chance to show off its best side and move closer to its goal of EU membership.

Ukraine is the largest country in Europe and one of the least well known. In 2002, a continent-wide survey of attitudes to the country yielded the dismaying news that most people associated it with the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the endemic corruption of former president Leonid Kuchma's regime. If, that is, they associated it with anything at all.

"The first ambition is to show people from Europe that Ukraine exists, that it is a normal country with normal people," says Dr Oleksandr Sushko of the Centre for Peace, Conversion and Foreign Policy of Ukraine, a Kiev-based think tank. "The major problem was not the bad reputation of Kuchma - the country was unknown. I am not a fan of Eurovision as a style of music, but it is very nice that so many young people are coming here."

Like the process of reforming Ukrainian politics, this year's contest has been a bumpy ride. The press has pounced on any hint of scandal. Amid rumours of ticket mis-selling, vote-rigging and spiralling costs, it was reported that the European Broadcasting Union was ready to move the whole contest to Malmo in Sweden.

At the Palace of Sports a week before the contest, however, everything seems to be going swimmingly. The Soviet hulk has been renovated and swathed in green, the official colour of this year's contest (orange makes only a small, if potent, appearance in the logo). On the hi-tech stage, amid a dizzying whirl of revolving screens and tilting mirrors, dress rehearsals are taking place. Suntribe appear to be the Estonian Girls Aloud, and Wig Wam are definitely the Norwegian Darkness.

It's business as usual in the press pack, too. Most of the 1,500 accredited journalists are Eurovision fans, and at the press conference for Belarus's entry, former model Angelica Agurbash, there is a conspicuous lack of questions about her autocratic homeland's crackdown on rock bands who support the opposition. Instead, an interviewer from Cyprus begins his interrogation with the zinger: "First I want to say how beautiful you are."

That's Eurovision for you. During its 50 years, politics have traditionally been confined to the blatantly partial voting, in which countries reliably confirm old loyalties and enmities. Only rarely has a song carried a political message: Portugal's 1974 entry, After Goodbye, was the coded signal to launch a coup against the country's rightwing dictatorship, and Bosnia-Herzegovina funnelled the trauma of war into The Whole World's Pain in 1993.

There was nothing contentious about last year's Ukrainian offering. Ruslana Lizhichko was only the country's second-ever Eurovision entrant when her Wild Dances stormed to victory in Istanbul, instantly making her a national hero.

Like most pop icons, Ruslana is tiny. Dressed in jeans and T-shirt rather than her customary medieval leather, she shows off a shelf laden with accolades. Jostling with the usual industry trophies are more singular honours: a certificate naming her a Unicef goodwill ambassador (she campaigns on behalf of the children of Chernobyl), a flag from the activist organisation Pora and an orange medal awarded by Yushchenko's government in recognition of her support.

[amnesiac]

Last November, despite Yanukovych's attempts to co-opt her popularity, Ruslana appeared in Independence Square to announce a hunger strike in protest at the election result. She plays me a DVD that shows her standing on stage in an orange jumper, singing through a megaphone and greeting Yushchenko in front of cheering crowds.

Did she consider herself political before then? She shakes her head. "I was never involved in politics. I see myself only as a singer."

But we're watching her on screen in the heart of a revolution. "Psychologically speaking, the orange revolution was unique," she explains. "The Ukrainian nation is very peaceful and calm. We don't like ups and downs. A lot of Ukrainians still don't believe that they all went out into the street."

Ruslana was one of the reasons they did. The Maidan was a very modern revolution, broadcast on giant screens. As the protesters shivered, popular bands such as 5'nizza and Tartak performed in aid of Yushchenko. Ruslana remembers receiving panicky calls from musicians who had initially backed Yanukovich and now wanted to come to the Maidan but feared the crowd's reaction.

"A lot of people think that this revolution was so widely successful only because there was music in Maidan and people could get away from the stress of the situation," says GreenJolly's frontman, Roman Kalyn, sitting in a cafe near the Palace of Sports. "Everybody involved in those free concerts was putting themselves in jeopardy because nobody knew how the revolution would end."

GreenJolly owe their success to the Maidan. They have been together since 1997, specialising in Ukrainian comedy reggae - a genre of somewhat limited appeal. During the early days of the revolution, however, Kalyn, Roman Kostyuk (guitar) and Andriy Pisetskyi (keyboards and saxophone) wrote Razom Nas Bahato in just four hours, channelling key war cries into an infectiously strident hip-hop track. When a local radio station posted it on its website, the track became an anthem overnight. The next day GreenJolly performed it in Independence Square to 50,000 protesters; a few days later the crowd had swollen to half a million.

Razom Nas Bahato missed the Eurovision heats but was entered for the final vote, allegedly at the behest of deputy prime minister Mykola Tomenko. It beat the glamorous favourite, Ani Lorak, who publicly backed Yanukovich during the Maidan and complained that she lost phone and text votes due to suspicious technical problems.

It's a touchy subject with GreenJolly. "Ani Lorak lost because she selected a song that was not her best," says Kalyn. "We believe our song won, not the political position."

GreenJolly's victory didn't upset just Lorak - who burst into tears - but also Svante Stockselius, who demanded that they write new lyrics. The band duly took out Yushchenko's name, but their insistence that "the song doesn't contain any politics any more" is less than persuasive, given that the first line is: "We won't stand this - no! The revolution is on!"

The selection process controversy has been just one of several headaches for Pavlo Grytsak, the contest's 25-year-old executive producer. Early preparations were mishandled by the state television company, NTU, and understandably sidelined during the Maidan. Since being appointed NTU's vice-president in January, Grytsak has conjured up Ukraine's biggest ever entertainment event from next to nothing. It is certainly the biggest challenge Kiev's tourism industry has faced. Every hotel room in the city has been snapped up and 5,000 extra fans will be housed in a specially constructed tent city called EuroCamp. The total television audience is expected to top 120 million.

As the finals approach, the speed at which Grytsak dispatches cigarettes and cups of coffee betrays the strain he is under. However, he cheerfully counters all the rumours with: "There are no big projects without big problems." So, yes, there were problems with online ticket sales but that was only because high demand made the servers crash. Yes, costs rose, but the contest has come in under its final budget of 104m Ukrainian hrivnias (£11m). No, he was never officially informed about moving the contest to Sweden. And no, GreenJolly's victory wasn't fixed. "Actually, I'm not a big fan of GreenJolly, but people voted for them," he says. "Hundreds of thousands of people were standing in the square in the snow and rain and GreenJolly were singing for them. This is about social and emotional links, not only about the music."

So is Stockselius doomed in his quest to make Eurovision politics-free? "I appreciate Svante's position," Grytsak says evenly. "We agreed that it shouldn't be a political project, but after such a turbulent time it cannot only be an entertainment project. It is a social project. [The Maidan] was not only about political issues, it was about social and cultural changes as well."

Walking through Kiev as the sun reflects off the glass domes of Independence Square, you can sense the buoyant new mood. Six months after the Maidan, there is a stage in the square once more, but this time its purpose is simply to showcase Ukrainian bands rather than to orchestrate a revolution. "The people who promote democracy and freedom of speech have won," says Kostyuk. "Absolutely everything has changed."

[Swimmy]

Is that 'La Canard' 's Portuguese Cousin.........the lack of talent that family have!

Go Joe Go and Win the Show!

Go Joe Go and Win the Show!

Go Joe Go and Win the Show!

Go Joe Go and Win the Show!

Go Joe Go and Win the Show!

Go Joe Go and Win the Show!

Go Joe Go and Win the Show!

Go Joe Go and Win the Show!

*Swimmy jumps up and down waving pom poms and doing the splits....feck that hurt................... [:-P] *

A poodle from Portugal

http://www.esctoday.com/images/2005/IMG_6042_0.JPG

[apollo]

Is that 'La Canard' 's Portuguese Cousin.........the lack of talent that family have!


Who is "La Canard" or the Duck in English?

[amnesiac]

Janice Battersby's daughter is taking part!

http://www.oneurope.biz/semi_final/111.jpg

Source = www.oneeurope.biz

[apollo]

I've had another unproductive day (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPublishedPlaylist?id=348671) (You'll need ITunes)

[bo_selecta]

VERY unproductive Apollo!

Even Solitaire on the PC would have been better use of your time.

[redbulljunkie]

*Gasp*, bitchy comments, can't have those here [;-)].

I haven't even looked at it tbh. Sorry Apollo, but even if you'd created a modern classic, it still wouldn't convince me to install iTunes [:-)]

[1082229]

sadly i don't think i will we able to see the eurovision!


**sigh**

sisters 18th birthday so i'm gonna be home and out in ballygobackwards pubs!
________
Legally_Blond (http://www.girlcamfriend.com/cam/Legally_Blond/)

[amnesiac]

sadly i don't think i will we able to see the eurovision!


**sigh**

sisters 18th birthday so i'm gonna be home and out in ballygobackwards pubs!

That's the second year in a row you've missed my Eurovision Birthday bash!

It will be up to Hunter to keep the UCC LGBT delegation under control so! [:-))]

[apollo]

VERY unproductive Apollo!

Even Solitaire on the PC would have been better use of your time.
I know! *hangs head in shame* [:'']

[bo_selecta]

*Gasp*, bitchy comments, can't have those here [;-)].


Now class, here is a fine example of irony.

[apollo]

So who is dressing up for Instinct tomorrow night. Apparently I have been drafted by friends as a member of Bucks Fizz cause of a green jumper I have.
http://www.bucksfizzearlyyears.co.uk/bf81.jpg

[Swimmy]

Who is "La Canard" or the Duck in English?

That Liz McDonald....'cause she is quackers and has her beak stuck in everything or should I say everyone.................... [:-P]

[Swimmy]

Apollo don't you have a hair issue or lack there of to be in Bucks Fizz?

[apollo]

http://www.esctoday.com/images/2005/IMG_5691_0.JPG
Black may be slimming but child, you're fooling no one!

http://www.esctoday.com/images/2005/mal_chiara6_0.jpg
No Chiara! Microphones are not food, just cause they are in front of your mouth does not mean you are to try and eat it!

http://www.esctoday.com/images/2005_pre/mal_chiara5_0.jpg
Chiara fills out her order for the takeaway

http://www.esctoday.com/images/2005/mal_chiara2_0.jpg
Gobble Gobble! How many chins can you have?

[apollo]

Apollo don't you have a hair issue or lack there of to be in Bucks Fizz?
Yes I shave my head but Swimmy there is this miraclous thing called "Wigs". Yes , they give the illusion of hair, amazing how far technology has come.

[Silversmile]

Come on Estonia! Lets Get Loud to win

[spiller]

Come on Estonia! Lets Get Loud to win

estonia didnt get true!! but an estonian band is representing switzerland!!

Hungary
Romania
Norway
Moldova
Israel
Denmark
FYR Macedonia
Croatia
Switzerland
Latvia

are the qualifying countries!!!