The Eurovision Song Contest - Istanbul 2004

[amnesiac]

http://www.eurovision.tv/ebu/img/bild_logo_01.jpg

10 Great Things About Eurovision

Un point>The Israeli strut... the Israeli delegation have used the same choreography for their backing dancers for over 13 years!

Deux points>The neighbourly voting... The suspense each year before the Greeks announce "And finally Cyprus 12 points" etc...

Trois points>The Ant-Brit brigade... constantly bitch that the UK don't give us enough points evn though statistics prove that year on year we get some of our highest scores form London and they consistently give us higher points than we award them

Quatre points>The Latin Hunk... there'a always one!

Cinq points>The ridiculous scripts... last year it was a fairy tale for Aneely to be presenting, the danes did it in rhyme... will marie N tap her way through the voting? (imagine it... the floor IS a giant TV screen... Marie N tapping across a map of Europe as she calls in the votes!!

Six points>The piss-up... some fabtastic half cut reprises after the winner is announced... Dana International changing dress and telling Europe she loved us, a starry eyed Eimear Quinn burping her way through The Voice in Oslo, Katrina forgettign half the words of the hard to forget Love Shine A Light in Dublin 1997

Sept points>Nul Points... the entry, often from Norway or Poland that is so bad it amkes you want to jump off a bridge just so the painful whining will go away

Huit points>The Ethnic entry... who can forget Sweden's "Spirits
Are Calling My Name" in Stockholm... we had strange Eskimo/Animal hybrids dancing on stage

Dix points>The Technical Glitch... there's always one... lighting goes out, sound fails, satellite link drops... not that anybody ever notuces because we're all sloshed

Et enfant, douze point de Cork a>Wogan. A God among Eurtotrash.

[amnesiac]

And don't forget, Taboo's annual Eurovision bash will be taking place the night of the big event May 24th. Plans are well underway and I can reveal...
>a former Eurovision performer is "hopeful" (s)he can attend
>there will be a large back projection screen of all the action from Riga
>there will be intra-bar voting
>Dana International will not be in attendance
>the fabtatsic Chloe Jackson will
>Pauline and I ARE brushing up on our French
>there will be lots of entertainment after the contest ends at 11.10pm
>there will be fancy dress
>there will be unigue Cork interval act entertainment
>there will be many, many sore heads Sunday morning!

[punk]

Cant wait,it sounds like it will be a good night. Ireland are third so be there early.

[Proud Mary 1980]

Can't wait either it should be good and to top it all off FEVER is on the following night

[amnesiac]

And twelve points from Ireland to Charlotte Nielson!
http//www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/MSc/images/silkie_scoreboard_a.jpg

[amnesiac]

And here is another of my fave Swedish entrants
http//news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/745000/images/_747978_sweden.300.jpg
stops posting europics now cos most ppl despise it!

[amnesiac]

My views on this years entries!

Iceland – Great opening song. Great pop, good singer, hopefully a top 5.

Austria – Another "kerazy" entry form Austria/Germany. Looking forward to quite a bizarre live performance!

Ireland – I like dit more when it sounded like Fly On The Wings Of Love! Very catchy though, think it will go down well in the Skonto Hall but will televoters remember it or warm to it on a first hearing?

Turkey – It's Holly Valance baby! Well almost. Ethnic Turkish beats and some formulaic pop production result in something that could be a surprise dark horse. I like anysong that uses Britney like panting. And from the turks? Vive secularism!

Malta – Weak ballad. Not bad but forgetful.

Bosnia Herzegovina – Solid entry form a country that has sent some absolute crap to Eurovision. Could sneak a Top 10 with good live act.

Portugal – Weak ballad 2 of the evening. Yawn. And I like ballads!

Croatia - Good pop entry but not quite good enough!

Cyprus – Ah the latin hopeful! It worked for Marie N last year but I think this Enrique wannabe will be going home with considerably less points!

Germany – It's awful. It's tacky, it's camp and it's a favourite in Taboo but having orange hair and screaming "Let's get happy and lets be gay" doesn't make you an icon love. Interestignt o see what pills she'll be popping on the night.

Russia – t.A.T.u. the pretend lesbians. But forget that, what about the song? It's interesting by Eurovision standards. And in Russian which is a plus point with me. But it's never about the song with t.A.T.u. is it? It's about 300 million people wondering are the girls going to snog each other and aroused straight men bothering to vote. If they win. they won't have deserved it. The track was rejected for tow of their albums due to "quality control."

Spain – Good dance entry from Spain. It's going to big in the less harcore resorts this summer and I think it could do very, very well on the 24th. Beth looks funky too. Hope it translates well to stage in Riga.

Israel – I think I'm stoned every time I hear this ethnic ditty from the Israelis. Woeful.

The Netherlands – Same entry for the last bizillion years. Dutch pop. Not bad, always average.

UK – Pop with a latin influence. Hasn't got a lot of airplay here and I don't think it will stand out on the night. Persoanlly I like it though, hear it a few times and its impossible to shift form your memory. Of course televoters generally hear the songs once!

Ukraine – Operatic ballad to rocky ballad in their debut entry! It makes me smile and is catchy, with a lotta luck they could scrape a top 10 and I would be pleased for the debutantes.

Greece – Kitsch Greek pop... WEAK FOR IT! Slower than the "Doe for You" they entered tow years ago. With a good live show, the late placing could see this track do quite well.

Norway – A sweet, simple ballad whcih I found myself falling for unexpectedly. Powerful singer with gorgeously simple lyrics "I'm in love with a beautiful girl." Only the second best ballad though because...

France – have entered a typically gallic stormer of a ballad. Beautiful arrangement, gorgeous French lyrics, fantastic singer and a late placing., Could the frecnh finally turn the tide and see a song of some substance win the contest? Fingers crossed.

Poland – "Heal The World" mark II. It might have worked but the male singer in this duet sounds liek a constipated bear.

Latvia – Funky pop entry form the hosts. Hello from MARS should be good live. Home crowd behind it, minutes before the voting... could we be back in Riga??

Belgium – Belgium hops on the Tolkien bandwagon, invents a language, resurrects a few instruments form the middle ages and gives us a trad Celtic ditty that is more up tmepo than "The Voice" and probably won't pull in the televotes needed to win.

Estonia – ) This song make sme smile. "It's just the eighties coming back. Can you feel it?" It does exactly what it says on the tin, singer sounds like Phil Lynnot and it might stand out on the night. It could also flop!

Romania - Techno pop from Eastern Europe. Marks a departure for Romania, don't think it stands out so won't pick up the votes but a decent Eurovision entry none the less.

Sweden – Swedish pop pays homage to Abba once again with the product of Swedish Fame academy. I think the swedes tacky pop better than anyone and this should do very well.

Slovenia – It's Runaway from Estonia last year repackaged. And damaged in the process. Respectable closing tune.

[damien]

Ever heard of the return key Amnesiac ? Space out that post. Its too crowded to easily read and I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts on the EuroVision. ;)

[amnesiac]

Edited at the request of Damien, the onyl man I know with all this years entries on hard drive.

[amnesiac]

And here's a sneak look at this year's stage!
http//www.ljusuthyrning.com/images/esc2003/stage11.jpg

[damien]

Is this the order that they are on the Official Eurovision cd ? I think I remember the Icelanders being first and the nutty Austrians very near the start.

[amnesiac]

This is the runnign order on the night. After entry 14, The Netherlands, RTé will go to commercial break which of course thee BBC coverage won't.

[damien]

So what do the BBC do then ? Is there something shown which the RTE viewers will miss ?

[amnesiac]

There's usually a little light entertainment or some dodgy jokes form the presenters with their agricultural grasp of the English language. And Wogan bitching )

[amnesiac]

Ooh Just got a sneaky sneaky look at this year's hi-tech scoreboard produced by Silicon Graphics...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
http://www.ukgameshows.com/atoz/programmes/e/eurovision_song_contest/eurovision_3.jpg

[candlemansa]

Guess we'll be seeing you at this years Eurovison party amnesiac, Ive been watching the previews and so far am not that impressed. But then the songs i always want to win never do. Luved Niamh kavanaghs 'In ure eyes' but prefered Sonia's upbeat 'Better the devil, there was so much more energy. Poland had a singer Edyta Gorniak preform for them in 94 and she sang a song called Once in a lifetime, she came second. It was a travesty of justice. She has since gone on to record two english albums of which i have both. Also in 94 germany had a funny yet catchy song called wir genben ne party, hey if the cheeky girls can do it. To backtrack to 93 which was definately without a doubt the best eurovision ever, iceland had a beautiful song called pa vaistu svariq sung by inga. And my other fav from that year was a song sung for Switzerland by Annie Cotton called Moi tu simplement, that was even better then better the devil or in your eyes. Skipping forward 'the voice' deserved 96 even though I think eimear quinns voice was lacking in any power. 99 was a very close contest but once again my fav lost out, now don't get me wrong I thought Charlotte Nelson was brilliant and as an Abba fan I thought the song was catchy but Iceland had a poppy infectious number called all out of luck. It came second that year. Im sure Malta had a wonderful love song that year but I can't think of the name, it was sung by a big woman in a wine velvet dress. 2001 should have gone to slovenia, whoever voted that year baaa humbug. It was a dance song called Energy and was sung by Nusa Derenda. Im glad to say Choe Jackson plays it quite a bit in taboo. The words are just brilliant. My hopes this year are with Ireland not cause im patriotic, im not, but i really like the song. So it will probably come in second. Lol.

[amnesiac]

Maltese song is my karaoke number "The One That I Love" and was level with Dana International with one jury to go.

Edyta Gorniak's song was "To Nie Ja!" (WHAT a debut!).

Annie Cotton did Celine better than Celine herself IMO.

Iceland were screwed in 1999 by dodgy Israeli sound.

Energy was hopeless live, most popular 2001 CD track in Taboo by far.

And as for the scouser verison of Kylie, HOW much botox is in her face these days?

[admin]

my earliest memories of eurovision is the a french entry from the late 70's called ( i think) "La Papa Penguine"

and it featured some guy dressed in a penguin suit dancing on the stage - lol [D]

sad - but why do I remember that one?? - god knows! [I]

[amnesiac]

Ah yes, I've only seen clips of this which was odd even by Eurovision's tres odd standards... remember the Swedish conductor who dressed up as Napolean for Abba's WATERLOO in Brighton in 1974? OR Maxi pretending to be a real woman?

[jive]

I have the eurotrash eurovision covers cd it's fantastic at this time of the year to hype ya up a bit.

[solice]

ok, dont hate me. where is the eurovision on this year. i know its one of the baltic states but which one. and also, what are the odds on mickey joe winning. im looking to make a quick buck.

[damien]

So is he

[amnesiac]

Back Turkey each way if you want to make good money.... or try and get odds on Mickey NOT making Top5 from an overly patriotic bookie...

[Missy_Pinky]

amnesiac do u tremember the French entry 2 yrs ago, by Natalie st. pier (something like that,lol) i thought it was brilliant,was convinced it would win,think it came 3rd or 4th? I luv eurovision,have the last few years taped, some of other fav ones are, croatia about 4 yrs ago i think,song was maria magdalena,niamh kavanagh,in your eyes,i put a bet on the netherlands,2000,no goodbyes was the song by lynda(i think)was huge in netherlands,was in amsterdam that year and every gay pub we went into that was continously played,unfortunatly i lost ma money!! so amnesiac u think i should my money on turkey?(lol dont worry wont blame u if i lose xx)

[amnesiac]

t.A.T.u. are causing a huge fuss in Riga... everything going according to plan then...
Mickey ain't got the mojo flowing yet...
UK seem to be in dire straights...

For all the latest Eurovision Song Contest 2003 news check out
www.doteurovision.com
www.esctoday.com

[amnesiac]

Updates...
Mickey and Jemini are struggling big time... not creating good impressions in Riga at all...
Germany, Poland, Belgium, Russia, Norway are the big surprises... fantastic live stage performances form all...
Iceland, Sweden, Latvia, the Netherlands, Bosnia-Herzegovina and slovenia giving workmanlike performances but seem to lack the WINNER vibe...

[amnesiac]

OMG.... finished exams, first technical rehearsal in Riga... this is better than sex... well almost... hehe... some real treats lined up for tomorrow night... oh I love everythign about the Eurovision Song Contest... and yes I love the Manics too...

[solice]

interesting, the voting is on and i am the only active member online, there is a guest online aswell

[admin]

In typical euorvision style Turkey won and no expected them too [p]

I liked germany though "Lets be happy and lets be Gay" [D] [8D]

and what about uk?
see -> http//www.breakingnews.ie/2003/05/26/story100311.html [D]

[amnesiac]

Ahem.... read my preview guys...
Turkey – It's Holly Valance baby! Well almost. Ethnic Turkish beats and some formulaic pop production result in something that could be a surprise dark horse. I like anysong that uses Britney like panting. And from the turks? Vive secularism!
Best Eurovision ever. Can't come close to writing about it. Weak.

[KTS]

So anyone see this the other night? Who am I kidding, the majority of the gay scene was probably glued to it. Saw bits and pieces. Can't believe the UK got 0 votes. Not surprised we didn't win - it's all political. And TATU those fake lesbian twits, were awful, limited vocal range my ass, NO TALENT FULL STOP!

[amnesiac]

More Eurovision debate here...

http//www.gaycork.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=381

[amnesiac]

RTÉ has come under pressure to release the results of this years botched Irish televoting results. It is understood that on June 23rd, RTÉ will release "information and documents" relating to the Irish voting for this year's Eurovision Song Contest, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

The results of the televote in this country were scrapped, as they were not verified within the specified amount of time required under EBU rules. As a result the votes of a back-up jury were used. Controversy has ensued following the close finish of Russia, Belgium and the winner Turkey. The Irish jury gave Belgium 10 points with Russia and Turkey both receiving no points.

Russian officials will probably be awaiting the release of the information. If the figures shows that Russia was awarded four or more points by the televoting, it could be possible that Russia initially had won the contest. On the other hand, if Turkey received more than five points,
Sertab Erener can sleep well knowing she won the contest outright.

Currently RTÉ is awaiting a response from Eircom on the matter. A source at RTÉ said “as soon as this arrives all records relevant to the televoting will be assembled and will be assessed for release".

Even if the figures released by RTÉ show that Russia actually would have won the contest the Turkish entry still stands as the winner. The only outcome of this matter is that the accountability and
reliability of televoting is in question again.

[amnesiac]

So we've selected 13 finalists for You're A Star. Haven't seen any of the series so far this year. Any talent? I think the recent result in Pop Idol in the UK has proven why the IDOLS format is a dangeropus way to select a Eurovision entrant... whoever charms the Irish televoters on TV will not necessarily be the performer most capable of delivering a strong performance in Istanbul. I also think the public shoudl vote on a winner... then let industry bosses choose a song, or at least give the winner one show where the public vote on the choice of song. I didn't like last year's format.

[101333]

Eurostar was a typical RTE hash out like HOUSE OF LOVE, there were a few good singers - we'll see. It's always the song that gets it! (mind you, that wasn't the case for UK last year - I Think they got tuning forks for Xmas)

[amnesiac]

I think it's technically more the Eurovision Performance Contest rather than a Song Contest. The top three last year... Turkey, Belgium and Russia all gave "interesting" performances on stage but I doubt many people would argue that the three songs in question were among the best five "songs" on the night.

And RTÉ's recent "House of Love" proved how bad things are getting in the Light Entertainment Departemnt at Montrose. For a small boradcaster I think they do a fantastic job regarding News and Current Affairs... but the crap they are churning out in the primetime entertainment schedule is appalling.

Anyway back to Eurovision... Terry Wogan and an unannounced young feamle presenter (please let it be Cat Deeley) will be hosting "Making Your Mind Up".. the once off prime time show which will decide the UK's 2004 entry by public vote. The votign public" will be assisted by "expert judges"... let's hope that's not Robin Cibb, the Grants and Ricahrd Park!

[101333]

"... but the crap they are churning out in the primetime entertainment schedule is appalling."

At least we agree on something - lol

[amnesiac]

It's what Eurovision is all about! Bringing people (particularly gay)from all over Europe together in a spirit of friendship, peace, prosperity and song. OK maybe technically not song... more Eurotrashy madness. But it works!

If Summer Exams are not too late I'll be in Istanbul this year. But the latest update from the Exams Office was not good. Not good at all.

[amnesiac]

2004 News!
The rules of the game.

The EBU have published the rules for what it is calling "a state-of-the-art, world-class television production of a competition between musical acts representing countries of the Members of the European Broadcasting Union," or the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest in layman's terms.

Besides confirming the date for the contest (May 12 and 15). The rules bring in some significant changes to manage the largest ever number of entrants next year.

Twenty four countries can participate in the final, up to twenty six in the qualifying heat. October 1 is the deadline to apply for participation in 2004, places will be awarded on a first come first served basis. Broadcasters must be sure they want to take part when applying, as any broadcaster that subsequently withdraws after December 1 will have to pay the full entry fee.

Broadcasters are given free reign when it comes to how they select their song. Songs must not have had a commercial release before October 1 2003. This means promotional releases are now exempt from the rule. As well as the usual rules about singers being over sixteen (by May 12) and songs lasting no more than three minutes comes a new rule forbidding any performers from trying to represent more than one country.

Signaling a far more flexible approach to the songs this year, the EBU is to allow changes to the lyrics, the name of the artist or group, the title of the song and the language of the song's performance right up until the heads of delegation meeting which will take place on 22 and 23 March 2004. Changes to the final sound recording of the song will be allowed until two weeks before the Contest Final. After that deadline only minor adjustments to the songs shall be permitted.

In previous years, the EBU has allowed the host broadcaster to decide whether to use an orchestra or backing tracks. This year the rules make no provision for an orchestra insisting that no instruments on stage shall be connected to a microphone. A drum kit or piano can be provided on stage, purely for decoration. 'Dummy' microphones are permitted!

Fans will be pleased to know that the EBU makes specific mention for the first time this year of a DVD release alongside the now widely accepted compilation CD. In 2004, EMI will release a double CD of all the participating songs.

Again the EBU appears to be attempting to reign in commentators with a ruling that broadcasters "All commentators shall refrain from talking during the performance of the songs, and shall refrain from making any sexist, racist or otherwise unduly discriminatory comments about the artists of other countries. Commentators should also refrain from urging the audience to vote for any given song" The EBU is insisting that a video recording of the contest be provided 'as broadcast' from each country within two weeks of the final.


Although again this year there will be no obligation to broadcast the (expanded) previews of the songs, each broadcaster must establish a web page or web site to promote the national selection around sixteen weeks ahead of the May 15 final.

Televoting has been made obligatory in all countries of the Participating Broadcasters unless a special exception for countries with telecommunications reach of less than 80% is granted by December 1 2003. SMS voting may be obligatory in countries where the marketing partner can ensure that all votes charged for, can also be counted, within a given time-frame. The voting time will be extended slightly to ten minutes. All countries taking part in 2004 will be given the chance to vote in the final, not just those who qualify to sing. How this will work has not yet been made clear, though it is known the EBU has been considering a block vote if this becomes technically possible from those who do not have a song in the final.

Whilst many of the rules are fairly gentle, the EBU appears to be determined to crack down on voting fraud. As previously reported the EBU have appointed a centralised voting partner to verify all votes. The EBU plans to appoint international monitors to oversee all aspects of the televoting procedure.

TRT is now busy with the final aspects of the initial organisation. The EBU insists that at least 2000 hotel rooms be available for delegation members who should be able to book the rooms by credit card or invoice and money transfer.

The draw for the contest will be held at the head of delegation meeting on March 22 & 23 2004. "At that draw, the places for the 14 guaranteed Participating Broadcasters in the Grand Final shall be announced, while the remaining places, for the first ten Participating Broadcasters in the Qualifying Round, shall be allocated in accordance with the final positions attained in that Round"

Following some suggestions made by members, the EBU has drawn up specific guidelines for possible disqualification from the event. A song can be disqualified if the requests of the EBU or host broadcasters are ignored. If the artist(s) depart from the planned performance at either the final rehearsal or the actual event and (of course) if other rules are breached. If a song is disqualified before the heads of delegations meeting in March 2004, the broadcaster may suggest an alternative, after that date the broadcaster is out for 2004.

Once again if there is a tie, the winner will be the song that has obtained points from the highest number of countries. If the songs received votes from the same number of countries, then the highest number of 12-point scores shall qualify and so on. The same method shall be applied if there is a tie for position number 10 in the Qualifying Round. The winning broadcaster will have the right to host the 2005 contest final.

[amnesiac]

The viewers of the qualifier round on Wednesday (12th May) will decide by televoting which ten songs of the 22 countries participating will go on to the final on Saturday (15th May). They will have plenty of time to vote, because he televoting will stay open from the end of the qualifying show until 1200 CET on the day of the final. After counting the votes the result of the tele vote will be announced within the final and create a greater suspense for artists, spectators and viewers and also more obvious integrates the two shows. The ten songs that receive the most votes will join the already qualified 14 countries in the final.

"Rumours said that the procedure of announcing the result of the tele voting in the participating countries dramatically would change. This is not the case. The announcing of the votes will be done in the same way as before, with a spokesperson live on link announcing all their points, beginning with 1 and ending by 12. In the final all participating 36 countries will vote, including the 12 countries that will be eliminated from the qualifying show", Stockselius told esctoday.com. Due to the increased number of countries participating, the running time for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest will be extended to 3 hours and 10 minutes, from 2100 to 0010 CET.

The running time for the qualifying show is two hours with a live broadcast between 21.00 to 23.00 CET.

The draw for the running order of the songs in the two shows will be held in Istanbul on Monday, 22nd March in combination with the Head of Delegation seminar in Istanbul. -S Stockselius, EBU

[amnesiac]

Tickets for Istanbul were supposed to go on sale today but it has been deferred until Monday morning! Darn.

[amnesiac]

And here is the new logo

http//www.eurovision.tv/ebu/img/bild_logo_event_weiss_05.jpg

This is the new "permanent" logo for the contest... the flag in the love heart/V will change each year to reflect the host country! The BBC are picking the British entrant staurday night with a Pop Idol stlyed show called "Making Your Mind Up."

It's on BBC ONE and it's presented by Wogan so it mightn't be that bad!

[amnesiac]

Cardiff-born James Fox, 27, beat five other hopefuls to win the UK National final Making Your Mind Up last Saturday night.

The song which he will sing in Istanbul is a ballad entitled "Hold On To Our Love," written by Gary Miller and Tim Woodcock, writers with credits including work for Westlife, Christina Aguilera, Cher, Blue, Leanne Rimes, Lemar and Kylie Minogue. Sony Music plan to release the single in advance of the contest, provisionally the company is looking at early April.

The winner was decided by regional juries and over 300,000 viewers who rang in, texted or used diigtal TV to vote. Interviewed on winning, Fox was jubilant, "I'm speechless! Bring it on," he said . "I have a proven track record with Fame Academy, so I'm well-equipped for the Eurovision Song Contest."

Fox sang at pubs, clubs and on cruise ships before launching a bid to represent Britain at Eurovision. He came fifth on the second series of TV talent search Fame Academy last year.

Former Fame Academy student James Fox says he was "skeptical" when first approached about becoming involved, but felt the new format was a winner. "I felt my song was great, and this year there's music industry support," he told BBC NEWS ONLINE. "Eurovision is a sleeping giant, and hasn't been exploited for a while."

[adrian]

quoteOriginally posted by amnesiac
Terry Wogan and an unannounced young feamle presenter (please let it be Cat Deeley) will be hosting "Making Your Mind Up"


Gaby Roslin? Was someone taking the piss?

-A

[amnesiac]

My mother compared her to a chav slapper dresse dup for the evening. Lorraine and Paddy were great on BBC THREE though.

[amnesiac]

Denmark are sending a married gay man to Istanbul.
http//www.gaycork.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1592

[amnesiac]

I think Belgium is the song to beat at the moment; this is fantastic live...
http//www.keithm.utvinternet.ie/Belgium04.rm

[adrian]

Are there high-kicks to this? There have to be.

It has all the requirements
- daft lyrics "you are my brother, my sister tonight"
- possibility for high-kicks / energetic dance routines
- an ending allowing for jerky head movements

Although, it is missing the really obvious key change for the final verse, but it can't have everything, I suppose.

[bo_selecta]

Got this from www.popjustice.com


quoteShamelessly ripped from the excellent doteurovision.com

The running order for the semi final (May 12) is as follows

1 Finland
2 Belarus
3 Switzerland
4 Latvia
5 Israel
6 Andorra
7 Portugal
8 Malta
9 Monaco
10 Greece
11 Ukraine
12 Lithuania
13 Albania
14 Cyprus
15 FYR Macedonia
16 Slovenia
17 Estonia
18 Croatia
19 Denmark
20 Serbia - Montenegro
21 Bosnia & Herzegovina
22 Netherlands



The running order (with open slots) for the final on May 15 is as follows

1. Spain
2. Austria
3. Norway
4. France
5. (semi-finalist)
6. (semi-finalist)
7. (semi-finalist)
8. Germany
9. (semi-finalist)
10. (semi-finalist)
11. (semi-finalist)
12. (semi-finalist)
13. Belgium
14. Russia
15. (semi-finalist)
16. (semi-finalist)
17. Iceland
18. Ireland
19. Poland
20. United Kingdom
21. (semi-finalist)
22. Turkey
23. Romania
24. Sweden


The 10 qualifiers from the semi will be included in the above draw at random (i.e. not based on where they finished in the semi, etc.)

[amnesiac]

We're drawn at the end but being so close in the running order to the UK will be bad for both of us I think.

[sedna]

I forgot that this year the contest was split over two nights.

[amnesiac]

Yes, the qualifier round will be broadcast on Wednesday May 12th on BBC THREE and on RTE with the top ten countries earning the right to compete for the grand prix on Saturday May 15th.

[101333]

But the big question is, has Chris Doran a chance in May? I think it was the best of a bad bunch. But I think the Eurovision has changed and Ireland need to send a different type of song to furture Eurovisions

[101333]

Year Strt Participant Song Pts. Place

1965 4 Butch Moore "I'm Walking The Streets In The Rain" 11 6
1966 17 Dickie Rock "Come Back To Stay" 14 5
1967 17 Sean Dunphy "If I Could Choose" 22 2
1968 14 Pat McGeegan "Chance Of A Lifetime" 18 4
1969 5 Muriel Day & the Lindsays "The Wages Of Love" 10 7
1970 12 Dana "All Kinds Of Everything" 32 1
1971 13 Angela Farrell "One Day Love" 79 11
1972 3 Sandie Jones "Ceol An Ghra" 72 15
1973 14 Maxi "Do I Dream?" 80 11
1974 13 Tina "Cross Your Heart" 11 8
1975 2 The Swarbriggs "That's What Friends Are For" 68 9
1976 7 Red Hurley "When" 54 10
1977 1 The Swarbriggs "Plus Two It's Nice To Be In Love Again" 119 3
1978 1 Colm T. Wilkinson "Born To Sing" 86 5
1979 4 Cathal Dunne "Happy Man" 80 5
1980 17 Johnny Logan "What's Another Year?" 143 1
1981 12 Sheeba "Horoscopes" 105 5
1982 17 The Duskeys "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" 49 11
1984 9 Linda Martin "Terminal Three" 137 2
1985 1 Maria Christian "Wait Until The Weekend Comes" 91 6
1986 12 Luv Bug "You Can Count On Me" 96 4
1987 20 Johnny Logan "Hold Me Now" 172 1
1988 10 Jump the Gun Take Him Home 79 8
1989 3 Kiev Connolly & the Missing Passengers "The Real Me" 21 18
1990 17 Liam Reilly "Somewhere In Europe" 132 3
1991 11 Kim Jackson "Could It Be That I'm In Love" 47 11
1992 17 Linda Martin "Why Me?" 155 1
1993 14 Niamh Kavanagh "In Your Eyes" 187 1
1994 3 Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan "Rock 'N' Roll Kids" 226 1
44 14
1996 17 Eimear Quinn "The Voice" 162 1
1997 5 Marc Roberts "Mysterious Woman" 157 2
1998 13 Dawn Martin "Is Always Over Now" 64 9
1999 17 The Mullans "When You Need Me" 18 17
2000 23 Eamonn Toal "Millenium Of Love" 92 6
2001 12 Gary O'Shaughnessy "Without Your Love" 6 21

What was your fav Irish entry?

Mine was defo Dawn Martin's!

[sedna]

A few years ago, Iceland entered a guy sitting on a couch surrounded by rubber clad dancers. It was a very interesting stage performance. He didn't do very well in the voting though.

[amnesiac]

BREAKING NEWS

Jemini are to sing backing vocals for James Fox!!!

And sedna that was Paul Oscar in 1997.
http//home.no.net/isiselin/esc/Paul%20Oscar.jpg

[amnesiac]

And this year, all 36 countries will have their votes in the Grand Final called in in alphabetical order!
http//www.keithm.utvinternet.ie/Juryorder.htm

[amnesiac]

Nicki French, who represented the United Kingdom in 2000, has been back in the recording studio with composer, producer John Springate to record some Eurovision songs, including an updated version of her own entry Don't play that song again.

To co-incide with this year's contest, singer Nicki French has released a collection of past Eurovision songs including a 2004 dance version of her own entry Don't play that song again. Her original version finished 16th for the UK in the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest, which at the time was the worst result the UK had achieved, until Jemini came along in 2003!

Other songs recorded are her versions of Ding dinge dong, the Dutch winner from 1975, One step further, the UK entry fom 1982 and finally Hold me now, the Irish winner from 1987.

Nicki French is not the only artist to have recorded a version of Hold me now, as Chris Doran, representing Ireland in this year's contest, has released a live version on his single of this year's entry If my world stops turning.

Details on how to obtain Nicki French's CD ...Play That Eurovision Song Again can be found on www.glitterband.com/frenchspringy, where samples of the tracks can also be listened to.