The Eurovision Song Contest is now so huge that they have to have semi-finals to determine who will be allowed into the main event. Semi-final #1 has just taken place (thanks Feorag!) and the sad news is that Dustin the Turkey has failed to make it through to the final. All I can say is that the voters, whoever they might be, have no taste, especially for turkey. Maybe they needed more cranberry sauce.
Ah well, at least I can cheer for the Finns.
I must patiently wait until a torrent of semi #1 is available.
Actually, they’ve had *a* semi-final for a number of years now – if you finished in the bottom half one year, you had to qualify via the semi-final the year after. This time, they’ve gone for a more logical approach, and are having two semi-finals, with everyone (other than the hosts and the ‘big 4’) having to qualify. This also allows at least some, limited, action against block voting – for instance, Greece and Cyprus have been put into different semis.
I’m not *entirely* sure I really want to be on record as knowing all of this stuff, but then Eurovision is one of life’s guilty pleasures.
Peter – I thought they probably had. I am happy to be on record as having not actually watched the show in decades. However, it does still exert a horrible fascination,
Eurovision is a (quilty) secret for surprisingly many. There is a study about the event published in our centre’s publication series in 2006. It includes thorough investigation about the meanings of Eurovision song contest to our national identity – and lots of interesting stuff about gender issues as well. I really hope Mari Pajala shall publish an article about her dissertationalso in English, for there seem to be very interesting negotiations going on what comes to the “camp” value and gender in/of the performances.
Quick check: yes there is one in an article collection A Song for Europe: Popular Music and Politics in the Eurovision Song Contest
And uhhh.. I am indeed caught red handed.
ipa