I've heard of it. I only wish we could watch it over here....
"It would help if the writer knew what he was writing about. Eastern European Funk is not even in the final. It was eliminated last Tuesday. It would have helped if he had mentioned the songs VOLARE, ERES TU, LOVE IS BLUE or the names Olivia Newton-John, Secret Garden, Nicki French, Dita Van Teese and many many more. 130 million will be watching this evening. And how many watched American Idol?" - PopEater User Comment"It's a shame that the writer displays - on behalf of Americans generally - such hutzpah and stunning ignorance of the rest of the world. The US is not the world, nor yet the only country in the world, and in sporting and cultural terms, simply a sideshow. The World Cup and the Eurovision Song Contest (which is, indeed, rather homely) enjoy audiences which turn American media moguls green with envy." - PopEater User CommentEuro-what? The Most Famous Song Contest You've Never Heard OfIf you think next month's soccer World Cup is an obscure event mostly of interest to foreigners, that's nothing compared to the annual aneurysm that is today's 'Eurovision Song Contest.'
But those who are suffering from 'American Idol' withdrawal after Wednesday's finale might want to check it out.
'Eurovision' is like a kitschy 'European Idol' sung mostly, but not entirely, in English, and is one of those weird cultural happenings that is followed almost everywhere in the world except the USA.
First broadcast in 1950, 'Eurovision' was founded on the belief that music was one of two things that could unite a multi-lingual continent trying to find content for a new technology called television (the other being sports). Notable names who have won the contest include Swedish superstars Abba and the popular British groups Katrina and the Waves and Bucks Fizz. Britain's Cliff Richard came second in 1968, a surprise loss that 40 years later was attributed to direct intervention by Spain's then-dictator, General Franco.
Since there is no requirement that contestants come from the country they represent, there are sometimes Americans stirred into the mix, and in 1988, Celine Dion won on behalf of Switzerland. (At that time, the Canadian superstar was already famous in the French-speaking world.)
So what can you expect from this year's competition? Well, let's be honest: You need a high irony threshold to enjoy it. The cheese-factor is what makes it fun, from terrible takes on American musical forms like rap and swing, to the inevitable national costumes and dancing accordion players. If you're not the type to find joy in highly-produced bad musical TV, this might not be for you. (Think 'Glee' meets 'Borat.')
While there is a very slim chance 'Eurovision' might be carried on an ethnic-interest cable network in your area, it is generally only available in the US through its free online broadcast, which will be live today at 3PM EST.
The competition is always hosted by the country that won the previous year, and this year's Oslo production comes courtesy of Alexander Rybak, an impish singing violinist who took the title for Norway.
Bookmakers think that in 2010, Azerbaijan has the best chance of winning, with a pop-friendly tune called Drip-Drop. Second and third contenders, according to the betting odds, are a toe-tapper from Germany and a Julio Iglesias-esque ballad from Israel, which -- I know! -- is not even in Europe. (What can I say? You don't mess with the Zohan.)
My personal favorite is a catchy ditty from Lithuania called 'Eastern European Funk.' Its opening lyrics directly mock the eye-rolling quality of most 'Eurovision' entries: "You've seen it all before, we ain't got no taste, we're all a bore." But it quickly diverts into social commentary: "We've had it pretty tough, but that's OK, we like it rough ... we survived the Reds and two World Wars."
Which is pretty strong stuff for 'Eurovision'! (Did I mention it's an acquired taste?)
http://www.popeater.com/2010/05/29/eurovision-song-contest/
