dimanche 17 mai 2009

I'm in love (with a fairytale)

Eurovision weekend.  The weekend of glitter, sequins, sparkle and camp.

Ah yes, this year was no exception.  All the freaks were there.

From the big old Greek poofter dancing on top of a big hair straightener (it would take a lot to straighten this boy out, trust me) to the strangely asexual German 'heartthrob' bumping and grinding with Dita von Teese.  From the big Maltese girl belting her heart out, to the English girl getting a violin bow in the eye (really, she did).

We had the elegant superstar Patricia Kaas crooning for France being beaten by the ridiculous Azerbaijanis who seemed to have forgotten that the 80's are over.  But maybe they're not over yet in Baku?  Azerbaijan is the 'land of fire' as their points person told us at least fifteen times during her ten-second slot.

As a side issue, I did once know of a girl from Baku with a ten-second slot, but this one was slightly different.

The Russians put on a fabulous show, and everyone seemed to be having a lovely time.  Alas, if only the Swedish girl had hit those notes (any of them).  If only the Turks had been able to sing as well as dance.  If only Britain hadn't put Andrew Lloyd Webber on the stage.

But, for once, partisan voting seemed to be a thing of the past.  Sure, Croatia gave top marks to Bosnia and Greece got douze points from Cyprus, but this year it seemed musical talent won the day.

Very early on it was obvious that Norway were going to win.  

The little boy singing did indeed look like a hobbit.  But that's not such a bad thing.  He had a great song, and some very good dancers to giddy things up a bit.  He was bound to win.

And win he did - with a huge majority.

It all put me in mind of the year that Abba won with Waterloo.  

As the French commentators said yesterday evening - "Abba were lucky that year - France had pulled out due to national mourning and so the Swedes had an easy ride to the winning spot".

God bless the French.  With Patricia Kaas ending up way down the table there'll be a lot of ooh-la-la-ing to look forward to over the next few days.

No doubt they'll come up with a good excuse.  

National pride does have to be protected at all costs, after all...

22 commentaires:

Anonyme a dit…

He was from Belarus or somewhere, so he did get the eastern european vote. I thought he was awful and the song was dreadful.Time to stop this farcical event.
Or change the format, Graham Norton was good though. I thought the Danish one was ok ish.The UK was rubbish as usual,wrong format.I didnt see all of it, I could only do bits at a time.

The Mutant a dit…

I love every minute of the Eurovision experience (well, except the ballads) As an 'outsider' the whole things seems so delightfully, well, European to me.

It's elegant and classy and brash and trashy all at the same time. I kind of missed the overt camp of previous years, but thankfully there was a little bit, plus plenty of tight pants on offer.

Turkey seems to be my pick year after year, but nothing will ever top Silvia Night's performance, although the Ukarainian entry was close with its extra's from 300.

Looks like I might have to try to make my way to Norwegia next year so that I can immerse myself in the ridiculousness. Shall I meet you there?

travelling, but not in love a dit…

VM - how could you possibly want to stop eurovision? It's the coming together of nations in a festival of sparkle! It's like the EU but with better voting rules (and decent hair).

Mutant - see you in Oslo, dear boy. Oh the fun we'd have....

Victor a dit…

So many Australian gay bloggers have been right into the Eurovision Song Contest. It is a fever I have resisted for many years.

Brett a dit…

A great night, spent it at my brothers and cheered every time we got points, we both picked Norway to win.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Victor - I don't know how you've resisted...haven't the gay police called on you yet? It clearly states in clause 230.2 of the Gay Handbook that all homosexuals MUST watch the Eurovision song contest and actively seek to promote it amongst the less sparkly classes.

Shame on you, sir.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Brett, Norway was a guaranteed winner me thinks. And well done you and your brother for embracing the inner sparkle....

Daisy a dit…

It's at times like these that I miss having a television the most! How could Eurovision have passed me by?!

Lane Mathias a dit…

But what was with the swimming pools? I was rather worried a leakage might cause a Euro disaster and wipe out the entire population of Moldova.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Daisy, have you not seen the papers? Patricia Kaas is everywhere! Having no TV is no excuse....(btw having a TV is a great way to improve french...if you need an excuse)

Lane, I fear the russians knew exactly what they were doing there...wiping out Moldova being one of their cunning plans...

Tony a dit…

Best Eurovision acts

1970 - Dana - All kinds of everything
1974 - Abba - Waterloo
1979 - Milk & Honey - Hallelujah
1982 - Nicole - Ein bißchen Frieden
1998 - Dana International - Diva

But I'm not gay, honestly

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Oh, LaTanya, I'm with you on some of these...especially Ein Bisschen Frieden. Ah takes me back to my school days - I'm sure I got battered for liking that song.

Now, we just have to see how Conortje's list compares....

Victor a dit…

I have been gay since before the handbook was written and therefore am exempt from Eurovision's charms.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Victor, it sounds just like being a conscientious objector...

cb a dit…

Bah. What has Eurovision given the world lately? Besides campy transvestites I mean.

Daryl a dit…

And why isnt this aired on some cable network here? Huh?

Word verification: ablecue

aims a dit…

I haven't a clue as to what you are talking about dear TBNIL!

travelling, but not in love a dit…

CB - surely campy transvestites are enough?

Daryl, there's a DVD for sale if you're interested?

Aims - but surely your brother is 'family'? How has he never told you about this?

Anonyme a dit…

HE DID NOT LOOK LIKE A HOBBIT!

I thought he was extremely cute. And talented. I used to play violin rather well which is a bonus.

Wonder if he'd get 12 points in bed? ;)

Anonyme a dit…

Haha I forgot to mention that I uploaded Fairytale on my iPod yesterday. It's already had about 20 play counts!

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Poser, I'm ashamed to admit that I got it off itunes too. Playing it far too much now. And I made Debbie listen to it in the office today too.

Not sure what he'd score in bed, but I think his dancing boys would rate highly.....he he

Anonyme a dit…

I love Eurovision. I always used to watch it with the sound off, and the radio playing some alternate humerous commentators whose name escapes me now but were dry and hillarious.