Eurovision - competition or political tool

[igyman]

Last night I started a thread in Ahto to celebrate my country's victory in this... event. To cut it short, I got no congratulations posts, but the posts that people left there made me start a more serious thread about the Eurovision song contest here. So, what are your opinions of Eurovision? Do you think it's an entertaining and fair competition, or do you think it's influenced too much by politics, or something else? Why do you think what you think?

 

My personal opinion of Eurovision is that the 8, 10 and 12 points votes are most likely fixed, influenced by either political aspirations, record sales, or who knows what. Still, the singers that come there try to perform their best, they do perform live after all and I think they genuinely look forward to winning, because, even though Eurovision might be political, it is a continent-wide event that can bring a lot of popularity and success to the winner.

 

So, what are your opinions?

[Palpatine_dc]

Throw out televoting. Every country with a large ethnic minority gives its 12 points to that minority's country. An example Belgium and Germany have large Turkish communities, and every year they give their 12 points to Turkey, no matter how good or bad their song is. It is the reason many Eastern European countries give each other points, leading to criticism from West European countries and a rapid decrease of interest there. Only something exceptional like Lordi last year can break through those voting patterns.

 

Personally, I stopped caring about it a long time ago. I rather spend my evening doing something fun than to watch this hours long revenue of kitschy pop songs.

[MetalMark]

Country's that have good connecting with eachother always give eachother high points. Just look what happend this year most East-Europian country's gave high point to eachother.

[Negative Sun]

Throw out televoting. Every country with a large ethnic minority gives its 12 points to that minority's country. An example Belgium and Germany have large Turkish communities, and every year they give their 12 points to Turkey, no matter how good or bad their song is. It is the reason many Eastern European countries give each other points, leading to criticism from West European countries and a rapid decrease of interest there. Only something exceptional like Lordi last year can break through those voting patterns.

 

Personally, I stopped caring about it a long time ago. I rather spend my evening doing something fun than to watch this hours long revenue of kitschy pop songs.

QFT

 

Couldn't have said it better myself

[Jae Onasi]

There's no such thing as bad publicity. If it was in the US I'd just say it was all rigged from the very start cause I don't believe those things are ever on the up-and-up here anyway.

[JasraLantill]

I agree with Jae. Even if the contestants don't win, they still get exposure and that's got to count for something.

 

I think Eurovision is one of those either 'you love it or you hate it' type of things. It's been around for a while, and although it does appear that the countries now tend to vote for their neighbours, it's really just entertainment and a chance to host an international event. Considering that most international events seem to be held in the Western European countries, it's good to see the Eastern European countries getting a shot at something, even if it is just a song contest.

[Negative Sun]

There's no such thing as bad publicity.

Jae you haven't seen the UK entry by any chance have you? I think that might be an exception to the rule lmao

 

 

I'd hide the kids though Jae, it might give them nightmares...

[ChAiNz.2da]

Jae you haven't seen the UK entry by any chance have you? I think that might be an exception to the rule lmao

 

Ya' know, if this was released in the 80's.. they would've made millions in the US

[Negative Sun]

lol even people in the 80's had more taste than that...