2024 Eurovision Song Contest

[dryrunguy]

Here is Denmark. This is live from the national selection. Saba is the first woman of color to represent Denmark.

[dryrunguy]

Here is Armenia. Keep in mind that they still have another 35 seconds to add to the song if they choose to do so.

[dryrunguy]

Next will be Latvia. This is Dons live from the national final performance.

[dryrunguy]

This is San Marino. Megara is a Spanish band. This is live from the national final.

[dryrunguy]

Next is Georgia. Nutsa was apparently a contestant on American Idol. Very capable live, for sure. Georgia hasn't qualified for the Grand Final in 6 years. That will probably change this year. But this year is tough.

[dryrunguy]

Next is Belgium. Power ballad.

[dryrunguy]

Next is Estonia. This is live from the national final. They performed this a few nights ago, and it was MUCH better.

[dryrunguy]

Next will be the entry from Israel. Needless to say, Israel's participation in this year's contest has created lots of drama.

[dryrunguy]

This is the entry from Norway. Get ready for some Norwegian folk rock--in Norwegian! It is based on a 1,000-year-old folk ballad.

Fun fact: The artists participating in the Norwegian national selection had the option to use auto-tune. Gunnhild, lead singer for Gåte, declined.

[dryrunguy]

And finally, we have The Netherlands. Another fan favorite that is currently #5 in the odds, I believe.

[dryrunguy]

My PERSONAL top three are:

1) Croatia, Baby Lasagna
2) Norway, Gåte
3) Ireland, Bambi Thug

My PREDICTED top three at this point are:

1) Italy (but I think Greece and perhaps Armenia could cause Italy televote problems)
2) Switzerland (not sure how the broader public will react to a song that's all about being non-binary--or if they'll really get it)
3) Croatia

[Oploskoffie]

So, anyone watching? It's been quite the day over here, especially with "our" home hope, Joost Klein being disqualified for "making a threatening gesture towards a camera person". Nevermind all the controversy surrounding the participation of Israel. It's completely sucked the life/fun out of what usually is a festive evening. Well, for many in the Netherlands anyway. The Dutch broadcaster behind all things Eurovision has even pulled out of the live broadcast, so we're "mailing in our points".

I'm off to watch a bad horror movie with two cats on my lap and will read the result some time tomorrow morning. A real shame.

[ti-amie]

I've been missing the updates we usually get from dry.

I did see posts on social media about the controversy re Israel and the Dutch reaction. It is a shame.

[dryrunguy]

So, anyone watching? It's been quite the day over here, especially with "our" home hope, Joost Klein being disqualified for "making a threatening gesture towards a camera person". Nevermind all the controversy surrounding the participation of Israel. It's completely sucked the life/fun out of what usually is a festive evening. Well, for many in the Netherlands anyway. The Dutch broadcaster behind all things Eurovision has even pulled out of the live broadcast, so we're "mailing in our points".

I'm off to watch a bad horror movie with two cats on my lap and will read the result some time tomorrow morning. A real shame.

I still don't know for sure what Joost supposedly did. You mentioned a "threatening gesture". I saw one report that it was slightly physical and involved a broken camera. But I don't think that has been confirmed. In any case, heads will roll at the EBU. Or at least they SHOULD.

I'm still pretty crushed that Croatia came so close--but couldn't close the deal. The Swiss performance was just incredible. For those who weren't paying attention, Switzerland won the jury, and Croatia won the televote.

Israel finished fifth after getting tanked by the juries. Israel was second in the televote.

FUN FACT: Ireland finished 6th with the juries, 6th with the televote, and 6th overall. So fitting.

[Oploskoffie]

I still don't know for sure what Joost supposedly did. You mentioned a "threatening gesture". I saw one report that it was slightly physical and involved a broken camera. But I don't think that has been confirmed. In any case, heads will roll at the EBU. Or at least they SHOULD.

I'm still pretty crushed that Croatia came so close--but couldn't close the deal. The Swiss performance was just incredible. For those who weren't paying attention, Switzerland won the jury, and Croatia won the televote.

Israel finished fifth after getting tanked by the juries. Israel was second in the televote.

FUN FACT: Ireland finished 6th with the juries, 6th with the televote, and 6th overall. So fitting.

The story, as it is known at this point in time, is that Klein (and/or the Dutch delegation) had requested more than once that he not be filmed/photographed immediately after a performance because of him being in an emotionally vulnerable state in those moments. A camerawoman working for the festival apparently ignored this request more than once, prompting the "threatening gesture" at some point. However...

There are also an increasing number of stories coming out about the atmosphere behind the scenes, with more than one country calling it "uncomfortable", unprofessional, too intense and "not in the best interest of the artists". That, in turn, can also be split up into at least two storylines, with one being about festival personnel/the organization and the other coming the shape of everything going on with the Israeli delegation, including their behaviour. A Norwegian tabloid just published a story about six (!) countries threatening to quit the final because of this, Switzerland included.

In short, it was a mess. Also, several stories have since surfaced about conditions at previous festivals, with the EBU apparently repeatedly not giving a crap about many concerns raised by participating countries. So yeah, heads (starting with Martin Österdahl's) SHOULD roll, but I somehow doubt they will unless one or more of the countries big five (UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy) withdraw their financial contribution.