Surprisingly it seems the webcast will be available also abroad here.
We are ready to start. Jaana Pelkonen will host the Euroviisut for the 7th year in a row but her co-host Tom Nylund is a new face.
The show has started. Jaana in a short red number is on stage with Tom welcoming the viewers and explaining the system this year. It's 100% televote as usual. The stage looks like the logo actually. And remember it's the 50th anniversary of Euroviisut and therefor the ex-Euroviisut winners will present the artists in the postcards. First one is Carita Holmström, presenting a band from my town, Espoo: Automatic Eye.
AUTOMATIC EYE - I'M NOT THE ONE WHO'S SORRY
This is the favourite in this heat but unfortunately it's not coming through the screen. Rather static performance of a rockband wannabe. Two backing vocalists don't really help much. It's painfully evident these guys do not have any experience on TV and there's no contact whatsoever. Boring.
We are now in the greenroom with Jaana. Tom interviews the guys right after and they're satisfied. Bless them. Next is Cat Cat presenting the next act.
MARKO MAUNUKSELA - SYNKÄN MAAN TANGO
This is really Takes two 2 tango, part 2 but who cares? The reigning tango king wearing casual chic and hat has a lot of tango royals on stage with him: Suvi Karjula, Johanna Debreczeni, Hanna Talikainen and Esa Nummela with Petri Ikkelä in bandeon. I just think this isn't working. Marko is good, the choir excellent - the song sucks.
Back to greenroom with Jaana before Tom gets his hands on Marko & choir. Unfortunately Tom is rather annoying. Maybe someone finds him funny? And of course Marko is happy with his effort.... Fredi is now in the postcard presenting the next act.
JOHANNA IIVANAINEN - LUOJANI MUN
Johanna with her four musicians are thinking less is more and indeed it is with this song. Excellent vocals for this almost anthemic hymn. She's wearing a modest red dress and it's all very laidback and relaxed. She's sweet. Could she make it tonight after all?
Tom is being serious for awhile and small talks with Johanna. She says that if she wins the song will be in English in Germany, Skylarks in the breeze. But now we move on. Vicky Rosti presenting the next act....
JONNA - PUPPETS
Jonna and her puppets are wearing red, black and white. Amongst the dancers we have the winner of reality dance show Dance! Sam Vahervuori and finalist Nora Mahmoud. Nicely choreographed in Lady Gaga-Madonna style including dress changing and the usual. Unfortunately the song doesn't go anywhere. Is there a song?
Jonna and Tom talk about stripping on stage and then we move on with Kuunkuiskaajat who are presenting the last act for tonight....
CARDIANT - RAPTURE IN TIME
The only hardrock-metalpop song this year, and only thanks to the open internet selection. No gimmicks on stage but they said if they qualify there will be pyros. A bit weak vocals but at least this song does have a melody and being the only one in its genre a final place should be easy. The best song of the evening musically, as strange as it sounds!
Tom and Cardiant talk amongst other things ABBA. Their influence for vocal harmonies and strong choruses.
It's time for recap.Then Ami Aspelund, Viktor Klimenko, Marion Rung, Anneli Saaristo, Carita Holmström, Katri Helena and Mr Lordi tell us what they remember from their Eurovision week - if any! And the voting is closed! After that we have to suffer some Finnish "humour".... good, one has time to go to the loo.........
And we are back. Time to see who the qualifiers are ... On stage we have a sort of chrystal ball. When the artists puts her/his hand on the ball it goes to green or red.... Johanna is green! Cardiant is green! Automatic Eye next. Red! Jonna next.... red! So also Marko Maunuksela is in the final, too!
So, Johanna Iivanainen charmed against all odds and qualified. Cardiant did so but did we doubt it at all? And finally granny mafia and tango population put the tango royals to the final. No surprise. I'm ok with the result. But this was a VERY weak semi....
And we are back. Time to see who the qualifiers are ... On stage we have a sort of chrystal ball. When the artists puts her/his hand on the ball it goes to green or red.... Johanna is green! Cardiant is green! Automatic Eye next. Red! Jonna next.... red! So also Marko Maunuksela is in the final, too!
So, Johanna Iivanainen charmed against all odds and qualified. Cardiant did so but did we doubt it at all? And finally granny mafia and tango population put the tango royals to the final. No surprise. I'm ok with the result. But this was a VERY weak semi....
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