As an appetizer some predictions and favourites by artists themselves. Stala & So. believe (or hope?) in the superfinal we will have besides themselves Saara Aalto and Paradise Oskar. Sami Hintsanen names himself, Saara Aalto and Marko Maunuksela in the superfinal but his personal favourite is Paradise Oskar. Also Johanna Iivanainen names Oskar as her favourite. And Cardiant believe in Father McKenzie, Saara Aalto and Paradise Oskar.
As for today's papers Ilta-Sanomat stands for Saara Aalto ignoring the others except Johanna Iivanainen while Iltalehti picks up Saara Aalto and Stala & So. Anja Koivisto of Koivistolaiset says a big no to any bands and wants Saara Aalto for Germany. The same goes for Marion Rung, Katri Helena and Fredi - each of them represanted Finland twice in the past - as they all name Saara Aalto as their favourite. And more: also Linda Lampenius would send Saara to Germany. So is Finland going to be blessed with love tonight?
The show has started from Turku, the European city of culture 2011 with Jaana Pelkonen and Tom Bylund, Both are wearing suede, Jaana green and Tom black. The Caribia arena is packed and atmosphere hot.
After a short presentation the artists walk the catwalk to the green room area while their song is played. Actually a very good idea!After this parade Jaana & Tom are back on stage, some voting information and then we are ready to start, are we? Exciting? Oh yes, and our ex-Eurovision stars will tell how they felt second before the start, first Hanna Pakarinen. "Total panic. But then I just started to laugh. for nervousness I saw and heard the Finnish audience go wild and then .... it was cool!"
Anneli Saaristo next: "I was shitscared. I'm not religious but I was like Oh my God, don't let me screw it now!"
Previously Marco Bjurström critized the show for being boring and not very creative. Also YLE has put very critical commentary on the internet. Is this self irony or a sign of changes to come in 2012?
Ann-Christine tells how Ossi Runne made her relax in 1966 just before going to stage when she was worried she would forget the lyrcis: "Don't worry. No one understands Finnish anyways. No one will notice!"
Marion Rung, who has sung in Eurovision twice, both times in Luxembourg and both times singing first said she was very nervous and had to concentrate only on the audience she saw infront of her, not the TV audience. (But as she's a real professional we didn't see a thing on TV about her being nervous!)
Kuunkuiskaajat were more worried if their feet were clean as they were barefoot and just before the song started they pinched each other in the ass to relax. Ok....
Fredi remembers his two times. Also he was worried about the lyrics most of all and controlling his breath when being nervous.
Riki Sorsa said he was in total panic. Someone pushed a microphone in his hand, the orchestra started and next thing he remembers is when he's thanking the people and it is over! I guess many Eurovision artists have experienced that.
Wonderfully fabulous Eurovision expert Anna Muurinen is intervciewed shortly. She's from viisukuppila.fi who will give out the fan award again this year. Go Anna go! Smack!
Then CatCat tell how they felt more than anything patriotic, really pround to represant their country internationally realizing it's maybe the biggest thing they will ever do. And indeed it was...
Markku Aro's time to remember his moment: "Ossi Runne smiles fatherly and I calm down, the music starts and off we go!" I want fatherly conductors back!
Ami Aspelund also praises Ossi Runne who was there to tell jokes and relax her. She also remembers the intro seemed to last forever and even too fast!
Time for the recap. Hmmm... Oskar? Stala? Saara? Marko?
Then we talk about the current Eurovision song contest voting system (the famous 1,2,3...8, 10, 12) that is invented in... guess? Finland!
And the voting for the first round is over!And now comes the toilet break, sorry I mean the humour interval act. See you in a bit!
And now the results. The first superfinalist is.... PARADISE OSKAR!!!!! And then... FATHER MCKENZIE!!???? wtf? And last but not least.... SAARA AALTO!! Ok, the Swedish speaking mafia has spoken and outdone granny and heavy mafia.... Now it has to be Oskar!
Marco Bjurström comments now the show and results and just like last year also this time I have to agree with him. Namely he never believed Father McKenzie would get this far!
Now Paradise Oskar back on stage with his Da da dam. He's back on track. Great performance! Relaxed and sweet, good camerawork and right sparkle in the eye! The audience participated with cheer and singing da da dam along with him. Great! Go Oskar!!!! And Marco gives him praise: he is himself on stage in every way and if someone gets the audience singing with himself is exactly what Eurovision is all about. And no need to change a thing: just the guy and the guitar, no gimmicks.
Father McKenzie giving it a go again, is it Good enough this time? I still think it's plain boring. The singer looks a bit stiff on stage or is he just scared? All my hopes are now this not winning and I doubt it will. Marco isn't that impressed either. Plastic, a little bit wannabe everything from Elton John to most everyone. Marco is surprised this made the final instead of the rock entries. And this will sink in Germany. I totally agree!
Saara Aalto with Blessed with love now. The presentation is very Alvadansen isn't it? She can sing for sure but why I don't get impressed by this? I try but... no. And she still needs to focus on her facial impressions as well. Audience liked it for sure. Standing ovation. Marco thinks she's a real talent: self written song, those high notes and difficult variations. Maybe a bit dramatic. Marco would send Saara or Oskar to Germany. So would I. He prefers Saara, I prefer Oskar and soon we will see who Finns prefer. While Finns vote we enjoy some Linda Lampenius & Gentlemen with Elton John's Your song.
The voting is about to end.... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Stop!
It's time for the fan favourite voted by viisukuppila.fi and lovely Anna Muurinen is on stage with diploma and flowers.... and the winner is... PARADISE OSKAR! Or Axel as his name is.
Linda Lampenius brings the results to Jaana & Tom now....
Third with 12% votes is..... FATHER MCKENZIE!
Saara and Oskar on stage now....
The winner is with 47% against 41%.... PARADISE OSKAR!!!!!!!!!!
Hmmm.... a bit weird end to the show. The song is playing playback and Oskar is on stage looking lost with flowers and award.... He was already very surprised and confused to win the fan award as he didnät know one existed!
The show has started from Turku, the European city of culture 2011 with Jaana Pelkonen and Tom Bylund, Both are wearing suede, Jaana green and Tom black. The Caribia arena is packed and atmosphere hot.
After a short presentation the artists walk the catwalk to the green room area while their song is played. Actually a very good idea!After this parade Jaana & Tom are back on stage, some voting information and then we are ready to start, are we? Exciting? Oh yes, and our ex-Eurovision stars will tell how they felt second before the start, first Hanna Pakarinen. "Total panic. But then I just started to laugh. for nervousness I saw and heard the Finnish audience go wild and then .... it was cool!"
1. Eveliina Määttä - Dancing in the dark
Eveliina got YLE's wildcard to the final and I still wonder why? Not bad but indifferent. Rather pleasant but in a boring way. Uninspired. And what's with this neon-vampires thing? Makes it a bit dark and gloomy when it might work better as a happy colorful staging? But on a positive side she looks more relaxed and laidback than in semifinals and sings well. It's just a bit too much on the "nice" side to stand out.Anneli Saaristo next: "I was shitscared. I'm not religious but I was like Oh my God, don't let me screw it now!"
2. Sami Hintsanen - Täältä maailmaan
Big sign of relief. He has been shopping and wears black jeans, black jacket and white shirt. Nothing else in the performance has been changed (on the other hand it's strickly forbidden by YLE) Vocally he is good as expected but this song is nowhere as good as Kleemola's own song last year, Sun puolella. Old-fashioned in a boring way, very dated and Sami isn't exxactly a sexsymbol who would get votes for that as a bonus....Previously Marco Bjurström critized the show for being boring and not very creative. Also YLE has put very critical commentary on the internet. Is this self irony or a sign of changes to come in 2012?
Ann-Christine tells how Ossi Runne made her relax in 1966 just before going to stage when she was worried she would forget the lyrcis: "Don't worry. No one understands Finnish anyways. No one will notice!"
3. Milana Misic - Sydämeni kaksi maata
Little changes in Milana's dress she tore today in the rehearsals but seems to be sewn up now. She's got her dancers and fires for her fusion of Balcan sounds, oriental and Finnish schlager. It's a weird cocktail that starts to sound pretty good after few listenings. If she wins it'll be in English in Germany as The two countries of my heart. She sung well and said she would use her mother as PR gimmick in Eurovision.... oh why you ask? Because her mother Laila Kinnunen was our very first Eurovision artist!Marion Rung, who has sung in Eurovision twice, both times in Luxembourg and both times singing first said she was very nervous and had to concentrate only on the audience she saw infront of her, not the TV audience. (But as she's a real professional we didn't see a thing on TV about her being nervous!)
4. Paradise Oskar - Da da dam
New wardrobe to Oskar as well and now he does look more Tom Dice which is a shame. He's also standing with his guitar this time. I still think this song is better than Tom's and Oskar comes across sweet and fresh and honest. I think his semifinal performance was a 10+ but this wasn't that perfect - but he does get a big applause! Hmmm.... let's see how the televoters react!Kuunkuiskaajat were more worried if their feet were clean as they were barefoot and just before the song started they pinched each other in the ass to relax. Ok....
5. Cardiant - Rapture in time
I like this song but the main problem is the singer who is just too weak! Shame. I counted this one as a possible winner still in the semis but now I hope the heavynation won't vote this to the superfinal as I am afraid it will. They have added some pyros to the performance, quel surprise! The vocals are nearly lost before the song's finished.As a bonus we have some "humour" (not) by the stupid act we already had to suffer in semifinals....Fredi remembers his two times. Also he was worried about the lyrics most of all and controlling his breath when being nervous.
6. Johanna Iivanainen - Luojani mun
Johanna has also left that horrible red dress home and is in a white girlier dress now. And unfortunately she is singing in Finnish, sigh. The English version Skylarks in the breeze is so much better, less religious and less pointing out. But the melody is beautiful and rather catchy in a way, she sings like an angel and looks sweet and innocent. And a bit nervous to tell the truth.Riki Sorsa said he was in total panic. Someone pushed a microphone in his hand, the orchestra started and next thing he remembers is when he's thanking the people and it is over! I guess many Eurovision artists have experienced that.
7. Father McKenzie - Good enough
Jaana higlighted in her presentation this is a Swedish-Finnish band. I wonder if that will have some effect? The band has also been shopping sporting now red-black-white compinations. And it wasn't good enough in any way. Nervous and unimspired performance missing the spark that made it stand out in the semifinal. After all the song isn't that great, is it? Add almost total avoiding the cameras look and bad direction....Wonderfully fabulous Eurovision expert Anna Muurinen is intervciewed shortly. She's from viisukuppila.fi who will give out the fan award again this year. Go Anna go! Smack!
Then CatCat tell how they felt more than anything patriotic, really pround to represant their country internationally realizing it's maybe the biggest thing they will ever do. And indeed it was...
8. Marko Maunuksela - Synkän maan tango
Marko is also been shopping: red velvet jacket, black shiny pants and the hat as always. He has borrowed Milana's fires and the Argentinian-Finnish tango fusion all of sudden works well. on red stage. Suvi Karjula in backing vocals is also up and in fire tonight.I see a superfinal but I don't really want Takes two 2 tango 2 to win.Markku Aro's time to remember his moment: "Ossi Runne smiles fatherly and I calm down, the music starts and off we go!" I want fatherly conductors back!
9. Saara Aalto - Blessed with love
She starts by the piano and dark blue stage, her fairies join her and she hits the high notes, too. Indeed very Disney and movielike. Could this work? Or is it a song that in Germany would be liked by everyone, hated by no one but also no one would vote, the dreadful number 11 everywhere finishing close to null points? Hard to tell. Big applause. But I'm not sold.Ami Aspelund also praises Ossi Runne who was there to tell jokes and relax her. She also remembers the intro seemed to last forever and even too fast!
10. Stala & So. - Pamela
I can't help it this is my favourite. He isn't the greatest singer but the glamrock show's good enough to forgive it. Energetic, positive and happy. Oh ok, his vocals are all over the place tonight! Has he got a flu? The camerawork don't help this time either but this makes me beat my feet and sing along so.... But if Jimi didn't make it through the semifinal I wouldn't be surprised if this won't make the superfinal after all...Time for the recap. Hmmm... Oskar? Stala? Saara? Marko?
Then we talk about the current Eurovision song contest voting system (the famous 1,2,3...8, 10, 12) that is invented in... guess? Finland!
And the voting for the first round is over!And now comes the toilet break, sorry I mean the humour interval act. See you in a bit!
And now the results. The first superfinalist is.... PARADISE OSKAR!!!!! And then... FATHER MCKENZIE!!???? wtf? And last but not least.... SAARA AALTO!! Ok, the Swedish speaking mafia has spoken and outdone granny and heavy mafia.... Now it has to be Oskar!
Marco Bjurström comments now the show and results and just like last year also this time I have to agree with him. Namely he never believed Father McKenzie would get this far!
Now Paradise Oskar back on stage with his Da da dam. He's back on track. Great performance! Relaxed and sweet, good camerawork and right sparkle in the eye! The audience participated with cheer and singing da da dam along with him. Great! Go Oskar!!!! And Marco gives him praise: he is himself on stage in every way and if someone gets the audience singing with himself is exactly what Eurovision is all about. And no need to change a thing: just the guy and the guitar, no gimmicks.
Father McKenzie giving it a go again, is it Good enough this time? I still think it's plain boring. The singer looks a bit stiff on stage or is he just scared? All my hopes are now this not winning and I doubt it will. Marco isn't that impressed either. Plastic, a little bit wannabe everything from Elton John to most everyone. Marco is surprised this made the final instead of the rock entries. And this will sink in Germany. I totally agree!
Saara Aalto with Blessed with love now. The presentation is very Alvadansen isn't it? She can sing for sure but why I don't get impressed by this? I try but... no. And she still needs to focus on her facial impressions as well. Audience liked it for sure. Standing ovation. Marco thinks she's a real talent: self written song, those high notes and difficult variations. Maybe a bit dramatic. Marco would send Saara or Oskar to Germany. So would I. He prefers Saara, I prefer Oskar and soon we will see who Finns prefer. While Finns vote we enjoy some Linda Lampenius & Gentlemen with Elton John's Your song.
The voting is about to end.... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Stop!
It's time for the fan favourite voted by viisukuppila.fi and lovely Anna Muurinen is on stage with diploma and flowers.... and the winner is... PARADISE OSKAR! Or Axel as his name is.
Linda Lampenius brings the results to Jaana & Tom now....
Third with 12% votes is..... FATHER MCKENZIE!
Saara and Oskar on stage now....
The winner is with 47% against 41%.... PARADISE OSKAR!!!!!!!!!!
Hmmm.... a bit weird end to the show. The song is playing playback and Oskar is on stage looking lost with flowers and award.... He was already very surprised and confused to win the fan award as he didnät know one existed!
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