YLE, we have a problem.
What happens now? UMK has delivered in eight years only three Eurovision finalist (2013, 2014 and 2018) and even two of those have placed 24th and 25th in the final, the only exception being Softengine's 11th place in 2014. A lot critizied internal selection for the artist used past two years hasn't been the key to success and last night YLE was once again asking people how they would like the Finnish entry be selected next year. Before they have told us nothing has been decided yet for next year's method.
What happens now? UMK has delivered in eight years only three Eurovision finalist (2013, 2014 and 2018) and even two of those have placed 24th and 25th in the final, the only exception being Softengine's 11th place in 2014. A lot critizied internal selection for the artist used past two years hasn't been the key to success and last night YLE was once again asking people how they would like the Finnish entry be selected next year. Before they have told us nothing has been decided yet for next year's method.
Two years ago YLE angered the Finnish musicians and songwriters by throwing all their work, time and money invested to rubbish pin by changing it all all of sudden by choosing Saara Aalto internally. This year they came out telling how difficult it was to find someone when every big artist turned the offer down from Antti Tuisku to Sunrise Avenue, Jenni Vartiainen and The Rasmus, just to name a few mentioned. This put the artists in a bit akward position as indirectly YLE labelled them as cowards and losers. And here comes why:
Media crucifixion.
The Finnish media tend to crucify the chosen one already before, and certainly afterwards if they don't reach the final or do well. That has been on for decades. Can't we be more Icelandic who support their own no matter what and accept the defeat when it comes and move on? But Finns no. Ask Seija Simola who's succesful career ended there and then and never recovered and eventually she withdraw from the spotlight completely. Ask Sandhja who's suffered depression, burnout and who's career also ended right there. Sing it away? No way. She lost all her will to sing and is only now slowly trying to make her way back, but far from the media spotlight. There are many other examples who's careers were ruined and who don't want to talk nor remember Eurovision as a their career peak as it should be. Does Pave Maijanen's 4-CD box of his greatest hits and songs include his entry? No.
Last night Darude's first comment was a f-word, later worded better in print, as the guys didn't want to meet the Finnish press in person but sent a written statement to the press instead. He and Sebastian Rejman didn't want to do Eurovision at first but Darude agreed in the end thanks to his American wife, who saw the potential of it to his career beyond the Finnish way of thinking. Throughout the interviews one could tell they truly enjoyed their time in the Bubble and did a great job. They really wanted to reach the final to be able to experience the whole Bubble experience and who can blame them? It's a real once in a life time thing, and you can't describe the Bubble if you haven't been there. I have. And it indeed is something else. But it was Finns who chose the song, so don't blame the artists. Let's stop this crucifuing.
No wonder Finnish artists don't want to do Eurovision. All this negativity in media feeds the negativity in social media that feeds the negativity in people's coffee table talks. Could be end this vicious circle? Starting with press!
YLE is in a difficult place now, back against the wall so to speak. People want big stars who don't want to touch Eurovision for all that, not realizing how much promotion, contacts, visibility, fans you get all over Europe (ask Krista Siegfrids for example) and beyond. The placement in the scoreboard is just a minor detail and only the winner remains in the history books for its placement. No one remembers where you landed unless it's last with zero points in some cases. And even that can be turned into a victory: ask Kojo.
On the brighter side, it seems the instant reaction to the disqualification has been rather mild and the usual shitstorm didn't quite materialize. People have taken it less serious, even with hmour concentrating their negativity on those who did make the final, Slovenia and San Marino as prime examples.
There is hope but UMK2020 is wide open.
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