Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Finland did most likely choose the right entry with Paradise Oskar's Da da dam but there were some other worthy entries that I would have supported full blast if chosen. Both fell flat on TV though for the stage act but that is something that could have been fixed before the main event. Jimi Constantine started of as the favourite to win and his Party to party is indeed a catchy Bon Jovi-esque number. Had he only tuned down his performance he might have made it to the final and then... who knows? Stala & So with their Pamela did make it to the final and once again weak performance may have worked against them, no matter Stala is an Eurovision winner already as ex-Lordi. Sadly both songs were never heard again once the Euroviisut was over.

Jimi Constantine with his Party to party was the fan favourite and also considered in medias as one of the biggest favourites to win Euroviisut 2011. Instead the televoters turned their back on him and left him out of the final. This has caused some headlines in Finland (and finally people are talking about Euroviisut so in that way it is positive at least!) and speculation for the possible wildcard has started. Indeed it will be interesting to see if YLE grants him the wildcard and if so, how will he do in the final in that case!?  And will he polish and turn down his performance ? Irony in all this is he has been the one who has been doing a lot of PR not only to himself but to Euroviisut in general the past two months - which can't be said about any of the other artists - and seemed like taking it seriously, ready and willing to work hard for doing Finland proud in Germany. Will the party continue in February? And will the accusation of a bit too much alikeness to It's my l...

Surprising results in Euroviisut 2011 second semifinal, proving just how important the live performance is and how it can change it all. Precontest favourite and serious contender for Germany Jimi Constantine is out - unless YLE picks it out as the wildcard - propably due to the performance that was way too much and totally killed a good song. Or was it the champagne? Money? Stripping? Same for Soma Manuchar , only that she didn't have a good song to start with and the styling was totally disastrous. WTF was she wearing? So, less is more Paradise Oskar made it and proved the guy is a born perfomer, loves the camera and camera loves him back. Milana Misic made it as well with her cocktail of Balcan, latin and Finnish music and stylish performance by Osku Heiskanen. Last but not least Father McKenzie with their Swedish style song and performance. Let's see how the things turn out in the last and third semifinal next Friday. After tonight nothing can be taken for granted!

After the rather weak first semifinal last Friday in Finland the things heat up tomorrow with the second one. Jimi Constantine and Paradise Oskar, two big favourites and possible winners are in and the other three Milana Misic, Father McKenzie and Soma Manuchar also have their share of supporters. Last week's semi however was a success for TV2 as it was the most watched programme on Friday and also the third most watched the whole week with 634.000 viewers.  This week I suppose Jimi Constantine and Paradise Oskar should qualify if they do well live, especially the unexprienced latter one.I wouldn't mind if Jimi won the whole thing and went to Germany! Then it's open field and I wouldn't be surprised if Milana qualified ahead of fan favourite (see Automatic Eye last week) Father McKenzie while I think Soma will have Jonna's fate? Check out the songs and Jimi's and Soma's videos here: Jimi Constantine - Party to party Father McKenzie - Good enough Milana Misi...

The Euroviisut 2011 songs have been online now for 12 hours and Jimi Constantine seems to be taking an early lead on various fan polls and comments with his Party to party. Another favourite seems to be Paradise Oskar with Da da dam . What do you think? Listen to the songs here .

Jimi Constantine (previously Jimi Pääkallo, real name Konstantinos Hiekkanen, born 1981) is no stranger to most Finns who follow music. Ex-leader of Technicolour and familiar from many movies, TV series and other production and most of all from Stricktly come dancing last season and the Finnish Fear factor . In spring 2011 he will release his debut solo album and is currently performing live all over Finland this winter. He has also collaborated with many other artists, including Cristal Snow, Aikakone and Princessa Avenue - already familiar from the Finnish and the Russian national selections. His first solo single is Dirty Cinderella but you can hear him also in Cheek's Koukussa , and Uniikki's Niinku elokuvis . He's also involved in Cristal Snow's Surrender just to name a few. He promises the best party on stage and afterwards so let's wait and see. For me he's the one I maybe expect the most....  I was a Technicolour fan back then:  Teach me love , Firefl...

Jimi Constantinen (ex-Jimi Pääkallo, real name Konstantinos Hiekkanen, 29) promises the best party in Euroviisut 2011.  "I'm gonna give the biggest party both on stage and in afterparty. Everyone's invited! Euroviisut is nothing new to me, I already did Cristal Snow's Can't save me two years ago. " Jimi has also widen his collaborations last few years with writing to rappers Uniikki and Cheek as well as some schlager for Janne Leino. In his Technicolour days he also scored several hits, has done Strickly gone dancing and Fear factor in 2008. He has also acted in several movies and TV-series and written songs for many Russian (incl. Princessa Avenue) and Latvian artists, too.