Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Last night in the second semi-final we saw finally the tv-screen performances of the remaining Big5 and Ukraine. Or rather a little preview as they were recorded in Wednesday night's dress rehearsal. Spain. I still continue to believe this could be shock flop for the fandom. I find it so hard to think television viewers in Eastern and Northern Europe or anywhere outside Iberian peninsula would like this enough to take the phone or app and show some love instead of something else. Quien maneja mi barca flopped totally. She's great and it all looks stunning but it seems most people like the performance but don't want to listen to this song alone. Including myself. I love the fact Spain went for a song like this, but this might be just a bit too much to bite. Next year go rather Bandido than Quien maneja mi barca, ok? Ukraine, when first seen in national final I didn't care so much but noticed the fantastic staging and those video screen effects etc. Now with remix and ext...

Today completed the individual rehearsals when The Big5 and Ukraine had their second rehearsal (20 minutes). From Monday we will have the full dress rehearsals.  Germany apparently uses each and every light there's in the arena at some point of their 3 minutes sporting their the most extravagant costumes since Lordi. Quite fitting as the band feels very much at home in Finland where they record and produce their very Finnish sounding music. And they just also covered Käärijä's Cha cha cha, have a listen here.    Keeping up with the theme blood & glitter France provides more glitter than anyone else. And La Zarra some risky business on top of a disco stick.  Italy or Marco mengoni continues the trend with a new glittery sparkly top (indeed he promised he would wear a different one for each time). There's the moon to add, and two guys or due vite. Fandom is sleeping on this, this is Top-5 finish material.  A minor costume change for Ukraine and we are also don...

The rehearsals started on stage in Liverpool arena for the Eurovision song contest 2023 four days ago and today we got to "see" the Big5 and Ukraine's first 30 minutes rehearsal. As Ebu once again is using TikTok for the short tiny rehearsal clips I'm not going to care much of them. But here is a collection of photos and impressions and observations by your truly of the closed doors happenings. Mind you, I'm all in favor for this closed door policy: the delegations must have a little bit privacy and peace and quiet to polish their acts before they are given to the sharks aka fandom eager to criticize every tiny detail. And also I kinda like the idea we are given as little as possible to watch before the shows so there will be surprises and wow effect - if you have seen it all beforehand where's the fun? The first rehearsal is 30 minutes for each meaning 3-4 run through. After that the delegation gathers to a viewing room and changes are discussed and made for ...

Here it is! The incorruptible, infallible and most reliable Blogilkar's Home Jury made of people in their teens, 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's, mainly Finnish and mainly those who turn into Eurovision only on that one Saturday night, enjoy the show and that's it. Most everyone heard the songs for the first time so this was a true first impression judgement. And thus they had no idea about the fan polls, betting odds and trivial information and expectations. And boy did they turn those pools and odds around mostly, sinking some major favorites and enjoying some real underdogs. I will countdown the full ranking day by day until we have our winner out just before Liverpool is in full swing. This year I publish very few comments or opinions. Just the average score (we voted 1 to 10). In short this year is considered a bit poor by the jurors compared to for example last year and it may show in the somewhat low scores. Anyways: Enjoy! 11. UNITED KINGDOM - Mae Muller - I w...

United Kingdom has ended a long rumor mill this morning by announcing their entrant for Liverpool's Eurovision song contest 2023 will be  A long string of female artists were rumored over the past weeks and months. Freya Ridigs, Birdy, Mimi Webb and especially Rina Sawayama were mentioned along with Mae Muller who was leaked yesterday by Sun. Mae wrote a song and now she's here! Actually I kinda enjoy this!