Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Mahmood Summertime is the time for the Eurovision stars to enjoy the sun, sea, sand and beach like any common mortals, and showcase their muscles or bikini bodies. Here's a round up of their Instagrams for your viewing pleasure. Laura Rizzotto Max Jason Mai Iveta Amir Zena ByeAlex Edurne Deen Elhaida Dani Elnur Nina Zilli Miki Samra Mikolas Josef Kaliopi Hovig Amaia John Lundvik

 Chingiz at the low point aka Dead Sea, looking forward for the high point  Pensive John.  will she be 22 or 18?  Mahmood's time to visit Jerusalem.  Netta's pyjama party.  KEiiNO met toy Netta.  Waiter, there's a fave in my cappuccino!  So much sadness in one photo. Bromance, Class '19

Israel - Kobi Marimi - Home **** Now what to say? This is my second favorite in the whole contest and I'm not sure if I like this staging with rain of fire and pyros, and apparently choir joining with him on stage and all. And the new intro if they're using that version. I was hoping for something more sober,  intimate and touching, like the song but on the other hand the pressure is off, and the arena will explode anyways when he hits Home so it wouldn't be so intimate and mininal anyways..... Staging meh, song pure love. France - Bilal Hassani - Roi ** Call me cynical if you want but I don't buy these inspirational slogans, body challenged dancers and confused genres. I'm not saying they don't matter or are important, but this is too much in your face and too much underlining every little thing and only makes me feel unconfortable. Whatever his message is he's preaching I don't want to hear it here. There, I said it. Crucify me now. I re...

Happy quartet Grrece and Turkey - no problem! Greece & Macedonia - no problem! Kate's poles The podium? Co op (without) limits

 Israel - Kobi Marimi - Home **** This is one of my top favorites this year and it's a bit hard to be objective. What little I can see from the video above it's kept rather simple, which is good. Kobi's voice is enough. Now I don't know if they're using the new version of the song or the original. I'd love the original with the wonderful lamenting intro instead of the orchestrated one but I also understand the reasons why they may have changed it. Understand but not agree. I wait for the 2nd rehearsal to see if this gets the 5th star.   France - Bilal Hassani - Roi *** Inspiring words in the background, long long wig and two very different dancers on stage with him - isn't the one on left from some Talent or where did I see her?! Anyways, I'm not a big fan of these preacher ones and even if Bilal isn't Conchita with the message the comparison is too easy to make and that might make this a bit feel like same old, same old. Also this I nee...

 Italy's Mahmood , one of the main contenders has arrived and apparently feeling better after being ill the past few days.  UK's Michael Rice was the first to arrive today..... ... and Spain's Miki last! The cast is complete!

First, most every song sounded better live than on record, and the artists sung reasonably well and the comparasion to last night's French semi-final was striking where most everyone was showcasing shaky vocals, bad mixing and general worse than on studio performances. There were a couple Pastora Soler wannabes and one Alvaro Soler one, and one Famous showcasing Carola-like determination to make it and come across the screen making televoters to vote him out of fear. (They didn't). And a big favorite who didn't want to win and showed it in her performance  bit too clearly. Last year's Alfred made an appearence but no sight of Amaia. Eleni came instead and showed once again how to make that hair fly.... And in the end Spanish televoters didn't the right choice: Miki's Alvarosoleresque La venda won over overrated and IdontwanttogotoIsrael-Maria's Muerdeme . With a better remix and fixed staging Spain may have a real chance this year! Miki Núñez Pozo ...

Unlike last year Opeeración Triunfo was brought to the end - and victory of Famous - before they started the search for Euroviison entry and entrant in a separate competition. Out of song submissions  (953 + over 100 from invited songwriters) 17 were chosen and given to the OT artists. Next the public has a chance to select three songs with online voting until January 2 while the jury selects the other seven finalists.... It's good to hear Spain is sticking to the Latin sounds mostly.  Famous – No Puedo Más  *** FINALIST Miki – La Venda   **** FINALIST Alba – Qué Será Luego  * Miki & Natalia – Nadie Se Salva   ** FINALIST Julia – Qué Quieres Que Haga   ** FINALIST Natalia – La Clave   **** ONLINE FINALIST Sabela – Dímelo de Frente  *** Sabela – Hoy Soñaré   ** FINALIST Miki – El Equilibrio   ** Noelia – Hoy Vuelvo a Reír Otra Vez   *** ONLINE FINALIST Marilia – Todo Bien  *** FINALIST María ...