Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Czech Republic is riding with success lately at the Eurovision song contest and their national selection Escz will go live instead of just videos this year. On January 30 the five participants will be streamed live via eurovision.tv and national broadcaster and people everywhere may vote for the winner until February 6, when the winner will be announced. The voting will be 70/30% international/national votes.  Among the artist already familiar Pam Rabbit who hopes to be third time lucky having participated already in 2019 and 2020, besides being already on Eurovision stage in 2018 with Mikolas Josef. Another familiar name is Markéta Irglová. Yes, the very same Markéta from last year's Icelandic selection as that's where she lives these days, despite working mostly in the US. Rodan was awarded as The Discovery of the Year 2021 in Czech Republic, Vesna comes from folk-pop world, and Maella who has gone from jazz to alt-pop and loved by BBC Introducing completes the five-some. Upd...

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

Eurovision song contst 2018 winner Netta has finally released a follow up to her victorious Toy , namely Bassa Sababa that is just about as hysterical as the name sounds. Her runner up Eleni Foureira is enjoying success already with her second post-ESC single Tómame after Caramela . Same story for Mikolas Josef who has just released Abu Dhabi , following Me gusta . And Ermal Meta has another duet (following solo effort Dall'alba al tramonto ), this tim with rapper J-Ax. 

Czech Republic's semi internal selection has delivered the winner and it's band Lake Malawi with their Friend of a friend . Public would have preferred Jakub Ondra, but Lake Malawi was the runner up and being joint first in the jury vote with Barbora Mochova emerged as the winner. They now have a hard task to continue Mikolas Josef's excellent 6th placing last year....  The band was formed 2013 of Albert Černý (lead vocal, guitar), Jeroným Šubrt (bass and keys) and Antonín Hrabal (drums). Pavel Palát (guitars) left the band after the debut album in 2017 and they continue as a trio. 

Czech Republic is using last year's method for choosing their Eurovision 2019 entry. They have hard time to follow up with last year's success when Mikolas Josef's Lie to me became a sort of an phenomenom. It's not easy. The chosen artists seem all good singers, but the songs are a bit anonymous lacking identity that would make them memorable in any way. Most of them sound like non finalists come May. Jakub Ondra's Space Sushi sounds like a perfect follow up to Mikolas, but then again... is it trying a bit too much? And does he have the stage presence and star quality Mikolas had? The voting is on eurovision.tv and also international jury will have its say before we know who gets selected.  Hana Barbara -  Poslední slova tobě  *** Tomáš Boček - Don't know why  *** Andrea Holá - Give me a hint  ** Pam Rabbit - Easy to believe  ** Lake Malawi feat. Albert Černý - Friend of a friend  ** Barbora Mochowa - True colors  ** Jakub On...

CZECH REPUBLIC - MIKOLAS JOSEF - LIE TO ME I know you 'bop-whop-a-lu bop' on his wood bamboo Vocals **** Staging **** Song ***** Overall ***** Qualifier LITHUANIA - IEVA ZASIMAUSKAITÈ - WHEN WE'RE OLD I’m not afraid to grow old if I have your hand to hold Vocals **** Staging **** Song ***** Overall **** Likely qualifier ISRAEL - NETTA - TOY You're stupid just like your smart phone Vocals ***** Staging *** Song ***** Overall **** Qualifier   BELARUS - ALEKSEEV - FOREVER Rain keeps on falling, and I know you’ll be mine forever... Vocals ** Staging ** Song ** Overall ** Borderline qualifier

Mikolas Josef entered hospital after he hurt his back during the rehearsals this afternoon. Apparently at one point during the rehearsals he stopped the show by "Stop, stop! safety first!" when their prop didn't feel safe. Later, sadly he injured himself. He first noted on his social media channels: “The first thing that has come to my mind is that Eurovision has ended for me, and I am terribly disappointed for the fans who sent me here. I will do my best to return to the stage as soon as possible and fight for the best place.” Later tonight more news as it often happens; the injuries don't often come instantly but make themselves present later. This blogger has some personal experience of such, too.  “I can confirm that I got injured during the rehearsal and the situation got worse after several hours. I cant even walk now. Got back from the first hospital and I am now heading to another one. Thanks for all your messages and prayers we are all doing ou...

The rehearsals continue after lucnh break with threee more countries, among them two top favorites Czech Republic and Israel, still #1 in the betting odds, and this blogger's favortire Lithuania... Czech Republic - Mikolas Josef - Lie to me It seems one of the favorites didn't quite deliver yet as Czech Republic's entry is described a mess pretty much in unison. The colors (pink/blue/purple) are there, the stairs are there, so are the breakdancers miming also as trumpet players and having their own props: light walls, and the choreography but it doesn't fill the stage the way it's ment to do, nor the camera angles are right there. If they only get the idea and concept work on screen.... Colorful and fun, vocally no problem. This blogger believes they'll sort it all out. Mikolas himself tried different acrobatics to add to the performance, such as front flip... Let's see what he'll do in the end...  Update: He has been taken to hospital fo...

  Ukraine - Mélovin - Under the ladder Mélovin (21), X Factor Ukraine winner (after three unsuccesful auditions!) and last year's televoting winner in the national final for Eurovision (but placing only 3rd) took revenge this year with self composed  Under the ladder . The song is catchy and keeps building towards the burning end, he's got a gimmick in his look that makes him memorable, as is the staging. I don't remember seeing an artist start the perform mid stage ending up by the piano in the end - isn't it always the other way around? He seems also very secure on stage and the end of the performance is on fire. He will be a certain qualifier but how far he will go in the final? Hmmm ... 7/10 Czech Republic - Mikolas Josef - Lie to me Mikolas (22) is the first Czech with a real possibility. He was asked by the local tv already last year but turned down the song not feeling it suitable for him. Smart choice as now he's back with a jackpot. A sur...

After winning the international juries vote the online voting hs been added and there's no doubt it: Mikolas Josef's groovy Lie to me is the winner in Czech Republic and is set to do wonders in Lisbon. Maybe. At least it's their best effort yet: original, catchy, different from the rest with a likable artist and great video. Now it's all up to his live vocals and staging..... Out with the gorille, in with the camel - it's 2018!

  Czech Republic is also going for a national final after several internal choices. Sort of. Six songs (picked out among the about 400 submissions) and their videos were revealed today. The voting  has started on Eurovision App and even if everyone can vote, only the Czech votes count. The winneer will be announced on January 29 without any further show or whatsoever. Keep it simple. The entries are: DOCTOR VICTOR - STANDUP MIKOLAS JOSEF - LIE TO ME EDDIE STOILOW - WE RULE THIS WORLD PAVEL CALLTA - NEVER FORGET DEBBI - HIGH ON LOVE EVA BURESOVA - FLY