When the Cheshire emerges...

It's all OVER! Can you believe it? I'm going to feel all sad now taking everything down and having to wait another year. I've never decorated before!

I tweeted this to @SBSEurovision to say that it was Julia's first Eurovision experience so I wanted to make it one she wouldn't forget. The amount of actually great songs in the final made that job a little bit easier! And she really enjoyed herself :)

To spare you from reading (and myself from writing) recaps of most of the songs, you can look at my wrap-ups of semi-final one and semi-final two. For now, my thoughts on hearing the Big Five and host nation's hopefuls.

UK -  Love Will Set You Free by Englebert Humperdinck - The only song I'd heard in full before any Eurovision coverage. And I didn't mind it then. But since hearing the other songs, it's a shame that there was such strong competition. BUT: he hit the notes right and like Julia Zemiro, I REALLY liked it.
- Liked 49 per cent on the SBS Eurovision website after the song's completion.


France - Echo (You and I) by Anggun - This chick reminds me of Crystal, someone I used to work with. Almost a dead ringer. What I'd seen of the preview sounded better... I like her, but the chorus was the best. Great use of the wind machine. "Anggun: Queen of the Desert." - Julia.
- 39 per cent


Italy - Out of Love by Nina Zilli - Liked this much more than expected, especially for the fact it's Italy. Nice and poppy, with a bit of attitude. She looks like a trashy (or better?) Amy Winehouse.
- 77 per cent


Azerbaijan - Love Come by Sabina Babayeva  - The effects hologrammed on her dress? A bit weird. The whole thing's stuck in the 90s jst a little bit - and all the feathers... too much below the shoulders. The song's not too bad though, and she's beautiful.
- 51 per cent

Spain - Paedora zoler - Cat eye makeup did not work, sorry hun. The song was a really safe ballad. Someone tweeted she'd look like the Statue of Liberty if she had a torch... fair call.
- 42 per cent




Germany - Standing Still by Roman Lob - Goodness me, how amazingly good-looking he is, really casual but great *sigh*. However, the name Roman immediately makes me think of Days of Our Lives. Thankfully there's no actual resemblance. Oh the song? Pretty great actually. Mainstream - but not strong enough to win.
(TWEET: "If the ladies of Europe had their way we'd be back in Germany in 2013. With Lena's farm and small dogs of course)
- 71 per cent
***

Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang highlights:
- Julia with Anggun - what Julia knew in Indonesian, somehow: "I'm going to the market to buy a chicken". Excellent.
- Sam in the blue wig to go with Nina Zilli, looking like her brother apparently.
- Julia telling Ivi Adamou is a mix of Anne Hathaway and Liv Tyler and the poor girl doesn't know who they are. She WILL google it later.
- Sam to Kurt Calleja asking about his time as an airline steward. Hilarious.
- Sam still annoyed with the lack of trombonist in the Romanian song.
- Julia convinced Tooji jinxed his results for not doing an interview with SBS.
Also: costume changes... the Penelope Cruz looked pretty doll-like (re: gorgeous) in every change. Nice different dresses that show off how incredibly teeny her waist is.

White count - only four or five I think. Terrible.

And hottest guy award goes to *drum roll...* Germany! I think I knew that long before, but he had some real decent competition this year. So well done Roman, you're now held in very high esteem.
***

The interval act... Amin(?)...

TWEET: Oh for God's sake, I could've gone to the toilet this whole time...

 - Azerbaijan president's son-in-law. Of course he is. Longest wait for an entrance possibly ever. But he was okay actually. Better looking then he did sing... a Shannon Noll correlation from Julia and Sam totally made sense.

***

The voting...

So SO disappointing. For possibly the strongest overall final I've ever seen, I'm as confused as Julia with Denmark and Norway's disappointing results. Especially Norway!!! That was one of my top three on SBS Eurovision (with Greece and Sweden in a tough choice). And although the UK's used to languishing these days, I truly feel sorry for Engelbert Humperdinck. The Hump deserved better than that.

AHAHAHA Leila was trying not to laugh when Lordi tried being smart about Finland. The changing nature background, taking three minutes longer than everyone else... boooo.

We saw a clapping Mrs Doubtfire and a redux of Tony Manero's white suit among the spokespersons, and the whole thing generally ran through pretty quickly.
***
The win...



Euphoria by Loreen. Excellent club hit from Sweden.

Sam called it at about the three-quarter mark. He wasn't wrong. This was a LANDSLIDE. We knew the song was good. But this year was damn strong. I didn't even really have a standout favourite! I truly think this year deserved to have a close result more than any other contest I've seen. As much as I'm cool with the win I'm a bit disappointed with such a skewed result.
So Sweden 2013. Julia put it first: will ABBA come out of retirement for a special performance?
***

Well! That's it! I've been busy blogging Eurovision steadily over the last few weeks and it's done! If you want to have a read about my love for the song contest in the time I've watched, catch up on the rest of the My decade of Eurovision series.

My decade of Eurovision: the beginning
My decade of Eurovision: the Greek affair
My decade of Eurovision: repeat offenders
My decade of Eurovision: whitewash
A year ago today: Dusseldorf, Eurovision Song Contest
My decade of Eurovision: wailing for Wogan
My decade of Eurovision: special guests
My decade of Eurovision: 2012

Still on the Charlie Pickering thing, Sam Pang was critical of the lowness of Eldar's tie. My mother thinks Eldar's scary, but I think he's just nervous so that's why he fixes his smile. Leila's maroon dress was beautiful.

Serbia - Love Is Not A Thing by Zeljko Joksimovic - I like this guy. Love that the Serbs keep choosing native-language songs, this is a decent ballad. And I'm always more for the Eurotrash stuff.
- 61 per cent yay from #SBSEurovision viewers following the song's completion

FYR Macedonia - Crno i Belo by Kaliopi - in Macedonian,  a black pantsuit. Operatic ballad, simple stage. Until the... TWEET: "Her pantsuit was appropriate until the rock music began. There's no glitter leotard to be revealed underneath? #SBSEurovision". Hand over face and "I love you" to end to ruin ending.
- 45 per cent

The Netherlands - You and Me by Joan Franka - Surprised her feathers aren't on fire from the that surround her to go with the theme of 'light your fire' to beat any pyrotechnics display. WTF? That was horrible, country-style and really not with lyrics worth caring about.
- 25 per cent

Malta - This Is The Night by Kurt Calleja - Skinny pants with suit jacket looks great, the song's definitely catchy enough (except the female vocalist, she's a waste)... and woah, putting on the MJ - no wait, Elvis moves on. Go Malta!
- 66 per cent

Belarus - We Are The Heroes by Lightsound - Elijah Wood gone blonde, taller and metal on us. That's Belarus. The guy was alright... the song was boppy, but too much with the graphics in the background... of what, machine parts?
- 47 per cent

Interview with the lady running the wind machine... genius. The hosts giving roses - nice, but random. Lighting guy: "Is the hug for free?" Aw, bless.

Portugal - Vida Minha by Filipa Sousa - It sounds like there should be some dramatic tussle between a couple, montages thrown in. It's a movie song. And someone tweeted she was channeling  34

Ukraine - Be My Guest by Gaitana - TWEET: Miss Universe on the catwalk there with the start of Ukraine, turning into an 'I Will Survive"-esque power pop tune. Weird dress for backup dancers. Only words I can remember are 'be my guest'. But finally - WHITE.
- 66 per cent

Bulgaria - Love Unlimited by Sofi Marinova - THIS is what I'm TALKING ABOUT. Euro-dance gets me up like nothing else. Her outfit (white, yesss) looks like a superhero gone wrong but at least there weren't any dancers to clash with her on stage.
- 41 per cent

Slovenia - I Believe by Boto - Only 16 years old, looks old to Sam and me too. But more white and native-languageness... I didn't mind it at all actually.
- 41 per cent

Croatia - Neno by Nina Badric - Another ballad? They said it was the power ballad semi, and this was good in Croatian. But I need more Euro-dance...
- 62 per cent

Sweden - Euphoria by Loreen - Yes, the one everyone raved about. The song - amazing. The choreography not so much. Comfy being barefoot for sure, but the MC Hammer and Karate Kid mix was just a bit too weird for me. But she'll do well.
- Missed it because of damn Twitter running slow. But Australia's going gaga. 83 per cent afterwards.

Georgia -   - Crazy lace suit from the dancer. Hard act to follow, and it was so-so. Lots of backup dancers, not a lot of substance (well duh, but just stating the obvious).
- 37 per cent

Turkey - Love Me Back by Can Bonomo - Turkish indie apparently where the singer's voice changes from high to low and high again. Come on Sacha Baron Cohen, reveal yourself.
- 39 per cent

Estonia - Kulla by Ott Lepland - Won Estonian Idol and was in their High School Musical (dubbing?) Has nice teeth. And a really nice voice. But I'm kinda over the ballads because there were so many. He was a nice guy - cute blonde with a sweet-sounding song but not a standout.
- 61 per cent

Interviews: what a rocker Max from Slovakia is, trying to pick up Julia like a total, well... rockstar. Meanwhile, Sam's discovering a girly Lena (much better, she looks gorgeous) wants to have a Eurovision 2013 with baby animals and a farm.

Slovakia - Don't Close Your Eyes by Max Jason Mai - back to the 80s, Van Halen style. He can pick me up too if he wants. The song was a nice change for the night.
- 71 per cent



Norway - Stay by Tooji - beautiful hair, great outfit (love that look). Don't know if he hits the high note very well. But TWEET: Oh this lights my fire alright... come over to Australia and stay. Please. #SBSEurovision
- 72 per cent. A winner (w/o knowing Sweden's).

Bosnia and Herzegovina - I Know Your Steps by Maya Sar - Channeling Adele with dramatic black but hair hasn't been straightened properly. Nice, but not enough this year with all the competition.
- 36 per cent

Lithuania - Love Is Blind by Donny Montell - His eyes are the dealbreaker looks-wise... and for a while he's in a glittery blindfold so makes it difficult. An okay end to the show.
- 32 per cent

***

The aftermath:

AHAHAHA Julia Zemiro: "Penelope Cruz, Charlie Pickering and another lady". I'm still trying to figure out who she is too.

I think black's the new black this year, not nearly as much white as normal. Maybe they've realised a lot of Aussies drink off that...

LOL Julia with the Norwegian dancers was the BEST presenting I've ever seen. Why I'd love to present one day...

Hottest guy award tonight's much harder... I think Tooji of Norway's taking it out with that photo I've got up. But close was definitely Estonian guy, and even the Turk and Slovakian rocker. All had something about them. However, thinking I'll be heading to Germany if Roman sticks around.

And seeing Dima Bilan again... swoon. Line up of the last five winners was great - until they butchered Waterloo. HOW DID NIKKI NOT KNOW THE WORDS? They did rehearse that right?

***

From the top, this is my first Eurovision online - and the Twitter feeds from #SBSEurovision viewers are just hilarious. But a quick wrap-up of the songs...

***

Montenegro - Euro Negro by Rambo Amadeus - everything ending in -matic and lines like "monetary breakdance" and "change to refinance", this was RANDOM. Loved his interview comment to Julia: "I don't suppose I have any fans in Australia... maybe one. Hello."
- Rated 60 per cent on SBS Eurovision immediately after the song

Iceland - Never Forget - I usually like Iceland. Cool epic violins, but the guy's stare was just uber scary. Ended with a pyrotechnic bang.
- 62 per cent

Greece - Aphrodisiac - She's as hot as Helena Paparizou... and the song was alright! Loved the little tastes of Greek dancing there... Think she'll do well. If Sakis Rouvas offered her a job she must be good.
- Missed rating. People were more concerned with her costume...

Latvia - woman struggled with tight dress and heels a bit. OK. Thought Julia got it spot on with her "canteen mums" analysis.
- 67 per cent

Albania - Oh oh. Oh oh oh. Oh oh. Weird dreadlock bun and Gaga-inspired for a soft ballad are not good fits. Can hold a note alright though.
- Missed rating

Romania - Mandinga - One couldn't get on stage (only six at a time). Satin undies. Warbling. Lots of wind. Made Greece's dress look tame.
- 58 per cent

Swtizerland - Unbreakable by Sinplus - Nickleback but turns into a real rock sound. Like U2. Vocals like World Idol winner's back in the day. Hottest guy award goes to the lead.
- 69 per cent

Belgium- Would You by Iris - At 17, young. Not good. Wavered, nervous maybe.
- 59 per cent still though. Hm.

Finland - Nar jag blundar - Mullet dress, someone tweeted a suggestion she'd gotten confused with being Scottish. Realised Finnish language sounds really strange, hypnotic.
- 61 per cent

Israel - Time - Upbeat, got a 70s look happening. Hebrew and English. Lol at Sam's David Mathieson remark.
- Ooh, only 27 per cent.

San Marino - The Social Network Song - Pretty much, if you wanna be seen by everyone... go on YouTube. Or Eurovision to log into a glittery laptop on stage. As you do.
- 45 per cent

It was hilarious. We had a drunken male host trying to pick up the female, who changed after every song, there were 12 countries participating and we got to vote in real time! Great set of songs, full of trash and parody...

***

I'm unlike most Eurovision tragics in that I don't generally go out of my way to listen to the songs ahead of the contest. I much prefer the element of surprise, and now that we have semi-finals I get to listen to half of them ahead of the final anyway.

Having said that, I was curious of Engelbert Humperdinck's entry purely because of the seemingly strange choice to appoint him the UK's 2012 hope. And as one of the favourites, it's not a bad song. It's a ballad, which generally doesn't fare that well with me, but it's a song that I think a lot will like.

When I actually went to Eurovision, I had no idea then either. People were asking me who I liked best and were surprised I hadn't even heard Jedward's Lipstick. Haven't heard their follow-up for this year either. I WAS going to change my mind and seek out some more of the songs but I decided that could wait another year.

***

I will do my best to get reviews of the three nights up during the week - I am SO excited btw, it's EUROVISION WEEK, but before then take a look at some of the good, bad and the ugly. This... is Eurovision.

This is the seventh post in a series about the Eurovision Song Contest. If you don't know what that is I strongly suggest you follow my posts. You'll learn a lot.

While there have been particular trends, some Eurovision artists try and stand out from the crowd by bringing in some star power.

The last decade has seen some significant appearances. Actually, looking at my examples it's been the last four years. They've arguably stolen the show to take the interest from the song itself... not that anyone's complaining.

Burlesque star Dita Von Teese was a special guest for Germany's Oscar Loya during his 2009 performance. The fact she was able to still put on a show beside those pants speaks volumes.




Serial pest Jimmy Jump made an appearance in 2010 when he decided to become part of the choreography for countryman Daniel Diges. The Spaniard singer got a second shot at the conclusion of the other songs.

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*I have two photos entered in the current Qatar Reflections competition. Please show your support for me by voting for either photo! Short backstory and links here.

This is the sixth post in a series about the Eurovision Song Contest. If you don't know what that is I strongly suggest you follow my posts. You'll learn a lot.

Hosts and commentators form an integral part of Eurovision, shaping our perceptions of the night past the songs. Well, they do their best to put their two cents in and get away with a LOT.

The female hosts are notorious for changing dresses multiple times throughout the show. If your stylist thinks you can pull off a few designs to dazzle the audience then why not?

When I went last year, the two ladies hosting (yes, the guy was that cool he had to have a lady on each arm) did their stylists proud.

Stefan Raab sang Satellite with defending champion Lena

But while that's something to look forward to, I want to talk about a stalwart of the contest that really captured the outsider's thoughts on the contest for years.

Anyone who knows Eurovision in the UK, Australia and perhaps elsewhere beyond Europe will know who I'm on about.



BBC's Terry Wogan.

The guy was involved for the better part of 37 years, first with BBC Radio and then moving into the television slot. He had the wittiest commentary, probably on everything ever. Playing on the fact that many UK residents never took the contest too seriously, Wogan pretty much paid the shite out of whoever was really horrible.

Many said at his leaving in 2008 that a lot of Brits watched the contest only because of him. It's interesting how this is still one of the ways that Britain tries to distance itself from Europe (you know, besides other small things like currency and European politics). And yet he primarily left because he felt it wasn't being taken seriously by the committee anymore and submitting shite acts wasn't putting the joke on Europe, but turning back on itself. Bit of a double-edged sword, isn't it?

***

Since his departure in 2008, SBS has provided local commentary with Des Mangan (who had replaced Wogan about five years earlier much to Australia's dismay - he's fine, but not when Wogan was still on his game), and now the comedian duo of Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang. They're okay too, but I wish Wogan would give us an encore performance now that the UK act isn't chosen by a public vote.

I'd love to know what he makes of Engelbert Humperdinck's entry for 2012.

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*I have two photos entered in the current Qatar Reflections competition. Please show your support for me by voting for either photo! Short backstory and links here.

A year ago today, I was in Dusseldorf, Germany, for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.

How frickin' excited was I to be there? I was FRICKIN' EXCITED.

But I had reason to be. Getting a ticket to the final was confirmation that going to Europe was what I was meant to do.

Before going, I'd had some doubts about whether I was running away from issues back home, namely finding a job since finishing my studies.

For me it was a weeknight about 10pm when tickets went on sale. My first Internet ticket-buying rush and I was nervous (I'm old-skool and line up for tickets when big names come to town).  An hour later, I'm still hitting the same button thinking something's up. Checking on Twitter, I discovered the site had crashed. Thank God. Made a few friends there while we waited actually.

I remember thinking to myself 'If I get this ticket I'm meant to go overseas, no backing out', and when I got through it was exhilarating. Then it locked me out.

It was another half hour or so before I re-entered, went through it in German before realising I could switch to English. But I managed to pick a good ticket, mid-range, paid, all good.

Dusseldorf was the city without a bench. I walked for almost half an hour before I spotted one by the lighthouse and got a look at my golden ticket (Dubbo makes me laugh often because it is the complete opposite). I managed to get accommodation only through a travel agent after Hostelworld had been wiped out by the next day. But while that place just felt dodgy all around, Dusseldorf itself was nice. Visited a great little film museum before noticing the centre pick up with more people as the day drew on.


It was packed.

I'd found a Greek flag in a mad rush, almost got lost as I tried a shortcut to the station, but I got there. And met Aussies, including fellow Greek Nick from Adelaide. We had no mutual friends, which in Adelaide Greek circles could be seen as peculiar.

The show was AMAZING. I had an awesome seat that allowed me to dance away in the aisles. Absolute faves were England's Blue with I Can and Germany's Lena with her attempt at defending the title Taken By A Stranger - both songs rank highly on my favourites list. Winners for Azerbaijan Ell and Nikki with Running Scared were good though too, I wasn't entirely disappointed with that result.

I was lucky because 2011 was a good year. The hosts were well--presented, the songs were actually of a fairly high calibre overall, and the Germans know how to throw a party. Hottest guy award went to Sweden's Eric Saade, worst song was from Italy's Raphael Gualazzi (how it came third we there still don't know, had to be the intrigue factor because Italy were back and in the Big Five), and brightest stage design went to Serbia's Nina with her 60s get-up. Very impressed with the night, especially as the only one for some time not to be in the last week of May.

I would spend the next day in Cologne with my new Adelaide friend avoiding pelting rain through visiting a Lindt museum and hiding out in a cafe. A relaxing Sunday.

Dusseldorf came to life with Eurovision. Their pride to host it was everywhere; Eurovision was all around. Take a look at what I found myself a part of.

In the film museum

Aussie! Greek! From Adelaide!



I DID make friends on Twitter amidst confusion, including Mark

Early rain in Cologne made it so gloomy...

But getting The Candy Man Can from Willy Wonka in my head made it better

*This is also the fifth post in the series My decade of Eurovision. That started here.

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*I have two photos entered in the current Qatar Reflections competition. Please show your support for me by voting for either photo! Short backstory and links here.

Verka Seduchka of Ukraine in 2007

Zdob Shi Zdub of Moldova in 2011

Daniel Diges of Spain had a crazy entourage in 2010

But what Penny pointed out to me within the first couple of years sticks the most; white is a particularly popular choice for costume designers.

First, the jeans and white top combo, simple and effective.

t.A.T.u for Russia in 2003

Sakis Rouvas for Greece in 2004

Dima Bilan in 2006, where he sang my favourite Eurovision song ever

My favourites, Bilan and Rouvas, are repeat offenders with their costuming choices as we move onto the full white.

Bilan again in 2008 when he won for Russia

Rouvas again in 2009

Ell and Nikki of Azerbaijan won in 2011

D'Nash of Spain in 2007

Need I say more?

Tell me, is there an excellent example that I missed?
I'm always reminded of Eurovision when I think of flowy white garb. So much so that I couldn't help but laugh to myself when I saw this white-only clothing store in Nice one time. So European.



*If there's something you want me to write about within my Eurovision series, I would love any suggestions. Otherwise please share my stories or provide some feedback if you can :)
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*I have two photos entered in the current Qatar Reflections competition. Please show your support for me by voting for either photo! Short backstory and links here.