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Person Man · May 18, 2009, 12:01 PM

Ok, I know it's over now, but I wanted to get the thoughts of the European members of MacNN on this year's show. And their take on the results.

Wow, Norway sure did well, taking 8-12 points from the majority of voting countries, including Balkan/Slavic/Former Soviet countries that usually trade their 12 points amongst each other. How much of an effect do you think the equal weighting between jury and televoting had on this?

And for that matter, did the same thing cause France and the UK to do so well, after years of being in the "Big Four Basement?"

mattyb · May 18, 2009, 01:05 PM

Didn't Dita von Teese get her baps out this year? Thats all the info from Eurovision that I want.

misc · May 18, 2009, 02:14 PM

Norway was definitely good. I think Portugal had the best use of the lighting/video rig.

Overall it was a good show!

Person Man · May 18, 2009, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by misc

Norway was definitely good. I think Portugal had the best use of the lighting/video rig.

Overall it was a good show!

Yes. I liked Norway's performer. He seemed like a "regular guy" and less like a celebrity. Very down-to-Earth and totally not "manufactured" by a music corporation. And he can play the violin extremely well.

Now... do you think he would have won if the voting were totally televoting? I don't suppose we'll get a breakdown of how the televoters voted vs the juries...

Oisín · May 18, 2009, 02:39 PM

He has the voice of an angel … but the face of a hobbit.

Person Man · May 18, 2009, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

He has the voice of an angel … but the face of a hobbit.

That's part of the appeal to me... if he were a manufactured celebrity he'd be very good looking, with a voice that would have to be computer corrected and he certainly wouldn't be able to play the violin very well.

Andrew Stephens · May 18, 2009, 04:50 PM

Watched it. Can no longer remember a single tune or song. Or face. Or costume.

Bland, talent free, vapid.

My kids loved it, but they are both under 13.

Person Man · May 18, 2009, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew Stephens

Watched it. Can no longer remember a single tune or song. Or face. Or costume.

Bland, talent free, vapid.

My kids loved it, but they are both under 13.

I can remember a few. Norway's song and face come to mind. Also Serbia's song which didn't make it out of the semi-finals. The guy was wacky-looking... big blonde afro and a black beard. Can't get that one out of my head, actually.

And I'm 33.

There were maybe 3 or 4 GOOD songs. Tops. Out of 42.

I certainly don't watch the contest for the artistic merit. Once in a while they do have someone with talent and a good song, but you have to sit through all the crap to find it.

TETENAL · May 18, 2009, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew Stephens

Bland, talent free, vapid.

YouTube - EUROVISION 2009 FRANCE -PATRICIA KAAS -ET S'IL FALLAIT LE FAIRE -HQ STEREO

Bland, talent free, vapid?

You can't remember that?

Andrew Stephens · May 18, 2009, 05:30 PM

nope.

All 25 songs were instantly forgettable. And I have in fact forgotten them.

Face Ache · 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Person Man

Also Serbia's song which didn't make it out of the semi-finals. The guy was wacky-looking... big blonde afro and a black beard. Can't get that one out of my head, actually.

Damn catchy. I've got the mp3.

edit: In case anyone's curious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvP-n0PGluY

Oisín · May 18, 2009, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Person Man

That's part of the appeal to me... if he were a manufactured celebrity he'd be very good looking, with a voice that would have to be computer corrected and he certainly wouldn't be able to play the violin very well.

Please tell me you got the reference, though?

Person Man · May 18, 2009, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

Please tell me you got the reference, though?

I considered mentioning Susan Boyle in my response, yes.

Person Man · May 18, 2009, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Face Ache

Damn catchy. I've got the mp3.

I have several versions on MP3. The original Serbian, the Greek (Serbians do Greek very well, IMO) and the English version.

Oisín · May 18, 2009, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Person Man

I considered mentioning Susan Boyle in my response, yes.

Well, she certainly looks like a hobbit (though not quite as much as Kurt).

- - e r i k - - · May 18, 2009, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by Oisín

Please tell me you got the reference, though?

World Idol is that easily forgotten?

Alexander Rybak hardly has the face of a hobbit in comparison. He'll go down well with teeny boppers and grandmothers alike:

Person Man · May 18, 2009, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

World Idol is that easily forgotten?

Sorry... didn't see that one, but I'd heard the phrase used in connection with Boyle, as well.

Oisín · May 18, 2009, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - -

Alexander Rybak hardly has the face of a hobbit in comparison.

Depends. If ‘hobbit’ is taken to mean ‘Elijah Wood’, then I’d argue he does. I dunno, maybe it’s just ’cause he’s a relatively unknown Norwegian singer who’d just won a big song contest, but he immediately looked like a (cute) hobbit to me. Except I think (hope) his feet are less hairy.

Jens Peter · May 19, 2009, 10:49 AM

I must admit, that I voted for Ukraine, their act was so crazy, we deserved to see it again... With the guys dressed up as romans, and then she starts playing the drums?

Oisín · May 19, 2009, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Jens Peter

I must admit, that I voted for Ukraine, their act was so crazy, we deserved to see it again... With the guys dressed up as romans, and then she starts playing the drums?

Weren’t Ukraine the ones who had the crazy Vikings (?) last year or two years ago, too?

…

Ahh, no, they were the ones with the horrible, bobbing beachball-clown thing two years ago. God, that thing made me want to commit countrycide.