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Eurovision 2008 in Brighton...
review
Tonight was Eurovision Song Contest night, surely a highlight in any self-respecting gay man or woman's diary. So it was that Huw and I spend Saturday afternoon fashioning lederhosen out of an old pair of shorts and wondering whether onions or garlic bulbs were easier to string. Not that we were plummeting to the depths of Euro stereotypes at all!
So on to the competition itself. Perhaps a little more subdued that previous contests with the most points for Eurovision Campery going to Latvia's thigh-slapping Pirates of the Sea with Wolves of the Sea - a catchy little number that had everyone joining in- mainly due to the basic level of lyrics.
Bosnia & Herzegovina entered a very Scissor Sister-esque group, while Charlotte Perrelli from Sweden demonstrated that it was perhaps her propensity for wearing very little rather than her dubious vocal abilities that had secured her place in the Final. Portugal's Vânia Fernandez sported the most enormous ball-gown I've ever seen which was somewhat distracting but certainly needs to be booked for Preston Park in August. The UK entry, after last year's campathon courtesy of Scooch, was performed by X-Factor runner-up Andy Abraham - who, it's fair to say, sang in tune and gave it his all. More than can be said for some...
Yet again, the voting caused controversy this year with accusations of bloc voting among the Nordic, Baltic and Balkan nations. In fact, Terry Wogan's blistering comments during the dishing up of points included, after maximum points awarded to Russia by the Ukraine, "Ukraine want to be absolutely sure that the electricity and oil flows through."
Such was his anger at the results this year, and Russia's win by Dima Bilan, their answer to Enrique Inglesias, that he has hinted that he may not commentate again.
Following the disappointing results for the UK, finishing in joint-last place, questions have even been raised in The Commons about the UK's part in the Eurovision future, given that we are one of four countries that fund the event, which the BBC does to the tune of £173,000 a year. Sour grapes or a valid concern?
Certainly, speculation over the validity of the voting has been met with derision from a number of spokespeople from the countries criticised. They say that more effort is given to the production of their songs and that as their radio stations link up with each other, giving airtime to the entries pre-contest and, therefore, people are more familiar with these songs. They've even suggested that if Robbie Williams or Elton John were to represent us in future, we'd win hands-down...
Comments have also been raised by Pride London who questions the role of Russia as hosts of the Eurovision next year, given the banning by Moscow City Hall of Pride events in the city over the last two years. Talk about ostracising a key audience!
So, there it is for another year, only this time there are fears that London may not be calling this time next year. Is Eurovision a blatant political popularity contest, or a fun night in which countries can vote for their favourite song?
Whatever it is, we still managed a lot of fun and despite Aunty Stella paving the way for vote-grumbles of Churchillian proportions, we still had a camp night out!
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the photos...
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