[OFF TOPIC] Eurovision Song Contest 2023

[Olympian1010 7,948]

 both won internal selections against other acts, so even if their entries aren’t well received by some, they are representative of what viewers in those countries wanted to send to Eurovision (at least those who really care enough to tune in for selections). 
 

Personally, I find the “joke,” “wacky,” “oddball” entries part of the wonder of Eurovision. I want to see a mix of everything. Give me well-produced pop songs, operatic numbers, emotional ballads, political pieces, and everything in between. 

[Vektor 3,325]

It seems  is another disappointment, the staging is very lackluster. 

 

Based on what I have seen,  nailed it, they might be the strongest of the Big 5 + "host" this year, potentially another Top3 for them. 

[AsensioWillemsen 158]

46 minutes ago, Olympian1010 said:

 both won internal selections against other acts, so even if their entries aren’t well received by some, they are representative of what viewers in those countries wanted to send to Eurovision (at least those who really care enough to tune in for selections). 
 

Personally, I find the “joke,” “wacky,” “oddball” entries part of the wonder of Eurovision. I want to see a mix of everything. Give me well-produced pop songs, operatic numbers, emotional ballads, political pieces, and everything in between. 

For me, the Finnish song is actually good. Not well-sung and 'oddball' sure, but the song is good in the heart.

 

Croatia has some Frank Zappa-ish interestingness, but the vocals don't come off interesting to me, which is a bit of a bust. And it makes it feel 'gimmicky for the gimmick'.

 

But I like it more than our own entry as well as the poorly sung Norwegian, Israelian and Irish entries in the SF.

[heywoodu 14,929]

1 hour ago, Olympian1010 said:

Personally, I find the “joke,” “wacky,” “oddball” entries part of the wonder of Eurovision.

Sure, but for the semis  

 

Plus there is still a bit of difference between the entries that come across as if they are mostly meant as a joke. For example Moldova had some actual musical stuff and such, but was clearly there for fun anyway, whereas Croatia seemed to just be yelling and jumping around on the podium as a bunch of very drunk guys in a bar having fun  One can hardly even describe it as a 'song'. Fine and kind of fun to have that in between the songs, but it's a bit a shame it takes away a spot in the final (no, not in favour of the Netherlands, that was just as awful and they actually wanted to be good, so that's actually worse )

 

Another example is Greece from a while back, with Alcohol Is Free. That was obviously joking around and having fun, but at least it was an actual song  

[Olympian1010 7,948]

 could improve their musicality (from vocals to structure). I will definitely agree with people on that point. 

Edited May 11, 2023 by Olympian1010

[rybak 3,171]

4 hours ago, Olympian1010 said:

 could improve their musicality (from vocals to structure). I will definitely agree with people on that point. 

I just read that their lead singer got sick after semifinal, so, they may struggle to get good result in Saturday, especially from people who didn't watched semifinal.

[rybak 3,171]

Second semi starts in 15 minutes. My wishes for today is seeing  and  being qualified to Grand Final, althought I know that it's highly unlikely for San Marino to be in top10 in this semi, but I will cheer for those nice and funny guys until very last minute. This semi is way wide open than first and basically everyone besides  may qualify and may fail as well.

[Olympian1010 7,948]

Yeah, I think this semifinal will be a bit more open as well. Most of my favorites were in the first semifinal (or big 5), but I’ll be pulling for

[Olympian1010 7,948]

Dadi Freyr is in the house! 

[heywoodu 14,929]

Wow, because of the commentator's introduction of Armenia I only now realized super hit Snap was their entry last year, I had no idea that was an ESC song at all  (and I absolutely watched the show!)

Edited May 11, 2023 by heywoodu