TVLine

  • Trending Shows
    • The Bachelor
    • Behind Her Eyes
    • Bridgerton
    • The Challenge
    • Dickinson
    • Fate: The Winx Saga
    • Firefly Lane
    • Ginny & Georgia
    • The Mandalorian
    • Punky Brewster
    • Superman & Lois
    • Ted Lasso
    • This Is Us
    • Walker
    • Wandavision
    • Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
  • Reviews
    • Debris
    • Ginny & Georgia
    • Superman & Lois
    • The Equalizer
    • Firefly Lane
    • Clarice
    • WandaVision
    • Saved by the Bell
    • The Queen's Gambit
  • Spoilers
  • Awards Watch
  • WandaVision
  • Meghan & Harry Bombshells

Eurovision Song Contest: An 'Expert' Take on What to Expect from U.S. Debut

By Charlie Mason / May 13 2016, 11:51 AM PDT


Courtesy of BBC
  • 27
  • Share This Article
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Pin It
  • WhatsApp
  • Print

For the first time in its 61-year history, the Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast live in the States Saturday (3/2c, Logo). And, since I’m as close to an expert on the subject as anyone on the TVLine staff — I co-wrote Austria’s winning entry in 2014 and have had three other songs reach the finals — I thought maybe I was the right person to give you some idea of what to expect from the mega-popular continent-wide competition. (Last year’s audience was a record-breaking 197 million viewers worldwide.) Ready? Here goes…

DAZZLING COSTUMES | When Bob Mackie dreams, those dreams look like Eurovision. Seriously, outside of RuPaul’s Drag Race, you will not see more sequins in one place at one time than you will on stage during the contest. And if an outfit doesn’t sparkle, it’s either so far over the top that it can no longer see the top from its altitude, or it’s so elegant that it makes you feel classier just looking at it.

EYE-POPPING PYROTECHNICS | The bells and whistles that accompanied last year’s finals included everything from animated stick figures and a hairless werewolf doing interpretive dance to eyes the size of a room shedding silver tears and enough fireworks to make Disney’s Wishes seem about as impressive as a birthday cake with an extra candle on it. (You might wanna keep sunglasses handy.)

BATTY VOTING | If anything’s going to make you feel better about the nutty process by which America elects its president, it’s going to be watching the recently overhauled, still kooky-as-hell way that Eurovision picks its winner. Honestly, the process so baffles me that, to explain it, I had to bring in an actual expert, William Lee Adams, founder of ESC-centric wiwibloggs.com. “Each country awards points to its 10 favorite acts,” he says. “In the past, the winner was chosen American Idol style, with people picking up their phones and voting. But since 2009, the public vote has only accounted for 50 percent of a nation’s results. The other half is determined by a professional jury, which — cough — supposedly has better taste than the masses.”

KILLER SONGS | Once you get past the spangles and politics — not that there’s anything wrong with spangles — what you’ll discover is that much of the music is absolutely fantastic. If you doubt it, check out a couple of entries from last year. Almost any two will do, really. But if you’re looking for recommendations, my favorites were Norway’s uber-dark ballad, “A Monster Like Me,” and the UK’s insanely catchy “Still in Love with You.”

So, will you be tuning in? And if so, for the songs or the spectacle? Hit the comments.

If you like TVLine, you'll LOVE our weekly newsletter. Click here to subscribe.
Add a Comment
TAGS: Logo
GET MORE: Previews
x
Loading comments...
    Editorial

    March Streaming Guide: What's New on Netflix, Disney+ and More

  • Today's Hottest Stories

    • 1Oprah With Meghan and Harry: 9 Major Bombshells From the Tell-All InterviewOprah With Meghan and Harry: 9 Major Bombshells From the Tell-All Interview
    • 2Good Girls Season 4 Premiere Recap: Trouble's a Foot — Grade the Episode!Good Girls Season 4 Premiere Recap: Trouble's a Foot — Grade the Episode!
    • 3The Walking Dead EP Defends Unexpected Daryl Twist: 'We Did Know It Was Going to Be Controversial'The Walking Dead EP Defends Unexpected Daryl Twist: 'We Did Know It Was Going to Be Controversial'
    • 4The Walking Dead Recap: Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda… But Didn'tThe Walking Dead Recap: Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda… But Didn't
    • 5'Conversations' With Meghan & Harry About Baby's Skin Tone Did Not Include Queen Elizabeth, Oprah SaysFILE - In this Tuesday, July 10, 2018 file photo Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry watch a flypast of Royal Air Force aircraft pass over Buckingham Palace in London. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are ending their lives as senior members of Britain’s royal family and starting an uncertain new chapter as international celebrities and charity patrons. In January the couple shocked Britain by announcing that they would step down from official duties, give up public funding, seek financial independence and swap the U.K. for North America. The split becomes official on March 31. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
  • What to Watch Tonight
    • 8:00
      • P
      • M
      9-1-1
    • 8:00
      • P
      • M
      All American
    • 8:00
      • P
      • M
      The Neighborhood
    • 8:30
      • P
      • M
      Bob Hearts Abishola
    Full Story
  • Most Commented
    • 1Oprah With Meghan and Harry: 9 Major Bombshells From the Tell-All…152
    • 2'Conversations' With Meghan & Harry About Baby's Skin Tone Did Not…113
    • 3Why You Won't See New Amsterdam's 'Lost' Influenza Outbreak Episode70
    • 4WandaVision Boss: Casting X-Men's Pietro Was a 'Question Mark for a…60
    • 5President Biden to Address Country on Thursday: What Is Being…26
    • Deadline

      Women In Film L.A. Adds Six Board Members

    • Sportico

      Belichick Overpaid Bielema to Avoid Arkansas Salary Fight…

    • Indiewire

      10 Eddie Murphy Films You Can Stream Now or Buy on Blu-Ray

    • Variety

      'Underplayed' Review: Doc on Women in EDM Dances Around Toxic…

    • SPY

      These Kindle Alternatives Will Make You Question Whether a…

    • About Us
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • AdChoices
    • EU Privacy Preferences
    • California Privacy Rights
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    The Power of Content

    Copyright © 2021 TVLine Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
    PMC Entertainment

    Powered by WordPress.com VIP

    ad