Eurovision 2016

US = elephant in the room.

Australia have to qualify from the semis this time fwiw

The affiliate broadcaster SBS has been given the green light to work on an Asian equivalent. That could be really good, and far better than Australia continuing to be in Eurovision where it really has no business being unless they did a different wildcard country every year, which could have been very fun.

I kind of hated the increase in number of nations competing as I felt like the more interesting songs didn't get to the 'proper' contest so it lowered the enjoyment factor. But now I've got pretty into watching the heats I'm all for having a world song contest.

Japan and S. Korea would slay all the other countries immediately, mind you.

Unless they sent second-rate material like other countries with big record industries like the UK and Germany (that said I like Germany's song this year, though all signs point to twee, disastrous staging), that is!

LOOK AT LITTLE DAMI IM GO, REPRESENTING US ON THE WORLD STAGE!!!111!!!11

Her single was apparently at Number 68 in Australia this week. Coinciding with Disturbed's cover of "The Sound of Silence" means that it's not even the highest-placed song called "Sound of Silence" on the chart. Meanwhile I've heard Sweden's song several times while shopping this week... hmmm...

Romania expelled from Eurovision

This is huge

Ovidiu Anton was due to perform Moment of Silence at this year's contest in Stockholm in 12 May.

Lots of silence in this year's songs. Is that a growing trend, or something? But seriously, Romania's dismissal has certainly handed victory to _____________ <- Insert winner's name retroactively

http://wiwibloggs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Captura-316.png

Lazarev is currently evens, which is the shortest odds I think I have ever seen. With the current anti-Russian bias this leads me to think a) there might be money to be made and b) the French guy can not carry a tune live. It is such a weak field though. Ukraine is currently second favourite at 4/1 and that is awful.

Damn it, I'm going to miss this. Bastard.

Talk among friends is that Australia's in with a strong chance.

I'm stoked for Sandhja's performance in tonight's semifinal, apparently she's the first one to perform. Like I said upthread, I think her song isn't "Eurovisiony" enough to contend for the top spots, but I'm hoping she'll at least make it to the final.

It's a really weird situation for me, this is the first time in my life that I've really liked and rooted for the Finnish entry (and the first time it's by an artist I already was a fan of)... So it's also the first time I'm facing the "can't vote for my favourite even though I'd want to" thing. I guess this is how nationalists feel every year? Though I still couldn't care less whether Finland as a country makes it, but I do like her and her tune a lot!

Also, I think this is the first time Finland is represented by a non-white singer, so I'm hoping she'll succeed just so it'll irritate the local racists and fascists.

Any minute now:

http://www.eurovision.tv/page/webtv?program=213563

Finland is ok. Australia starts off like it could be quite successful but goes downhill rapidly.

Bulgaria is probably the pick but I assume she can't sing live at 80/1.

Armenia has a fairly thin song but A+ delivery and presentation.

This San Marino guy reminds me of Yello! :)

San Marino kind of sounds like Gepy & Gepy. This is quite good.

Russia clearly aiming for #1 in the special effects.

Repping for the goth queens = Croatia & Armenia
Creepy but great = San Marino

Worst by a mile so far= the Netherlands.

Croatia had the most sympathetic singer so far, sadly the tune was a bit too fairy-dust corny, even for Eurovision.

I guess this is the obligatory token "rock" entry of this semifinal?

Austria is quite charming on record.

Wow, I didn't expect Estonia's dude to sound like *that*!

SAN MARINOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

No rapping astronauts so far but this is pretty recognisably Montenegro.

What Bosnia's singer was doing 12 years ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23h__RssJQo

everything is so dour now

yay a rapper

NAGORNO KARABAKH FLAG!

Armenia are going to get heat for that.

Idk if they can get DQed but they will almost certainly be fined.

Pretty into Finland/San Marino/Bosnia/maybe Malta. Don't fancy any of their chances though.

Hope Armenia don't get disqualified. Not entirely sure about my choices yet but was Armenia definitely among them.

Uh, scratch that "was".

Or even switch it to the correct position in the sentence.

Pulling for Bosnia, that's the kind of performance I'm looking for in Eurovision

If the Netherlands get through but Armenia don't I will be very cross.

sad for Serhat :(

Latvia the best so far. This has been grim though.

You didn't fall for the hipster wolf t-shirt from ILOVEBELARUS?

Macedonia probably my pick of this lot

flute and earring are carrying this one

already hate Denmark

Love love loved Macedonia. Also repping for Australia and Bulgaria.

Belarus was a terrible disappointment. They'd spread the rumour that he was going to be naked singing to a live wolf. Two seconds of nudity and digital wolves: not nearly enough.

this is very Belgian

Macedonia/Ukraine/Bulgaria for me.

Bulgaria best by miles.

Latvia and FYROM both reasonably entertaining.