[Eurovision] Semifinal 1, Party For Everybody
So Carl and I watched the first Eurovision semifinal last night (on delay, since I was at work when it aired). To its credit Azerbaijan put on a pretty decent show, and the postcards actually make the country look rather lovely. There were some tuning issues in several parts of the show -- some were obviously an earpiece issue (Romania), and others may have just been nerves (Cyprus).
Many of the qualifiers, Carl absolutely loathed. He didn't buy the "look at us, we're cute old ladies" spiel of Russia ("They can't harmonise!"), nor of the "personal" nature of Albania ("all she's doing is screaming!").
I said that Iceland, Greece, Romania, Switzerland, Cyprus, Russia, Hungary, Austria, Moldova, and Ireland would go through. There were songs I liked far better (in fact, I thought Greece was crap), but I also know that it's impossible for Russia, Romania, and Greece NOT to qualify, hence why I had them down. I was two off (Albania got in, Switzerland didn't; Denmark got in, Austria didn't). To be honest, I wouldn't've minded Israel and Finland going through, but I can see why they didn't.
CARL's FAVOURITE/LEAST FAVOURITE: Hungary, Montenegro
(Top 10: Hungary, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Moldova, Romania, Switzerland, San Marino, Ireland, Latvia)
REGEV's FAVOURTITE/LEAST FAVOURITE: Hungary, Montenegro
(Top 10: Hungary, Denmark, Iceland, Moldova, Switzerland, Romania, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Albania)
Keep in mind: Carl was very biased towards Moldova ("I'd hit that") and Hungary ("this is the hottest Eurovision band ever!").
Hungary was fantastically performed. I was just okay with the song, but damn did he sell it. And Montenegro was a huge uncomfortable train wreck. I will not be schocked at all if it gets a big fat 0. Not having any other neighbours in this semi (how did that even happen??) doesn't help any.
So this upcoming Saturday Carl and I are having a party here in Peoria for the Eurovision final (starting at 1pm, the show starts at 2pm). Yep, that's when Bear Pride is, but it just isn't in the cards. So, I am going to make the best of it and have another party here. It gives me an excuse to make bacon-wrapped dates and baklava!
Many of the qualifiers, Carl absolutely loathed. He didn't buy the "look at us, we're cute old ladies" spiel of Russia ("They can't harmonise!"), nor of the "personal" nature of Albania ("all she's doing is screaming!").
I said that Iceland, Greece, Romania, Switzerland, Cyprus, Russia, Hungary, Austria, Moldova, and Ireland would go through. There were songs I liked far better (in fact, I thought Greece was crap), but I also know that it's impossible for Russia, Romania, and Greece NOT to qualify, hence why I had them down. I was two off (Albania got in, Switzerland didn't; Denmark got in, Austria didn't). To be honest, I wouldn't've minded Israel and Finland going through, but I can see why they didn't.
CARL's FAVOURITE/LEAST FAVOURITE: Hungary, Montenegro
(Top 10: Hungary, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Moldova, Romania, Switzerland, San Marino, Ireland, Latvia)
REGEV's FAVOURTITE/LEAST FAVOURITE: Hungary, Montenegro
(Top 10: Hungary, Denmark, Iceland, Moldova, Switzerland, Romania, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Albania)
Keep in mind: Carl was very biased towards Moldova ("I'd hit that") and Hungary ("this is the hottest Eurovision band ever!").
Hungary was fantastically performed. I was just okay with the song, but damn did he sell it. And Montenegro was a huge uncomfortable train wreck. I will not be schocked at all if it gets a big fat 0. Not having any other neighbours in this semi (how did that even happen??) doesn't help any.
So this upcoming Saturday Carl and I are having a party here in Peoria for the Eurovision final (starting at 1pm, the show starts at 2pm). Yep, that's when Bear Pride is, but it just isn't in the cards. So, I am going to make the best of it and have another party here. It gives me an excuse to make bacon-wrapped dates and baklava!