Germany's 2012 Eurovision Entry
Click to viewLast year was the first time I watched Eurovision and it was only the final. This year I've taken a slightly bigger interest (ie, breezed through a few pages on Wikipedia and paid attention to what's been said about it over the radio). I'm still not sure whether I'll watch the semifinals but if I'm free and with access to a TV, I'll definitely watch the final. I quite enjoyed last year's show and am looking forward to this year's in Baku, Azerbaijan. (The final's on Saturday 26 May).
It hasn't however been without controversy. Some activists believe the show should not be held in Azerbaijan because of the human rights abuses that have taken place there, including alleged forced land acquisitions (without adequate compensation) to construct the hall that's hosting the show itself. While Armenia have pulled out because of an ongoing conflict dating back to the 1980s. Others say hosting the event would put the spotlight on the Central Asian state and possibly act as a catalyst for positive change (a la China in 2008). It didn't happen with China and it's clearly not going to happen on the back of a song contest in Baku.
As for Britain, well it's fair to say the choice of Engelbert Humperdinck by the BBC raised an eyebrow or few. Most people I've talked to about it think Britain is destined for *nil points* this year and apparently we've been drawn to sing first in the final so our chances have probably sunk a little further. Although according to the fountain of knowledge that is Graham Norton, he thinks at least one country has won even after going first. He reckons it was Spain but he didn't specify when.
I know at least one of you is a huge Eurovision fan (points at kapitankraut!) and I must admit I've always been intrigued by your fascination for it, especially with you living Down Under and all that. But I can see its attraction. It's lampooned by almost everybody who ends up watching it, although some people obviously take it more serious than others. Or should that be, some countries? I don't know the intricacies of the Beeb's relationship with Eurovision but it seems like they have final say over who the British entrant is. This year's choice was made internally and one can only trust in the great BBC tradition of transparency and accountability, that a thorough selection process resulted in a 75 year-old Anglo-Indian, born in Madras, trumping the stiff competition around him.
Contrast that with say, Ze Germans who I'm reliably informed (by Wikipedia, of course), went through a mere eight-stage televised process to select a winner and entrant to a song contest. I've heard about their efficiency and success on the football field, but if this is also the way they prepare for a song contest(!), is it any wonder the Germans are the biggest and strongest economy in Europe? Although mind you, their entry in this year's competition might be sung by a German (Roman Lob), but it's worth noting that it was actually written by a Brit, our very own Jamie Cullum. Lesley Sharp on this morning's BBC Radio 2 show with Graham Norton has singled it out for success. Let it be known here that if Ze Germans do end up winning, we were instrumental lyrical in its success!