EP 12: The Spin-Offs

 

Riker Lynch (Glee, Dancing With The Stars, American Song Contest)

John D. Carrion, Executive Director of The NYC Gay Men's Chorus

 

On this episode, we're talking about the numerous times that the European Broadcasting Union (or EBU) has tried to spin-off the Eurovision concept. We start by taking about the European spin-offs that were started under the EBU's network of national broadcasters, including Eurovision Young Musicians, Eurovision Young Dancers, and Junior Eurovision. We then talk about the complications of exporting the Eurovision brand under a commercial model abroad, focusing in on the American Song Contest-- hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg.

 

We then interview American Song Contest runner-up Riker Lynch as he pulls back the curtain on the process of bringing the Eurovision concept to American audiences.

 

Finally, Executive Director of the NYC Gay Men's Chorus and Eurovision fan John D. Carrion stops by to play a game about the American Song Contest called Eurovision: Lost In Translation. John uses his knowledge of Eurovision to evaluate ASC numbers and analyze what it is about the Eurovision format that's so difficult to export.