Mysteries of the EuroVerse

On this episode, we're reporting on Eurovision 2025 from Basel! First we give you updates on this year's contest directly from the press center, covering the changes to the semi-final broadcasts and Eurovision's controversial flag rule.

Rambo Amadeus (Montenegro, 2012) - 23:05, Nico Carney (Vulture, Comedian You Should Know) - 42:30

On this episode, we talk about how Eurovision can achieve its goal of expansion. First, we use the occasion of Montenegro returning to the contest to explore the ways that Eurovision can make it easier for even more countries to join. 

Then we talk to iconic Montenegrin artist, Rambo Amadeus, whose Euro Nero explores the complications of integrating into the larger European project. We talk to him about whether participating in European institutions makes sense for Montenegro - and explore why Europe is facing rising tides of nationalism and isolation.

Finally, we sit down with comedian Nico Carney to explore the difference between Yugoslavian entrants into Eurovision and the Montenegrin entrants that followed. It's a game we're calling "The Full Montenegro."

SONGS FROM THE FULL MONTENEGRO:

1. Tajči, Hajde da ludujemo (Yugoslavia, 1990) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksPXBLCwaL4

2. Rambo Amadeus, Euro Neuro (Montenegro, 2012) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHnqF5PLP2w

3. Sergej Cetkovic, Moj Svijet (Montenegro, 2014) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FJtzRSKHKg

4. Knez, Adio (Montenegro 2015) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4giAO-2aICo

5. Riva, Rock Me (Yugoslavia, 1989) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1glDWFMK_0

6. Who See, Igranka (Montenegro 2013) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR9rtB2ilZU

7. Novi Fosili, Ja sam za ples (Yugoslavia, 1987) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvOPsKnKNIQ

Wouter Hardy (Arcade)- 3:36, NYLAN (The Code, Shhhh) - 23:46, Benji Alasu (The Code, Survivor) - 41:43

This week, we're talking to the songwriters behind two Eurovision winning hits. First we sit down with Wouter Hardy, who co-wrote Duncan Laurence's Arcade - the first Eurovision song in nearly a quarter century to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Then we turn to two writers, NYLAN and Benji Alasu who, along with Linda Dale and Nemo themselves, wrote last year's Eurovision winner, Nemo's The Code. These writers give us a window into their unique processes and help us further explore the diversity of ways in which Eurovision songs get written - and how that diversity in process affects the song you end up with in the end.

Featured Songs:

Duncan Laurence, Arcade - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eztx7Wr8PtE

Duncan Laurence, Stars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Zv_xZiaok

Gjons Tears, Tout L’Univers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpM6o6UiBIw

Nemo, The Code - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGDvM14Kwg

Theo Evans, Shh - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfQqWyqgJw

Elsie Bay, 100 Years - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UbFfO_Uy80

Parg, Survivor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfH5o3XtI2c

Milune, Torn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwBN-17HXGE

Remo Forrer, Not Okay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXZM-DH5Zb4

Martin Green (Director of Eurovision) - 24:37, Santino Fontana (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Frozen, Tootsie) - 42:08

First we deep dive into the controversy around three of Eurovision’s most provocative acts: Australia’s Milkshake Man (Go Jo), Malta’s Serving (Miriana Conte), and Finland’s Ich Komme (Erika Vikman). We discuss broader trends that have led the contest once known exclusively as a “family show” to have to confront these boundary pushing acts - and talk about how Eurovision’s recently released Code of Conduct could be a road map for the future.

Then, in a very special interview, we talk to the new Director of Eurovision - Martin Green. We discuss the various controversies the contest has to face in these politically divided, fractious times - and get a sense of how he and the organization are thinking about navigating the current social moment.

Finally, we sit down with Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen Santino Fontana (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Hans in Disney’s Frozen, Tootsie) for a look at how right-wing politicians have tried to tame Eurovision acts in the past, in a game we're calling "Crazy Ex-Governments."

CRAZY EX-GOVERNMENTS:

SPAIN

Barei, Say Yay! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0I37W3RN_U

Blanco Paloma, Eaea - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxuO0qZITko

POLAND

Gromee feat Lukas Meijer, Light Me Up - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfUJ2eDm6ng

Luna, The Tower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhvDkF9XZx0

Donatan and Cleo, We Are Slavic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ920cN2HmA

UK

James Newman, Embers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMDGTsa_Qq0

Olly Alexander, Dizzy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLNUj7kvn2w

HUNGARY

Joci Papai, Origo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LflrKXL022U

Zoli Ádok, Dance With Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXjY3Y9RMZI

ISRAEL

Harel Skaat, Milim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj0qaNnLk9M

Noa and Mira Awad, There Must Be Another Way - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBTQFOkFZw8

This episode is part one of a two part series about Eurovision icon Celine Dion. We start by deep diving into some broad themes of Celine's early career and life, and discuss how she as an artist faces a lot of the same challenges and biases as the contest that made her famous. Then we talk to Marie Louise Werth who, as the lead singer of Furbaz competed for Switzerland the year after Celine Dion, and competed against Celine Dion in the Swiss National Final. Furbaz is the only band ever to sing Romansh on the Eurovision stage. We then sit down with comedian Gianmarco Soresi and play a game about Switzerland's unique history at Eurovision that we're calling "Chaotic Neutral."

On this episode, we're talking about Eurovision comebacks! First we explore the history of UK artists using the Eurovision stage to relaunch their careers. Then we talk to Eurovision comeback icons Scooch, whose "Flying the Flag (For You)" remains a classic to this day. Finally, we sit down with Broadway star Cady Huffman (Tony winner for her turn as Ulla in the Producers), and play her a series of Eurovision songs that either made or broke the careers of the artists who performed them. Cady tries to tell the difference between the rising stars and the ones who didn't carry on, in a game we're calling "Remember When Ulla Danced? Will Ulla Ever Dance Again!?"

In our Season 2 premiere we're tackling Eurovision and the Avant-Garde! First, we deep dive into the history of avant-garde Eurovision acts and discuss the tension between Eurovision's desire to appeal to the broadest possible audience and its elevation of some of the most aesthetically and politically innovative pop acts of the last half century.