That Eurovision Site

This week, the hosts return to the Big Five to cover France, one of the most present countries to ever take part in Eurovision. Jazzi, Rosie, Rory and Tim regale their favourite French entries, reflect on the ever-present use of French in the Contest and debate on what French monument should be used in future spokespersons’ backdrops (spoiler: it’s not the Eiffel Tower!).

What do you think of our opinions? Is France an underrated country in Eurovision, or are they more overhyped? Should France send a song entirely in English? What would be your preferred French monument? Please do get involved in the comments below and on our social media!

A link to this episode on Apple Podcasts is available here.

The post France: L’Amour or L’Enfer? appeared first on That Eurovision Site.

This week, Tim rejoins the podcast as we talk about Georgia, one of the newest countries to join the Eurovision family. After a heavy dose of love for Sopho Khalvashi, we talk about Georgia’s contrast of results in the adult Contest with the Junior Contest, where Georgia is the most successful nation. We also reminisce on the forgotten, yet controversial, 2009 entry “We Don’t Wanna Put In”.

What do you think of our opinions? What are some of your favourite Georgian entries? Do you think Georgia’s success in Junior Eurovision can be transferred to the adult Contest? As always, please do get in touch and let us know what you think by commenting below, or getting involved on our social media!

A link to this episode on Apple Podcasts is available here.

The post Georgia: The Land of Wine On Our Minds appeared first on That Eurovision Site.

This week, Rosie, Jazzi and Rory return to Scandinavia to talk about all things Norway – the second most successful Nordic nation. We talk about our favourite Norwegian entries in the Contest, reflect on Melodi Grand Prix’s quality of songs in comparison to other Scandinavian national finals and have a frank discussion on the debate of cultural appropriation and appreciation in Lisa Vassilieva’s “I Am Gay”.

What do you think about our opinions? What are some of your favourite Norwegian entries from across their participation in the Contest? Where do you fall down on the “I Am Gay” debate? Should NRK have selected Ulrikke for next year? Please do tell us what your opinions are by getting in touch on our social media or leaving a comment below!

A link to this episode on Apple Podcasts is available here. Below is a video Rory references in the podcast episode; here is a twelve-year-old Rory singing “Haba Haba” at a school competition. Enjoy!

The post Norway: A Story of Polar Results appeared first on That Eurovision Site.

This week, in a bit of a departure from our usual format, Rory, Rosie and Jazzi discuss some Eurovision songs that have either gone up in their estimations, or others that have fallen out of favour with their music tastes after the Contest. Expect controversy and surprise throughout! Although these are our own personal opinions, so please don’t cancel us too hastily!

What do you think of our choices? Is THAT Eurovision Podcast now finished forever following these shocking revelations? Who would your own growers or fallers be? Please do let us know what your opinions are by getting in touch with us.

A link to this episode on Apple Podcasts is available here.

The post TEP Talks: Growers and Fallers appeared first on That Eurovision Site.

This week, we were very happy to be joined by Rosie’s boyfriend Lewis to reflect on the celebration of diversity that was Eurovision 2017, held in Kyiv, Ukraine! Together, we share our memories of the 2017 Eurovision season, divulge our top three entries, while also reflecting on the chaos of the organisation of the Contest. We also speak a little about the controversy of Salvador’s win, while contrasting the chaos of the year with the influx of memes that continue to humour Eurofans to this day!

What do you think of our opinions? Who was in your top three entries for 2017? Did the right song win for you? Please do let us know what you think by getting in touch below! Also we’d love to take this opportunity to thank Lewis for filling in for Tim as he saves the world, one pop catastrophe at a time!

A link to this episode on Apple Podcasts is available here.

The post TEP Reviews: Eurovision 2017 appeared first on That Eurovision Site.

This week, the hosts round off their “stan country” reviews by going to Tim’s “stan” country of Israel. Together, they talk about their favourite Israeli entries, discuss the growing variation of language used by Israel and investigate how KAN, Israel’s new public broadcaster, has managed to have such incredible success at the Contest after succeeding the IBA. We also discuss the ability of how Israel has managed to incorporate Middle Eastern elements and combine them with Western pop, with varying degrees of success.

What do you think of our opinions? Do you think KAN have done a good job since taking over Eurovision participation? Who are some of your favourite Israeli entries? Should Israel even be allowed to compete in the Contest? Please do let us know by getting involved in the comments!

A link to this episode on Apple Podcasts is available here. Below is a video that Rory mentions in the podcast, referring to a misheard lyrics video of Izhar Cohen’s winning entry in 1978 – “A Ba Ni Bi”, now known as “I Wanna Be A Polar Bear”. Enjoy!

The post Israel: Culture on Europe’s Edge appeared first on That Eurovision Site.

This week, the hosts take a trip to Scandinavia – to Jazzi’s “stan country” of Finland. We discuss our favourite Eurovision entries from Finland and talk about Yle’s gradual development of Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) as a national final format. We also discuss how Finland’s experience with the juries has negatively impacted their recent results at the Contest, coming up with an ingenious way to avoid Yle from falling into this pitfall in future.

What do you think of our opinions? Do you think Finland’s entries have been underrated, overrated or deserved? Should UMK be trashed in favour of an internal selection? What can Finland do to appease the juries? Do let us know what you think as ever by commenting below!

A link to this episode on Apple Podcasts can be found here.

The post Finland: Changing the Formula for Success appeared first on That Eurovision Site.

This week, we looked to the newest member of the Big Five – and Rosie’s so-called “stan country”: Italy. Together with Rory, Jazzi and Tim, we talk about our favourite and least favourite Italian entries, discuss the popularity of Sanremo as a quasi-national final format, and look at how Italy’s impact on the Contest has helped to bring Eurovision into the modern age.

What do you think of our opinions? Should Italy withdraw for another 14 years? What is your favourite Italian entry? Be sure to let us know what you think about what we think by getting involved on our social media!

A link to this episode on Apple Podcasts is available here.

The post Italy: Class and Kitsch Combined? appeared first on That Eurovision Site.

This week, we were thrilled to be joined by Lesley Roy, who would have represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020. Together with Jazzi, Rory, Rosie and Tim, we talk about Lesley’s journey to Eurovision, discuss the contrast between “nostalgia” and “outdated”, and revel in Lesley’s anecdote about the (in)famous pink suit.

What do you think about Lesley Roy’s song? Do you think she should return for Ireland in 2021? We would love to thank Lesley for coming onto the podcast, and we hope that the recording sessions that have become an integral part of Lesley’s Eurovision journey bear fruit so that we see Lesley return to obtain her goals next year!

A link to this episode on Apple Podcasts is available here.

The post TEP Talks: Lesley Roy appeared first on That Eurovision Site.

This week, we were delighted to be joined by Andrew, a good friend of the podcast from the United States to discuss the most recent edition of Eurovision to take place (pre-pandemic) – 2019! With the help of Andrew, we talk about our favourite entries of the year, discuss THAT performance from Madonna and reflect on our memories of one of the strongest national selection seasons in Eurovision history.

What do you think about our opinions? Do you think Israel put on a good show in 2019? Is there anything you would have changed about the shows? Please do get in touch to let us know what you think. Also, we’d love to take this time to thank Andrew for coming on the podcast and we hope you enjoyed this episode!

A link to the episode on Apple Podcasts is available here.

The post TEP Reviews: Eurovision 2019 appeared first on That Eurovision Site.