The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

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The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews episodes

October 06Episode 310: The Dream Team
The Dream Team—composer Philipp Kirkirov, songwriter/producer Dimitris Kontopoulos, and creative director Fokas Evangelinos—have been involved in some of the most memorable Eurovision entries from the last 20 years. Let’s dive into their catalog!
📸 SVT / EBU
The Dream Team Summary
Fokas Evangelinos (2:39)
Dimitris Kontopoulous (9:05)
Philipp Kirkorov (10:23)
Dream Team Collaborations (15:22)
Setbacks (24:15)
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The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and Eurovision Song Contest Asia Edition.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
310 Dream Team Playlist | YouTube
34 Traitors to Ukraine Stripped of State Awards: President Signs Relevant Decree | National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine
Rights court backs Lithuanian ban on pro-war Russian pop star | Courthouse News Service
38 min
September 15Episode 309: Oh? Canada?
We spend some heritage minutes discussing Canada's previous history in Eurovision and why they may have been brought in to participate.
📸 Alesia Kozik | Pexels
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. Join today to listen to our coverage of Eurovision Asia!
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Episode 207: Aline!
Episode 272: I Am: Celine Dion
CKCO Circus 1979 Promo | YouTube
309: Oh? Canada? Playlist | YouTube
Quick & Easy Homemade Poutine Recipe | Budget Bytes
24 min
September 01Episode 308: Welcome to Bulgaria
Happy Eurovision New Year! We start our 10th Season (sidebar: WHAT?!) catching up on the planning for 2027 as Bulgaria prepares to host the big event for the first time.
📸 Photo by Ondrej Bocek on Unsplash
Welcome to Bulgaria Summary
Eurovision Rule Updates for 2027 (1:39)
Voting overhaul? (7:55)
Netherlands Likely Not Returning while Canada(?) Joins (11:09)
Welcome to Burgas, Bulgaria! (17:59)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
EuroWhat AV Club
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. Join today to get our coverage of Eurovision Song Contest: Asia Edition!
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Justin Ladia
Eurovision Song Contest updates rules for 2027 | Eurovision
AVROTROS neemt niet deel aan Eurovisie Songfestival 2027 | AVROTROS
289: Rough
Capybara vs. Seagull: Burgas Debates Eurovision Mascot | Sofia News Agency
35 min
August 18Episode 307: Can't Stop the Music
The Eurowhat AV Club finishes out the 1980 Disco Musical Trilogy (which includes The Apple and Xanadu) with CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC.
Spoiler: We would like to stop the music...
📸 EMI Films, Ltd.
Can't Stop the Music Summary
When did you first see Can't Stop the Music? (0:58)
A Truly Curséd Production (4:43)
What is Can't Stop the Music about? (13:39)
Out of Control Promo Budgets (18:23)
Can't Stop (talking about) the Music (or the Cast) (27:45)
Would you recommend Can't Stop the Music? (33:39)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest Asia edition.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Episode 20: Bite The Apple
Episode 306: Xanadu
Can't Stop The Music (1980) - Official Trailer | YouTube
Tina Turner and the Nutbush: Australia’s national dance | Slate
Disastrous Oscars opening ceremony with Rob Lowe & Snow White | YouTube
The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure Official Trailer #2 (2012) | YouTube
Ten Baskin-Robbins ice cream movie flavors | B&S About Movies
39 min
August 04Episode 306: Xanadu
The Eurowhat Movie Club celebrates the legacy of Olivia Newton-John’s film career with a detour into the roller disco classic(?) Xanadu. And OH BOY do we have questions...
📸 Universal Pictures
Xanadu Summary
Remembering Olivia Newton-John (1:15)
What is Xanadu about? (5:47)
Is Xanadu a musical? (11:12)
What is the business plan for Xanadu? (22:23)
Would we recommend Xanadu? (31:46)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest Asia edition.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Tresóna Multimedia v. Burbank High School Vocal Music Association
Making Xanadu behind-the-scenes special | YouTube
Episode 20: Bite the Apple
The Number Ones: Olivia Newton-John’s “Magic” | Stereogum
5 Reasons 1980 Wasn't the Best Year for Movie Musicals | Mental Floss (via Archive.org)
36 min
July 21Episode 305: American Song Contest Revisited Part 2
The instantly-doomed American Song Contest really did seem like a good idea at the time: 56 states and territories competing for the hearts and minds of the public on NBC. The execution was not great, but we were pot-committed back in 2022 when we covered this pale imitation of Eurovision. What lessons can be learned before Asia tries its hand at the ESC formula?
📸 NBC
Revisiting the American Song Contest Part 2 Summary
Episode 5: That's Not My Jam (5:28)
Episode 6: Having Nunavut (27:17)
Episode 7: ......Trash (49:53)
Episode 8: Grahn Feenal (1:08:22)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Episode 5 Playlist | Spotify
M&M's Commercials - Works | Archive of Our Own (AO3)
Miley Cyrus - Do It For The Phones (T-Mobile ad campaign) | YouTube
White vs Black: We Try Each Other's Potato Salad | Taste Wars / Buzzfeed
LONDON Eurovision Pre-Party: Citi Zēni - Eat Your Salad (FULL Live Performance - Latvia) | YouTube
1 hr 28 min
July 07Episode 304: American Song Contest Revisited Part 1
The instantly-doomed Great American State Fair was supposed to bring together all 56 US states and territories. What if there was a song contest that did that? NBC tried it in 2022 and we watched it all.
This episode pulls out some of the best bits from the first half of the series as we consider Eurovision’s next attempt at expanding their brand in Asia later this year.
📸 NBC
American Song Contest Revisited Part 1 Summary
Episode 1: These Boots Were Made for Goofin’ (5:07)
Episode 2: Sunk Cost Fallacy (22:15)
Episode 3: Stockholm Syndrome (40:47)
Episode 4: ENTHUSIASM! IS! FLAGGING! (1:10:21)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Episode 1 Playlist | Spotify
Episode 2 Playlist | Spotify
Episode 3 Playlist | Spotify
Episode 4 Playlist | Spotify
American Song Contest | YouTube
Brat TV takes YouTube and TikTok stars like Jules LeBlanc and turns them into actors | Vox
1 hr 36 min
June 16Episode 303: Scopitone
Scopitone was a video jukebox from the 1960s that featured short clips that could be considered proto-music videos. Ben discusses the history, production, and cultural impact of the medium while Mike delights in the off-model nature of the content.
📸 Cover Image by Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scopitone Summary
What is Scopitone? (3:03)
Scopitone Production in America (8:15)
The End of the Scopitone Era (13:44)
Let's Sample Some Scopitone (19:17)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Scopitone in the MoMA collection
Scopitone YouTube playlist
Movin' with Nancy (1967)
Les Surfs at Sanremo
30 min
June 02Episode 302: Notes on Camp
What is "Camp"? In 1964, literary critic Susan Sontag investigated this question in her culture-defining essay "Notes on Camp". We discuss how the concept of Camp applies to Eurovision, other forms of pop culture, and our day-to-day lives.
📸 Cover Image by Loyloy Thal from Pixabay
Notes on Camp Summary
Notes from Future Mike (0:00)
Episode Intro (1:32)
Notes on Camp Background (3:26)
Is Eurovision Camp? (17:16)
Camp vs. Time (25:29)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Notes on "Camp" - Susan Sontag (pdf) | Monoskop.org
What Is Camp? How Susan Sontag's Essay Was Explained in 1964 | Time.com
Rainbow Rant: Notes on ‘Notes on “Camp”’ | Columbus Monthly
Eurovision Song Context Episode 17: (Part 1) Discotequing At Home: Eurovision & The Pandemic
All of the Red Carpet Looks From the 2019 Met Gala
House on the Rock
Chloe "Summer" - YouTube
Episode 239: ABBA Gold
31 min
May 19Episode 301: BOOM Bangaranga
Better late than never: let’s talk about Eurovision 2026. We’ll discuss what happened in Vienna, what this means for the Contest going forward, and share our post-confetti plans. Also: BULGARIA?!
📸 Sarah Louise Bennett | EBU
BOOM Bangaranga Summary
Were we engaged with the Contest this year? (0:56)
The Eurovision Brodacasts (6:16)
First Semi-Final (10:06)
Second Semi-Final (16:24)
The Grand Final (28:41)
Data Tidbits (46:19)
Looking Ahead to 2027 (50:21)
Subscribe
The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here.
Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring:
previews of upcoming episodes,
North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni
National Selection dates
Tidbits we can't get to on the main show
We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast, a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
How Israel Turned Eurovision’s Stage Into a Soft Power Tool - The New York Times
TRM director, "surprised" by the jury's decision, which awarded Romania's representative only 3 points: "We made sure that the jury would be independent"
1 hr 2 min

About The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

From the publisher's feed

The Eurowhat? Podcast launched in 2018 and features two Americans (Ben Smith and Mike McComb) attempting to make sense of the Eurovision Song Contest. The show tracks national selections and artist…