The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

We have Eurovision semi-final logistics! Hosting logistics! France and Czechia selection logistics! It's the most wonderful time of year!

First, we do what little extrapolation we can based on how this year's Semi-Final Allocation draw shook out. Spoiler: a random draw created a random assortment. Now that we know how the field has divvied up, we can speculate on how hosting duties will be split among the four presenters. Oh no, four presenters again? Hmmm. We also learned that FYR Macedonia will be renamed North Macedonia eventually, Eurovision hasn't caught up with the news quite yet.

Going over this past weekend's selections, we do a deep dive into the exciting conclusion of France's Destination Eurovision. We have some opinions about some of the design choices made by eventual winner Waluigi Bilal Hassani, 36% of Frenchmen can't be wrong, right? As for the Czech Republic, we're not so sure the televoters got it right, as they broke the jury tie by awarding Lake Malawi the ticket to Tel Aviv. Over in Malta, The X Factor wrapped with Michela Pace winning the chance to represent her country at Eurovision.

Finally, after trying to get an accurate headcount of folks still competing in Lithuania, we take a look at the week ahead. Estonia's Eesti Laul, Sweden's Melodifestivalen, plus songs from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and last year's winner Netta are on our calendar. Things are ramping up quick—trust the process!

Links

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

A flood of Eurovision updates this week, including Spain's selection and artists from Belgium, Netherlands, and San Marino.

After learning that there was such a thing as the Molasses Flood 100 years ago AND that it was not at all funny, we pick up right where we left off in last week's episode. Or, more like 15 minutes after we signed off because Belgium announced Eliot Vassamillet as their artist.

Fast forward to this past weekend, and we were ankle deep in selection news. Spain's Miki won the Operacion Triunfo Eurovision Gala with "La Venda" and will be bringing the party to Tel Aviv. San Marino revealed that Serhat will represent them for the second time while the Netherlands have selected Duncan Laurence as their act for Eurovision 2019.

Then we get knee deep in the oncoming flood of selection shows this coming weekend. We highlight the frontrunners in France's Destination Eurovision before taking a peek at this weekend's schedule of events. It's just going to get busier moving forward—I hope you're ready!

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

We break down the entries in Czechia's Eurovision selection and talk triangles. Lots of triangles.

After we triangulate our opinions on the triangle-inspired logo for this year's competition, we also chat about the expected ticket sales date (hint: it's the end of this month). We do go on a bit of a tangent about a possible name change for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, but we're waiting on Greece to cosine that.

For our main topic, we go through the eight entries up for consideration in the Czechia's online selection. Although the AirBnB video concept left a lot to be desired, there may be some contenders to build on the momentum "Lie to Me" brought to Lisbon last year. We check in on France's Destination Eurovision semi-final before planning our TV schedule for the weekend.

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

Happy new year! Now that we can begin 2019 in earnest, we have our first Eurovision entry up for discussion.

This week's episode starts with some Eurovision in the Wild. Ben rocked a Swedish pop music quiz while Mike spotted Englebert Humperdinck (ESC 2012) on the way to Detroit. We also discuss the ESC 250 countdown and some of the surprises in this year's edition.

We also have some updates on how preparations for Tel Aviv 2019 are moving along. Florian Wieder's stage concept has been announced and the outdoor cats among us may be interested in some new accommodations that will be available for this year's Contest. We also confirm that Mike and Ben are not outdoor cats.

The main event is Albania's selection for Eurovision 2019. Although the selection process could have used some tightening up from a production standpoint (sorry, @ESCAlbania), we're optimistic about "Ktheju tokës" by Jonida Maliqi.

We're also optimistic about Cyprus, Spain, and San Marino's selections—unless the Human Ken Doll comes out to play. Selection season is upon us, and we are ready for the shows this weekend!

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

As we wrap up 2018, we get ready for Albania's Eurovision selection process, check in with Spain, and see how Spotify puts us on blast.

First up, the 57th edition of Festivali i Këngës will begin Thursday with three days of competition to determine the first Eurovision entry for 2019! Will the new format of the competition lead to better results for the country in next year's Contest?

Meanwhile, Spain's selection process will reveal the 17 songs up for consideration in their selection process. It's a little convoluted, but perhaps this method will allow the country to move up the scoreboard in Tel Aviv?

Now that you can find the Eurowhat on Spotify, we take a look at our own usage to talk about what music we've been listening to in 2018. Yes—we do listen to non-Eurovision music... at least Ben does.

Have a happy holiday, a fantastic new year, and we'll see you in January!

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

Are you looking for Eurovision gifts for friends or loved ones? We have suggestions.

As we get ready for the holidays and the end of 2018, there's plenty of excitement afoot for 2019. Armenia has made the first artist selection for next year's Eurovision Song Contest. Meanwhile, Latvia and Estonia have released their songs up for consideration for the competition. Could there be a winner in the mix or is it still too early to tell? (Spoiler: It's too early.)

We take a stop in Sweden to discuss Melfest preparations—is it February yet? Also, we gush over the Swedish Pop Music Industrial Complex thanks to an episode of Slate's Hit Parade podcast. These leads to a discussion of Abba, Benny and Bjorn's visit to UK's X Factor, and how that show's season finished with (or without?) Brenden Murray.

As if these early Eurovision gifts weren't enough, we have made our list of suggestions if you are stumped on what to get the Eurofan in your life. We talk books, video games, music collections, and the random delights if you let a search box do the work for you.

Join yule lads Ben and Mike for a festive edition of the Eurowhat!

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

Happy Thanksgiving! We're talking turkey this week and that means either the country or Ireland's Dustin the Turkey. Guess what we chose.

Before we gobble up our main topic of Dustin the Turkey, we check in with how Eurovision planning is going in Tel Aviv. We have our final count of participants—42!—and an indication that tickets for the Contest could be up for grabs next month. We also recommend booking your lodging now if you are planning on going, otherwise you may find yourself camping in the suburbs of Tel Aviv.

Our favorite scrivener Jan Ola Sand is the star of This Week in Boycotts and he is not here for your political shenanigans. He's also most likely not a fan of being in a segment called This Week in Boycotts. Meanwhile on the X Factor UK, Brendan Murray is not a fan of the themes of movies or big bands when it comes to song selections. Will he be a fan of ABBA in next week's semi-final?

Also, Junior Eurovision is a thing.

As for our main topic, we travel back to 2008 when the people of Ireland decided that they should be represented at Eurovision by a somewhat surly puppet named Dustin the Turkey. His song "Irelande Douze Points" may live in infamy, but was it a good Eurovision entry?

Gather the family, scoop up some Irish stew (or goulash if you prefer), and enjoy this week's episode!

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

How does the voting process work at Eurovision? If you think it's confusing now, the history of voting at the Contest has many surprises.

With mid-term elections happening this week in the US, we wanted to talk about how voting works when the consequences aren't as... consequential. One can dream, right?

Speaking of, we discuss next year's slogan "Dare to Dream" as well as other preparations currently taking place in Tel Aviv. If you're planning on going to the Contest, you may need to pack some Dramamine if you haven't booked your hotel yet.

There is some good news: the stage will be designed by a firm very familiar with Eurovision and other high profile music events, including the X Factor. We check in with how Brendan Murray is doing on the UK edition. ... Um... Dare to Dream...

Finally, we dive into the history of all the different methods used to distribute points at the Eurovision Song Contest. Point pools, age-defined juries, and potential 14-way ties are just some of the quirks that used to be part of the competition. We also explore how ties factor into the festivities.

United States, start learning about Eurovision voting now!

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

Eurovision provides an aftermarket for winners of singing competitions. Why don't we have that in America? Andy Dehnart from Reality Blurred joins us to discuss.

First up, we check in with the soon-to-be-final tally of countries participating in Eurovision 2019. We were at 40 once Armenia confirmed, but Bulgaria announced their withdrawal due to budget concerns. Speaking of budget concerns: Ukraine is still in the mix and will have a national final in February. Also having a national final: Australia! Fingers crossed for Aboriginal trip hop making its debut in Tel Aviv?

For our main topic, we discuss the tangled relationship between European singing competitions and Eurovision. The Voice and the X Factor have been viable feeder systems the last few years, with the United Kingdom's version of the latter becoming an end goal for some Eurovision alumni.((Brendan Murray is currently on the X Factor UK live shows.)) You could say that Eurovision works as a tournament of champions or an All-Stars edition of all the singing shows. But... why doesn't that exist in the US?

We lean on Andy Denhart's reality show expertise to help us answer some of these questions, as well as expose some of the more bizarre factoids we've all squirreled away. Sinbad on Star Search? Battle of the Reality Network Stars? Murder and sex scandals destroying franchises? This episode has it all!

Special Guest: Andy Dehnart.

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

Orchestras used to be a requirement at the Eurovision Song Contest. In this episode, we take a look at the evolution of live (and "live") music at the competition.

We're getting close to having a final-ish guest list for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest with 40* countries confirming their interest.((Armenia confirmed after we recorded.)) Yes, it's still a Facebook Maybe at this point and there are still three countries who have been invited but haven't responded. RETURN OUR CALLS, MOLDOVA.

After we check in with the Irish boycott situation and Cher's foray into Abba's catalog, we dive into the history of the music of the Eurovision Song Contest. Orchestras used to be a thing for the first 20 years of the competition. Once backing tracks were introduced in the mid-1970s (Hi again, Abba!), it was only a matter of time before Eurovision would catch up with a more modern pop sound.  ... I mean, 25 years? We're now 20 years beyond that revolution and we're still encountering new sounds that run afoul of Eurovision's definition of a song. It's beyond fascinating.

Get ready for a teach-in and grab the moment to listen to this episode!

Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews