The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

By The EuroWhat? PodcastMusic Music Commentary Music History

The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews episodes

January 27Episode 289: Rough
Bulgaria returns to Eurovision following a three-year absence. We take a look at the country's history at the Contest: a rough start in its initial tenure, a renaissance after its first hiatus, and looking ahead to how Bulgaria's next tenure may go.
Rough Summary
Selection Season So Far: Moldova, Malta, Luxembourg, Georgia, Israel, Switzerland (0:40)
Join the EuroWhat? AV Club (4:29)
Bulgaria's History at Eurovision (6:30)
How is Bulgaria selecting for 2026? (28:32)
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
36 min
January 20Episode 288: Bad Lucksembourg
Luxembourg returned to Eurovision in 2024 after a 30-year hiatus. When they left the Contest, they were tied with Ireland and France in having won the most times at 5 wins apiece. We’ll explore Luxembourg’s incredible run and see how they’ve adapted to the modern era as we preview the third edition of the Luxembourg Song Contest.
Bad Lucksembourg Summary
Luxembourg Stats at Eurovision (1:20)
Luxembourg Hosting Eurovision (4:55)
Luxembourg Song Contest 2026 (17:02)
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:
RTL Play | Luxembourg Song Contest
28 min
January 13Episode 287: Folklore & Rock & Roll
Moldova has returned to Eurovision after a one-year break and has selected 16 songs to compete for a trip to Vienna in May. Malta has also streamlined their process a bit and will select their entrant from among 18 hopefuls. We’ll take a look at the history of these two countries and preview the selections that will be taking place on Saturday, January 17.
Folklore & Rock & Roll Summary
End of 2025 News (1:19)
Moldova at Eurovision (4:46)
EuroWhat? AV Club (Patreon) (30:26)
Malta at Eurovision (32:23)
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 99: Merry FiKmas
52 min
December 30, 2025Episode 286: Discomfort
How do fans cope when the object of their fandom becomes problematic? Dr. Zoë Jay returns to the show to share insights from her research within the Eurovision community about this topic through the Eurovisionaries project. We also discuss ideas for fans who may be approaching 2026 with the mindset of new year, new me, new special interest.
Dr. Zoë Jay
Dr Zoë Jay is a researcher in international politics at the University of Helsinki. She is the lead investigator of the Eurovisionaries Project, which explores how Eurovision fans think about and participate in cultural diplomacy and international politics.
📸 Cover photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Discomfort Summary
New Insights from the Eurovisionaries Project (2:07)
What do we do with our problematic faves? (11:17)
Grief (21:15)
New Year, New Me, New Special Interest? (28:18)
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:::
Special Guest: Zoë Jay.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Episode 242: Eurovisionaries
The Eurovisionaries | How Fan Diplomats Are Making Europe
Zoë Jay (@zoecharlottejay) / X
38 min
December 16, 2025Episode 285: Kerflooey
With the passage of the EBU's new Eurovision rules, Israel will be in Vienna while the Netherlands, Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and Iceland have withdrawn from the Contest. We’ll be discussing the fallout from the decision and figuring out how we’ll be navigating 2026...
Kerflooey Summary
What happened at the EBU General Assembly Meeting (1:11)
What is happening after the Eurovision vote? (19:16)
What will be happening? (26:59)
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.
Join the EuroWhat AV Club!
If you would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
EBU Statement on reaction to Eurovision Song Contest General Assembly discussion | EBU
LETTER TO OUR FANS FROM MARTIN GREEN
Nemo's Announcement | Instagram
Charlie McGettigan | Post by @escdiscord.com — Bluesky
Episode 99: Merry FiKmas
Episode 126: A Song Called Hate
33 min
December 02, 2025Episode 284: "Joke" Entries
Over-the-top costumes, silly phrases twisted to make catchy hooks, and a backdrop that is not always taken seriously can cause a lot of Eurovision hopefuls to be lumped (or perhaps dismissed) into the category of “joke entries.” We’ll explore some examples and try to “get it” in terms of what might be happening under the hood of these songs. Chris Molanphy from Slate’s Hit Parade will join us to help with analyzing the novelty of Eurovision entries.
"Joke" Entries Summary
What is a novelty song? (1:19)
Does "Europop" automatically mean "novelty"? (7:04)
Eurovision Joke (or Novelty?) Entries (10:04)
When Eurovision hits the Hot 100 (18:57)
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 would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics.
Special Guest: Chris Molanphy.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Eurovision Novelty Songs - YouTube
Hit Parade: How novelty and comedy songs topped the charts before memes.
Old Town Road | Books Gateway | Duke University Press
Why Is This Song No. 1?
Kyle Gordon - Planet of the Bass (feat. DJ Crazy Times & Ms. Biljana Electronica) [Official Video] - YouTube
34 min
November 18, 2025Episode 283: Down Under
Australia first competed at Eurovision when Austria hosted the 60th Edition of the Contest in 2015. As we approach the 70th Edition (also hosted by Austria), let’s explore Australia’s history with the ESC and do a pulse check on how the country is doing in the competition.
Down Under Summary
Australian Artists at Eurovision: The New Seekers, Olivia Newton-John, Gina G (2:47)
Why is Australia so into Eurovision? (19:14)
Australia at Eurovision (25:38)
...Oh, Canada? (39:57)
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 would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Coca-Cola, 1971 - 'Hilltop' | "I'd like to buy the world a Coke" - YouTube
The Making of 'I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke' | Archive.org
40th Annual Grammy Awards - Wikipedia
Aretha Franklin stepped in for Pavarotti at the 1998 Grammys, and sang Nessun Dorma - Classic FM
Eurovision Song Contest: Down Under (Interval Act by Australia; Jessica Mauboy) - YouTube
Cultural diversity: Census, 2021 | Australian Bureau of Statistics
43 min
November 04, 2025Episode 282: Momentum
It was a busy October in Eurovision Land: The EBU unscheduled an extraordinary member session, two countries announced their return to the Contest, and several national selections are getting their ducks in a row. We get caught up on the headlines as Eurovision 2026 starts to take shape.
Momentum Summary
EBU cancels "extraordinary session" (1:32)
Bulgaria and Romania return to Eurovision (3:21)
Gert Kark joins the Eurovision Reference Group (8:15)
Patreon: PanArctic Sing-Alongs (10:18)
National Final Roundup: Estonia, Spain, Albania, Montenegro, Luxembourg, Austria, San Marino (11:38)
Photo by Filip Mishevski on Unsplash
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 would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
ORF-Chef Weißmann: ESC „keine politische Veranstaltung“
TVR revine pe scena Eurovision. România va participa la cea de-a 70-a ediție a Eurovision Song Contest, la Viena | Site-ul de stiri al TVR
Budihuman.me
21 min
October 21, 2025Episode 281: Responsive
The European Broadcasting Union has postponed its plan to hold a membership vote to decide if Israel’s broadcaster KAN will be allowed to compete in next year’s Eurovision. While it remains unclear if the vote will still happen, it doesn’t fully resolve how the EBU got to this point in the first place. We’ll take a closer look at other times the EBU’s non-political stance has been tested and see what lessons can be applied going forward.
Responsive Summary
Yugoslavia (3:20)
Administrative Changes to the Contest (13:40)
Armenia and Azerbaijan (16:42)
Georgia (26:58)
Final Thoughts (32:14)
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 would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
Episode 65: Lebanon-starter
Episode 134: Belarus
Episode 274: Yugoslavia 1990
Yugoslavia - Eurovision 1991 - Baby Doll - Brazil - YouTube
Yugoslavia - Eurovision 1992 - Extra Nena - Ljubim te pesmama - YouTube
André - Without Your Love (Armenia) 2006 Final - YouTube
Eurovision Amends Rules, Does Not Sanction Azerbaijan
Episode 63: Flags on the Play
We Don't Wanna Put In - Eurovision Song Contest 2009 - YouTube
35 min
October 07, 2025Episode 280: Weird Little Dudes
Käärijä, Joost, Baby Lasagana, Tommy Cash... we've used the term "Weird Little Dudes" to describe these contestants from the last few editions of Eurovision. Something else they have in common: all were favorites to win and did extremely well in the televote. We attempt to define the term and try to identify what other Eurovision contestants may fall into this category.
Weird Little Dudes Summary
Where did the term "Weird Little Dude" come from? (1:20)
Pop Quiz: Is this act a Weird Little Dude? (3:06)
Dude (5:45)
Little (9:37)
Weird (18:16)
Are "Weird Little Dudes" actually a thing? (33:22)
Which countries are more likely to have WLDs at Eurovision? (38:28)
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 would like to help financially support the show, we are hosting the EuroWhat AV Club over on Patreon! We have a slew of bonus episodes with deep dives on Eurovision-adjacent topics.
Support The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews
Links:
SURVEY: Are these Weird Little Dudes?
Jacobellis v. Ohio | 378 U.S. 184 (1964) | Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center
PS22 Chorus "JUST DANCE" by Lady Gaga - YouTube
280: Weird Little Dudes - YouTube Playlist
47 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…