Well, obviously, anyone remotely interested in the result will already know that Alexander Rybak won the 54th Eurovision song contest for Norway, but I figured it deserved a mention on the blog too. The song is pleasant enough, with a nice beat that makes you want to jump up and dance, and was supported on stage by two blonde Norwegian backing singers (female, of course) and Frikar's impressive acrobatic choreography. Not sure all this justifies the landslide victory it got, but hey, that's what marketing's for, eh?
As for the rest of the participants, this is a sample of what was on offer:
The biggest WOW moment of the evening was Dita von Teese's appearance alongside Oscar Loya who sang Miss Kiss Kiss Bang for Germany. I mean, just look at that waist!! Apparently, Dita's costume on the night was slightly more demure than her outfit at the dress rehearsal after she was reportedly told to cover up by the EBU, which runs Eurovision, because it was unsuitable for a family audience. 
Patricia Kaas, one of the most successful French-speaking singers in the world, represented France, and gave us a glimpse of what Eurovision used to be like.
Estonia's was one of the best songs of the competition, and deserved better than 6th place. Beautiful staging too, with no gimmicks.
Very unlike their neighbouring Ukraine, who have a reputation for going completely mad on stage - year after year. 
Ditto Azerbaijan, who came 3rd with a very energetic tune sung by AySel & Arash.
Denmark's song was written by Ronan Keating and sung by a Ronan Keating look-and-sound-alike. Spooky.
Armenia was one of the countries that embraced the ethnic look. Apparently, singers Inga & Anush are often mistaken for twins. I wonder why.
Malta was once again represented by Chiara. Beautiful voice, but the song was fairly nondescript and didn't do well.
Iceland on the other hand, did really well with a beautiful ballad sang by the beautiful Yohanna with the beautiful 80's bridesmaid's dress. Disney princesses eat your hearts out.
Sweden took a risk that didn't quite pay off with opera singer Malena Ernman. A beautiful song and fab staging, it deserved to do better than it did. 
Last but not least, our very own Jade Ewen belts it out while Andrew Lloyd Webber looks on in admiration (or perhaps it's a side effect of the botox).The end result looked like this:
1. Norway
2. Iceland
3. Azerbaijan
4. Turkey
5. United Kingdom (near the top at last)
6. Estonia
7. Greece (go Sakis!)
8. France
9. Bosnia & Herzegovina
10. Armenia
11. Russia
12. Ukraine
13. Denmark
14. Moldova
15. Portugal
16. Israel
17. Albania
18. Croatia
19. Romania
20. Germany
21. Sweden
22. Malta
23. Lithuania
24. Spain
25. Finland
Next stop Oslo or Bergen, this time next year!
12 comments:
if there was no panel judging the contest, i'm sure the results would have been completely different!
I wonder if that's true. It'd be interesting to see the public/panel vote split for each country, as I suspect the panel voting was just as political - or is "strategic" a better word?
What is it about bloggers, tweeters, and Eurovision? I've never been too interested in the contest, but I see so many people who are REALLY into it! Like you! Nice posts, though.
These look like some interesting acts!
@ Betty C: Hey, thanks :-) I don't think it's anything to do with blogging or twitting - most people I know are interested in Eurovision and none of them have blogs. It's just that we grew up watching it, and we still get excited about it, just like when we were kids.
@ Fifi Flowers: Some more interesting than others!
Hello from Norway and thanks for your contribution!
I'm sure it will be in Oslo and probably the 25th of May. If you wanne come to join from a week earlier, you can join our 17th of May celebration too. Welcome!
Thanks for the interesting synopsis - I managed to miss it tut tut!! as for Andrew's face - botox can't perform miracles :(
I wanted Israel to win....not that keen on Norway...never mind...just wanted to let you know the boat is in a small plot of neglected land down the road from wher ewe live....nowhere near any water....well except the tiniest trickling stream....there is an old farm a few yards close by and an abandoned pig stye next to an old potatoe storage shed....all old Jersey granite....lots of character...
@ RennyBA: I'd love to, but don't think I can afford a whole week in Oslo. Sniff :-(
@ Anonymous: It is true that miracles haven't been performed.
@ Mandi: Did you vote for them though?
As for the boat, how bizarre!!
We had a great night - you can't do Eurovision on your own, it has to be at a party. My own tenuous claim to fame is that I knew someone in the audience! lol
That's not a bad claim to fame - do you know how hard it is to get a ticket to the Eurovision final?
We had a party too, and had a great time :-)
Hi Tinsie! Sorry for the absence, but I’ve been busy with my parents’ health; almost 180 years to care... ;)
Side effect of the botox... Great remark!!
Blogtrotter is showing the new Vilnius as well as the old University. Hope you enjoy and have a great week!
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