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Eurovision, the only game worth watching this weekend

Anthony Sharwood

by Anthony Sharwood

28 May 05:55am

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Filed under: Eurovision, Men And Women, Music, Sport, Television

66 comments

At about 8pm each Sunday night, having digested my fill of weekend sport, I sit down and pen a Monday sports column for The Punch.


This weekend was different. This weekend I was on the NSW south coast with the wife and kids and another family. We were much too busy playing beach cricket and spotting bandicoots to catch any TV sport. We did, however, watch an exciting TV contest which had hype, tight scores and girls in even tighter dresses. There were even commentators.

Eurovision was great fun for the whole family, and if the Twitter trends were any guide, Australia watched in huge numbers. Partly we tuned in to laugh at the once great continent of Europe, whose musicians are tragically stuck in a 1980s time warp of synth pop and big hair. Seriously, when you see these guys lagging years behind in culture, it’s no wonder they can’t get their finances together.

What about that Dutch entry? A chick in North American Indian head dress with a country band backing her. Must’ve been a decent old batch of hash come through the Dutch Ports when they dreamed that one up.


Hey, and how ‘bout the act from Georgia, starring the Georgian Billy Idol in the Caucasus Horror Picture Show.

 


And then there were the Russians, those six wizened babushkas in traditional folk gear. Halfway through their act, they baked a tray of what looked like piroshkies (traditional Russian meat pies). Word is, they only entered Eurovision to raise money for a church. Hopefully they auctioned off the piroshkies afterwards, because who’s going to buy the single?

But for all the Euromocking and poking fun at the host city of Baku, Azerbaijan (which came last in the bidding for the 2016 Olympics), Eurovision made for a great all-in family TV event. The experience of being gathered round the telly, hurling banter and insults at the small screen, mirrored exactly the way men watch sport together. And it was great fun.

I never watch sport with my wife. She hates TV sport, and hates it even more when I “ruin” a BBQ or other social event by switching on the telly to catch a few minutes of the big game.

What she doesn’t realise is that when men watch sport on telly, we commune. As we trade banter and statistics and engage in gratuitous one-upmanship, we actually draw closer, and share something much more meaningful than we’d do if we were stuck making polite conversation. For men, televised sport doesn’t kill a social event. It brings it to life.

Like I say, though, my wife has never been particularly receptive to this argument.

So anyway, there we were down the coast on Friday and Saturday night, with a pile of board games beckoning. I hate board games. Monopoly brings out the capitalist pig in everyone and the Scrabble set is always missing the J, the Z and one of the s’s.

And then Eurovision came on and saved everything. All eight of us, men and women, boys and girls, delighted in the sheer gaudy glory of Serbian entrant Zeljko Joksimovic trying to sell us a priceless, hand-woven Balkan rug.

 


Long story short, watching Eurovision was about as close as I have come with my wife to the experience of watching sport with other men. And you know what? I’d wager there are numerous Australian households who experienced the same thing, and who share similar experiences with home grown shows like The Voice and Australia’s Got (Not Very Much) Talent.

For the record, some Swedish woman dressed as a dementor from Harry Potter won Eurovision 2012.

Ah, but we’re always told in sport that what counts is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. By that measure, Europe had an absolute shocker. But on our little couch in Currarong, NSW, and on couches all over Australia, it’s safe to say us amateur critics all played an absolute blinder.

 

Twitter: @antsharwood

Most commented

66 comments

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    • KH says:

      07:03am | 28/05/12

      I can’t believe Rambo Amadeus didn’t make it through to the final.  His ‘rap’ about the Euro crisis was topical and…............bwahahahaha I just can’t stop laughing.  My theory is that the iron curtain fell in the late 80s at which point they were still in the 1950s, so they are catching up on time lost…............I did find myself wondering if they have the internet in Europe!

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      07:37am | 28/05/12

      Swedish woman - tai chi on crystal meth.  Travesty.

      Reply

    • Paul says:

      01:25pm | 28/05/12

      hahaha, i picked up on the tai chi.. most bizarre act ever..

      and god save us all from that fringe

    • Mark says:

      07:41am | 28/05/12

      Eurovision had one thing going for it. The brilliant, witty, dry humour of Terry Wogan. Tery Wogan was as important to Eurovision as Bono is to U2. Without Terry, who stopped commentating a few years ago, the show is frankly a waste of space IMO. One year a decade or so ago SBS decided to ditch Terry for some very bad Aussie comedians. They had so many complaints they had to replay it a week later with Wogans commentary unedited.

      Reply

    • Katie says:

      08:33am | 28/05/12

      I agree… bring Wogan back! I have some many fond memories as a child of listening to him just rip the acts apart. The sycophantic SBS commentators they’ve got now just annoy me :(

    • JoMc says:

      09:47am | 28/05/12

      Wogan retired, he wasn’t ditched. BBC replaced him with Graham Norton. Very poor commentry last night from SBS, very poor

    • AA says:

      09:59am | 28/05/12

      Terry Wogan retired, he wasn’t ditched. The man is like 70 something. Also, he worked for the BBC and SBS just had broadcasting rights it so they wouldn’t have had any choice in the matter.

      I agree his commentary was brilliant.

    • Anna says:

      10:20am | 28/05/12

      Terry Wogan retired a few years ago, hence Julia and Sam starting the commentary. Graham Norton has started the commentary for the BBC to take over for Terry - would be great to have Graham for the aussie broadcast, but I enjoy Sam and Julia these days!

    • Matto says:

      10:46am | 28/05/12

      Terry Wogan stopped commentating on the UK broadcast a few years ago, and was replaced by Graham Norton. I miss Terry but I think the Aussie team do a great job.

    • Dr No says:

      11:05am | 28/05/12

      Agreed. Wogan was 50% of the reason to watch. He’s a brilliant broadcaster.

      It was essential family viewing in my house. Not anymore.

    • nihonin says:

      11:59am | 28/05/12

      terry Wogan and ABBA, bring them both back.

    • Josh says:

      08:29am | 28/05/12

      Georgia should have won.

      Reply

    • Katie says:

      08:31am | 28/05/12

      I would buy the babushka’s single. They were absolutely adorable.

      Ever think that maybe your wife doesn’t enjoy watching TV sport… because it’s quite boring to some people? I can’t stand watching footy on TV, tune out when people around me start talking about stats and to be honest, I completely understand why your wife gets mad if you put it on at a social event/BBQ. Anyone interested in it will start talking about the sport to the exclusion of all others who aren’t interested/know nothing about it.

      You don’t have to know anything about Europe/music/Eurovision to comment on it. It’s all inclusive.

      Now if only they’d get rid of Julia and what’s-his-face as commentators. They’re so sycophantic and talked over half the intermission entertainment last night… rather rude.

      Reply

    • TChong says:

      09:14am | 28/05/12

      Katie
      Be honest .
      When would you ever play their track?
      The absolutely adorable babushkas are a like the singing Chipmunks - so awful that they are funny.
      If you played the track at the barbie, after the larfs, there would be an embarrassed silence while everyone watched you get all teary, singing along with the babushkas.

    • Katie says:

      08:11am | 29/05/12

      @TChong: Considering their track is currently my ringtone… it’s quite possible it’d get played, to be honest.

      Then again, I listen to Jedward’s ‘Lipstick’ song from last year fairly often too so my musical taste might be up for questioning smile

    • helen says:

      08:53am | 28/05/12

      I adore Eurovision, it is so tacky, yet so bizarrely professional; and hey, the lighting, acrobatics, and weird costumes are totally spectacular. Waaaaay more fun than those stupid reality tv “talent” shows…if I hear one more wannabe quavering and screeching in a supposed attempt to show off their supposedly fantastic voice…

      Reply

    • Kika says:

      09:03am | 28/05/12

      I think Turkey was my favourite. It has everything Eurovision means to me - catchy tune, bad singing and a whole lot of kitsch. Loved it. Loved the tribute to the whirling dervishes which the choreography and costumes were based on. Old meets new. Loved it.

      My Norwegian family won’t be too thrilled that their guy lost the final behind Engelbert AND the Swedes won it convincingly (I.e. Great Rivals). Haha. But her song really was the stand out from the rest this year.

      I reckon it really was a bit disappointing. Too many power ballads and not enough insanity.

      Reply

    • Matthew says:

      03:08pm | 28/05/12

      I agree Turkey was so bad it was amazing.  The lead singer was like combination of Borat/Bruno and his male backing dancers looked like camp Twilight extras.  They made a boat out of their capes?! 

      Yes there were way too many slow earnest non English balads.  Maybe they should make a rule of no songs below 70 bpm or something.

    • Kika says:

      03:57pm | 28/05/12

      Hahaha yeah.

      YEAH! I thought the same! He looked a lot like Sacha Baron Cohen - like the Dictator with jazz hands. hahaha.

      What was with the backup dancers? Hahaha. They literally looked like they were pulled from the streets of Istanbul.

    • Anna C says:

      09:52am | 28/05/12

      You cannot be serious Mal?  Jenny Macklin is just a seat warmer.  That is why she has been immune from controversy not because she actually does anything.       


      Sweden’s entry was crap.  How the hell did it win and what was with the strange dancing?  It looked like she had taken dance lesson from the Elaine character in ‘Seinfeld’.

      I cannot believe the hot Slovakian guy Max something something didn’t get into the finals? He should have gotten there on looks alone.

      Reply

    • Kika says:

      01:33pm | 28/05/12

      Elaine was before her time. These days Elaine would be top of the dancing profession and would win every single one of those “So you think you can dance” comps with her post-mod interpretive dance.

    • Jackie says:

      09:55am | 28/05/12

      Eurovision was on 3 nights in our house, I was backing the Russians with a sneaking suspision that Sweeden would win, my husband & 15 year old son were strongly supporting Cypress….not suprising. There is an enduring tackyness about it, most contestants look like they have been dressed by project runway losers, I love it.
      Also loved the SBS commentary, Julia Zehmiro & that guy (?sorry?) were good fun. So much more entertaining than football!

      Reply

    • Feline says:

      08:14am | 29/05/12

      The other SBS commentator is Sam Pang.

    • Shane says:

      10:13am | 28/05/12

      Everyone who watched this of course realises the human rights violations that Azerbaijan commited to build their glitzy stadium?

      Forced evictions and the bulldozing of peoples homes all to build some pretty Crystal Stadium so that the rest of the world forgets their appaling human rights record for a few hours. Apoliticising events like this and the F1 Grand Prix simply allows us to ignore the reality of what goes on in these countries.

      Reply

    • KH says:

      10:34am | 28/05/12

      And the interval entertainment was provided by the presidents son in law, and apparently his wife was in charge of the whole thing.  I’m surprised he didn’t personally perform their entry…............

    • Charlie says:

      01:20pm | 28/05/12

      get off your high horse unless your willing to do something meaningful about it- as the final was displayed 32 children were murdered in Syria, god knows what else happened around the world- events like this try to be depolitisied because most of the time the world sucks arse.

    • AdamC says:

      10:14am | 28/05/12

      My key take outs from Eurovision were:

      1) Loreen of Sweden was a worthy winner, but I thought Iceland’s Andrew Lloyd Webber-esque entry was just as good. Sadly, it did very poorly, as did Denmark’s solid effort. Meanwhile, Norway’s pretty boy was lucky to avoid ‘null points’.

      2) Other solid acts that got run over by the Swedish juggernaut included Lithuania and Italy.

      3) The regional voting is really out of hand, especially when it comes to the Balkan territories. Serbia’s lacklustre effort was top three, simply because it was the best of an underwhelming Balkan bunch.

      4) The so-bad-it’s-bad Russian granny act lost out because Albania’s truly disturbing entrant soaked up a lot of the freak show vote.

      5) Of the obligatory show girl Europop entries, Cyprus was the best. Romania was the worst by a long stretch. How did they make the final?

      6) In other news: the UK’s Humperdink strategy was a calculated risk that just didn’t pay off; Ireland’s Jedward looked like the gayest Knights in Camelot and are not good singers; Turkey was trying to be cool, but wasn’t; so was the German entrant, but he was at least vaguely competent.

      Reply

    • Pickles... The Drummer says:

      11:25am | 28/05/12

      That Netherlands entrant was good, good song, great voice. What was wrong with it? (Besides the American Indian headress…)

    • Hamish says:

      11:55am | 28/05/12

      I think they need to change the voting. Scandinavian countries always win and Balkan countries always bat way above their average. The thing I don’t understand is people from these countries hate each other - hell in the Balkans they even kill each other - but they all vote for each other…Anyway, personal favourite was the Greek entry wearing the nightie. Hey, Eurovision ain’t about the music. The Azerbaijan-ie (not sure what someone from there is called) was the most obviously homosexual person I’ve ever seen on TV (including very openly gay TV presenters, etc). He was so camp he was creepy.

    • Helen says:

      02:25pm | 28/05/12

      Agree Hamish that the Scandinavians seem to win more than they deserve, although I always laugh at people comment about the Balkan block voting without commenting on the former USSR block voting, or the Scandinavian block voting for that matter.
      The friends I watched it with have a theory on winners being pre-determined according to whose “turn” it is to host the show. You do have to wonder about that smile

    • Hamish says:

      02:36pm | 28/05/12

      Helen, well I guess now we know why my favourite didn’t win then…Greece doesn’t have the cash to host! That could also explain Moldova’s entry. They clearly don’t want hosting duties.

    • veronica says:

      04:10pm | 28/05/12

      Good Summation.
      I love Eurovision just for what it is - there are so many levels to like and I don’t watch it just because it is trashy or whatever.

      The regional voting happens, not because they like each other,  but they have similar cultural heritage and like the same types of music, alot of the countries that vote for each other do not like each other.

    • Ricardo Jones says:

      10:27am | 28/05/12

      “Seriously, when you see these guys lagging years behind in culture, it’s no wonder they can’t get their finances together”.

      An Australian trying to school Europe on culture, now that’s a laugh.

      No doubt Ant is one of these people that thinks Melbourne created cafe culture and could teach the Italians a thing or two about how to make the perfect cappuccino. Maybe he thinks Australians could teach the French about cooking, or the Spanish about art, maybe Aussie’s should teach the Greeks our great dance culture as well.

      Question: What’s the difference between Australia and yoghurt?

      Answer: After 200 years the yoghurt would have grown some culture.

      But anyway I liked Cyprus, Denmark, France and the winner Sweden, but I agree with Kika that there were too many ballads this year (no doubt because Azerbaijan won last year with a ballad). Hopefully next year we see less ballads and more uptempo songs.

      I don’t think Terry Wogan should be the commentator, yes I loved him, however something about having local commentators has brought the whole competition closer to home. The ratings have proven that local commentators have captured the audience better then when Terry was commentator.  Julia and Sam talking over the top of the interval performances was annoying though.

      Reply

    • AdamC says:

      11:27am | 28/05/12

      The problem with the continental Europeans is that they are culturally conservative. They have established national cultures, which become set-in-stone and resistant to change. There are nothing wrong with Milanese cafes or Parisian bistros, for example, but we have seen it all before. Meanwhile, Anglosphone countries may lack the high culture of Europeans, but they are much more adaptive, which means they are much more effective when it comes to pop culture.

      As a result, so much European pop music is an exercise in mimicry. The best examples of that last night were the Italian and German entries, which were among the least kitsch and, therefore, least ‘Eurovision’. The reason Anglos adore Eurovision is because it is like watching a super geek try to be cool. The Scandinavian countries are probably the exception to this rule.

    • Kika says:

      12:06pm | 28/05/12

      AdamC - Having family in Norway and being there only in the last few years I can tell you that’s not necessarily the case!

    • Ben says:

      10:30am | 28/05/12

      The biggest travesty is that the Russian Grannies didn’t win! But Sweden was deserving, Norway a bit hard done by I think. The SBS commentators are fantastic - Julia Zemiro is just about the only person who can embrace the cheezyness that is Eurovision!

      Reply

    • Josephine says:

      10:45am | 28/05/12

      “some Swedish woman dressed as a dementor from Harry Potter won Eurovision 2012”  - that made me laugh!

      I thought Hungary had the best song.

      Reply

    • martin says:

      10:48am | 28/05/12

      As someone born in Indonesia, how can I not be proud when Anggun, an Indonesian singer, is representing France (and triggers a whole flurry of racism comments on youtube, woohoo! suck on that, french-cheese!)

      Reply

    • Little Joe says:

      11:22am | 28/05/12

      What the heck are you talking about Ant?? Let me see ....

      Collingwood vs Adelaide
      Richmond vs Hawthorne
      Saints vs Swans

      Parra vs St. George
      Tigers Vs Cowboys
      Newcastle vs Titans

      Reds vs Brumbies
      Cheetahs Vs Waratahs

      The, of course, you could have watched the Firebirds beat the Fever by 1-goal.

      The finish off with the Monaco GP with Webber winning.

      After “ANT’S RANT” (new column for The Punch) about State of Origin last week it is quite evident that The Punch’s sports columnist knows more about and has greater appreciation of European folk singing than any form of sport.

      Reply

    • Inky says:

      01:36pm | 28/05/12

      Did you actually read the article? He was away with the family and didn’t have a chance to watch any of the sport on the weekend. he says as much.

    • John Paladin says:

      11:35am | 28/05/12

      I too enjoy Eurovision for its sheer unadulterated corniness.
      But the voting is VERY political so the ‘competition’ aspect of it is rather diminished

      Reply

    • Grumpy Typewriter says:

      11:48am | 28/05/12

      Terry Wogan was great.  Was great because now Graham Norton does the UK telecast.  Reckon he’s a worthy successor to TW. 

      Honestly though, I think Julia and Sam do a good job.  As evidenced by the fact they were making great comments *during* the half time act.  I laughed.

      Reply

    • Rivergiel says:

      11:48am | 28/05/12

      I love Eurovision, I have been watching it for 20 years without fail. My daughter watched it for the 1st year this year and she loved it!! (We taped it as it runs too late at night). She bounces around with the bouncy songs (as she calls them!). Being of European descent and Eurovision having so much history behind during the times my parents lived through the communist years, it means a lot to me. This year, my favourites was Lithuania ( he was great!!!), Russia (they were so cute), Norway (they got hard done by with the voting), Greece (definately, the austerity measures have really cut down on the clothing department!). The worst? Albania (OMG) and Turkey (I just couldn’t get my head around that one!)

      Reply

    • Ally says:

      12:12pm | 28/05/12

      I’m glad Sweden won this year, it was a catchy song sung really well. I also think Lithuania was underrated.

      When Julia and Sam first took over I was a bit unsure, but I’ve loved them each year. Their behind the scenes interviews are funny Julia’s Road to Eurovision two-part show was good viewing as well.

      I can’t believe Russia’s novelty act got as many points as it did. I was literally shouting at the screen for the first few rounds of voting. I mean, it’s Eurovision and you expect novelty songs, but I don’t want them to actually win.

      Reply

    • Beethoven the dog says:

      12:45pm | 28/05/12

      “Partly we tuned in to laugh at the once great continent of Europe, whose musicians are tragically stuck in a 1980s time warp of synth pop and big hair.”
      Anthony - drawing any musical conclusions about Europe from Eurovision is rather silly.  These are songs written, recorded and performed with the intervention of numerous committees, based on national boundaries.  I think Australia, being public service committee heaven, would fit in rather well.  I would imagine our contribution would be a continual revisiting of the 70s instead of the 80s.  Eurovision is fun and part of the entertainment industry but nothing to do with music.

      Reply

    • Jenny says:

      12:45pm | 28/05/12

      Instead of cartoons, I brought my daughter up on Eurovision. Bright lights, singing, dancing- its very entertaining and educational. We have every year on dvd. Best investment ever!

      I’d love to see the pre-Eurovision contests broadcast on TV. A lot of talent slips through the cracks because they didn’t get the votes.

      My pick this year was Iceland. It sounded like Greta strained her voice and her performance in the finals wasn’t all there.

      Reply

    • Sam says:

      01:07pm | 28/05/12

      Enjoyed listening to music which isn’t about blowing some guys whistle or dancing dirty hoes.

      Reply

    • paul says:

      02:17pm | 28/05/12

      lol you didn’t see greece?  =P

    • Sam says:

      03:27pm | 28/05/12

      Yeah, poor Greece may not have been able to afford the rest of the dress, but it was a far cry from the soft porn video clips which are the R&B norm.

    • BA says:

      01:13pm | 28/05/12

      The REALLY scary thing about Eurovision is that .  .  .  this is what we would be listening to/watching on our radios, TV, IPods if we didn’t have music from the West ! ! !

      Moonwalking, Romanian bagpipe players . .  . OMG !

      Reply

    • Flash says:

      01:23pm | 28/05/12

      It wasnt about who WON Eurovision - it was about who can afford to pay for the event next year (that automatically eliminated about 2/3rds of the countries).
      Brilliant on every level - culturally, politically, financially

      Reply

    • AFR says:

      01:40pm | 28/05/12

      Has anyone checked to see if these Russian women are all in fact, grandmothers? Maybe be have another Milli Vanilla on our hands.

      Reply

    • renold says:

      02:08pm | 28/05/12

      Too funny, a country like Australia with no culture to speak of tries to “educate” Europe about culture

      Reply

    • Ted says:

      02:36pm | 28/05/12

      My wife and I have watched it for the last 4 years and it is an awesome way to sit and laugh about the differences across Europe. It’s 3 nights of wine, dessert and cheesy songs. There are some good ones (we both like Alexander Rybak) and not so good ones…....(i say Moldova and she said Ukraine 2010 raspberry)

      We will continue to watch and laugh every year

      Reply

    • Artsminds says:

      02:42pm | 28/05/12

      I gave away watching the SBS version years ago - too boring.
      I now download the BBC HD version in 5.1 surround sound and have a blast!!
      I’m watching it by Sunday lunchtime, plus I don’t have to put up with Julia and wot’s-his-name, and can enjoy the delights of Graham Norton’s commentary.
      Thought Sweden was a very worthy winner - but speaking as a mere male I loved Cyprus!! My cat had conniptions at the Lithuanian entry however!!

      Reply

    • Will says:

      03:21pm | 28/05/12

      Ah dear old Eurovision. Much like a car wreck in slow motion, you just can’t look away. It’s 247 different levels of sheer tackiness all rolled into one and by God is it entertaining!

      Try as they might, there is a element of “amateur/karaoke” quality to the performances that keeps you coming back for more. Just when you think you’ve hit the bottom of the barrel, you find out that there are dozens of layers underneath!.

      When it comes to modern music, sadly a large portion of Europe are about two decades behind the western world and it shows. I’m not sure if the contestants or the countries involved in the competition are aware of how the rest of the world sees them by and large as a joke. Maybe they’re in on it and laughing at themselves.

      But I somehow don’t think that’s the case. That would require an element of self awareness that I don’t think Eurovision is quite capable of…...

      Reply

    • Crowie says:

      06:07pm | 28/05/12

      I’m not sure if you understand the term “western world”, but most of Europe, with some few exceptions, is part of the modern “western world” - not just the US and Australia. Judging Europe by Eurovision alone is very ignorant of you. Just remember that OneDirection and many famous “modern” bands are from the UK, yet Engelbert was a joke. Shall we take him as the best that the UK can do? Please answer that.

    • Will says:

      09:24am | 29/05/12

      Just for clarification, I meant English speaking nations. Also I wouldn’t presume to judge Europe on Eurovision alone as this would be ignorant,

      But considering how long this competition has been going for and the quality (or lack thereof) that seems to pour of it year after year, one would assume a standard would be set. However the bar is always of a minimal standard. For every one decent act you get, you have three that are quite frankly shocking.

      Sorry but i’m calling it as I see it. Eurovision is the chessiest European variety/talent shows out there.

    • JJ says:

      04:14pm | 28/05/12

      Sarcastic and belittling comments about the Eurovision shows how Australia doesn’t really “get it”.

      Reply

    • renold says:

      04:40pm | 28/05/12

      The biggest song, music and dance party in the world by far and Oz isn’t part of it….would have alot to do with the Australia really doesn’t “get it”

    • Crowie says:

      04:32pm | 28/05/12

      Europe and/or its singers “lagging years behind in culture”? Really?? And we’ll ignore the bit about the EU’s financial savvy. As an Eurostralian I love Eurovision for all its tackiness and charm, but there is no denying that there are some true talents out there - in Eurovision and actual Europe. If I was sitting in Currarong, I’d rather not be pulling out the “culture” card.

      Reply

    • Sarah says:

      07:59pm | 28/05/12

      Eurovision weekend is the BEST drinking weekend of the year! White suit! Drink! Wind! Drink! Add that with classic Australian Twitter commentary and you have 3 nights of laughs and some not bad background music!

      Reply

    • Andrew says:

      08:29pm | 28/05/12

      It was good to see so many Australians tuning in and embracing what Eurovision is all about. As a second generation Dutch-Australian, I grew up with Eurovision, as did many of us with parents born in Europe, so I fail to miss it every year. But in recent years, I’ve heard about Eurovision parties where people get together, feast on European junk food, drink wine and champagne and generally let their hair down to enjoy the dagginess of the event. A free night of entertainment for those of us who get sick to death of sporting events in Australia

      Reply

    • Feline says:

      08:28am | 29/05/12

      I have been watching Eurovision each year since 2006 and always enjoy it.  Yes it’s a daggy form of entertainment but sure is heaps of fun to watch.  Albania’s entry left me saying, “Oh dear” but at the same time I was impressed by her vocal power.  As for the Russian Grannies - I thought they were a loveable, talented bunch of ladies.  Finally, Jedward’s song left me with an ear worm until I read this article and now have Sweden’s song “Euphoria” stuck in my head.  Can’t wait to get the CD and put it on the iPod.

      Reply

    • Sean Williams says:

      09:45am | 29/05/12

      I think Australians are quite lonely down there. They just long to belong. But everyone ignores them. Except New Zealand. Tragic really

      Reply
 
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ToryShepherd

ToryShepherd 18 May 13 10:35PM

.@mariamosco @msmarto Super Smarto. And Shirley Stott Despoja into the Hall of Fame #samediaawards

ToryShepherd

ToryShepherd 18 May 13 10:14PM

Best print journo to @mcguiremi woot! #samediaawards

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Recent posts

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The Punch is moving house

by The Punch Team

385

The Punch is moving house

Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…

Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?

by Hannah Harborow

122

Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?

I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…

Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”

by Sarrah Le Marquand

251

Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”

In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…

Nosebleed Section

choice ringside rantings

From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go

Tim says:

They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]

From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go

Kel says:

If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]

Light weight

Gentle jabs to the ribs

Superman needs saving

Superman needs saving

Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more

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