Review: The First Semi-Final

  Eurovision 2012 – After a long night’s sleep and a lot of time to think under the shower, I will tell you what I think about last night’s performances and the result. I got 9/10 right (with my second prediction right after the performances that is) and I really only was shocked with one qualifier and one non-qualifier:

The Qualifiers:

Iceland: I love the song from Baku to Reykjavik and back! The violin parts are the most impressive and I almost forgot that she doesn’t really play what we hear. However, Jónsi looks like a mass murderer longing for blood in the first 2 minutes of the song. I do realize that it fits the theme, but a bit less grimness would help I think (and maybe sing a bit higher). Otherwise the performance is pretty great, especially with the graphics. This will probably do well especially because it is in keeping with people’s stereotypes about Iceland: cold, grim, dark. The two drew position 7, which is the same as Yohanna in 2009. They follow Russia and preceed Cyprus. Many people think that hurts their chances, but I think many people will just tune in to see the Russian grannies and may stay long enough to catch Iceland as well. And being followed by horrible Cyprus will put the focus on the quality of the Icelandic song.

Greece: I was hoping this would do an Armenia 2011, but when I saw the performance I was pretty sure Greece would make it. It’s the same entry they have sent so many times before, with the same dance moves and the same pretty bimbo (sorry) showing her panties on primetime television. In my opinion there were other performances that deserved it more, but I am  also happy the Greek people have SOMEthing to be happy about. Greece drew position 16 for the final, follows Denmark and precedes a song from the Second semi. won’t change much. I am hopeful that Greece and Cyprus will split the “generic dancing pretty lady” vote and we will not see Greece in the Top10 this year…. But we will

Albania: Wow! I never really got the song 100%, but this performance was just amazing. She actually had tears in her eyes at one point and the arena applauded during the performance. My problem always was that I didn’t believe her suffering and her heartache, but tonight I really did. In the press conference she said how sad she was about the horrible bus accident that happened in Albania, and because of which Albanian television didn’t even broadcast the show. Maybe that gave her an extra feeling of suffering? and that’s why I believed her this time? Fortunately Albanians will be able to see Rona in the final. Looking at my change of mind, the reaction in the hall and the reaction of many commentators and friends I think Albania may do much better than many of us think. The fact that she is from Kosovo will not hurt either. Her dress was…spacy… she looks a lot like Björk in it and maybe that’s intended. It was horrid, but somehow it fits the uniqueness of the song. I would just not use the hair as jewelry… It looked like someone sh*** on her décolleté… She drew third position after Hungary. No idea whether that changes anything about her chances.

Romania: Many name this in one sentence with Greece and Cyprus.. Somehow I like Romania much more than those two. It seems more modern and contemporary and much less generic. The performance wasn’t spot on, but she obviously had sound problems. She made that pretty clear (a bit too clear maybe). All in all a nice and summary performance, could be a summer hit this year and if they get their act together and the sound working they may finish within the Top 5. I don’t see them winning though. They perform between the Azeri ballad and the mid-tempo song from Denmark which will probably help them.

Cyprus: When the flag appeared in the envelope I dropped the German F-bomb and was really upset. And when Greece made it right after I was really,really upset, mostly because I basically knew that Switzerland was out. You can copy what I wrote about Greece. The same bad shake it song, the same stupid dance moves and short dress. The lyrics are even worse than Greece’s. Personally I also thought that her deep singing and the backings didn’t go together at all. And last but not least, how dare you sing on a table made of books when your song is basically made up of 2 letters… Let’s hope there was no Homer or Shakespeare among those books. The video from backstage I saw this morning where she prayed in the worst American accent to Baby Jesus and what not put the nail to the coffin. Why does she pray in English, and doesn’t Jesus have more important things to do than help her booty to the final? As I said before, I hope she and Greece will cancel each other out. My hate entry of the year!  She drew 8th position.

Denmark: Well, a nice song, but also a bit dull. The performance hasn’t changed much since MGP, just her “band” has become more distracting. I think a bit less happiness would be good for the feel of the song. It creates a comfy feeling nevertheless. The question is whether that is enough for people to pick up the phone and vote for it. I’m not too sure… In between Romania and Greece, the song will stick out as calm and quality and that may help.

Russia: I’m scared… really scared that this will win the whole thing. There I two reasons I’m scared: 1) I don’t want Russia to host again, 2) This is not a song that can help the credibility of Eurovision, it wouldn’t chart anywhere (presumably) and people’s prejudices about Eurovision would just be reinforced. That said, they are incredibly cute, sing incredibly bad and bake tasty cookies (again presumably). They are certainly the stars of this contest with more media coverage than any other contestant. I’m still counting on the juries though. If it was 100% televoting, they would probably win! Jan Ola Sand seemed a bit …well..confused… I interpreted that as a sign that Russia won the semi and he doesn’t like that as much as I do. What to say. They are dangerous, many people, especially casual viewers will vote for this and it’s Russia. Top 3 is a sure thing…

Hungary: Very modern pop song and his vocal performance made the difference, pretty strong performance and many think this is what kicked Switzerland out. The outfits.. well.. are more than unfitting. He seems like a mixture between a knight from the Middle Ages and a Goth fanatic… very unfortunate. They drew second position and something tells me that spot will not produce its first winner this year either.

Moldova: It’s fun, sweet, cute and even a bit traditional. The Crabbe dance is really something and makes the performance even more likeable. Pasha is incredibly handsome and his enthusiasm seems very real! There is no way you can not like that guy. The outfit, I don’t really get to be honest, but who cares..It adds to the quirkyness of it all. He will perform last on Saturday and I have a feeling this will go straight to the Top 10!

Ireland: Well, well… when they weren’t called until the very end I was hopeful that the Jedward factor didn’t help this time, but it did. The novelty factor is gone, their hair, outfit, and especially the silly jumping that doesn’t fit to the song at all are last year’s news. The fountain was a good idea but to me it seems a bit measly. At first I thought: oh did they learn to sing? and then realized that it were the backings that lifted most of the song’s singing… Their luck with draws continued as they will be singing in 23rd position on Saturday.

The Non-Qualifiers:

Montenegro: It was clear this had no chance, but I have to say I enjoyed the performance more than I ever thought I would. Nice satire, the best was the Torjan donkey in the back. One of my biggest questions is, how many points this got from Greece. We’ll know on Sunday.

Latvia: Deservedly out. Horrible song, even worst lyrics. The performance gave it the rest, They all seemed like the Stepford wives and that stuff always scared me ^^… Thank god that didn’t go through.

Switzerland: That’s my shock non-qualifier. They would have really deserved it! Nice song, good performance. Ivan seemed a bit tense at the beginning and his eye twitched a bit too much, but otherwise I can’t see a reason why this song should not have gone to the final. I feel really sorry for the guys as they are really sympathetic and were so enthusiastic about it all. You really feel that they do this for fun. I have a feeling the juries may have killed this … Too bad… Auf nächstes Jahr Schweiz!

Belgium: Nice, but nothing more. Barely noticeable and no surprise at all this didn’t make it.

Finland: I still love the song and the fact that they sang in Swedish. It’s incredibly how many people commented “Why does Finland sing in Swedish..WTF” and so on. How does it make more sense for Finland (or any other country for that matter) to sing in English?.. Anyway.. She sang quite well, but she didn’t connect with the camera enough, the dress and the whole staging didn’ really fit the song for my liking. White dress and a lighter background would’ve been more fitting for my liking, but again, maybe that’s just so it fits my prejudices about Finland better?I will miss Finland in the Final, maybe I can put it on during Cyprus’ performance?

Israel: This was just a bit too weird and I think the lead singer was just not attractive enough (yeah..come on we all know it works that way) He reminds me a bit of myself… poor guy ^^. Anyway I won’t really miss it to be honest.

San Marino: I hope it’s last with no points. Please San Marino! Come back with a quality song in Italian. And Mr. Siegel, pleasssse retire already!!!!

Austria: Thank Adele this didn’t qualify! The worst of Eurovision in a long time. Conchita would’ve been better! Austria has announced it will be participating next year! Hopefully they will come up with something better.

 

The Show:

Hosts: Eldar is not cut out for this at all, but isn’t it almost a Eurovision tradition that at least one host sucks? The girls are ok, although I do not know why they have a lawyer hosting the biggest tv show in the world, a bit intimidating. Their English and French is understandable, and that’s all that matters. They should try to sound a bit less like they know every single word they say by heart (because they do!!) but compared to host in Russia they are actually great!

Postcards: According to German blogger Jan Feddersen, the postcards prepared by brainpool were kicked at the last minute and these tourist commercials were introduced. No connection to the countries whatsoever and a bit boring to be honest. The idea to illuminate the hall in the national colours of the respective countries is genius on the other hand.. so all in all ok.

The Azeri flag is in the picture a bit too often for my liking but whatever. I really enjoyed the interval act and it made me think… Azerbaijan should send something more like this and less internationalized than When the music dies… but then again I wouldn’t like Hansi Hinterseer to represent Germany. So I’m torn on this one.

Stay tuned for more on the second semi-final! Have a great Eurovision week!!!