Live Stream: Grand Final (2019 Eurovision Song Contest)

May 18, 2019 8:11 AM

Once more, with feeling! After two over-the-top semifinals, with plenty of expected qualifications and several surprises, today, Saturday, May 18th, at 2100 CEST / 3:00pm EDT. Come on in to live chat the spectacle that can only be Eurovision. Viewers outside the US and Canada can watch via the main Eurovision YouTube channel. For those of us unlucky enough to be geoblocked, you've got a few options to access the semi-final: 1) a VPN that can allow you access to the Official YouTube channel or 2) an unblocked stream from a national broadcaster (reddit link, I'm a big fan of the Swedish one).

===============
RUNNING ORDER:
===============
01 Malta
02 Albania
03 Czech Republic
04 Germany
05 Russia
06 Denmark
07 San Marino
08 North Macedonia
09 Sweden
10 Slovenia
11 Cyprus
12 Netherlands
13 Greece
14 Israel
15 Norway
16 United Kingdom
17 Iceland
18 Estonia
19 Belarus
20 Azerbaijan
21 France
22 Italy
23 Serbia
24 Switzerland
25 Australia
26 Spain


Recap of all Grand Final Entries
Official Eurovision YouTube Channel
Semifinal 1 Thread
Semifinal 2 Thread

posted by PearlRose (347 comments total)

And it looks like I have the wrong link in for watching Eurovision from a geoblocked country. But hey, while I'm here let me go ahead and plug r/eurovision for being such a well-informed group of people that have a wealth of information they're willing to share. They are also really, really into Eurovision, and that's a joy to behold.

Now, let's do this! I have a few feelings about acts that didn't qualify, but overall, it looks like a good solid lot of entries this year, and I am looking forward to seeing who will have the honor of bringing the glitz, fog machines, and, of course, PYROTECHNICS, to their nation next year!
posted by PearlRose at 8:17 AM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

I only saw the dreadful show to choose the UK’s entry so all of the acts are brand new to me. Looking forward to the inevitable...surprises.
posted by billiebee at 11:18 AM on May 18, 2019

One excellent entry that didn’t get through the semifinals was Portugal’s Conan Osíris. Bárbara Borges de Campos wrote a lovely article about him for The Guardian which features a quote from none other than MeFi’s Own Miguel Cardoso.
posted by Kattullus at 11:26 AM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Thanks for the link, I hadn’t heard of him. Sounds like a real shame he didn’t get through.

(Jimmy Carr is an asshole just as a btw)
posted by billiebee at 11:39 AM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Our household picks:
Czech Republic
Russia
Estonia
Azerbaijan
France
posted by k8t at 11:54 AM on May 18, 2019

The Belarusian jury has been kicked out of the finals because they revealed how they voted in the semifinal.
posted by Kattullus at 11:55 AM on May 18, 2019

Yay! Happy Eurovision Day to us all! I didn't watch any of the semifinals, so I'm looking forward to the surprises, too.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 11:56 AM on May 18, 2019

Oooh. Drama already. I didn't realize votes were supposed to be secret until after the Grand Final. Makes sense, though.


LET'S DO THIS.
posted by PearlRose at 12:02 PM on May 18, 2019

So I have no idea who that woman is? The one who pilots the jet in the beginning?
posted by Bella Donna at 12:04 PM on May 18, 2019

That's Netta, the winner from last year!
posted by PearlRose at 12:05 PM on May 18, 2019

Is that not Netta who won last year, aka the Lidl Björk?
posted by billiebee at 12:06 PM on May 18, 2019

Thanks, I missed last year. I just complained about the flight attendant dancer uniforms because I think they are dumb. And my kids just looked at me and said, it’s Eurovision, mom. But I watch partly because I like to love on some of the outfits and hate on others.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:08 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

re: Iceland https://www.reddit.com/r/eurovision/comments/bq5v4b/me_watching_iceland_perform_with_my_family/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x
posted by k8t at 12:09 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Thanks Sweden! I was bummed that nobody in the US picked up broadcast rights.
posted by SisterHavana at 12:13 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

I watched the first semifinal and not the second. The important fact I learned is that Georgia and Portugal were robbed and y'all should watch their performances if you haven't.
posted by asperity at 12:13 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

The hosts are dredging new lows in awkward unfunniness. It's so devoid of humor it crashes right through being funny again into cellars of cheerlessness no one knew existed in the house of comedy.
posted by Kattullus at 12:16 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Malta sounds way less nervous than she did in the semi. The song is still hella cute.
posted by PearlRose at 12:17 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

I like Malta too. She's 1/2 Greek and 1/2 Georgian, so probably will get some votes that way.
posted by k8t at 12:17 PM on May 18, 2019

I do like the background effects behind Malta.
posted by SisterHavana at 12:18 PM on May 18, 2019

I’m liking this. I’m too old to like it but still.
posted by billiebee at 12:18 PM on May 18, 2019

That's some very fun staging and special effects from Malta! The song's cute, too.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 12:19 PM on May 18, 2019

When I think of Eurovision I think weird outfits, insipid lyrics and terrible hosts. Just in general.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:19 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Albanian Kirsty Allsop...welcome back Graham!
posted by billiebee at 12:20 PM on May 18, 2019

Well this is very...earnest.
posted by billiebee at 12:20 PM on May 18, 2019

Right. Flame is usually a thing too.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:21 PM on May 18, 2019

Oh, I am HERE for Albania's dress and jewelry and tattoos. Ooh, and pyrotechnics.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 12:21 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Poor Albania is in the death slot this year. She's being very earnest, though.
posted by PearlRose at 12:22 PM on May 18, 2019

I don't particularly care for the Albanian song as a whole, but the bits when all the singers are screaming at the same time are wonderful.
posted by Kattullus at 12:22 PM on May 18, 2019

Yeah I love how she looks. That is some fierce eye makeup.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:23 PM on May 18, 2019

Your Eurovision Bingo cards.
posted by billiebee at 12:24 PM on May 18, 2019

How do you say “no” in Czech?
posted by billiebee at 12:26 PM on May 18, 2019

Czech Republic has some extremely forward teenagers.
posted by asperity at 12:26 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Czech Republic guys are just adorable. And I feel like a dirty old woman for saying that. : )
posted by SisterHavana at 12:26 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Czech Republic has some really effective staging again, but they sound a little echo-y.
posted by PearlRose at 12:27 PM on May 18, 2019

Also, Catherynne Valente is live-tweeting the fun.
posted by asperity at 12:29 PM on May 18, 2019

Spoiler Alert: They're not really sisters.
posted by PearlRose at 12:29 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

The synchronized swimming intro from Germany had me expecting a wackier performance.
posted by SisterHavana at 12:30 PM on May 18, 2019

Nah
posted by billiebee at 12:31 PM on May 18, 2019

Germany is also sweet, though I can't see it doing that well. Singing about flames is not the same as actual flames.
posted by PearlRose at 12:32 PM on May 18, 2019

I <3 Sergei.
posted by k8t at 12:32 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

This just makes me think of Joey crying in front of the water feature.
posted by billiebee at 12:33 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

It's an okay song, but Sergey's selling the heck out of it. All nine of him. I'd be happy to see him win.
posted by Kattullus at 12:34 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

I still think the song is overwrought and melodramatic. Russia is selling it though.
posted by PearlRose at 12:34 PM on May 18, 2019

Russia is singing in the shower?
posted by asperity at 12:34 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Legendary designers wear jean jackets?
posted by asperity at 12:36 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

I kinda love the match of overwrought lyrics with overwrought staging and effects. Nice job, Russia!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 12:36 PM on May 18, 2019

Jean-Paul Gaultier! France should send him as a representative one year, it would be amazing.
posted by Kattullus at 12:36 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Denmark: One chair to rule them all.
posted by PearlRose at 12:38 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Denmark is creeping me the fuck out.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 12:39 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Denmark's song is pretty catchy.
posted by SisterHavana at 12:39 PM on May 18, 2019

Sweet and instantly forgettable.
posted by billiebee at 12:39 PM on May 18, 2019

Graham: “I bet that WhatsApp group’ll be deleted by midnight.”
posted by billiebee at 12:40 PM on May 18, 2019

Danny Wallace on Denmark: "The soundtrack to every whimsical technology ad ever, just before they steal all your data. #Eurovision"
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:41 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Um
posted by billiebee at 12:41 PM on May 18, 2019

Oh George Hamilton’s Tan, I hope you sing ok today!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:41 PM on May 18, 2019

He sounds a little better tonight. San Marino is so freaking happy to be there.
posted by PearlRose at 12:42 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

San Marino: trying to get us to join a cult, am pretty sure.
posted by asperity at 12:43 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Oh San Marino, I'm so glad you're here! Be a hero! Be the rainbow!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 12:43 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

The audience is super into it. Huh.
posted by PearlRose at 12:43 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

He sounds a little better tonight.

I am unable to fathom what the worse version was like.
posted by billiebee at 12:44 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Everybody loves a sing-along.
posted by asperity at 12:44 PM on May 18, 2019

I am unable to fathom what the worse version was like.

You really don't wanna know.
posted by PearlRose at 12:44 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

San Marino's song is such an ur-Eurovision-song that it could have featured in pretty much any year this last quarter-century.
posted by Kattullus at 12:44 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

Na na nope.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:46 PM on May 18, 2019

Is there a drop and she rips off the dress and loads of dancers come on? Cos if not this is super dull.
posted by billiebee at 12:46 PM on May 18, 2019

It's a heartfelt ballad! So much emotion
from North Macedonia.
posted by PearlRose at 12:48 PM on May 18, 2019

The fact that some Swedish songwriter contributed to this doesn’t make me like it.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:48 PM on May 18, 2019

Oh, I like North Macedonia's song a lot, and her vocals, too.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 12:48 PM on May 18, 2019

She's very pretty, but the song was meh.
posted by SisterHavana at 12:48 PM on May 18, 2019

I quite like North Macedonia's song. They're clearly banking on cornering the suburban mom vote across Europe, an underserved demographic.
posted by Kattullus at 12:48 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

I thought the dress was ugly and the song dull.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:49 PM on May 18, 2019

Came in a bit late to the threads and tweeting and such--Mrs. Example and I have been having our own little wine-and-cheese-and-prosciutto thing going on while watching the first few acts. We've also been playing our own drinking game: "Fake rain! DRINK!" "Song about love! DRINK!"

So far Denmark's my favorite. Simple song, sincere singer, uncomplicated and non-gimmicky staging....we'll see if anyone supplants them.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 12:50 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Mmmmm Sweden...
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 12:51 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Ah a toast to Terry Wogan.

.
posted by billiebee at 12:51 PM on May 18, 2019

Oh, I like Sweden.
posted by SisterHavana at 12:52 PM on May 18, 2019

I’m in Sweden so I’m obligated to love this but I do actually think it’s pretty good.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:53 PM on May 18, 2019

Oh, Sweden, how I adore you and your buckets of charisma.
posted by PearlRose at 12:53 PM on May 18, 2019

He wins the Most Flammable Trousers category so either way he won’t go home empty-handed.
posted by billiebee at 12:53 PM on May 18, 2019

Simple song, sincere singer, uncomplicated and non-gimmicky staging

But this is Eurovision.
posted by asperity at 12:53 PM on May 18, 2019 [7 favorites]

Sweden! His voice is great, and the song itself is pretty good even by Sweden's higher standards. This is my favorite so far. :D
posted by mixedmetaphors at 12:55 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

If I found myself in the midst of strangers during a low, personal moment, I'd want it to be the Swedish contestants. They look like they'd goddamn give transcendent hugs.
posted by Kattullus at 12:55 PM on May 18, 2019 [6 favorites]

This is a little creepy...
posted by SisterHavana at 12:57 PM on May 18, 2019

And now, to bring the energy down... Solvenia. My least favorite of the slower ballads. Her expressions are just so... there. It's supposed to be heartfelt and romantic!
posted by PearlRose at 12:57 PM on May 18, 2019

This is my bag. Not sure how Eurovisiony it is but I like it a lot.
posted by billiebee at 12:57 PM on May 18, 2019

Judging by the body language of the Slovenian performers, it's a song about a girl who likes a boy who likes video games more than her.
posted by Kattullus at 12:59 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Low-key bizarre, Slovenia.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 12:59 PM on May 18, 2019

Slovenia's song sounded like something you'd hear in a terrible half-deserted bar on the outskirts of the more run-down parts of of town at about 1 AM.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:00 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

That is some outfit
posted by billiebee at 1:00 PM on May 18, 2019

Best crotch costume thus far!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:01 PM on May 18, 2019

Slovenia's song sounded like something you'd hear in a terrible half-deserted bar on the outskirts of the more run-down parts of of town at about 1 AM.

Finally someone gets it! My people. :D
posted by billiebee at 1:01 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Cowboy night at the strip club, Cyprus?
posted by asperity at 1:01 PM on May 18, 2019

This sounds exactly like something. What is it?
posted by billiebee at 1:01 PM on May 18, 2019

Bingo card!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:01 PM on May 18, 2019

The costumes does look a little bit like she fell through a crystal chandelier, which only happens in the best parties, as we know.
posted by Kattullus at 1:02 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Now this is a Eurovision outfit! I like the song too.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:02 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Wow, Cyprus really wanted to recapture "Fuego" huh? Replay, indeed. (I still listen to "Fuego" a lot. Still a fantastic song.) Her outfit, though!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:02 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Cyprus: Flames, a striptease, and chandeliers from the leotard. Eurovision bingo achieved.
posted by PearlRose at 1:02 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

"Cowboy Night at the Strip Club" is the name of my Los Lobos/Frankie Goes to Hollywood mash-up band.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:03 PM on May 18, 2019 [5 favorites]

Also, the dancers' outfits! Love the looks.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:03 PM on May 18, 2019

Someone’s a Coldplay fan.
posted by billiebee at 1:05 PM on May 18, 2019

What the hell, Netherlands? Nothing's on fire and no one's half-naked. Have you *seen* Eurovision?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:05 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Wow, the Netherlands guy is very pretty. This is the song that's been the favorite to win, but I think this is a little too toned-down for Eurovision.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:06 PM on May 18, 2019

I like this but it’s not a Eurovision song if y’all know what I mean.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:06 PM on May 18, 2019

Cyprus provided some much-needed fun (bondage cowboys!!) amid the endless power-ballad hell and whatever Slovenia were doing with that three-note song.
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:08 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Greece has fencers!!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:08 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

The Netherlands is objectively fine, but it's so... I can listen to it, and not feel compelled to watch. Great voice, no spectacle.
posted by PearlRose at 1:08 PM on May 18, 2019

Netherlands' song at least sounds like something you might hear on the radio today, but I find it kinda dull. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if it won.
posted by Kattullus at 1:08 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Greece on the other hand, great song, great staging, but I'm not sold on her voice. It sounds like she's straining a bit.
posted by PearlRose at 1:09 PM on May 18, 2019

I like Greece's voice. It's distinctive.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:09 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Trying too hard.
posted by billiebee at 1:10 PM on May 18, 2019

Fencing and a giant snowball! What's going on in the background is more interesting than the main performer.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:11 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Okay, Greece's whole aesthetic is very Eurovision. I approve. Her vocals grew on me, and the song's not bad.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:11 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

My face is hurting from the cringe.
posted by billiebee at 1:14 PM on May 18, 2019

This is like they tried for Freddy Mercury but only had the Tom Jones voice module lying around the lab.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:14 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Another lowkey ballad for Israel, but he's selling it. Lots of emotions up there on stage.
posted by PearlRose at 1:14 PM on May 18, 2019

Israel's song sounds like it belongs in a musical.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:15 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

I’m sorry Israel. This is terrible.
posted by gemmy at 1:15 PM on May 18, 2019

Greece: lacklustre song, but they went the whole nine yards on staging.

Now we’re back in power ballad hell. In our past life, we must have committed many, many grievous power ballad sins.
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:15 PM on May 18, 2019 [5 favorites]

I like Israel's bow tie. His voice, too. And the song's better than I expected it be.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:15 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Greece cornered the tulle and frill market, leaving none for anyone else. Probably explains Israel's weird metal bow tie.
posted by asperity at 1:16 PM on May 18, 2019

*fake crying*
Bingo!
posted by billiebee at 1:16 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

It's a total eleventh hour number. I'm kinda wishing it had drawn the second half.
posted by PearlRose at 1:16 PM on May 18, 2019

Yuck. But the tears mean Bingo card!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:16 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

NORWAY. Get the lyrics right this time, and give me all your joik.
posted by PearlRose at 1:17 PM on May 18, 2019

Norway sent a perfectly ordinary song, and then added joik. If it wins I hope all songs next year have joik.
posted by Kattullus at 1:17 PM on May 18, 2019 [5 favorites]

Now we’re talking.
posted by billiebee at 1:18 PM on May 18, 2019

Oh, damn it. I've found my first Eurovision crush for this year. I am in love with the woman in Norway's act.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:18 PM on May 18, 2019

I heart this disco joik!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 1:18 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

I like this. Not the outfits but the song.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:19 PM on May 18, 2019

All club bangers should include a rapped joik.
posted by PearlRose at 1:19 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

JOIK SWEET NOTHINGS TO ME NORWAY
posted by Kattullus at 1:19 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Okay, Norway, this is absolutely cool! The song, the vocals, the costumes, the staging, the performance.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:19 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Definite contender.
posted by billiebee at 1:20 PM on May 18, 2019

I liked that one!
posted by SisterHavana at 1:20 PM on May 18, 2019

Three words into the UK's entry and I'm bored already.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:21 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Oh look, another ballad from the UK. Ho hum.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:22 PM on May 18, 2019

The good thing about UK's continued participation in Eurovision is that it ensures at least one bathroom break on the final night.
posted by Kattullus at 1:23 PM on May 18, 2019 [6 favorites]

*key change*
Bingo!
posted by billiebee at 1:23 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

It’s big... where have I heard that before.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:24 PM on May 18, 2019

At least the UK wasn't stage bombed again this year?
posted by PearlRose at 1:24 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

There was a (relatively) much better dance tune that he beat in the UK heat which was a shock on the night.
posted by billiebee at 1:24 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Bondage band incoming!
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:26 PM on May 18, 2019

Iceland should be bondage a go go based on the pics I just saw.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:27 PM on May 18, 2019

Sergei is welcome to be at Eurovision every year as far as I'm concerned.

Iceland! Isn't this the punk bondage band?
posted by SisterHavana at 1:27 PM on May 18, 2019

Oh my. Iceland.
posted by PearlRose at 1:28 PM on May 18, 2019

Okay, not a huge fan of the vocals...but SWEET JESUS MORE BUZZING SYNTHS ALL UP IN MY FACE PLEASE.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:29 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

This fits both in the Dodgeball movie and the sex club I went to in Berlin. So versatile!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:29 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

There’s always one band that seems to have entered the wrong competition.
I like it though!
posted by billiebee at 1:30 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

At the watch party I’m at, everyone is ALL IN on this.
posted by gemmy at 1:30 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

This is definitely something!
posted by SisterHavana at 1:31 PM on May 18, 2019

I don't care for the song, but I like that Iceland did something different.
posted by PearlRose at 1:31 PM on May 18, 2019

Wow, Iceland. I mean, "Hate Will Prevail" feels like more of 2019 anthem to me than "Love Is Forever," so I'm here for this.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:31 PM on May 18, 2019 [5 favorites]

FUCK OFF BACK TO YOUR BUSKER PITCH, ESTONIA
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:32 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Estonia, going for the mom vote again.
posted by PearlRose at 1:32 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Cute song, Estonia. But Russia way outdid you on storms and rain.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:33 PM on May 18, 2019

I like Estonia.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:34 PM on May 18, 2019

Estonia: How can I make this even less of a spectacle? I guess I could turn my back on the audience loads...
posted by billiebee at 1:34 PM on May 18, 2019

Estonia... Iceland should come back on to dismember and eat him.
posted by Devonian at 1:34 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

I am so grateful for some screamy Icelandic almost-metal. Anything not boring is like rain in the desert this year.
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:35 PM on May 18, 2019 [6 favorites]

The singers in Hatari lived next to my parents and were the prime suspects in stealing wifi. My parents found out when the ISP called my dad one day and asked if he'd been downloading movies. My dad said no, but asked which movies they were.

It might change your opinion of Hatari boys if I tell you that the movies were all a bunch of Matthew McConaughey rom-coms. Of course, it's quite likely it wasn't them.
posted by Kattullus at 1:35 PM on May 18, 2019 [10 favorites]

Belarus is charismatic and the song works for their very young singer. That said... I don't like it.
posted by PearlRose at 1:37 PM on May 18, 2019

Yay, the Belarus dancers are bringing all the backflips! The song's not doing much, though.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:37 PM on May 18, 2019

Belarus's song sounds like something I'd hear on Top 40 radio now.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:38 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Belarus is one of those acts that if you held a gun to my head two minutes after it's done, I couldn't hum a single part of the song.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:38 PM on May 18, 2019

But would you like it?
posted by Kattullus at 1:39 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

The lyrics to Iceland's song, translated into English.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:39 PM on May 18, 2019

I would not. It breaks the rules.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:39 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Creepy
posted by Bella Donna at 1:40 PM on May 18, 2019

So Azerbaijan stole San Marino's robots from last year?
posted by PearlRose at 1:41 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Azerbaijan's song is nice enough, but if I'm more focused on "Neat--I wonder how they programmed the robot arms", your staging is possibly detracting from your performance.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:41 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Giant lasers!
posted by SisterHavana at 1:41 PM on May 18, 2019

Azerbaijan dances on the line between "catchy" and "useful for enhanced interrogation purposes".
posted by Kattullus at 1:42 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

He was all look at my sexy bondage costume and then Hatari walked past and he was like ah shit
posted by billiebee at 1:42 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

I am underwhelmed, Azerbaijan. How are you one of the favorites?
posted by PearlRose at 1:42 PM on May 18, 2019

I enjoy how France always does their own thing.
posted by PearlRose at 1:45 PM on May 18, 2019

I love it when France send a song that's both in French and English.

It doesn't hurt when it's a song which I wouldn't mind hearing playing in a café, like now.
posted by Kattullus at 1:46 PM on May 18, 2019

I loved France’s dancer so much.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:46 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

The first one.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:46 PM on May 18, 2019

France's staging is straight out of Dear Evan Hansen. I like the message.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:47 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Apparently by entry twenty two Israel had run out of tourist sites to film contestants in and just put the Italian contestant in front of some shipping containers.
posted by Kattullus at 1:48 PM on May 18, 2019 [5 favorites]

I'm no expert...but does Italy sound a little flat?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:48 PM on May 18, 2019

*clappy bit*
Bingo!
posted by billiebee at 1:49 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

France wasn't bad!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:49 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

The Italian Jimmy Buffett.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:49 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

This is growing on me.
posted by billiebee at 1:50 PM on May 18, 2019

Italy: A man in a shirt. Does the man wear the shirt, or the shirt wear the man? Who can say?

I used to listen to Jovanotti 20 years ago, so this song is not unfamiliar.
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:51 PM on May 18, 2019

This song will never end.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:51 PM on May 18, 2019

I like Italy's song, and also like that the dancers seem to have been selected more for conventional male hotness than actual dancing ability.
posted by Kattullus at 1:51 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

I effing love Italy's singer (he wore A RAYQUAZA SHIRT on official album art), and the song, but this performance is ...less emotional than I was hoping for.
posted by PearlRose at 1:51 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

More metal pokey things.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:53 PM on May 18, 2019

I'm kind of liking that more and more countries are bringing songs in their own languages. It's neat.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:53 PM on May 18, 2019 [6 favorites]

So the running order is: dancy/boring/dancy/boring/etc
posted by billiebee at 1:54 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Serbia is Aggressively Fine.
posted by PearlRose at 1:55 PM on May 18, 2019

If we're lucky. If not, boring/boring/boring/etc.
posted by asperity at 1:55 PM on May 18, 2019

I love all of Serbia's visuals. Lots of pretty swirling colors against the metal spikes.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:55 PM on May 18, 2019

Serbia
big hair
big dress
WHERE’S THE WIND MACHINE
posted by Pallas Athena at 1:55 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

Switzerland is hella thirsty.
posted by PearlRose at 1:57 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Oh no oh no oh shit you guys someone should tell Switzerland his aspect ratios are all fucked up.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 1:57 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

Switzerland is insanely catchy and might win because of that, but I'm hoping it doesn't because it sounds like it was designed by the CIA to use in psychological warfare.
posted by Kattullus at 1:57 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Is this not just Despacito?
posted by billiebee at 1:57 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

This is another song that wouldn't sound out of place on Top 40 radio now.
posted by SisterHavana at 1:58 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Okay yep I'll have Switzerland's song stuck in my head all weekend. Damn.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:59 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

AUSTRALIA YESSSSSSSSSSSS. THIS is what I'm talking about.
posted by PearlRose at 2:00 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Spiky metal bits! DRINK!
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:00 PM on May 18, 2019

Australia sent Kate Miller-Heidke! I love her music! NERDY SOPRANO VOCAL ACROBATICS AHOY!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 2:01 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Oh now THIS is Eurovision baby!
posted by billiebee at 2:01 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

Don’t drop your mike Australia!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:01 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Opera techno! Yes!
posted by SisterHavana at 2:02 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

It's impressive, but gimmicky as hell.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:02 PM on May 18, 2019

Australia's staging is making me seasick.
posted by Kattullus at 2:02 PM on May 18, 2019

This one's a definite contender.
posted by SisterHavana at 2:03 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Australia. Proper bonkers. Yes.
posted by Devonian at 2:04 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

gimmicky as hell

are you new
posted by billiebee at 2:04 PM on May 18, 2019 [6 favorites]

I can't decide if Spain is going for Hollywood Squares or an IKEA commercial.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:04 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Oh, Spain. I was with you until the marionette showed up.
posted by PearlRose at 2:05 PM on May 18, 2019

I will say, this is by far the most memorable entry Australia's ever sent. I wouldn't mind if it won, if only for the novelty of a Eurovision hosted in Australia.
posted by Kattullus at 2:05 PM on May 18, 2019

I didn’t even know Bucks Fizz were reforming
posted by billiebee at 2:06 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

The lost Spanish member of One Direction, right here.
posted by SisterHavana at 2:06 PM on May 18, 2019

PearlRose: Oh, Spain. I was with you until the marionette showed up.

Conversely I only started paying attention when my brain went: "Hold on, is that a giant ... marionette?"
posted by Kattullus at 2:06 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

My friend says Spain looks like your roommate who never does the dishes.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 2:06 PM on May 18, 2019 [5 favorites]

if only for the novelty of a Eurovision hosted in Australia.

Apparently if they win it’ll be hosted by Australia but in a European country.
posted by billiebee at 2:07 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Thanks for the kitschy fun, Spain! Nice way to close out the competition. (The song's not bad, either.)
posted by mixedmetaphors at 2:07 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

The marionette is very Eurovision, I will admit.
posted by PearlRose at 2:07 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

They have an agreement with an unnamed EU country, so if Australia wins it'll be hosted locally. Bah.
posted by Devonian at 2:08 PM on May 18, 2019

Okay, so I'm down to Denmark, Greece, and Iceland. Leaning towards Iceland.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:09 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

My buddy says the hosting country always loses money so everyone should vote for the UK to punish it for Brexit.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:10 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

I have to say that it was completely unsurprising to learn that the singer from San Marino's day job is dentistry.
posted by Kattullus at 2:11 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

I liked Malta, Slovenia (fight me), Norway, Iceland (obvs - and especially for their green room shot there!), and Australia.
posted by billiebee at 2:13 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Oh yeah I forgot Italy. Maybe that rules them out.
posted by billiebee at 2:14 PM on May 18, 2019

My top five contenders, no order:

Cyprus
Iceland
Australia
Sweden
Norway

Malta and Russia not far behind. Dark horse: France
posted by SisterHavana at 2:15 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

My favorites: Australia, Norway, Sweden. But there's a bunch I'd be happy to see again: Iceland, Cyprus, Greece, France, Switzerland.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 2:17 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Hi Mans!!
posted by billiebee at 2:17 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

"Heroes" is completely unmemorable when Måns sings it, but Conchita sells the everliving heck out of it.
posted by Kattullus at 2:19 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Conchita singing "Heroes"? Cool!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 2:19 PM on May 18, 2019

The Example household has now voted for Iceland.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:19 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Australia, Norway, Italy, and Greece are my favorites. But Sweden, France, Switzerland, Cyprus, Malta, Netherlands, or Iceland could win it instead, and I'd be cool with that.
posted by PearlRose at 2:20 PM on May 18, 2019

So could like Mans host all Eurovision shows and sing all the songs please asking for a friend
posted by billiebee at 2:20 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

I do not like this slowed down version of Fuego.
posted by PearlRose at 2:21 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Biggins??
posted by billiebee at 2:21 PM on May 18, 2019

Ok her doing that song in that outfit would have won all day long.
posted by billiebee at 2:22 PM on May 18, 2019

I wonder what Marija Šerifović did to make Eurovision spend the next ten years acting like Verka won in 2007.
posted by Kattullus at 2:25 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

I will be happy if any of these do well and/or win:

France
Cyprus
Iceland
Norway
Australia

and maybe Albania and the San Marino stubble daddy. Sweden had a good singer, but I wanted the beat to kick in earlier and for longer.
posted by Pallas Athena at 2:33 PM on May 18, 2019

What's the deal with the eyepatch, Madonna?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:35 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

I love just HOW FUCKING STARSTRUCK all the performers are behind Madonna.
posted by Kattullus at 2:36 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Please, Madonna, punch the host. You know you want to.
posted by asperity at 2:36 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

....okay, second Eurovision crush of the evening: the Idan Raichel Project's female lead singer.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:39 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Quavo! I suppose a surprise Migos performance is too much to ask for.

It is, he's guesting on a Madonna song.
posted by Kattullus at 2:42 PM on May 18, 2019

I’m off to bed. Thanks for the memories!
posted by Bella Donna at 2:43 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

No more parlor games, please.
posted by PearlRose at 2:43 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

"Your second single with Madonna..." "My mom used to listen to her..."

So, your last single with Madonna?
posted by asperity at 2:44 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

Correction: Netta got all the ruffles Greece didn't.
posted by asperity at 2:47 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Hypothesis: the three-minute rule was and is explicitly designed to keep Jim Steinman from writing every year's winner.
posted by asperity at 2:54 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Bar busting to get it out there
posted by billiebee at 2:56 PM on May 18, 2019

Poor Netherlands, with technical difficulties getting you muted for Madonna.
posted by PearlRose at 2:56 PM on May 18, 2019

Host: "And next on stage, the queen herself."
Me: "No way! No fucking way! What a legend!"
Other host: "Madonna!"
Me: "oh"
posted by Kattullus at 2:57 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Oh this is bad
posted by billiebee at 2:58 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Oh this is really bad
posted by billiebee at 2:59 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Oh Madge. Oh no no no.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:00 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

Oh No, Madge.
posted by gemmy at 3:00 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Queen Elizabeth would've done a better version of Like a Prayer
posted by Kattullus at 3:00 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Is this a voice feedback issue? She can’t hear herself?
posted by gemmy at 3:01 PM on May 18, 2019

I'm watching Eurovision, and Madonna's performance is the most embarrassing thing I've seen today. :(

(Okay, maybe Slovenia was still worse.)
posted by mixedmetaphors at 3:01 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

I have never been more grateful for auto tune.
posted by billiebee at 3:02 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Jesus, I could be up there with this level of autotune.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:03 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Quavo Business Suit of ArmorTM
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 3:06 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Man this is going to be a long segment.
posted by billiebee at 3:11 PM on May 18, 2019

Eurovision voting is what it would be like if Europe had a federal voting system.
posted by Kattullus at 3:12 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Twelve points to the NETHERLANDS? PORTUGAL, ARE YOU HIGH?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:12 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Portugal is trolling because they were unjustly eliminated in the first semifinal. After having depleted their national strategic pleat reserve, no less.
posted by asperity at 3:14 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Now she’s high.
posted by billiebee at 3:15 PM on May 18, 2019

Wow, the juries really like Italy.
posted by SisterHavana at 3:15 PM on May 18, 2019

The Dutch presenter clearly had eighteen hundred cups of coffee tonight.
posted by Kattullus at 3:16 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Yeah, c...offee
posted by billiebee at 3:17 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

The host from Poland was clearly the class clown in cocaine school.
posted by Kattullus at 3:18 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

The vote reveal is still SO STRESSFUL.
posted by PearlRose at 3:20 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

The Australian presenter was sleeping no more than three minutes before he was on screen.
posted by Kattullus at 3:21 PM on May 18, 2019

RYLAN!!!!!!!
posted by billiebee at 3:21 PM on May 18, 2019

What the hell UK that song was boring as all get out.
posted by billiebee at 3:22 PM on May 18, 2019

The juries are bullshit, and presenting the jury votes as the main event with popular vote as an afterthought that can flip the whole thing is extra bullshit.
posted by asperity at 3:23 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Aw, I'm pleased that North Macedonia is doing so well with the juries. I can't imagine she'll get the popular vote, though.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 3:24 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

The Spanish presenter was a hipster revivalist from a Star Trek future.
posted by Kattullus at 3:24 PM on May 18, 2019

I thought Belarus were banned from voting?
posted by billiebee at 3:26 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Lots of love for North Macedonia from the juries, too.
posted by SisterHavana at 3:26 PM on May 18, 2019

Romania: best presenter.
posted by asperity at 3:28 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

If anyone was drifting to sleep, some surprise yodeling by the Romanian presenter sure remedied that.
posted by Kattullus at 3:28 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

*political voting*
Bingo!
posted by billiebee at 3:28 PM on May 18, 2019

Aww. I remember when Romania yodeled its way to the final.
posted by PearlRose at 3:29 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Illinca! One of my favorites from 2017.
posted by SisterHavana at 3:29 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Australia is sending its love and I can feel it.
posted by asperity at 3:33 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

What is the German spokesperson wearing? Yikes!
posted by SisterHavana at 3:35 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

David’s been on the coffee too
posted by billiebee at 3:35 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Did they wake up the Swedish judge?
posted by billiebee at 3:36 PM on May 18, 2019

I thought for a second that the Swedish vote presenter was a former Eurovision contestant, and then I realized that everyone in Sweden just looks like a former Eurovision contestant.
posted by Kattullus at 3:36 PM on May 18, 2019 [7 favorites]

My favorite reciprocal voting pattern is Lithuania-Georgia, which usually give each other 12 points for reasons I've never understood. But now that neither country made the final, their top prizes were unpredictable.
posted by Kattullus at 3:38 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Slovenia's presenter was a heck of a lot more Eurovision than their actual entry.
posted by Kattullus at 3:46 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Did I miss something about North Macedonia's performance? The juries just love her.
posted by SisterHavana at 3:47 PM on May 18, 2019

It *is* poopular.
posted by billiebee at 3:47 PM on May 18, 2019

Did I miss something about North Macedonia's performance?

Whatever it was I missed it too.
posted by billiebee at 3:48 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Hypothesis: the juries just want to visit the Netherlands next year.
posted by asperity at 3:49 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Sweden in the lead after the jury vote. I'm OK with that if it holds.
posted by SisterHavana at 3:51 PM on May 18, 2019

Oh goodness, that poor British boy.
posted by Kattullus at 3:51 PM on May 18, 2019

Oooh that must hurt UK lol
posted by billiebee at 3:51 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

HOLY JOIK!!!
posted by Kattullus at 3:53 PM on May 18, 2019

There we go!!
posted by billiebee at 3:53 PM on May 18, 2019

Norway with the insane public vote!
posted by PearlRose at 3:54 PM on May 18, 2019

More points than the UK have gotten in some previous years, though can't remember if that was under a different voting regime.
posted by asperity at 3:54 PM on May 18, 2019

Norway!!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 3:54 PM on May 18, 2019

Thinking about Madonna: I am pretty sure something must have been up with her earpiece so she might not have been able to hear the choir or the backing track.
posted by Pallas Athena at 3:54 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Go Iceland
posted by billiebee at 3:54 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

The public certainly loved Norway! Iceland too.

Zero points for Germany...ouch.
posted by SisterHavana at 3:55 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

If you're confused about North Macedonia's song, I suggest watching the music video version.
posted by 7segment at 3:55 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Sergey!
posted by Kattullus at 3:55 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Russia? Russia? What the fuck just happened?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 3:56 PM on May 18, 2019

Oh their faces, brilliant!
posted by billiebee at 3:56 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Oh Jebus, the reaction shot of the Czech contestants was brutal.
posted by Kattullus at 3:56 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

This way of announcing the public vote feels so much crueler than announcing it in order of least-to-most public vote points.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 3:59 PM on May 18, 2019 [5 favorites]

Awww, poor Tamara. Though she seems able to handle it.
posted by Kattullus at 3:59 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Yeah that was coming, didn’t think the public would go for NM
posted by billiebee at 3:59 PM on May 18, 2019

Sweden or the Netherlands. I can live with either.
posted by PearlRose at 3:59 PM on May 18, 2019

Public not as crazy about North Macedonia as the juries.
posted by SisterHavana at 4:00 PM on May 18, 2019

GET ON WITH IT
posted by billiebee at 4:00 PM on May 18, 2019

Aw Sweden’s wee face.
posted by billiebee at 4:01 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

The Netherlands? THE NETHERLANDS?

(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 4:01 PM on May 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

If this was US TV, we'd be getting a commercial break right about now.
posted by SisterHavana at 4:01 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Aww man, Sweden was robbed!
posted by SisterHavana at 4:02 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

MAH BOYFRAND WAS ROBBED
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:02 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

That was grueling! But yay for the Netherlands. That song is radio ready.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 4:03 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

The Netherlands was so very meh.
posted by billiebee at 4:03 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

I get that everyone wants to visit the Netherlands, but... at the cost of listening to this song again?
posted by asperity at 4:04 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Ding Dinge Dong was a much better winner.
posted by Kattullus at 4:04 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Italy second, which makes me happy.

Hey, at least the Netherlands will put on a great party next year!
posted by PearlRose at 4:05 PM on May 18, 2019 [6 favorites]

You voted for this Europe are you trying to hand Farage ammunition I can’t even
posted by billiebee at 4:07 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Wow, lot of hate here for a great song ... :-(
posted by Pendragon at 4:09 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Thanks all for the finest online Eurovision party. See you next year!
posted by Kattullus at 4:09 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Well it’s been fun as always, see you next year y'all :)
posted by billiebee at 4:10 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Wow, lot of hate here for a great song ...

It'll probably grow on me, and I'm genuinely glad somebody clearly liked it. (But it's no Australia or even Norway.)
posted by asperity at 4:13 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

Thank you for making the party happen, PearlRose!
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 4:13 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Since no other dutchies have jumped in: Can't believe we won after 40+ years! Although I personally also loved the entries by Sweden, Italy, Iceland, Spain, and others.

Groups of people in the streets are singing the song, the city is super happy right now. We'll create a cool party next year hopefully!

Nobody here ever heard of Duncan before, he won 3rd place in The Voice a few years ago or something. What a start for his career, wish him the best.
posted by kwartel at 5:10 PM on May 18, 2019 [7 favorites]

Sad as I am about Sweden, Eurovision party in the Netherlands sounds like a lot of fun. And I'm very glad San Marino was able to perform again and do better this time. His song is catchy as hell and I've been singing "Say Meow Meow Meow" to my cats all week.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 5:51 PM on May 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

I'm happy about the winner. It's not what I think of as "a Eurovision song," but it IS a good song, and he performs it really well.

I have issues with Sweden's song. It never really gets going. Every time the groove in the chorus is just starting to roll, the song does the "stop and get quiet for drama" thing. I find it frustrating to listen to.

I totally don't get the jury vote love for Macedonia. For a song about pride, it sounds like a funeral requiem. (Though, as I said to my friends watching with me, I bet an EDM remix of this would be great!)
posted by dnash at 6:17 PM on May 18, 2019

I'm disappointed with Australia's result - we went in there with short odds and ninth is unexpected - but the big positive is that the televote wasn't too bad for us, which suggests that Australia's poor results with the televote from the last couple of years is not from resentment that Australia's even in the thing. I had a whole history of why Australia was in Eurovision ready to go, and it's not really something people are asking any more.

Now I'm really curious to know what would have happened if 2000 And Whatever, Australia's second-place for the national contest, had gone instead.
posted by Merus at 1:40 AM on May 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

A full breakdown of the voting and results can be found here on the official Eurovision website. It's fascinating.
posted by PearlRose at 8:34 AM on May 19, 2019 [3 favorites]

billiebee: I thought Belarus were banned from voting?

This is turning into a minor kerfuffle. So, the Belarusian jury was kicked out, and someone or someones in the European Broadcasting Union decided where the 58 points of the Belarusian jury would go, but hasn't said who made the call or how it was made.

Twitter user euro_bruno has a theory that the jury ranking of all the songs (the juries rank all songs in order, not just those they give points to) was reversed and the Belarusian points went to the songs that the jury liked the least, which is marvelously petty and if true I wholly approve of it.
posted by Kattullus at 1:45 AM on May 20, 2019 [3 favorites]

Eurovision, and Hatari from Iceland in particular, featured last night on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
posted by Kattullus at 2:59 AM on May 20, 2019 [2 favorites]

On thinking it over, my greatest disappointment was that I didn't share my best joke about Madonna's performance when it would've been timely.

But here goes (and thank you to 7segment for the joke prompt): I haven't seen monks that wasted since The Name of the Rose.
posted by asperity at 8:57 AM on May 20, 2019 [2 favorites]

The European Broadcasting Union has retroactively reallocated the points that they previously reallocated from Belarus. It has only a limited effect on the final result. You can read their statement here.
posted by Kattullus at 2:02 AM on May 23, 2019

So North Macedonia is now the jury winner, and Sweden edges ahead of Norway in the Top 5. I feel a little bad for Norway, honestly.
posted by PearlRose at 7:30 AM on May 23, 2019