Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku (Azerbaijan)

[Tender Branson]

The Eurovision Song Contest 2012 will be the 57th annual Eurovision Song Contest. It will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, following Azerbaijan's win in the 2011 Contest with Eldar & Nigar's song "Running Scared". The two semi-finals will be held on 22 May and 24 May 2012, and the final on 26 May 2012. The purpose of the semi-finals is to narrow down the participants to twenty-six who will compete for the victory. Ten countries from each semi final will qualify and will be joined in the final by Azerbaijan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Forty-three countries have announced their participation in the contest, with Montenegro returning, having last taken part in 2009, and Poland withdrawing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2012

Austria's contribution will be this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_W2tbW64pQ

LOL. Mühlviertel-Hip-Hop with a song called "Shake your ass !" in dialect.



I wonder what would have happened if Austria sent transgender singer Conchita Wurst to Baku, who lost to the above mentioned "Tracksh**ttaz" by 51% to 49% ?
 

[Platypus]

I'm on team Iceland so far, although the rumours of Britain sending Atomic Kitten may change that.

[MaxQue]

I'm on team Iceland so far, although the rumours of Britain sending Atomic Kitten may change that.

Apparently, they sent a 75 year old guys which last success was in the 60's.

[Platypus]

that was last year, and it was the friends of the guy who was meant to compete, but who died before the competition.

[Vazdul (Formerly Chairman of the Communist Party of Ontario)]

I think the biggest question here is why the hell is the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Azerbaijan?

[freefair]

Its in the European Broadcasting Area radius.

[Silent Hunter]

Its in the European Broadcasting Area radius.

It's part of Europe, I'd say.

[Franzl]

I think the biggest question here is why the hell is the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Azerbaijan?

Because Azerbaijan won last year's competition.

[The Mikado]

I think the biggest question here is why the hell is the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Azerbaijan?

The Caucasus is pretty clearly part of Europe?  And Europe does extend east as far as the Urals, which technically means that even Kazakhstan could participate if it so chose (a part of Kazakhstan larger than Germany is in "Europe").

[Tender Branson]

Same story like the UEFA. Even Israel is considered "Europe" here.

[MaxQue]

Same story like the UEFA. Even Israel is considered "Europe" here.

Well, it's more for them to not be with the same sport events than Arab countries.

[Vazdul (Formerly Chairman of the Communist Party of Ontario)]

*does the research*

Okay, well that's awkward.

It cracks me up how Northern Africa can be considered part of the European Broadcasting Area.

On an unrelated note, here is a map of Europe.



It does not include mainland Turkey, it does not include the Caucasus, and it certainly does not extend eastward all the way to freakin' Vladivostok.

[The Mikado]

Going by that map, you're going to have to kick Cyprus and Malta out of the EU.

[Vazdul (Formerly Chairman of the Communist Party of Ontario)]

Going by that map, you're going to have to kick Cyprus and Malta out of the EU.

Malta's so small it's hard to tell, but it looks to me like it's put in with Europe.

As for Cyprus, works for me.

That said, I think I hijacked the thread for long enough.

[Хahar 🤔]

Complaining about countries not meeting the formal definition of "Europe" is ridiculous, since Europe is a social construct and not a physical entity. That map of Europe is no more right than any number of other maps of Europe.

[Boris]

Complaining about countries not meeting the formal definition of "Europe" is ridiculous, since Europe is a social construct and not a physical entity. That map of Europe is no more right than any number of other maps of Europe.

Not that you or I (or any other Americans other than Lief and Phil) care about soccer, but Israel is a member of UEFA and not whatever the Asian equivalent is.

[doktorb]

This website has all the selected songs in a video wall:


http://www.sechuk.com/ESC12-Main.htm

[Andrea]

Belarus changed its entry because of voting fraud  in their selection contest...Lukashenko "took firm actions againt irregularities to preserve the justice". Really, it has been reported as such. Almost hilarious considering the individual involved
So Alyona Lenskaya is out and the Litesound (the finished second in the selection on the night) will go Baku...if nothing else changes.

Belarus Eurovison dramas have become a common feature. Last year they had to change the song 2-3 times. IIRC they first tried to enter a song called "Born in Byelorussia". EBU (the federation of European TVs which oversees the contest) told them the lyrics were unsuitable*. They changed it but it was discovered that the music has been used in public before the fixed deadline. So they fabricated another gem: I Love Belarus.
They failed to reach the final...Lukashenko didn't take it well...

Ukraine is another country which is not strange to do similar mess...

*The 2010 original song was:

Diamonds and treats of the West
Come – check it out! Be my guest
You’re still remaining the best
Byelorussia

When everything will be gone
Your name will shine like the sun
You’re still remaining the one
Good old-fashioned

Round and round we go

Born in Belorussia, USSR time
Belorussia, crazy and so fine
Time is rushing, everything’s crashing
Passing by

Born in Belorussia, USSR time
Belorussia, got you on my mind
You’re my passion, do it old-fashioned
You and I

[doktorb]

Russia has chosen this bunch of young hip-and-happening with it crowd



http://vimeo.com/38117172

[Andrea]

Engelbert Humperdinck is suddenly looking young and hot!

[Andrea]

In Greece they are reduced to host the Eurovision selection from shopping malls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F6Apd0_0CSs

I am surprised they can afford dancers. But maybe they picked them up from a gay disco for free.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Belarus changed its entry because of voting fraud  in their selection contest...Lukashenko "took firm actions againt irregularities to preserve the justice". Really, it has been reported as such. Almost hilarious considering the individual involved

"Took firm actions againt irregularities to preserve the justice" probably means that he massively rigged the contest so that the outcome suited his personal preferences.

[doktorb]

In Greece they are reduced to host the Eurovision selection from shopping malls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F6Apd0_0CSs

I am surprised they can afford dancers. But maybe they picked them up from a gay disco for free.

The song they eventually chose seems to walk that line between "We really can't afford to take part" and "See, we are taking it seriously, honest."

[Andrea]

Belarus changed its entry because of voting fraud  in their selection contest...Lukashenko "took firm actions againt irregularities to preserve the justice". Really, it has been reported as such. Almost hilarious considering the individual involved

"Took firm actions againt irregularities to preserve the justice" probably means that he massively rigged the contest so that the outcome suited his personal preferences.

The band they chose after getting rid of the previous winner has an Italian guy in it. The chap has been summoned to meet Lukashenko. Not sure if he came back...

[Pingvin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0vQ9_BhU1M
Russia sent this babushkas.