But really, you only watch Eurovision for the hysterically funny political voting.

Raffles, you spelled "costumes, dance routines and lyrics" kind funny there. ;o)

Israel is in the Middle East - I wouldn't really want to say it was in Africa or Asia, to be honest, but I guess I'd say Asia, myself. (It's most definitely not in Europe, geographically or culturally.)

some people would probably like it to be somewhere in America, so that it'll be easier for us to become the new USA state

I can appreciate why you might say that, but this does sum up precisely why one hell of a lot of people are profoundly pissed off about Israel's existence. IJS.

Oh, those too Fay !

And the El-Tel commentary. I forgot that. Eurovision will die when he hangs up his hat.

ETA And the Belgian entry this year was in a made-up language - huh??

And the Belgian entry this year was in a made-up language - huh??

What? Really? Good lord. Belgium were my favourite team this year - I was really rooting for them. Although I liked Turkey, and was happy enough that they won. Belly dancing music - always a good thing.

I t heart Terry Wogan.

It is Eurovision faux history that Ireland - having won the contest two years running and being a relatively poor country - purposefully entered a really bad song so they wouldn't win and have to host the contest for a third year.

Israel won two consecutive years, and couldn't afford hosting the contest two years running, so on the following year the contest was held in the country that got to the second place (I have no idea which one it was).

this does sum up precisely why one hell of a lot of people are profoundly pissed off about Israel's existence.

Well, lots of people in Israel really don't like this point of view, either.

And the Belgian entry this year was in a made-up language - huh??

It was apparently in an effort to show that Eurovision-ism is above individual native languages, we all speak with one voice, yada yada yada.

Plus it was a first class rip-off of Clannad!

The point about the Irish story is that it's just not true although it has become part of (UK) Eurovision folk history.

Fair point, Nilly, and well made.

Plus it was a first class rip-off of Clannad!

You think? I can see that, I guess - I was more reminded of the Afro Celt Sound System. I liked it, myself.

Ireland actually won three years in a row, and it's definitely Irish folk history that it nearly broke RTE (the Irish broadcasting company). Since then we've been sure to enter entirely mediocre song-stylings in order to avoid the expense. I think we may have won by accident once since, though.

Good 'ol Eurovision. Is it an enduring testament to the kitschiest of eurotrash or a celebration of postmodernism? You may be able to tell that I'm trying to justify my hosting of a Eurovision party on Saturday night. We had score sheets and eveything. I probably shouldn't tell people that.

Thanks, Fay.

It was apparently in an effort to show that Eurovision-ism is above individual native languages, we all speak with one voice, yada yada yada.

The first Israeli song to ever win the contest was in the 'b' language, which means you put the letter 'b' after every consonant in the words you say. So "All ogle, no cash" is said in the 'b' language as 'Aballb obogblbe, nobo cabashb'. The idea behind it was just the one I quoted from Raffles' post, and, well, at that time it apparently worked.

Anything that gives the world Abba is all right by me.

There's an article about the Eurovision Song Contest in today's New York Times.