Well, I guess I can see why they went with that choice.
If you have to cut down one semi for financial reasons, but still want to include 20 songs, there aren't too many options I suppose.
I guess you could have a marathon semi with all 20 songs, but that would be a very long evening. Also one might argue why even have a semi then, just have a 20 song final!
Which I guess could also be an option. Maybe we'll see that some other year, if the direct finalist system doesn't appeal to people. But perhaps they'll be able to bring back two semis again, seems like the most tried and tested option that worked well so far.
I can definitely see there being plenty of grumbling about the 5 songs that get the final ticket not being worth it.
Unless we get lucky and those really are the best songs of the bunch, but even then, so many different tastes out there. Everyone will probably have their own favorites they'd rather see in the final! Oh well, we shall have to hope the jury picks at least end up being above average & competitive/interesting. Worst case scenario is getting 5 bland radio filler songs direct in the final.
But we won't know that until later. It'll be interesting to see what the jury top 5 is I guess. Would be very curious to know what the pre-selection jury top 5 has been in previous years and which songs would have made the cut with this new system.
But don't think such info has ever been revealed. Would Alika and Ollie and Bedwetters have gotten a final ticket? Or had to tough it out in the super-semi?
Going to be a competitive evening, with 10 songs getting the boot at once!
Rest of the rules seem pretty similar to before. Still two voting rounds in semi & final. I guess 4+1 in the semi? Could be 3+2 too, if they want to give televoters more power now that jury get to pick 5 direct finalists.
No mention if superfinal will still have 3 songs or not. Jury in the semi will also be extra large.. wonder if they plan to get all new 35+ people or have the same jury as the pre-selection one.
Final still seems to have international jury.
Well, here's hoping for a strong selection of songs! And that the best ones get to make the cut.
They actually plan to release/introduce some songs that didn't make top 20 this time around. Will be interesting to see if we get any hidden gems that didn't make it! And the ensuing complaining when that inevitably happens.
At least the ones that don't make the final directly still have a chance to pass the semi. Or maybe they'll be sneaky and release some duds so people will go "wow, they really picked the best songs after all!".
Looking forward to November in any case.