Semi Final 1 thoughts?

[theditz83]

So now that the dust has settles on Semi Final 1, what are your thoughts on the show that Sweden put on for us? Not specifically talking about the individual songs but more your thoughts on the overall show and presentation. Here are my random observations:

- Certain camera angles were atrocious and really didn't capture the full effect of the LED screens and dancing (see Russia and to lesser extent Malta).
- SVT really need to sort out the graphics on screen to avoid confusion. Examples - during the Spanish preview, the Swedish artist and song title came up first. Then during the recap of the finalists chosen, they seemed obsessed with showing the Azerbaijan text - not professional.
- Petra and Måns don't have much chemistry as a presenting couple and they really need to work on this. Sure they'll improve across the 2nd semi and be great for the final.
- The postcards - while quite arty in a video sense - didn't often capture anything specific in terms of theme or imagery. I kinda missed that.

But overall, the stage looked great and sound quality was really great. I just hope the little bugs from tonight are eradicated by Thursday and Saturday

 

[Jukica]

I noticed issues with graphics as well :/

I'm hoping for more Lynda Woodruff

 

[theditz83]

I noticed issues with graphics as well :/

I'm hoping for more Lynda Woodruff

In the UK during the voting phase, we got treated to a 5 minute video of Lynda Woodruff taking Joe and Jake on a tour around Stockholm on a tour bus. She wasn't at her best in that to be honest, but is probably saving her best material for the night (i.e. the final )

 

[Nikkita]

I really liked the postcards and graphics used for country's name, singer's name etc. The stage was not too shabby. Petra was too fangirly towards Mans but they were a funny bunch.

 

[nikolay_BG]

The graphics were kinda meh. I liked the idea of different fonts of the countries. I think they represent the cultural differences of any country which is kinda good tbh. I liked that. Kinda like saying "we know that we are different but we can respect our differences and do something together". The post-cards were kinda meh imo.

I can't comment on Petra and Mans because I watched the SF on BNT with translators who spoke over them. But she seems better than 2013. Still dislike her though.

Camera angles are irrelevant for me tbh. Didn't really like the stage.

 

[lavieenrose]

SVT did a very nice job with the show. I actually rather enjoyed Petra & Måns as hosts. The camera angles were indeed atrocious in some cases, especially concerning how the projection screens were handled, but I put that on the delegations more than SVT. Glad to see the Europe joke finally make it in too

 

[GermanBango]

I love the postcards and the dandelions xshifty ...and of course the lack of fake-applause

 

[DanielLuis]

I liked the show, the only thing they have to change are those small issues with the graphics that happened during the big 5 + host snippets and in the qualifiers recap, which I'm sure they'l get right in the remaining shows.
By the way I'm very glad they brought back the qualifiers recap, to me it is an essential part of the show so casual viewers can remember which songs were the ones tha qualified. It should be mandatory to have it every year.

 

[Luki]

I don't think Petra's humorous moments were great, they always felt a bit like a Swedish MF type in-joke. I think her lines should be bolder and maybe tackle with actual European non-LGBT stuff. ^^

 

[nikolay_BG]

The interval act was lame af.

 

[cegs5]

Everything was kinda meh .... but at least I didn't notice canned applauses, or maybe they were not so obvious like last year's.

The most annoying moment was that stupid video with the fans in a taxi...honestly, do they think that people still believe that shit? Not to mention how annoying the Wiwi guys are.

 

[tuorem]

Don't want to initiate a controversial debate here, but I was pleased not to have rainbow flags thrown at my face every five minutes like in the past two years. I like that they didn't feel the need to make sneaky zooms here and there.

I appreciated the way the name of the country and the song credits appeared on screen and were used as transitions from postcards to the stage.

Like you guys said, the glitches during the presentation of France/Spain/Sweden and the qualifiers recap was the only "issue" to sort out. Apart from that, it was smooth. Let's hope semi 2 will be too, and the connection with the spokespersons will be good

 

[cegs5]

Don't want to initiate a controversial debate here, but I was pleased not to have rainbow flags thrown at my face every five minutes like in the past two years. I like that they didn't feel the need to make sneaky zooms here and there.

I saw quite a lot of them actually... and some guys who were closed up were a rainbow flag themselves.

 

[tuorem]

I saw quite a lot of them actually... and some guys who were closed up were a rainbow flag themselves.

I missed that then lucky me

 

[GermanBango]

My reaction to the qualifiers in 10 flawless gif's ...

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[Brandt]

There are too many technical omissions. Even the names were slightly mistaken when the titles of the songs appeared.

 

[USVision]

Ok I have a theory as to why did not qualify.

Greta was near the middle in odds, predictions, and reviews. There was no overwhelming majority pushing her through, but her fans probably felt that she was secure, giving their votes to less "popular" entries (, ). The mass votes presumably went to and , living poor Greta out of the Final.

(just a theory)

 

[nikolay_BG]

Greta was a fanwank. Accept it already.

 

[FilipFromSweden]

People we're shouting Iceland in the arena as the last qualifier! I think the juries might've robbed her and that's probably because it's not really a listenable song without the show, but with show it's amazing.

 

[Sammy]

I really don't want to get political here, and I have nothing against Armenia or Iveta as a person (though, I'm not the greatest fan of her song, but she's a marvelous artist and singer and delivered a great show).
Still: How on earth can you possibly argue that showing a highly political and provocative flag contributes to or expresses the wish for peace in that very region as she did in the press conference? I personally found that really inappropriate.

Thus said, I wish her all the best for the final.