ESC 2018 General Discussion Thread

[Himan]

In the end probably nothing real big will happen. But it's logical that the difference between 1st and 11th is way bigger than for example 11th and 21st. So it's a good idea to do it this way for juries.

 

[LalehForWD]

Oh, I'm a patriot, but I refer to myself as a "rational patriot", not a chauvinistic one... there's a difference.

Chauvinistic patriotism or nationalism or as I also call "blind nationalism/patriotism" is when you are waving your flag and rooting for your country no matter the reason, even for the wrong reasons. For example when we have diaspora voting for a crappy song just because it's from their country of origin, now that's just stupid imo or simply rooting for music you wouldn't normally even listen to just because it's representing your country

I am the kind of person who lifts up what's good about my country and when we accomplish good things, but I'm not afraid to criticize my country as well and point out situations when we do wrong, and in ESC context that would be pointing out when we're sending a song that isn't in my taste.

Swedes in general are like this I'd say, even if most are afraid to call themselves "patriots" for stupid political reasons but that's for another discussion...

LOL, mostly praise though. I was with you all the way until the last sentence. No Swedes are afraid or ashamed to express endless pride and pure joy when Kalla beats Bjørgen in the finish or Tre kronor beats the Russians. As you say, what is not fashionable is the classic chauvinistic patriotism or the unbearable sentimental patriotism you see in American war movies. The praise must have substance and not being empty phrases. I'd say most Swedish people are pretty outspoken patriots, but with few exceptions frown upon nationalism. The support for the monarchy is also rock solid as is a strong general loyalty to the Swedish society. No surprise for a country more or less stable for 1000 years and with well-defined foundations. I believe the same is true for most western countries.

 

[LalehForWD]

Some people are not patriotic I guess, but I find it ok, just little weird. In my opinion, because semi 2 is very weak, I think you should at least qualify, your song is one of the five best songs in that semi. And for final placement maybe it will be out of top 10, because this year is just full of strong entries, and that is all about this drama. Sorry if I bothered you much.

If I may. I agree with [MENTION=4544]A-lister[/MENTION] that you really should support only the songs you like regardless where they come from. That said, there's also the spirit of being all-in for the team, which is more like treating ESC like a sports event. I guess we are constantly torn between the two. I was very negative to Benjamin during Melodifestivalen but was turned when it was settled, so now I support him and a Swedish victory. It wasn't per automatic though. I truly hated us in 2011 and was completely indifferent in 2013.

 

[LalehForWD]

Regarding the new jury points calculation, personally, if I've understood it right, I approve. I have previously wanted the number of jury members to increase in order to minimise the effect of an odd jury opinion. This is obviously much better. So it seems, which have already been expressed, the important thing for a song is the get into the top 2, maybe top 3 of at least 1 jury member in as many juries as possible. It also hurts a lot less to be hated now. My guess is this means more for edgy songs in the middle than for runaway songs. Runaway songs with somewhat mixed reception will perhaps also be more competitive.

 

[John1]

Regarding the new jury points calculation, personally, if I've understood it right, I approve. I have previously wanted the number of jury members to increase in order to minimise the effect of an odd jury opinion. This is obviously much better. So it seems, which have already been expressed, the important thing for a song is the get into the top 2, maybe top 3 of at least 1 jury member in as many juries as possible. It also hurts a lot less to be hated now. My guess is this means more for edgy songs in the middle than for runaway songs. Runaway songs with somewhat mixed reception will perhaps also be more competitive.

It'll certainly be a huge asset for Netta in order to win the whole thing. Guh..

 

[GermanBango]

The stage looks fantastic imo. Question: Are there going to be actual spectators in the free space between the stage and that catwalk-thingy? I most certainly hope so... otherwise the stage seems quite far away from the crowd.

 

[0scar]

Love seeing pictures of the stage but I'm most curious to see how the performances will turn out to be!

 

[JSSArcos]

Some more photos of the stage !

 

[ChrisOL]

At least the stage looks very high quality, but what has happened to the greenroom? So far it looks really really cheap to me
To compare it:

Or is this just not finished yet or the real furnitures are delayed? Because it looks different compared to the first rendered pictures.

 

[tuorem]

The greenroom doesn't look bad to me, it's simpler than the previous editions and people will be closer to each other though, that's for sure. How the delegations will follow the shows without TV screens though? The stage is quite far away, they won't see much from there.

edit: ok, I guess they'll watch the performances on the two big lateral screens.

 

[0scar]

From what already can been seen, the visuals look great!

 

[CPV4931]

[...]
The stage looks fantastic imo. Question: Are there going to be actual spectators in the free space between the stage and that catwalk-thingy? I most certainly hope so... otherwise the stage seems quite far away from the crowd.

Yes, there will be spectators. It is the so called "Golden Circle".

 

[aef]

I really love the texture of the stage so far! The background looks totally different compared to previous years, it gives the whole stage a really good atmosphere! Way more interesting than with the same LED background every year... Simple but still not as boring and pointless than the 2010 stage though!

 

[AlekS]

 

[lolita]

All favorites drifting at the odds, including Netta. I knew it will be like this, from the beginning. Only Estonia has winner vibes and France, for now.

 

[Swedenvision]

Well, none of the so called favorites that had their rehearsal today have impressed, rather the opposite.

It is interesting that the stageing can be such a vital component.

Right now it looks good for countries that already had their expensive and impressing stageing done ages ago...

 

[lavieenrose]

Well, none of the so called favorites that had their rehearsal today have impressed, rather the opposite.

It is interesting that the stageing can be such a vital component.

Right now it looks good for countries that already had their expensive and impressing stageing done ages ago...

Well, you are relentlessly on-message, I have to give you that.

 

[Schlagerman1]

The two #-tags from the first day of rehearsals:

#ILoveEurovision - [MENTION=4364]Matt[/MENTION] EscUnited
#Painismoist - William Lee Adams, Wiwibloggs about the Belarussian rehearsal.

 

[joao]

have you seen this video?

It's only about Alekseev but you can see some tv shots and the stage looks amazing

And gigantic. Super exciiiiteeeeed!

 

[Kaz]

Guys I had another Eurovision dream! This time I don’t remember heaps, except that Belgium came 23rd (oddly specific i know), Slovenia came between 12th-14th, the Netherlands came 4th, and the winner was Hungary! And then also after Hungary won they announced that the contest was being expanded to the Middle East and the 2019 contest was going to be hosted in Saudi Arabia lmao