EUROVISION 2020 - General Discussion Thread

[escYOUnited]

Please post any and all discussions regarding the contest itself, host country and city, organisation, rumours and other topics not related to any specific country's selection process.

 

[GianlucaTomoe]

María Isabel, just like Tinna Gi, is another singer from the (J)ESC-world who, a couple of years ago, had predicted EVERYTHING about nowadays' mess

 

[Loindici]

Honestly, screw the EBU. Who are they to tell that the artists can’t use the same song for next year’s competition under these circumstances? Let it be a choice for the artists themselves, I doubt it’s at advantage anyway. I see that Robyn from wiwibloggs said something about hosting right, but honestly let’s be real; EBU could just declare that the «winner» of this year’s Eurovision won’t get to host next year, the hosting right will still be the Netherlands’ if they want it. I hardly doubt that any broadcaster would have a problem with this as the replacement contest will be so downscaled that they won’t even deserve to host. It’s bothering me that the EBU don’t find a way to make these 41 songs count, even if it won’t be in Eurovision style, the artists could do it from home etc, and still represent their country in 2021 if they wish to. This way they’ll make sure that the songs count some way. Honestly why do they insist that Eurovision has to happen the grand way? If the spirit of the contest is to unite Europe and countries, then find a way to do it - especially in these hard times.

Is it possible that the could do an online festival? I mean, they'd still do the online broadcasting from each country, with each country having a stage or whatever, just that they're not in competition and there's no televoting whatsoever.

 

[mauve]

Is it possible that the could do an online festival? I mean, they'd still do the online broadcasting from each country, with each country having a stage or whatever, just that they're not in competition and there's no televoting whatsoever.

In a world where online is such a huge part, EBU has no other option than to cancel everything? I mean where are we? In the Middle ages? Still can't believe it. There really WOULD have been better choices than to cancel and to to literally chuck the precious songs away.

 

[crashworld]

Now makes me wonder, if part of the reasons the delegations cannot reuse the songs for the 2021 contest is because EBU has something planned where the songs from this year's supposed contest will be used in the replacement show. That would have made more sense.

 

[Uto]

EBU is definitely planning something because their actions so far just wouldn't make sense any other way. I expect some sort of online show, but they will just have to drop the whole competitive aspect of it. Every country will get like five minutes or so to present their song in the way they deem fit accompanied by two minute interviews with the artists or something like that. Two shows with 20/21 songs each, something like that.

 

[crashworld]

EBU is definitely planning something because their actions so far just wouldn't make sense any other way. I expect some sort of online show, but they will just have to drop the whole competitive aspect of it. Every country will get like five minutes or so to present their song in the way they deem fit accompanied by two minute interviews with the artists or something like that. Two shows with 20/21 songs each, something like that.

That would make more sense to be honest. Give the artists a platform to promote their music and also let the Eurovision public know what songs are there in the supposed competition. Since it has already decided that the songs cannot be reused for the 2021 contest, may as well do something with them for the replacement show.

Although a part of me still hope they can ask the artist to do a pre-recorded studio 'live' performance of the track in the absence of audience when the situation improves.

Someone in reddit forum suggested that any artist that is unable to participate in the ESC 2021 contest should be invited back to be the interval act of the semi-finals/final of the 2021 contest by performing their songs. That would have been a nice touch.

 

[NikolaiMoller]

So many great and beautiful ballads this year. I love all of these:

Magical and emotional. I was really looking forward to watch this performance on stage. Could've been the winner this year.

There's something with this song. I get heartbroken everytime I hear it. I've loved it since FIK in December. It lost some of it's magic after the revamp into English, why get rid of the violins!!!??? Still emotional and I love her voice.

Didn't need the revamp for me. I love the moment, both in studio and live. Play with words, Roxen was really feeling it and many people can relate to the topic. Could've gone far in Rotterdam. The live performance: I love the second chorus, when the backing vocals join in. Goosebumps!

Was really growing on me. What a voice. A great balkan ballad. I love it.

I love the studio version so much. Her voice, the drama! Could've been a jury magnet.

When I heard this song in NMGP final my first thoughts were "jury winner". I'm not sure after a lot of the songs above were released, but her voice is just amazing and the drama in the end, very good job dear neighbours

 

[shameless]

EBU is definitely planning something because their actions so far just wouldn't make sense any other way. I expect some sort of online show, but they will just have to drop the whole competitive aspect of it. Every country will get like five minutes or so to present their song in the way they deem fit accompanied by two minute interviews with the artists or something like that. Two shows with 20/21 songs each, something like that.

You're problaby right about this and its going to be super lame. Just to present all the songs in pre-recorded ways and with siri hosting and thats it.
Why can it not still be a competition? People vote AT HOME, Juries can vote AT HOME. If you give everyone clear technical restricitions on their presentation the advantages of countries like sweden will bepretty low. because people can still see if they like a song or not.
We WANT A CONTEST, guys!

 

[Fluke]

Melodifestivalen

Melodifestivalen

blogg.svt.se

According to this post on SVT's website, some kind of replacement show with pre-recorded or remotely streamed performances is being considered, but it doesn't give any other sources for this statement. At least the article seems to get the reason for the decision right, that it's all about EBU's own honor (insert 1st season Zuko face here) and they don't give a damn about what the artists, the national delegations or the public thinks.

And i really think they should have some way of voting for a winner, even if it's just on a website rather than a proper televote. We just can't go without knowing who WINS!

 

[laululind]

The winner wouldn't get to host next year tho'. It's one thing to wonder what might have been, but a whole other matter to know you won but get jack shit to show for it. A pat on the back and a mention next year maybe, but the whole point of winning, putting on your own show, is taken from you. Maybe for a country with several wins under it's belt already, or a country that's won in the last 5 years, it wouldn't be a big deal. But imagine Lithuania or Iceland getting their first ever win, something that might not happen again for another 20+ years.. and it simply goes to waste. To me that seems incredibly demoralizing. At this point, I think they'd be better off not knowing they would have won. What they could do perhaps would be not announce the winner, just top 5 or something? That way you'd get the knowledge your song did well, but not the bitter feeling of having lost your hosting chance.

Not sure how much work is involved in organizing a televote anyway. If it requires lots of people, it might not be doable under current conditions. An online vote on the other hand seems very easy to cheat & manipulate.

 

[LastDreamer]

You always can ask to be the host of ESC 2020 in the end of this year and hold ESC 2021 for

 

[shameless]

The winner wouldn't get to host next year tho'. It's one thing to wonder what might have been, but a whole other matter to know you won but get jack shit to show for it. A pat on the back and a mention next year maybe, but the whole point of winning, putting on your own show, is taken from you. Maybe for a country with several wins under it's belt already, or a country that's won in the last 5 years, it wouldn't be a big deal. But imagine Lithuania or Iceland getting their first ever win, something that might not happen again for another 20+ years.. and it simply goes to waste. To me that seems incredibly demoralizing. At this point, I think they'd be better off not knowing they would have won. What they could do perhaps would be not announce the winner, just top 5 or something? That way you'd get the knowledge your song did well, but not the bitter feeling of having lost your hosting chance.

Not sure how much work is involved in organizing a televote anyway. If it requires lots of people, it might not be doable under current conditions. An online vote on the other hand seems very easy to cheat & manipulate.

You make it sound like hosting the contest the next year is the only reason countries want to win whereas in reality its more like a burden to many. These days it's not fashionable anymore to reject to host even if your country is in an economical or political crisis because the pressure it too high. Winning but not having the hosting duties is probably not bothering Romania or Bulgaria who both struggled to even send entries in the recent past. Plus even if a ESC in Reykjavík would be amazingly romantic, I am sure a lot of fans don't mind to save their money because its heavily expensive. Nah, I am sure if its clear from the beginning that hosting is not an option for the winner most artists (and thats what to me are more important than politicians or corrupt broadcast stations) would be fine with it.

 

[midnightsun]

At first I was a little bit mad why they prohibited the use of the old songs but thinking a while about it it’s definitely the better option (though very sad for the artist). The ones high in the betting odds would keep their songs, probably. The others would exchange their song to a (most probably) better song or even trying to copy the odds‘ winners in a way. So next years we would have too many good songs and the older ones would definitely lose their appeal since many are tired of listen to them even if they‘re good.
You may ask what’s wrong in having too many good songs? You know the saying... too many cooks spoil the broth. I think „weaker“ songs are needed.

 

[Nemo89]

At first I was a little bit mad why they prohibited the use of the old songs but thinking a while about it it’s definitely the better option (though very sad for the artist). The ones high in the betting odds would keep their songs, probably. The others would exchange their song to a (most probably) better song or even trying to copy the odds‘ winners in a way. So next years we would have too many good songs and the older ones would definitely lose their appeal since many are tired of listen to them even if they‘re good.
You may ask what’s wrong in having too many good songs? You know the saying... too many cooks spoil the broth. I think „weaker“ songs are needed.

Your comment is very intelligent but, with due respect, I do not fully agree with what you have written.

A competition with many strong songs does not imply that in the "song park" there will not be a "weak" song. There will always be a ranking.

I think that the harder the competition, the more the European musical movement can guarantee fun and above all improve.

You wrote that Eurofans could get bored listening to the "old songs" ... I still sing the "Beatles" songs! I believe that after the Coronavirus, if the European committee chooses to let the old representatives participate with their old songs, the risk is that the Italian song would have full votes of the jury and perhaps also of the public (after the sadness of the Coronavirus many people would feel sentimentally connected to this song). It is not said that a song, if time passes, loses its charm. It can happen that, like wine, the more time passes, the song becomes better.

It is possible that the ESC commission will say to nations that have a national festival "You can choose whether to send the winner of the 2020 festival or that of 2021". Then, if this choice is internal or chosen by the public it is secondary. Now, many could tell me that this would go against the regulation ... are you sure that the regulation has been respected in these years? I want to show you two rules of the ESC:

1) Controversial choreography or scenography is not allowed.

2) Texts with political, advertising, confessional or offensive content are not allowed.

Following the logic of these rules, the Hatari, in support of the Palestinian cause on the ESC stage, should have been disqualified. The rules can be changed and also ... forget them, my friends

 

[Loindici]

And now SMRTV has stated they have made efforts to approach EBU on reconsidering cancellation, to be changed by postponement.

Well...

 

[mauve]

And now SMRTV has stated they have made efforts to approach EBU on reconsidering cancellation, to be changed by postponement.

Well...

Would be nice to have two ESCs in 2021 ... but I doubt it'll happen.

 

[musicfan]

A competition with many strong songs does not imply that in the "song park" there will not be a "weak" song. There will always be a ranking.

I don't think most people do specific rankings, there are just songs they like (with a big favourite or not) and songs they don't like/or just aren't interested in.

You lose the voting part though I suppose online polls will tell you which is the most/least popular. And you may lose a final performance, all songs should have at least one live performance available at some point you could argue. But you do have all the songs that define this year's Eurovision and that's arguably the basic requirement.

 

[midnightsun]

@Nemo89 I didn’t say the old songs are boring, I just said they will have lost their appeal next year. :-) Means, new songs that are as good as the old ones are automatically more interesting because they‘re new. The older ones get a bit neglected, so to say. That’s especially the case - in my case - with songs from the very recent years. I‘ve just re-started to listen to the whole songs of 2016, so it will take about 3-4 years when I‘m at 2020.

But you‘re right, Oldies are goldies and the Beatles are an excellent choice!

 

[LastDreamer]

Would be nice to have two ESCs in 2021 ... but I doubt it'll happen.

Watch my post from the previous page.

 

[Nemo89]

@midnightsun @musicfan It is a pleasure to speak with you. I wanted to open a discussion point. My thought is that a song from 2020 could also perform in 2021. This Coronavirus slowed down life and time as we knew it has changed. Maybe everything will fall back into place in 2022, maybe.