SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION

[MARA]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

I´m upset about what I saw last night. Year by year, my interest in this contest is diminishing. Always the same type of music. Always the similar performances go to the final.
Can tell me anyone what is new or original in last night shows and songs performed by Iceland, Greek or Ireland?
Last year I loved Lipstick, I voted for Jedward, they made a real show, fresh and new. This year Ireland has achieved the target with a mediocre song thank to the support of all twelve years old girls. Congratulations! Well done! (Although, they surprised me singing quite well)
Iceland, magic atmosphere, powerful song. No, I’m sorry but, I feel I had listened this so many times before. I have the similar feelings with Aphrodisiac.
Denmark and Hungarian, I have to admit there are nice songs and deserve to be in the final, but every day we can listen on the radios this kind of songs, day by day. So to me they are boring in a live show.
I’m really disappointed by Israel (I have seen other videos of this group and they are really great) and Austria (not great but it puts a counterpoint in the show). And most of all, I’m really disappointed by Switzerland. Why Simplus aren`t in the final? Their performance was really revitalizing.

 

[blein]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Russia was the best in semi-final.. as i heard europe screamed so loud when grannies ended the perfomance, now chances on winning are even bigger.
Also i will be happy if Sweden or Russia will win. Both have good songs, both countries are our neibrs.. will vote for russia and sweden in final

 

[Grinch]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

I'm sure that Loreen is gonna be announced last tomorrow. They did this to Rybak in 2009 too I think!

Or Serbia?

 

[Matt]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Rybak was the 9th song to be announced, it's random.

 

[ParadiseES]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

I don't think the order they announce the finalists is random. Always the last ones to be announced are public favourites or countries that usually don't qualify.

 

[Trece]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

About PREDICTION GAME

Totally predictions of 1st semi: 50
Only 2 members guessed all 10 finalists.

 

[A-lister]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Hmm, dunno what happened with all messages written in here between 11:00-18:00 CET cirka.

Oh well.

I re-write what I wrote then:

All in all I'm satisfied with the results, although most were predictable.

I'm especially happy for Albania, which I was afraid might not appeal to the masses enough for qualification (EVEN if juries might have helped out a bit).

The show itself was nice so good job to Azerbaijan (and the foreigners hired for making this). Contrary to previous years, there were no technical faults really. The camera worked well, the sound worked well. And eventhough the stage is big, it's structure seems more functional than for instance the Russian stage that also was big, but looked all empty.

The hosts were so so and kinda lame, but I prefer that over some over-the-top comedy act. Afterall I want the focus to be on the music and songs, rather than some host stealing the show and making fun of it.

I would have rather have the beautiful and overlooked Finland in final aswell as Austria over Ireland and Hungary. Jedward were great last year, their song this year is just generic and totally uninspiring and their crazy act doesn't fit this one like it fit their cheeky song last year... and Hungary is just a bore.

I was surprised over Moldova, Hungary and to some extent Albania's qualifications. I guess Hungary and Albania qualified mostly thanx to jury votes actually. But in most cases it was predictable, but it was all good because I think most deserved to qualify.

So far... so good.. bring on the next semi!

 

[Matt]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Alister, I posted something in the Feedback forum

 

[A-lister]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Alister, I posted something in the Feedback forum

Feedback forum??

Gosh I've been here for this long and I hardly know the place

 

[Matt]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Scroll all the way down

 

[A-lister]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Scroll all the way down

Oh NOW I know what you're referring to.. silly me..

 

[Trece]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Contrary to previous years, there were no technical faults really.

Hmmm was a very serious problem in Romania. This should not be

 

[A-lister]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Hmmm was a very serious problem in Romania. This should not be

Well, yeah in Romania's entry it was obvious something was going on... but other than that I think the show went surprisingly smoothly.

I mean compare it to the first half of last years first semi when the sound was messed up or the messy camera work of Kate Ryan's entry in 2006... then there wasn't much to complain about this time around.

 

[Trece]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

PREDICTION GAME

Romania
50 of 50
Cyprus
48 of 50
Iceland
48 of 50
Greece
46 of 50
Denmark
46 of 50
Russia
46 of 50
Ireland
43 of 50
Moldova
38 out of 50
Albania
31 of 50
Hungary
17 of 50

 

[watersoup]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

I´m upset about what I saw last night. Year by year, my interest in this contest is diminishing. Always the same type of music. Always the similar performances go to the final.
Can tell me anyone what is new or original in last night shows and songs performed by Iceland, Greek or Ireland?
Last year I loved Lipstick, I voted for Jedward, they made a real show, fresh and new. This year Ireland has achieved the target with a mediocre song thank to the support of all twelve years old girls. Congratulations! Well done! (Although, they surprised me singing quite well)
Iceland, magic atmosphere, powerful song. No, I’m sorry but, I feel I had listened this so many times before. I have the similar feelings with Aphrodisiac.
Denmark and Hungarian, I have to admit there are nice songs and deserve to be in the final, but every day we can listen on the radios this kind of songs, day by day. So to me they are boring in a live show.
I’m really disappointed by Israel (I have seen other videos of this group and they are really great) and Austria (not great but it puts a counterpoint in the show). And most of all, I’m really disappointed by Switzerland. Why Simplus aren`t in the final? Their performance was really revitalizing.

There is absolutely nothing new or original about "Unbreakable". I don't see how you can criticise Iceland's song for being unoriginal (when it was one of the most original songs of the whole semi-final) then praise Sinplus.

 

[A-lister]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

There is absolutely nothing new or original about "Unbreakable". I don't see how you can criticise Iceland's song for being unoriginal (when it was one of the most original songs of the whole semi-final) then praise Sinplus.

I wouldn't call Iceland's entry original, but I agree that the Swiss entry is not original either.

 

[Mozz]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Are you guys watching live stream of jury rehearsal semi 2 too, now? I am.

 

[Mozz]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

http://songfestival.hole1988.nl/

choose Live, then EBU halve finale 1 (yes 1)

 

[une]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

^ I'm not sure I want to see it today, but thanks anyway.....

 

[underrated]

Re: SEMI FINAL 1 - DISCUSSION - 21:00 CET

Sorry if this has already been mentioned earlier in the thread but did anyone else pick up on the "shadow" singers that Cyprus and Greece both used last night? Clearly both were planted there to bolster the flimsy vocals both girls had to offer, and I suppose according to EV rules had to be present on the stage. I just thought that putting them at the side of the stage in near darkness (and clearly issuing instructions to both not to make any movements that would draw viewers' attention to them) was a pretty underhand tactic to use to improve both song's chances. I don't think they'll get away with it so easily in the final. That aside, I was chuffed to bits that Hungary made it through. Big fan of that song!