Eurovision (Final) Zdravo Belgrade, Hollywood calling, Deuze Points go to ....

The time is nigh ... I'm watching it live as I type! OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!

My front runners, my dark horses and my worst of the worst pretty much are the same from the beginning, but a few have surprised me and sprinted ahead of the others; amazing how performing live can affect your performance.

01 ROMANIA CALLING - love this language one of the beautiful ones to be put to music. A little bit Slavic a whole lot Italian just makes music to my ears. Both singers have voices to match their beauty; they sing well together, his costume is simple but elegant - you can feel the love and pain seeping out of very note he sings. I don't like her dress - looks like seaweed. Overall a strong song, but it's not flashy enough. TOP 17. [actual place 20]

02 UK CALLING - hmmm - catchy pop-ish kind of tune, but not really that great. Since 2002 when Britain signed up for the war they have been in the last 10 every year, doesn't matter if the song is good or not - that's EUROVISATICS. But to be fair most of the stuff they have been submitting in the last 10 years has been shite. He's a good singer, but not a winner - the costumes are kinda crappy. BOTTOM 5 if not last. [actual place 25 aka LAST]

03 ALBANIA CALLING - she's young and cute and did a better performance than in the semi-final, but I don't really like it. The song is ok - not a winner in my book - but cause she's Eastern EU, cute, young and belts well she'll do well. TOP 15. [actual place 17]

04 GERMANY CALLING - geil man! sehr geil, but I don't think they will even get close to winning. This is a really good pop song, but not an EUROVISION winner. Looking at their German winning live performance I think I liked it better. Their costumes are interesting, but not fab. They are hot, but their hair and make-up was better in the German Final. Schade! BOTTOM 10. [actual place 23]

05 ARMENIA CALLING - Catchy, Cute and just down right groovy marvy. This one will make me shake my booty on that treadmill. Ooooo Qele Qele Ooooo Yeah!!! She's a damn hot chick that really knows how to work that dress; prancing round the stage like a sexy innocent vixen (I'm still loving her boob pop). TOP 7 [see below]

06 BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA CALLING - another dark-horse fav! I really like the staging, costumes, theatrics. They use their nerdy looks to tell a cute lovely love story. Good singing and energy (her rap while skirt shaking is not to be missed). I'll be belting this out in the gym sauna - don't you know - that's the new hip thing to do in American steam saunas: wearing your full gym garb (socks and shoes too), listening to your favorite songs via your non-water proof iPod (full volume) and singing along! LAKA! LAKA!. TOP 10! [actual place 10]

07 ISRAEL - I love this song! He's a star and has a voice to match all his muscles. When he walks out at first and you see his muscles you think another "pretty-boy" trying to get ahead; show a little skin and get straight to the top (just think about all those mini-skirts w/ plunging neck lines). Even before I played a Jew in Torch Song I have always felt close to Israel; I love the language, people and country (I almost had a chance to take Torch there, but didn't happen - the bombing in Lebanon just started and the director didn't think it would be that safe for all of us). In my past life I must have been Israel. TOP 3! MY WINNER!! [actual place 09]

08 FINLAND - now I'm not a big rock fan especially after Finland won w/ Hard Rock Hallelujah. I was appalled, but I have to admit that this song is pretty catchy and this guy can sing! It still won't place that high - BOTTOM 10. [actual place 22]

09 Croatia - my dark fav from the beginning, but i don't it will place that well. I love the fact that they have a 75 year old rapper called 75 cents. It is a good solid song, with a great singer and a great ballet dancer. It reminds me of driving through Croatia from Serbia to perform Torch Song in Zagreb - one of the most amazing times in my life! That said I don't think it'll place that well - BOTTOM 15. [actual place 21]

10 POLAND - great great great VOICE!!! One of the best in the contest. Could be a top contender, but I'm thinking no. She's a beautiful blonde and it's a beautiful blonde power ballad. TOP 15. [actual place 24]

11 ICELAND - nice pop-trance song. It'll do well on the charts and in the clubs, but won't win. Singers are very icelandic looking cheerful and gay w/ good voices. BOTTOM 15. [actual place 14]

12 TURKEY - nice rock song from them, you know that even if Turkey has a shite song they will always get in the final and be in the top 10, because there are so many Turks living outside of Turkey. I do like the song - it's very rocky, but he's got a good voice, stage presence and play a guitar to boot. Besides Eastern EU pop - Turkish music is also one of my favorite. Even though I only spent one year in that country (1976-1977), was home schooled, mom and I were the only Americans/English speakers in the whole village - I have nothing but fond memories. The lead singer looks a bit like my very dear Turkish friend in A'dam; I really miss hanging out w/ him. TOP 10. [actual place 07]

13 PORTUGAL - another great language for singing & a beautiful one to listen to. Sigh, I dated and fell in love w/ Brazilian Portuguese and learned one of the most important phrases in that language, "Eu te amo." It's a strong song, interesting costumes, good, very good voice, she's got a interesting look, but don't think it will even get close to winning - BOTTOM 15. [actual place 13]

I'm soooo fucking pissed - I knew this would happen - the theatre's internet connection went down! I missed 5 songs, including my dark-horse fav! BASTARDS!!!

14 LATVIA CALLING - um ... um ... um ... pure SHITE! WHO LET THEM INTO THE FINAL? HOW RUDE, but you have to have something for the yin yang. If they win ... I'll tear up my Eurovision Card! BOTTOM 7. [actual place 12 - I still can't believe that!]

15 SWEDEN CALLING now - she's a star and knows how to work the stage. She's the favoured to win ... and she just might. She won 9 years ago and was amazing! She's had lots of "work" done (looks like a lot of blondes here in La La Land), but has a smoking bod - she'll be in the top 5. [actual place 18]

16 Denmark calling - he's got charm, not a bad looking fella, working those suspenders. This song reminds me a lot of Germany's entry last year, but he's working it his own way. He won't win, but it's catchy. BOTTOM 10. [actual place 15]

17 Georgia calling - now at first I thought it was an ok song and her voice was ok - her accent was a big strong, even for me who loves Eastern European Pop - but this song has grown on me. The whole fact that she's from Georgia, blind, singing about peace, the ples (dancing/staging) and the black to white transformation - BRILLIANT!!! She'll be in the top 7 for sure. [actual place 11]

18 Ukraine calling - talk about staging the mirror light cagey thing is cool!!! The song itself is pure Eurotrash Pop and kinda a bit above average, but the staging, her beauty, her singing, the dancing/gymnastics, her dancing, her hot outfit and the little beep beep refrain it could be a winner!!! TOP 5. TOP 3! [see below]

19 FRANCE - catchy song, throwback to the 70s, don't think i like the long hair/beard, but it works for him and the song. This is the 1st time in history that France is not singing in French - let me tell you - all over France it was VIVA LA REVOLUTION! The scandal!!! But, hey that's EUROVISION! So good performance (1 refrain in French - to make the Frenchies happy). France has won too many times in the past so they won't even get into the top 10. TOP 20? [actual place 19]

20 Azerbaijan - UM ... this is another dark-horse that has surprised me. The operatic vocals, charming Devil/Angel battle for heaven/hell works! Both the Devil and Angel have great voices; this performance has just enough rockiness, costume-ness, and they do a black to white costume change that shows good wins over all. TOP 15. [actual place 08]

21 GREECE - again catchy, a bit like Greece's song that won a few years ago. It's a cute popy song, good dancing, she's cute ... um ... HOT and her dancers are dapper. There's a lot of jumping, flipping, gymnastics ... um ... they whole mermaid set piece doesn't work for me - her costume change was cute. The little boob - hip thrust thing works - the jumping splits work as well. TOP 8! [see below]

22 SPAIN - tacky tacky tacky tacky, but tacky enough to win - NO! Vulupcious Spanish women in short skirts always will turn a few heads. Actually listening to this I think it will be a guilty pleasure as I'm ridding my bike to work. BOTTOM 5. [actual place 16]

23 SERBIA - so can they do it again 2 years in a row? The beginning of the song is good. She's got a good voice, commands the stage well, has a cute little outfit song. Don't know about the people lying on the floor, um, what's that about? Nice string instruments. Very Greek-Media like staging and costumes. Actually it's a good song and she's got a powerful voice, but I don't think it'll win. TOP 10. [actual place 06]

24 RUSSIA - 2 years ago he got to 2nd - can he win this year? The rolling all over the floor actually works, but his voice is a bit child-like. FUCK - again connection went funny - BASTARDS. But I'm back now - still there's this black/white costumes. Ooooooo shirt ripped open right before hitting a high note! And to boot he has a famous Olympic gold winning Russian skater dancing/skating on some really cool ice thing. But for most of the gays in the village the ripping of the shirt will add votes. TOP 5! [see below]

25 NORWAY - she's cute, nice dress and nice voice. She's got curves. This is a fun song! With a nice message! DAMN this year there are a lot of good songs in the contest! She's got stage presence. I LOVE HER CURVES!!!! The dress really compliments her. Nice to not see a waif! Hmmmm tough call - TOP 10. [see below]

I'm torn! Um ... RUSSIA? UKRAINE? SWEDEN? ISRAEL? ARMENIA? BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA? They are my top 6 - not in any specific order. I like each for their uniqueness, but I think I'll go with my original vote ISRAEL!

VOTING HAS ENDED!!!! Since I am in the US right now I can't vote. As they voting continues I see Israel will not be in the top 5. It's a strange year ... I now want RUSSIA to win! NOT GREECE. THEY ARE NECK AND NECK RIGHT NOW!!!!

Below is which country gave top points to which country (um ... that made sense in my head):
ENGLAND - 12 points to GREECE
F.Y.R. MACEDONIA - 12 points ALBANIA
UKRAINE - 12 points to RUSSIA (lots of booing at this)
GERMANY - 12 points to GREECE
ESTONIA - 12 points to RUSSIA
BOSNIA & HERZ - 12 points to SERBIA
ALBANIA - 12 points to GREECE
SAN MARINO - 12 points to GREECE
LATVIA - 12 points to RUSSIA
BULGARIA - 12 points to GERMANY (that's a shocker)
SERBIA - 12 points to BOSNIA & HERZ
ISRAEL - 12 points to RUSSIA
CYPRUS - 12 points to GREECE
MOLDOVA - 12 points to ROMANIA
ICELAND - 12 points to DENMARK (ce n'est pas une surprise)
FRANCE - 12 points to ARMENIA
ROMANIA - 12 points to GREECE
PORTUGAL - 12 points to UKRAINE (ce n'est pas une surprise)
NORWAY - 12 points to DENMARK (ce n'est pas une surprise)
HUNGARY - 12 points to AZERBAIJAN
ANDORRA - 12 points to SPAIN
POLAND - 12 points to ARMENIA
SLOVENIA - 12 points to SERBIA
ARMENIA - 12 points to RUSSIA
CZECH REP - 12 points to ARMENIA
SPAIN - 12 points to ROMANIA
NETHERLANDS - 12 points to ARMENIA
TURKEY - 12 points to AZERBAIJAN
MALTA- 12 points to SWEDEN
IRELAND - 12 points to LATVIA
SWITZERLAND - 12 points to SERBIA
AZERBAIJAN - 12 points to TURKEY
GREECE - 12 points to ARMENIA
FINLAND - 12 points to NORWAY (ce n'est pas une surprise)
CROATIA - 12 points to BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
SWEDEN - 12 points to NORWAY
BELARUS - 12 points to RUSSIA
UKRAINE - 12 points to RUSSIA
LITHUANIA - 12 points to RUSSIA
RUSSIA - 12 points to ARMENIA
MONTENEGRO - 12 points to SERBIA (SURPRISE - since they split countries last year!!)
GEORGIA - 12 points to ARMENIA
DENMARK - 12 points to ICELAND

TOP 5 -
5. NORWAY
4. ARMENIA
3. GREECE
2. UKRAINE

AND THE HUGE PHALLIC MIC TROPHY GOES TO .....

1. RUSSIA!

(Damn, it was practically impossible to find a picture of him with his shirt on - google his name and see what I mean)

Eurovision (2nd semi-final) Zdravo Belgrade, Hollywood calling, Deuze Points go to ....

My results are in for the 2nd semi-final. And guess what! I was able to watch the 1st semi-final LIVE - internet is just fucking amazing, eh?

Well 7 of my votes from the 1st semi-final got through (Oops - I made a mistake the other day - I thought only 9 could go through, but it's actually 10):

7. Greece. Secret Combination by Kalomira
5. Romania. Pe-o Margine De Lume by Nico & Vlad
4. Azerbaijan. Day After Day by Elnur & Samir
4. Armenia. Qele Qele by Sirusho
3. Russia. Believe by Dima Bilan
2. Bosnia & Herzegovina. Poukusaj by Laka
1. Israel. The Fire in Your Eyes by Boaz

This time I was able to watch everyone's 2nd rehearsal - everyone but Portugal was in costume, so I was able to give all but them costume points. This time I had 2 ties, one 3-way (mmmmmm that sounds fun) and, believe it or not, one with PERFECT MARKS. This was a hard one to judge, as is the whole contest, because the level of talent and song writing has become better, albeit there is still crap (Ireland was pure SHITE). The country I gave full marks too surprised me! I thought, from listening to the songs on my iPod, that Croatia would get really high marks from me, but this other one knocked me for a loop; It's the actor in me, because their presentation is very theatrical - thus cool. I think it will go through to the final, but I don't think it will win. It has not been a favorite (the current favorite is Sweden - me thinks she's had a teeny little bit of surgery Pix 1 - Pix 2, just a tad. It's a good strong song, but ...)


Here they are (I know there are 11 listed, but, with all the ties, I couldn't narrow it down):

7. Iceland. This is My Life by Euroband
7. Hungary. Candlelight by Csezy
6. Portugal. Senhora Do Mar by Vania Fernandes
5. Switzerland. Era Stupendo by Paolo Meneguzzi
5. Bulgaria. DJ Take Me Away by Deep Zone & Balthazar
5. Denmark. All Night Long by Simon Mathew
4. Croatia. Romanca by Kraljevi Ulice & 75 Cents
4. Georgia. Peace Will Come by Diana Gurtskaya(the costume change in this is brilliant - I had to watch it 5 times - plus she's blind)
3. Sweden. Hero by Charlotte Perrelli
2. Ukraine. Shady Lady by Ani Lorak (great staging)
1. Cyprus. Femme Fatale by Evdokia Kadi(full 12s all across the board)



Zdravo Belgrade, Hollywood calling, We give deuze points (full marks) to Cyprus!

Eurovision (1st semi-final) Zdravo Belgrade, Deuze Points go to ....

It's official ... my results are in for the 1st semi-final. Unfortunately with the time difference and work I'm unable to watch them live. Thanks to EUROVISION.TV I've been able to watch some 2nd rehearsals, 1st rehearsals, or in one case, the video (live performance was too bad to put online, I'm just guessing). My voting will be a little off, because some didn't have their full costumes, didn't do their full dance routine, etc. I have my favorites and the ones I think are just plain awful, but hey, this is EUROVISION and anything goes. That said, once I totaled all my points, I had 3 ties! Only 9 can advance! And I have 10 listed (3 ties!) Last year when I was watching the results of the semi-final I was appalled to see what was going through - every song but 1 (if I remember correctly) was Eastern European and some were just pure CRAP, but that's why we love EUROVISION!!!! From my list below I can safely say all the Eastern European songs will go through - by default.

Here they are:

7. The Netherlands. Your Heart Belongs To Me by Hind
7. Greece. Secret Combination by Kalomira
6. Slovenia. Vrag Naj Vzame by Rebeka Dremeij
5. Romania. Pe-o Margine De Lume by Nico & Vlad
4. Azerbaijan. Day After Day by Elnur & Samir
4. Armenia. Qele Qele by Sirusho
3. Russia. Believe by Dima Bilan
2. Bosnia & Herzegovina. Poukusaj by Laka
2. Belgium. O Julissi by Ishtar
1. Israel. The Fire in Your Eyes by Boaz (pictured)

Montenegro is not on my list above, but I'm pretty sure it will make it through, so my prediction would be that The Netherlands or Greece is kicked out and he goes in their place. But then again Hind is really popular with the Arabs, Muslims, Turkish, Dutch; she won Dutch Idol a few years ago, and she does a little belly dance at the begin of her song, soooo... Damn I'm all confused ... who will it be? Of the 19, 10 will be "FIRED" and the rest will be "FINALED" ...

Well all I have to say (with a heavy Eastern EU accent) is ... Zdravo Belgrade, Sean gives deuze points to Israel! (Hello Belgrade, Sean gives 12 points to Israel!)

If he doesn't get into the final there is something REALLY wrong!! And here's a little trivia - 1998 (10 years ago) Dana International (the first transsexual to win) won with a song called DIVA

Eurovision vs American Idol

VS

How could you? You traitor! Je Trut! Tu Putana! Du Dirne! You Bitch!!! The Eurovision Gods stage-whisper in my ear. ... I could have said no ... I could have turned it down ... I could've ... I should've ... but ... I ... I ... can't never could

What's all the fuss about? Why are the Eurovison Gods angry at me? Why am I seeking pennance by listening to every Eurovision 2008 song entry, signing up to watch Eurovision live via the web, studying pictures/wikipedia/etc of every contestant? Why have I foresaken EUROVISION? Or have I?


It all started last year when I was hooping and hollering at Paul's (my twin brother from another mother & father - he's Dutch, born in Holland but looks a lot like me except the bitch is skinner - I'm taller!! Ha! Ha! Ha!) semi-final Eurovision party. It was Paul, Alex (a Maltese) and I. It was a great time of noodle eating, commenting on the horrible outfits, bad singing, bad dancing, etc. For those non-Eurosavians I'll explain: you get one vote from either your mobile/home phone; you can call/sms (text) in for any other country except the one you currently in; if this country gets enough points they will move on to the final.

Well, at first I was going to vote for the dapper suited German jazz singer (singing in German - yes German Jazz - very cool), but once I saw the bad dykey haircutted, untucked suit-shirted lesbian I was intrigued. Then when she opened her mouth and that beautiful fem voice came out I was entranced! Plus her entourage of Charlie's Angel-like lipstick lesbian Eastern-European Model back-up singers (whew - that's a mouthful) didn't hurt. She sang Moltiva (Prayer) and just blew me away ... so to speak.

But then a strange silver covered star beanie wearing Ukrainian Drag Queen caught my eye with a catchy tune called Dansink and a even catchier semi-German refrain, "Sieben, sieben, ai lyu-lyu; Sieben, sieben, eins, zwei; Sieben, sieben, ai lyu-lyu; Eins, zwei, drei." Pure German-Ukrainian poetry to my ears!

Mein Gott in Himmel - who to vote for? German Jazz, Serbian Lez or Ukrainian Dragzter ... Quick ... QUICK ... voting almost over ... OMFG this was just as stressful as a presidental election ... world politics depends on my vote ... I took a deep breath ... calmed myself (it was only the semi-finals anyway) and made my choice ... I smsed and waited impatiantly for the results ... I won! My choice got through to the final ... Heil the Eurovision Deities!

2 days later - EUROVISION FINAL held at Mark's (the QETC's amazing actor/singer/director) with a smorgasbord of voters a Turk, Dutchie, Dutchie, South African, Brit (Mark) and another Brit (yes that is a painting of a willie - quite distracting when trying to rehearse serious dramatic scenes). For the full group of pictures check out Eurovision Finale 2008

So ... sipping wine and eating chocolates we go into the final ... voting ... waiting to see who the next champion will be ... not sure if you know, but Eurovision was won by ABBA (before they were famous), 20 yr old Celine Dion (singing for Switzerland), Dana International (a post-op transsexual) and Sir Cliff Richard almost won in 1968. We drank, watched, laughed, cried (in jest at the fashion), bitched, moaned, ate, shouted (me thinks I doth protested just a wee tad bit too much, but Eurovision gets me all fired up) and voted. Mark was ever so clever to make a score card, and as you can see my top three from the semi-final made it through to the final. See if you can guess who won, by my score card (I gave them 3 straight twelves).

If you have never seen one (an Eurovision Show) it's a must - you have to listen to BBC's Terry Wogan give his 2 pence worth on all the festivities; he's a hoot all by himself.

This year I had planned to be in Belgrade, Serbia to watch it with Serbian/Hungarian P-Hubby and his wife, but, because of this and that I am unable to get over there ... but ... fate gave me a consolation prize AMERICAN IDOL!!! Yep, in this strange twisted life of mine the Gods offered me the next best thing: a TV Commercial and tickets to American Idol!!

The Commercial: I booked it through TV Guide; it's a commercial for Garnier Fructis were my Reality TV addicted girlfriend Jodi (she really is in real life - she watches Big Brother 24hrs) and I get a "make-over," say how much we LOVE Garnier and tell America how much we now look like rock stars (I will get a copy and try to add it to the blog). As payment we got a national commercial and Idol tickets! The first time I have ever acted with Jodi - was a blast!! You know the best thing about being on Idol wasn't - watching loopy Paula Abdul, watching an impressive Ryan Seacrest (say what you want about him - he's a fucking awesome Host; makes it look easy, when in fact it is very difficult), watching the Idols-in-waiting, watching Howie Mandel sitting behind Simon Cowell - wondering why he's all spiffed out when his daughter's dressed like a bum, watching Judge Judy standing/waving after being introduced (Jodi almost tore me limb-from-limb to get a glance - she's a Judge Judy FREEK), watching one of the 4 contestants get voted off ... no ... it twas none of these ... twas only Jodi and I's like totally favorite ... like ... in the world (well almost) band: Maroon 5. OMG!!!! OMG!!! They were fucking awesome!!! One song, but hey, for free!!! That made our night!

All that said ... it was still no Eurovision, but the next best thing! I will not worship false IDOLS! Praise the Eurovison Gods they ROCK MY VOTE!