Eurovision 2017

Oops, I think I accidentally enjoyed Eurovision unironically this year! Watching with the girls had something to do with it - Eurovision is really entertaining for kids and I think the girls' enthusiasm was infectious. Still, when the winner was announced (Portugal), we looked at each other and went, huh? During the semifinals, Miriam had even said (in reference to Finland's unsuccessful act, which also had a dry-ice piano, but still), "in Eurovision, you can't just stand in front of a microphone and sing a song." And that's literally what Portugal's entry did, and won. Ah, Eurovision. Perhaps the nature of the contest is changing? This is two years in a row that a bizarre, soulful, understated solo has triumphed over the schmaltz, gratuitous key/costume changes, gimmicks, and glitter of other acts.

Perhaps someday I will adjust to the changing standards of Eurovision, but in the meantime I wish Belarus would have won (for singing in Belarusian and being folksy to the max), or maybe Romania (because YODELING). Azerbaijan had a song that I would probably legit listen to on the radio (or at least not change when it came on) and Italy had a dancing gorilla. Croatia's entry sang a duet with himself.

In conclusion, Russia's 2008 entry is still the most Eurovision-y Eurovision performance that has ever been (it's the one where Yevgeniy Plushenko comes out ice skating). I looked it up recently to see if I could possibly be remembering it correctly (yes) and it delighted me all over again. Happy YouTube-ing!