Eurovision 2023 in the UK

Always extra points from me if it's done in the language of the Country rather than go the populist sung in English route.  And I like to imagine it in a European club on a summer evening with people having a bop .... Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha!  

That’s one way of feeling better about coming last… I suppose. 

I think Finland was the best and most entertaining performance, but the song wasn't strong enough to match it.

I wasn't that fussed on Sweden first time around, but thought the finale was great.

She has an incredible voice! I didn't even know Euphoria was a Eurovision song lol

I'd certainly take Sweden over the atrocious Italy or Israel songs that were right up on the top of the list.

Poland was my fave, but it didn't do very well.

Serbia was good too.

I also think this years UK entry was much stronger than last year.

Some songs that worked for the jury didn't register much with the public vote at all and thought Austria and Belgium would do better. I can see why Finland was popular but the song did nothing for me. Israel and Italy both gave really impressive performances that had broad appeal. I loved the Swedish entry from the first time I heard it, and thought Loreen gave a great performance on the night, her encore was even better. And a Stockholm show on Abba's 50th anniversary is a bonus that might encourage Frida and Agnetha to put in an appearance.
(Bonus moments of the night were Jan Leeming being super cool and Dadi Freyr's cover of Hole Again. Who knew we ever needed to hear that song ever again?)

Such a flat show.

Mel was amazing of course.

Watched the Spanish version. It was extremely flat:

Now UK. Mel Giedroyc forever.

I agree on this. There was an unselfconscious charm to the old Eurovision that has been lost in globalising homogeneity. Now some acts are very much playing up the kitsch, but once kitsch becomes self conscious it ceases to be kitsch. It just feels like Timmy Mallet or Mr Blobby, which are successful drunk party crowd pleasers but not good music, not something you'd put on at home and listen to. For years there's been that complaint that the UK view it through a 'comedy' lens and that's why we don't win. When we put forward an act who could sing and took it seriously we did (yes, I regard last year as a win if you take away the politics).

It's always been a strange mix of camp, kitsch, sincerity and idiosyncratic weirdness. The songs that ended up in the top ten were all memorable performances and appealed to enough people to get a lot of votes. Some played better live in the arena, while others worked better on telly. I would've been happy for any of the top five to win, even though my favourite, Austria failed to register with the public vote. The big five miss out on building momentum by only performing in the final. Ukraine's performance was one that would have benefited from repeated viewing as it was visually stunning. The people complaining about the voting system will no doubt complain about whatever replaced it the first time they disagree with the result.

It is reality… there are 5 people in each jury…chosen each year by broadcasters and labels… they should just cancel these nonsense juries.

Only televoting…

Maneskin would no have won ..if only juries… 

For many reasons- too long to go into here- I didn't watch it.

All I saw were each contestant running on carrying their flag.

I couldn't help but think for Alicia Dixon, what a gig to get! I mean, literally, on the world stage.

And kudos to Hanna Waddingham for raising her profile even more.