I can't believe I have been traveling to the UK on business for 23 years, made many valued and close friends, even lived here for 20 months, and Nobody told me about the Eurovision Song Contest! Gotta be experienced to be believed.
Every year since I guess 1955, European countries select and enter a song and a performer to the contest. Selected songs are all presented in a massive televised extravaganza, each country votes on their favorites, and the winner gets to host next year's pageant. This year 38 countries submitted and 24 were selected for the contest (although all 38 got to vote).
In the UK the event is commented by Terry Wogan, who has been adding a sardonic twist to the show since 1980. In some cases this is a cherished occasion, accompanied by dinner parties and so forth. This year my fiends remembered it at the last minute, so we tuned in for the last two numbers and the voting. The last two contestants were Turkey and Armenia.
Holy mackerel. The Turkish singer was Sibel Tüzün, who belted out Süper Star (yes, the umlaut is for real) accompanied by 4 male dancers. This was a pretty athletic routine and even featured a Buzby Berkeley type overhead shot of them interlinking arms to form - that's right, kids - a star. Andre delivered Armenia's Without Your Love, with 6 (count 'em) statuesque female dancers. This one was equally energetic and involved ornate maneuvers with long black satin straps or ribbons, ending up with him on a large plinth, the dancers seemingly harnessed like two sets of chariot horses. Submissive chariot horses by the way. And folks objected to the cover for Smell The Glove!
I was amazed. Flabbergasted. Stunned. Delighted. Renewed. Amused. Almost shocked. Definitely intrigued.
And the winner? Finland! Their band was Lordi, who performed Hard Rock Hallelujah. These guys have a zombie-viking-orc thing going, complete with articulated masks and huuuuge platforms. Their winning made my day. I felt so metal.
Feel The Rhythm.
King Tut, Steve Martin
