Stefania by Kalush Orchestra (Ukraine) was the winner this year, only partly because of the invasion. It was probably in most people’s top 3 anyway, and it got such a huge percentage of the votes that it really skewed the rest of the results. (Fun fact, the flautist/lead in this song is the same flautist from SHUM in 2021)
ESC 2023
Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä (Finland) is a TREMENDOUS bop. It’s so catchy. As he was touring around before the actual semi-finals he lost his trademark lime green jacket, and fans made and brought replacements to shows for him until it was found.
Mama ŠČ! by Let 3 (Croatia) is beyond weird but really catchy. They’re the most charismatic artists ever to fake pooping themselves during an interview.
ESC 2024 is in National Finals season now, where each country chooses their entry, usually with a reality show contest. The semi-finals are 7 and 9 May and the Finals will be on 11 May. You can stream on Peacock, or hop on a VPN and watch the live feed from Sweden or Denmark or somewhere.
I’m pretty sure they’re referencing Leslie Nielsen’s death on November 28th 2010. He played Frank Drebin in Naked Gun, and in the movie he takes the place of opera singer Enrico Pallazo to save the Queen of England.
No watch at all - I check the time on my phone and I don’t see the point in saving a half second here and there checking notifications on a smart watch.
I’ve got a handful of zip disks, but no drive. I asked on the town bulletin board and nobody else seems to have one I can borrow. It was a short-lived intermediate format, so I’m not surprised.