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Everyone has guilty secrets. For some they involve a lack of dry cleaning like Bill Clinton, for others, like me, they involve a strange yearly ritual of enjoying cheesy European acts competing for the Eurovision song contest title. With fervent regularity I watch the yearly spectacle, constantly smiling at the over-the-top fabulousness of it all.
The opportunity to take home this delightfully daggy experience and relive it on DVD seemed like a brilliant one. Who could forget some of this years stand out entries like DJ Bobo’s Vampires and Israel’s controversial Push the Button – I particularly love that one because they look like accountants that want to be punks. What a brilliant combo!
From there there’s the hard-rocking Montenegrins, the sultry, busty Dutch entry and the unforgivable English flight attendants (this one has to be seen to be believed). The DVD delivers both the semi-final and the final so not only do you get to see the main event, but also some of the acts that you might otherwise have missed – and there are some treats.
The strangely amusing interludes between acts can be skipped via the menu but perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the DVD release (and something that is an integral part of the usual SBS broadcast) is the cynical commentary by English broadcaster Terry Wogan. This for me is a devastating sin of omission. His dry, quirky comments at each yearly event are really the thing that infuses that extra bit of something that has undeniable appeal.
The winner is almost an after-thought and the sped up voting process that has been implemented this year makes for a speedier turn out than usual.
While some of the songs are performed in their native languages, which might be a little bit foreign to some viewers, the sentiment remains and the entertainment value is undeniable. Its weird to find yourself humming along to some song in a Slavic tongue, but you just might find it happens – interpretive dance actions are entirely optional.
Long after the strains of Yassou Maria and I Love You Mi Vida have thankfully faded for your subconscious, you’ll be thinking about re-visiting this little guilty pleasure when you are on your own with a nice bottle of something just a little bit strong! Daggy dancing, English pronunciation entirely optional and more hair product than a L’Oreal convention – it can only be Eurovision Helsinki.
EuroFab! Shake it up Shekerim!
Gyrus says...
heheh, I was actually at the final. I'd won a free trip through work. I must say, it was one of the cheesiest things I've ever sat through. I had the distinct pleasure in sitting next to the president of the eurovision fan club who danced like no tomorrow in the seat which in turn caused my seat to turn into a rocking horse. Still can't believe serbia won...