When I started going as Producer of the BBC/UK end of the show, I was amazed by how all the top news reporters, normally covering wars and tragedies, were delighted to be at such a simple, silly, happy, colourful, positive news story.

From all around the world, hard weathered hacks spent two glorious weeks smiling and rejoicing. No blood, no deaths, no misery.

It was one of the best things I found about Eurovision. Especially when we won - in 1997.

This is one reason why Zelensky should be kept out of the competition to bring politics into it and remind us of this terrible war.

Never missed the Eurovision songs when I were in the US.

But my Just A Little Bit went to No1 on the US Dance chart.

Green Man wrote:
Never missed the Eurovision songs when I were in the US.

Oh, fuck off Barney.

I don't think I have ever watched it from beginning to end. I hate light poppy songs, theatrics and politics mixed with pop culture.

I am also ABBA-phobic.

Sorry GM I should have spotted stupid Barney's Tower Hamlets URL.

JK2006 wrote:
Sorry GM I should have spotted stupid Barney's Tower Hamlets URL.

Someone has to live there I suppose.

Compare this Eurovision to when it was hosted in Harrogate in 1982, when it was more like a golf club dinner dance. It is now a global event with twice as many viewers as the super bowl.

And I like to think I helped it get there.

Yes, you helped along the way. Luxembourg have 5 wins, without competing since 1993, and Belgium didn't even bother to enter this year.
Well for me it has to be Austria, Poland, or Norway. The UK song is as good as any, but her vocals weren't up to scratch live.

I miss Ken Bruce's radio 2 commentary on Eurovision. He was the last straight male connection to the Eurovision on the BBC. Eurovision isn't just for the LBTG community.

robbiex wrote:
Compare this Eurovision to when it was hosted in Harrogate in 1982, when it was more like a golf club dinner dance. It is now a global event with twice as many viewers as the super bowl.

UK winning in 1997 was the best thing that ever happened to the contest. When we staged it in 1998 we were the first nation to take it out of conference halls and theatres and into arenas, staging it on a grand scale that had never been imagined before. It was the first time that the national representatives were all moved to say "what a fantastic show you have put on" during the voting. Because nobody had any idea that Eurovision could look like that.

Apparently the Israeli producer appointed to stage the 1999 contest watched the tape, marvelled that it was the best programme he had ever seen and picked up the phone to London to admit he was out of his depth. It's how the scoreboard in Tel Aviv that year ended up being run from London.