We all know how swiftly the "Use Facebook" idea fell apart but I reckon we could use it - or, better, You Tube - to find next year's Eurovision winner.
We need to do something to save the oldest TV contest in the world so let's bring it into the new century by using the latest technology.

I shall be working on this idea. Watch this space for developments.

I say go for it, JK.

Has to be a better option than the lame efforts of the last few years.

Not entirely a fresh idea, JK. The Spanish have been using MySpace to arrive at a shortlist of songs without great success, however I'm sure the JK magic touch could adapt the concept into a winning formula.

Ah but Anthony, my idea would be to find entrants for any country that wanted them... and, naturally, the vital ingredient (which the Spanish don't have) is ME!

I'm not sure the contest, from a Europe wide angle, is in need of rescue, though it certainly is in this country. Still, to some extent, we could do with an injection of freshness, and you are the man to do it, of that there is no doubt.

I shall be looking with interest for any developments.

Is Eurovision in need of rescue? I'd say it has slumped back to the level it was at before I got involved in the mid 90s - where even the winners have little or no impact on global charts and ratings start slipping accordingly.

We don't want it to revert to a musical freak show.

We want it, once again, to become a platform to universal success.

JK2006 wrote:

We want it, once again, to become a platform to universal success.
Has it ever really been that? Yes, Abba, and yes, you got a huge hit with Gina G, but these were the exceptions. You have to go back to the 70's to see the higher reaches of the charts packed with Eurovision songs, and they were generally performed by established artists who would have charted anyway.

The contest is bigger than it has ever been, and exists successfully as a stand alone phenomenon, which is no doubt seen as a freak show by many, but loved by others. Neither camp can resist watching.

I am not knocking your plans though. You may just turn it into something better, with more relevance than it has ever had, and I wish you luck.

Given the exposure it generates (and the loyalty of a very large number of people), I think it's a non-brainer to say that there is huge potential there.

Go for it, JK. A supra-national approach might be the way. If Celine Dion can sing for Luxembourg, why can't you choose songs for Poland or Russia? I think the answer would be in the newer democracies. I can't see the other national TVs giving up their control. Too many vested interests and a sense of entitlement (I could be wrong).

Wouldn't it be something if Serbia, for example, actually managed to get a major act from it, à la Riverdance from Ireland?

Speaking of TVs and control, I think there are ways to include them that would be beneficial to all concerned parties (if I might talk laywer-speak for a second).