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Eurovision’s got American Idol beat

Posted: Friday, April 13, 2007 11:48 AM
Filed Under:

By Yonatan Pomrenze, NBC News Producer

As I sit here in Moscow and read about Sanjaya and American Idol, I can’t help but be amused. Here in Europe (yes, Moscow is part of Europe. At least it is for this blog – but more on that later), singing and controversial performances have long ago been elevated to an art form known as the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held next month.

The Eurovision was first held in 1956 in Switzerland with 14 countries participating and the winner selected by a jury (surprisingly, it was Switzerland). The Eurovision has since become more democratic in voting  -- now by viewers calling in and sending text messages -- and the definition of Europe has expanded -- 42 countries will compete this year, including Israel and Georgia.

What’s at stake? The winning country hosts the Eurovision (and the assumed tourism euros) the following year. OK, so it’s not the Olympics. But let’s face it --Andorra, Malta, Albania, and Belarus don’t have a shot at 2016 anyway, so hosting the ESC isn’t such a bad consolation prize.

VIDEO: ABBA's 1974 victory with "Waterloo"

And despite the fact that few Eurovision winners have gone on to large commercial success (with the notable exception of ABBA’s 1974 victory with "Waterloo"), it doesn’t stop singers from trying to win.

‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ rules
The rules are simple. Songs can’t be longer than three minutes, they can’t be political, and viewers can’t vote for their own country. With so many countries competing now, what does it take to get noticed and win over viewers who span 42 countries and 11 time zones? If last year’s winner is any indication – it’s all about the controversy.

Finland’s entry in 2006 was Lordi, a hard-rock band specializing in monster costumes. Before the contest, articles all over the world (including the New York Times) picked up on the controversial band and its alleged glorification of Satan worship.

VIDEO: Lordi's 2006 victory with "Hard Rock Hallelujah"

Despite, or perhaps because of, platform shoes, spark-spewing guitars, and the song’s laughable lyrics – they warn about the coming Arockalypse and the Day of Rockening – "Hard Rock Hallelujah" cruised to first place by over 40 points.

This year, it looked like the Israeli band Teapacks was the first to play the controversy card. Its entry, "Push the Button," was being investigated by contest officials for being too political.

VIDEO: Teapack's performance of "Push the Button"

The English-Hebrew-French, punk-ska-rap song includes lyrics about "crazy rulers" who will "blow us up to bloody…kingdom come"- a reference which many took to be about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s statement to wipe Israel off the map.

Upside: three different languages and controversy. Downside: the song is absolutely horrendous.

Russian slam or reference to Mongolian ‘churned butter’?
But that spat pales in comparison to the current controversy surrounding Ukraine’s cross-dressing entry, Verka Serdyuchka (real name: Andrei Danilko).

VIDEO: Verka Serdyuchka's performance of "Dancing Lasha Tumbai"

The controversy surrounds one phrase of Serdyuchka’s song, where it sounded like the singer was saying "I want to see/ Russia goodbye."

Serdyuchka’s management has since denied any anti-Russian sentiment in the song and has said that the phrase is actually "I want to see/ Lasha tumbai," in reference to the Mongolian for "churned butter." Mongolian speakers have debunked this translation, though, and the real meaning of lasha tumbai is still a mystery.

This could be costly for Ukraine in a contest where friendly relations count for a lot of points (I guarantee you that Greece and Cyprus give each other top votes). Not to mention that Serdyuchka could be out-dragged by Peter Andersen, a famous drag queen who is representing Denmark.

VIDEO: Serebro's performance of "Song #1"

As for the Russian entry – it’s a no-name girl band, Serebro, with a Soviet-styled named song, "Song #1." The brilliant lyrics include "don't call me funny bunny/ I'll blow your money, money… Put your cherry on my cake/And taste my cherry pie."

So it’s not that I’m not interested in what Sanjaya’s hairdo will look like next week. But with my hands full of Mongolian churned butter, Ukrainian cross-dressers, and Russian funny bunnies with a month to go to the May 12 Eurovision, I’m waiting to see who will be crowned the European Idol.

 

 

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Comments

I am from the US. I lived in Ireland at one time and visit there often. I remember watching the Eurovision. I really wish we on this side of the pond had something like that. One event and someone or group from each of the 50 states and territories were represented. Like Eurovision you cannot vote for your state. I'm no computer wizard but I'm sure there has to be a way to do this. This could be better than American Idol. Yes, to Eurovision, NO to American Idol.

Joe Gardner (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:02 PM)

Finland’s entry this year is Hanna Pakarinen, who won Finnish Idol in 2005

Idols everywhere (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:27 PM)

Great Idea. Great Idea. There should be an olympic for musicians. Over 100 country will compete. Each nation will send in their band, group, musician to compete. Each nation would not be allowed to vote for their country. Sports is a great way to bring the world together, but not every country is athletic. But music, every country has music.

Music Do, San Diego, Ca (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 2:38 PM)

Just a little bit more of trivia for you. As an Spaniard, I remmember (I think I am correct) the year when ABBA won with Waterloo and "Mocedades" from Spain was second with "Eres tu" (Which was sang many years later by Chris Farley and David Spade in the movie "Tommy Boy"). Yes, Eurovision is big and each country takes the contest very seriously and as a matter of national pride.

Juan Tallahassee Florida USA (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:00 PM)

As someone who's watched Gran Prix L'Eurovision on television, you've got it all wrong. It's not an "American Idol" for Europe. Never has been. It's a contest that's been going on now for over 50 years between countries who bring what they believe to be the best or most unusual song their country has produced in the previous year and it allows all of Europe plus Israel and Turkey to vote on it. Some of the songs over the years have been very good; and yes, some have been stinkers. However, from this contest we've gotten such wonderful artists as Chiara Siracusa, Ofra Haza and Mocedades. We've seen such wonderful songs as "Lilek Inhobb," "Chai," "Hallelujah." Now as far as voting, each country cannot vote for its own artists. You have to vote for the others. That makes the winner more of a consensus from somewhere close to 30 different countries. Eurovision also has one distinct advantage over American Idol: Simon Cowell is in no way involved.

Michael Liebmann (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:10 PM)

Events like this that are performed multi-nationally do so much more than a simple contest: It introduces the world to completely new flavors of music. So regardless of who wins the event, everyone who watched is going to take home something new and enjoyable every time. I listen to a lot of music from Europe (Estonia, Romania, and Scand countries for mostly) and I would love to see it introduced to a broader audience here in the 'States (which, no offense, is in DIRE NEED of some new infusions).

Corey, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:20 PM)

No, thanks. I stopped watching Eurovision when the East Bloc countries were invited to join the competition and they effectively lowered its entertainment value with their predictable votes.

Edna Nendel, Ottenbach, Zurich (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:29 PM)

One of the great things about You Tube is being able to see all the Eurovision clips. Ever since I first became aware of the contest in the 1970's, I've been jealous of Europeans who get to see it; I always felt as an American I was missing out on something, as if I were not part of the "world" in-crowd, stuck on the outside looking in, an isolationist fringe-dweller. I'm all for the contest being shown in the USA.

Chauchat, Maine (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:37 PM)

This is all great and wonderful, but do you have Ryan, Simon, and Sanjaya?? Ryan, so very funny and Simon is such a cockie Britt and then there is Sanjaya. You never know what he is going to do or say. It has been very entertaining this year as opposed to having talent. Simon, seems to have no room for rockers on the show, so they kinda get the boot early, he does like the pretty girls

pam (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:48 PM)

So far no one has mentioned Terry Wogan, the Irish presenter who presents Eurovision in the UK. His unique tongue-in-cheek style makes the programme worth watching. There is such a mixture of styles of music from the many countries involved that it would be impossible to enjoy every performance, but in addition to the music we also get a brief glimpse of each country's attributes such as landscape,architecture,national costume. All in all, its a very enjoyable show.

Christine Saltonstall,Yorkshire,UK (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 3:51 PM)

Europeans are lucky they have Eurovision and not something atrociously banal and pathetic as American Idol. American Idol should be called "American Karaoke" because all it is is a karaoke contest for people too imitative, edgeless and boring to bring their own material and their own style. Eurovision will never die. Hopefully American Idol will die soon (or change in to something good). Even insipid, dumb, would-be American pop stars must get bored copying each other after awhile.

Ed Nicholson, Venice, California (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:00 PM)

I'd rather listen to Lordi than anyone who's ever been on American Idol.

Jeff Myhre, New York, NY (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:05 PM)

America once was viewed as the best strongest country in the world and I wanted to immigrate to the USA in 1955. Lucky me, I came to Canada instead, because what has happened to americas reputation is doing nothing for the country. The 'American Idol' is supposed to represents someone everbody would like to be. Do they realy want to be Sanjaya Malakar? What happened to their values, or don't they understand what they are voting for.

Hilda Weber, Vancouver, BC (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:18 PM)

Does the author have anything else besides sarcastic comments to share?

Vladimir, Virginia Beach, Virginia (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:19 PM)

Eurovision? The winner song, you never hear the song again, or see the winner again. It's ridiculous!

carlos.a.garcia frankfurt, germany (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:21 PM)

Although I live in america now, I'm scottish and was raised on the eurovision song contest as we called it. I miss not seeing it, to me it had educational value for one night you were able to view, vote for and appreciate music from many diverse cultures. I say bring it to the USA.

christina a mcauliffe olivehurst ca 95961 (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:30 PM)

i think american idol should have the great american wall as their background, just maybe it would make the show more attractive to watch.

ranting (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:44 PM)

DVD zoning means US citizens are legally forbidden to see any audiovisual records from outside anyway. US corporations are willing to spend billions to prevent their citizens seeing anything from outside (with the rare exceptions when they decide to sell it themselves, of course). So no Eurovision for you guys, your Big Brother will not allow that kind of things.

Alex (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 4:51 PM)

I must say I was surprised at some of the comments about Eurovision. I thoroughly enjoy the show, although it is viewed more as a comedy amongst my friends. We have a Euro party - make a dish from each of the countries represented, each buy a flag at random and support that country throughout, the winner gets half the proceeds, the rest goes to charity. The UK song in no way represents the best of the songs that are released in the previous year, it seems to be the worst song imaginable is chosed by an audience that has a warped sense of humour. It is one of the funniest shows on TV - long may the trivia and nonsense reign. King Terry rules.

Polli, Leicester - UK (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 5:14 PM)

The "Idol" show format started in the UK as "Pop Idol", so we have that, plus the predictable clones, AND Eurovision on top. In typically British style, we treat Eurovision as a giant joke, and don't take it at all seriously (unlike a lot of the smaller European countries). In fact most of the fun of watching Eurovision comes from the presenter making fun of the other countries (especially the biased voting) during his commentary.

Mal Lansell, England (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 5:35 PM)

I grew up in Ireland and when we were kids the best thing EVER was the Eurovision. Who can forget Johnny Logan with "What's another year?" and Bucks Fizz from the UK with "Making your mind up". Nevermind that Celine Dion won it back in '88. Who'd have thought she'd go so far??? From what I've heard more recently though quality of the entries has dropped, which is a shame given the history and longevity of the contest.

Joanne, Dallas TX (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 6:12 PM)

THUMBS UP !!!!!! TO EUROVISION !!!!! EXCELLENT PROGRAM AND EXCELLENT TALENT. American Idol? RUBBISH. Randy, Paula, and Simon have convinced me they truly have an eye for talent (Simon sometimes overly critical too early). If viewers are truly choosing so called "American Idols," viewers need to be taken out of the selection formula. The real talent I can recall seeing and hearing don't seem to get the call-in votes necessary and fade along with the real talent of the show. It's all about ratings and the almighty buck, kind of like in the movie Adventures of Ford Fairlane. American Idol format lacks sophistication and intelligence to outshine Eurovision.

Steve, Grand Rapids, Michigan (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 6:27 PM)

im from the uk and have seen that show. it is the dumbest thing on tv. i am gald that they dont show it here.And i dont care for american idol

charles,dallas tx (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 7:12 PM)

This is a huge glorification of a dull dull dull event. Anyone who has spent any time in Europe and been required to watch the insipid, machined, cliche-ridden tripe that competes for this each year would agree. This is a showcase for the mediocre, with sycophantic lyrics committed by local "talents" popular with the 25 million of their own country who mime their version of "modern" music. There is a standard format for each song. It's like being subjected to listening 2-3 hours of 8th grade reports on "What I did this summer", beginning, middle, cresendo applause,beginning, middle, cresendo applause,beginning, middle, cresendo applause,beginning, middle, cresendo applause. Excrutiating. Embarrassing.

Done I Mus (Sent Friday, April 13, 2007 7:15 PM)

Why are you so quick to assume you have American Idol beat based on some Sanjaya hype? Recall that this show has been around a long time and has been very successful. Also when you add in the fact that news writers GREATLY exaggerate stories for the fun of it, it seems like something really big. Then people from other countries read about it and figure, "aha! this is what it's about".. No it's not. It's more complex. Also the vote for the worst is 99% marketing hype that most common Americans including news writers don't understand. Looking at the fact that v4tw are miserable failures at keeping people in 99% of the time, it's easy to see the hype. Then they take credit if someone luckily stays.

John (Sent Saturday, April 14, 2007 2:44 AM)

I'm 20 and from Finland and teh first contest I remeber is 95 in Ireland when Eimear Quinn won. I've been in love ever since. Most of the music in the contest is something that I would not listen otherwise, some of it would probably make me want to cut my wrists if I heard it on the rasio, but for some reason I get giddy and sing along every year when the contest is on TV. I watch every pre-show and I watch the whole show again the following days when they show reruns on Finnish and Swedish channels. A lot of the music is horrible crap but I just don't mind. The event itself is wonderful and I wouldn't miss it for anything.

Johanna, Finland (Sent Saturday, April 14, 2007 8:50 AM)

I think Sanjaya should leave this week.Melinda Should win she's the best!!!!!!!! Last year I think they should have rigged so Chris Daughtry won... Taylor Hicks was not even close as eing as good as Chris... SANJAYA NEEDS TO LEAVE.

Seth Adams Frazier Park California (Sent Saturday, April 14, 2007 12:02 PM)

I think Americans don't care too much for this competition because: a. There's no American performer b. Not all the songs are in English and c. They don't know who's who. A lot of the performers have a strong following and commercial success in their country/region. Just because they're not the next Abba - one of the most successful pop group ever - doesn't make them nobodies.

Ayal Rosenthal, New Jersey (Sent Saturday, April 14, 2007 6:55 PM)

Without a doubt American Idol is much better than the Eurovision song contest. I live in Sweden where we get to see both programs, and I prefer Simon, Paula, Randy, and Ryan over the horrible hosts they have for the Eurovision song competition. Unlike American Idol, the Euro song competition takes place on just one night and the majority of the show is just waiting for all the long and boring dance numbers to end and every single country calling in to register their points. Trust me, it is not worth anyone's time to sit through this boring show. It takes hours and hours for the stupid thing to be over with, and then one is just left with the feeling that the wrong song won. One might argue that the Eurovision contest is better because the songs are new, unlike the covers versions of already famous songs that we see on American Idol. However, the fact that the songs there are new, or, at least semi-new (I am already sick and tired of Sweden's song this year, The Worrying Kind) definitely doesn't mean the songs are better. Despite all the talk about Sanjaya getting so far on American Idol this year, the singers on American Idol are just way better.

Idol fan Örnsköldsvik, Sweden (Sent Sunday, April 15, 2007 3:56 AM)

As a teen, I'd have to say Eurovision is better than American Idol, just because most Idol winners don't seem to have successful music careers afterwards, not to mention that Sanjaya controversy. There are more various music genres in Eurovision, some of which are outrageously hilarious. I wish we could do something similiar but then...America wouldn't allow language like "On my cherry pie" on a network television would they. :(

Daniel Dang, Poulsbo, Wahington (Sent Sunday, April 15, 2007 1:34 PM)

Thanks for the review! Amusing .

Tanya (Sent Wednesday, May 02, 2007 9:57 AM)



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