FL
Yes - many European broadcasters show The Graham Norton Show (SVT in Sweden do for instance) so he is recognised worldwide. It gets a conveyor belt of A-list Hollywood guests that many other equivalent chat shows across Europe simply don't (and that's why they buy it). And as others have said - the YouTube / Social reach is much wider than the UK.
In many ways Graham's the biggest 'name' associated with Eurovision across Europe other than former performers like Abba and Celine Dion. Not that many other national broadcasters have a commentator with as big a national reputation, presenting a major TV chat show, let alone an international one like Graham.
Whilst the UK may not always be thought of as taking the contest seriously as a country, the reality is that the BBC having Sir Terry, and then Graham as their national commentators is seen by other European broadcasters as the BBC taking the actual broadcast of the contest very seriously.
He's often been the only featured commentator on previous contests - such as when he had a confetti fired into his commentary booth in Copenhagen 2014 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpg07b6nxnI
I thought it was also a nice touch by Graham to say (I paraphrase) “we may not have done well for a long time, but the UK still loves Eurovision”. And he did seem slightly emotional in his interview.
All in all a strong show given the circumstances. It still felt like Eurovision to some extent. I did question early on whether they should actually have made it a competition and opened a vote based on the videos of each song being shown (as the show’s format wouldn’t have to be changed much), but ultimately I think a celebration without a winner like this was probably the better option and “Love Shine a Light” was the perfect song to finish on.
I wasn’t a fan of the A-Z on BBC Two. It was well researched, some good clips and Rylan is a great host for anything Eurovision since his passion for it comes acrosa, but I always have a gripe with any clip show that works its way through the whole alphabet like that. It makes the show feel veeeeery long when you realise you’re only on F or G!
How come Graham “Mr” Norton was the only presenter/commentator interviewed this evening? Excuse my ignorance, is he well known across Europe or is there some fascination with the UK?
Yes - many European broadcasters show The Graham Norton Show (SVT in Sweden do for instance) so he is recognised worldwide. It gets a conveyor belt of A-list Hollywood guests that many other equivalent chat shows across Europe simply don't (and that's why they buy it). And as others have said - the YouTube / Social reach is much wider than the UK.
In many ways Graham's the biggest 'name' associated with Eurovision across Europe other than former performers like Abba and Celine Dion. Not that many other national broadcasters have a commentator with as big a national reputation, presenting a major TV chat show, let alone an international one like Graham.
Whilst the UK may not always be thought of as taking the contest seriously as a country, the reality is that the BBC having Sir Terry, and then Graham as their national commentators is seen by other European broadcasters as the BBC taking the actual broadcast of the contest very seriously.
He's often been the only featured commentator on previous contests - such as when he had a confetti fired into his commentary booth in Copenhagen 2014 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpg07b6nxnI
I thought it was also a nice touch by Graham to say (I paraphrase) “we may not have done well for a long time, but the UK still loves Eurovision”. And he did seem slightly emotional in his interview.
All in all a strong show given the circumstances. It still felt like Eurovision to some extent. I did question early on whether they should actually have made it a competition and opened a vote based on the videos of each song being shown (as the show’s format wouldn’t have to be changed much), but ultimately I think a celebration without a winner like this was probably the better option and “Love Shine a Light” was the perfect song to finish on.
I wasn’t a fan of the A-Z on BBC Two. It was well researched, some good clips and Rylan is a great host for anything Eurovision since his passion for it comes acrosa, but I always have a gripe with any clip show that works its way through the whole alphabet like that. It makes the show feel veeeeery long when you realise you’re only on F or G!