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Eurovision 2021 - Netherlands - NPO/AVROTROS/NOS

Ahoy Arena - Rotterdam - 18/20/22 May 2021 (May 2019)

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AB
AcerBen
Flux posted:
I'm not an advocate of just sending drag for drag's sake, and I agree we shouldn't be sending something traditionally "Eurovision", but surely there's a strength in leaning on a franchise which is popular globally and queens who subsequently have an international following - especially when a show like this is massively popular right now but obviously has a shelf life. Equally, just because they're drag artists doesn't mean the final product would need to be camp, pink, in your face crass. With a good song and a strong producer, you could really elevate the act.

I just think that if we're ever going to get on the left side of the scoreboard again it needs something brave and different which stands out - and at least there'd be some safety in leaning on the association with Drag Race, even if the act itself is outside the usual BBC box. And I guarantee you that sending the winning Drag Race girl group from the most recent series would get more discussion and airtime across Europe than sending James Newman, irrelevant of the song.


Perhaps, but to anyone who doesn't watch Drag Race, it's just another drag act. And now Conchita has done the "shock, a drag act with a good voice and a good song" thing I don't see where else there is to go. Anything remotely like UK Hun would just be awful.

Ratings were good for week 1 though - up on 2020, I believe. I thought it was a shame they cut the songs from 8 to 7. But I tend to zap through the show on catchup in the semis - made really easy by their online player, which has markers for where all the songs are!


The 8 to 7 change happened a good few years ago - I think 2014 was the last year with 32 songs competing in 4 heats, from 2015 onwards it's been 7 songs. (Or were their rumours they were returning to 8 songs per heat this year?)


No rumours, just saying I still think cutting from 8 to 7 was a shame. Though it's possible that having a better than 50% chance of progressing from the first round makes it a more attractive proposition to potential artists, I dunno.
DV
DVB Cornwall
So we've had the Irish entry released today which has attracted considerable positive comments, and we have a damn good 'novelty' entry from Jendrick representing Germany with 'I Don't Feel Hate'. Seemingly this year's Dadi type of song .....

:-(
A former member
...we have a damn good 'novelty' entry from Jendrick representing Germany with 'I Don't Feel Hate'. Seemingly this year's Dadi type of song .....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4

Well at least we know the UK won’t be coming last...
CK
Ckck1704
So we've had the Irish entry released today which has attracted considerable positive comments, and we have a damn good 'novelty' entry from Jendrick representing Germany with 'I Don't Feel Hate'. Seemingly this year's Dadi type of song .....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4

Disqualification inevitable
DE
deejay
So we've had the Irish entry released today which has attracted considerable positive comments, and we have a damn good 'novelty' entry from Jendrick representing Germany with 'I Don't Feel Hate'. Seemingly this year's Dadi type of song .....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4

Disqualification inevitable


For Ireland? Not sure. It’s not a bad entry but it could get lost amongst everything else - it’s got a reasonable chance of qualification.

The German song is, in my opinion, dreadful but being a member of the Big 5, they will qualify automatically.
HC
Hatton Cross
It's not 'dreadful' it's catchy - although I won't try and talk anyone around to the argument that a ukulele based tune is around 5 years out of date.

But, faced with the usual tidal wave of mid-East European power shouting or angst ridden ballards, it'll get lost, unless it goes last in the running order.
JO
Josh
Eurovision have released their safety protocols for the contest, which include:
*5 day quarantine for all attendants
*Delegations to stay in hotels
https://eurovision.tv/story/EBU-health-and-safety-protocol
AB
AcerBen
Most of it sounds sensible, though I'm baffled why they're still having a press centre - and allowing the press to mix with the artists. Yes, with social distancing - but putting the artists in an interview room with random press seems like an unnecessary risk to me, when that could've all been done virtually.
GO
gottago
Most of it sounds sensible, though I'm baffled why they're still having a press centre - and allowing the press to mix with the artists. Yes, with social distancing - but putting the artists in an interview room with random press seems like an unnecessary risk to me, when that could've all been done virtually.

I can't see anything there about the artists being in an interview room in that article. Chances are interviews will still be done virtually. The press centre is a lot more than just interviewing artists - it's a lot to do with (over) analysing the rehearsals and all the other bits that happen behind the scenes.

EDIT: ^ Oh yes I can see it now in that protocol re interview rooms. Yes that is surprising.


Having said that I am surprised they're allowing the press centre to go ahead anyway but clearly they think it necessary.

Surprised they're allowing an international audience. Can't really see anyone following that recommended 5 day quarantine before coming to Rotterdam.

And in other news with BBC Three relaunching this will no doubt be the last Eurovision on BBC Four.
Last edited by gottago on 2 March 2021 2:37pm
TI
tightrope78
Find it very hard to believe that they’re allowing an international audience to attend. Of course no one living in Britain can attend (apart from press) as the earliest possible date for non essential international travel is after the date of the Contest.

Add in the very high transmission rate in the Netherlands, and one of the lowest rates of vaccinations. A contest best experienced at home on television!
BR
Brekkie
I suspect commentary will be off tube as well. It's a shame for the Netherlands but I really think the best option would be each country films their act at a landmark within their own country - at least that way the visual journey through the show will vary throughout and compensate for the lack of the usual atmosphere.
DE
deejay
This article on the BBC says commentators will still travel as part of the reduced delegations to the venue and will work from “well ventilated booths”.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56243857

Although there’s probably nothing to stop individual broadcasters from doing it off-tube if they consider it necessary.
tightrope78 and Sh1ruba gave kudos

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