Eurovision 2005

[Cetla]

What's your opinion about this year's competition? What's the odds?

[guyaman]

hi Cetla. i stopped paying any attention to the eurovision a few years ago when Ireland stopped winning! i saw something about a brother and sister winning the Irish nomination for the comp. good luck to them! we need a good old fashioned Eimear Quinn style song, or Riverdance show to win it again.(bear in mind that i haven't heard these siblings yet, so they could be fab for all i know)

[andy hughes]

It's a great annual kitch show. I was surprised that katie Price was entered as a UK potential - she does have thos incredible eyes, and she comes accross as a really nice person, but let's face it, she can't carry a tune in a bucket! Because of her high profile in the UK, she nearly won - disaster because no-one outside the UK knows who she is, and she'd have sunk without trace. I liked the Gina G song, but i seem to be in a minority.

Terry Wogan makes the coverage every year - although i don't actually watch it, I understand its appeal.

[ludwig]

It's become (even more) ridiculous because of the political block voting. All the former USSR countries vote for each other, as do the former Yugoslav and their neighbours. Cyprus always gives Greece 20 points and vice versa etc. It's highly unlikely that any of Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden etc will ever win again. Last year's was so bad, even Wogan got angry about it.

[traceyt]

Javine might win especially if she pops out of her dress again!!

[IndieSinger]

Yes, handy how she "accidentally" popped out, isn't it.

guyaman - I think you probably know this, but Riverdance wasn't a show that won, it was just the interval act. Good on them for getting so far because that was really their first national exposure.

andy hughes - Jordan is really popular in other places in Europe, especially Germany where they adore her. I completely agree about her singing talent, though. Even though that isn't the point, it still would have been slightly unnerving to watch her represent our country!

ludwig - You're right, but as long as you remember that's how it is and that it's all a bit of fun, you can sit back and enjoy it quite easily. It's not a serious competition :)

[l.costello]

The Irish and UK entries are both dire and will finish near the bottom of the pile. The Dutch entry is one of the favourites at present but it is a dull pop idol type copy of Whitney Houston in the mid to late 80's and thus will not impress the newer and younger televoters. The performance on the night has become a major factor in recent years. My money will be on one of the many big ethnic style entries which are not that original either. However Hungary, Albania, and Romania must be in with a chance this year along with Iceland and Malta who I personally prefer. Latvia is a grower but may be lost on the night. Greece, Cyprus and Belarus are also favoured by many pre contest web polls but I think only the latter will be able to attract sufficient votes from neighbours to be in with a chance of a top 6 placing. Turkey and the host country Ukraine are among quite a few countries this year who have been required to or felt the need to revamp their entries and have thus improved on their respective original songs somewhat, but not sufficiently to make them serious contenders. My initial prediction, having heard all of the entries is: 1. Malta 2. Hungary 3.Belarus 4.Iceland 5.Albania 6.Romania 7.Netherlands 8.Latvia 9.Greece 10. Ukraine 11. Turkey 12.Cyprus.