'There's nothing like Eurovision'

20 May 2008 12:23pm

Novelty costumes, shameless warbling and questionable dance moves - it's that time of year again. The Eurovision Song Contest is back, with not one but two semi-finals for the first time, culminating in the all-important final in Belgrade.

But behind the sneers and the jokes from British fans and commentator Terry Wogan, the rest of Europe takes it pretty seriously. We ask Eurovision expert John Kennedy O'Connor what makes the singing competition so popular year-on-year, and who his top tips are.

:: The appeal

So what is it about Eurovision that makes fans gather every year for Eurovision parties?

"I think it's just so incredibly unique," says John. "There's nothing else like it - either on television or off. I think it's the only time everybody gets to compete internationally in a song contest."

But the draw is often because the competition raises a smile.

"I think people, particularly in Britain, like to laugh at the foreigners as well," John concedes.

:: Terry Wogan

British viewers are known for taking a somewhat light-hearted approach to the contest - and John is convinced BBC commentator Terry Wogan is partly to blame.

Recently he came under fire from Eurovision bosses for not taking the contest seriously enough, and John finds is easy to see why.

John says: "I do think in recent years he's edging towards a little bit just being outright nasty. A challenge for him every year is to come up with things to say and a new angle.

"In the past he used to step up to the line but now I think he crosses it, and I think that's a shame."

:: The politics

Terry's dry one-liners suggest the commentator does not take the voting seriously, and he frequently predicts which countries will receive 'douze points' from neighbouring nations. However, John does not subscribe to the theory that Eurovision is political.

"To call it political means it has to be organised, and it's impossible to organise a phone vote on that kind of scale," says John, who says cultural similarities are to blame for any suspect voting patterns.

:: This year's tips

In terms of entertainment, this year's competition won't disappoint. Spain's entry is an Elvis impersonator, Latvia are deploying pirates in their bid for victory, and Ireland have children's TV puppet Dustin the Turkey. But John won't discount the Irish bid - and even thinks they have a chance of winning the competition.

"I'm totally alone in this - everybody else I've spoken to just laughs at me, and says 'no, they haven't got a hope'," John laughs. "But I actually think Ireland could well pull it off."

However, realistically, he thinks the victors will again come east of the Danube, with Russia and Ukraine the favourites.

:: The UK's chances

If John's predictions are anything to go by, it doesn't look good for Andy Abraham, who is performing Even If for the UK.

"Unfortunately I just don't think it's a song that has any real resonance in Eurovision," John sighs. "It's completely unmemorable amongst all the other 43."

So Andy could be following Jemini in the nul points club?

"I'm afraid I really think Andy's going to struggle," John admits. "I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's in last place, which would be very undeserved. I think between him and France, I can't really see anybody voting for either song. If anybody votes for Andy it'll be Ireland, but I don't think anybody else will. I think he may just avoid the nul points but I think he's going to be in the bottom two."

© The Press Association