We shall see how hard a slap on the wrist and how fearsome a tongue-lashing they will receive on May 14th.
Aaaand the Ukrainian broadcaster decides to take a victory lap in their statement announcing the "official" ban of the Russian contestant. This may not sit well with the ESC Reference Group - especially that third paragraph. Even though it's probably true ... UA: PBC, as the host broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, had officially informed the European Broadcasting Union about the ban imposed by the Security Service of Ukraine on the representative of Russian Federation Yulia Samoylova for the entrance to the territory of Ukraine. Respecting the desire of EBU to ensure the participation in the Song Contest of representatives of 43 all countries, supporting the traditional spirit of Eurovision, the Ukrainian side had repeatedly invited the Russian Federation to send to Kyiv a participant who did not violate Ukrainian legislation. However, the Russian side left its decision unchanged. The refusal of the Channel One (Russia) to broadcast Eurovision proves that despite the declared respect for the fundamental values of the Eurovision, the key ones being mutual respect and apoliticality, the Russian side's goal always was not to participate in the contest, but to create a negative atmosphere around the preparation and organization of the event. UA: PBC, in close cooperation with the EBU, continues to actively prepare for the Eurovision 2017. In just a few weeks, Ukraine will welcome the guests and fans of the contest in Kyiv and create an unforgettable celebration of music and all-European cultural values for everyone.
In a move that has caused much fear and loathing among American Eurovision fandom, the Eurovision Song Contest final on May 13 will be carried live on LogoTV again. The only silver lining to this cloud is that Carson and Michelle will not be hosting.Among the cloudy linings to this cloud is that we'll all have to continue using VPNs to even see the performances on friggin' YouTube. (The ones from last year are STILL geoblocked in the USA because of last year's Logo deal.) Eurovision returns to the United States
So I take it that this year's Michelle is different from last year's? I'm not sure Ross the Intern will be much of an improvement over last year's crew as far as meaningful insight, but at least there will be (limited) access to the broadcast in the US
Logo's announcers were a GIGANTIC improvement over last year. There were some tech issues with the audio mix and a couple of factual flubs, but overall they were prepared, positive, funny without hogging the spotlight .... In fact, I preferred them to Graham Norton's BBC commentary, which ... well, let's just say he doesn't sound that "into it" anymore. Here's your winner, courtesy of the fine folks at the German network, who were kind enough to post complete videos without geoblocking. Amazing song. Portugal: Salvador Sobral - "Amar pelos dois"
I disagree somewhat about Graham Norton. Normally I'd say you were right, but he was better than usual this year for me. I had Portugal in 6th place based on my scores, but I'm not surprised it won and I did vote for it at the semis.
That was a nice song, but it seemed uncharacteristically reserved for a Eurovision winner. Now that there have been a couple winning ballads in a row, I wonder if the style of songs submitted and the performances will change to reflect this trend
The ruling has come down: Ukraine's broadcaster gets fined €200,000 for banning the Russian contestant, and for the numerous delays and controversies and general ineptitude during the year leading up to the Contest. UA: PBC will appeal. Russia's broadcaster gets a strongly-worded "tsk tsk" statement for not showing up to the Heads of Delegation meeting in March, and for not broadcasting the Contest in May, but that's it. You can't really penalize someone for breaking the rules of a Contest that they were prevented from participating in. And mawnck has oodles of fun arguing on social media with every other Eurovision fan in the world about whether this is fair or not. (Amazing how people can't get it through their heads that barring a legitimate contestant from participating is a blatant rule violation, whereas just being trollish smartass Russians isn't.) Ukraine dealt "substantial fine" over Russia Eurovision dispute and organisational delays | wiwibloggs
