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Lesley Riddoch: To change its fortunes, UK must change its tune



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Published Date: 26 May 2008
By Lesley Riddoch
SHOULD the UK withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest because we came last? The veteran commentator Sir Terry Wogan says the event, once won by British performers who ripped off their skirts to reveal even shorter skirts, is "no longer a music contest". Prospects for western European participants are apparently so "poor" he may not go to Moscow to pour scorn on next year's event.
Well, maybe the end of His Woganess would help. Is it a coincidence that our position on the international singing scoreboard has worsened as Terry's anti-Eurovision stance has hardened? Ah, but that's not the point, is it?

Despite all the music...



The full article contains 960 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 25 May 2008 9:51 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Lesley Riddoch
 
1

Richardinho,

26/05/2008 01:49:29
Is it suprising that countries adjacent to each other have similar tastes in music?
i note that the winner of this years contest is a 'huge star in Russia'. I'd suggest that if the UK put forward Coldplay or Robbie Williams, rather than someone nobodies heard of, then they might have a better chance of winning. The Europeans aren't stupid and they can see when they are being treated with contempt-what does anyone expect?
2

Unimpressed one,

26/05/2008 08:16:20
Does anyone take this annual farce seriously now? Apart from fattening Terry Wogan's wallet, it seems to serve no visible purpose other than an opportunity for idiots to claim to have the best song in Europe.
3

EWB,

UK 26/05/2008 09:25:06
Good on ya, Lesley! You never fail to disappoint.

I'd have thought that a luminary like you would have better things to do with her Saturday evening than watch the Eurovision Song Contest, but you did have your Scotsman column to complete.

Since most competitors now sing in English, it's hardly a European song contest any more. Formerly, countries sang in one of the languages of their country.

The fact that the BBC continues to televise this farce, at great expense to the UK licence payer, shows the extent to which "Dumbing down rules! OK?" We provide the Bread, and the BBC gives us the Circuses.

Now that would be a topic for Ms Riddoch to devote her attention to.
4

Venachar,

26/05/2008 11:32:12
Wonder if the cinemas,theatres and pubs noticed an increase in custom on saturday evening.
Personally my wife and I watched the Heineken Cup final, cooked a nice meal together and then watch a DVD - anything but watch Eurovison.

The only thing that the viewing figures prove is there are 10 million east european immigrants in the UK nobody else could be that stupid, could they?
5

Itchy,

26/05/2008 14:29:47
Here's hoping Terry Wogan gives it up soon. His xenophobia and lack of geography get on my nerves.

Apparently Iceland vote for Finland because it's near and when Sweden gave 12 points to Finland, it was because Finland is near as well and not because every country was giving Finland 12, the year that Lordi won.

 

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