Eurovision 2007 - Helsinki

Therein lies the problem. Have we entered a decent song in recent years-- anything that compares to Love Shine A Light ? The entries we have submitted in recent years have just been bland or instantly forgettable in IMO, even if the performer himself/herself has been charismatic-- the main reason we have had poor showings.

The Iraq war doesn't help, or not having an old pals act with a neighbour (cf Spain/Portugual, Norway/Sweden etc)... but if we actually entered a strong, powerful song by a charismatic performer-- then I think we would stand a chance!!

You can be a fully paid up member of the EBU and not take part in the Contest. Look at RAI in Italy.

Well looking at their website - it does look like it was Studio 5. However they claim that has a "full saturation lighting grid"... Certainly didn't look like that to me - even the stills on their site don't show what many would feel that to mean.

Also - looks like they bolt in kit as it is required... "Made to measure technical facilities" could be read as "very few permanent technical facilities"... Meaning that the guarantee crew may have little experience with the facilities as installed.

Is it not an indictment on how the music industry is at the moment, and how we always resort to stereotyped catergories for songs to enter into the contest?

Yep - RAI would join the "Big Four" to become the "Big Five" if they re-joined Eurovision. However I think they've decided to concentrate on their domestic San Remo music festival, and decided they were never going to win Eurovision with a song they felt represented them properly. They pulled out rather than select something they thought might win, but wasn't particularly "RAI" or "Italian".

Nothing will ever surpass 1982 though when TF1 in France withdrew declaring the contest "a monument to drivel" lol

At the time there was also a Kent Online article about it. One of the "businessmen" happens to be related to me and used to do a lot of production work for the BBC, then he went freelance. He is now a senior executive at the studios.

I don't think Maidstone was right for tonight's show at all. Its a shame that they have the resources yet a lot of them don't know how to function them properly!

Another thing, its a shame they cut out the regional voting scheme (perhaps due to time?). I agree with Brekkie and Andrew, this should all have been planned well in advance and with a selection of acts who aren't just former chart hopefuls trying to make a comeback.

On the point of Melodifestivalen - I'm actually obsessed, SVT does a fantastic job every year. I felt sorry for Tommy Nilsson this year (hardcore ESC fans will remember that he won in 1989 with 'En Dag', then came fourth in the contest in Switzerland), receiving no poång from any of the juries nor of the public.

See, why can't we have someone half decent like Kristian Luuk was for Sweden, presenting the contest? Leave Wogan to commentate the semi finals.

The BBC could also shove a premium rate jobby in offering tickets to the finals plus VIP whatever if you guess Wogan's fee correctly for this year's contest.

No - I think you're right. Looks to me like Maidstone is more geared up for doing a long run of recordings or recurrent live shows, rather than a bespoke one-off. The requirements - in infrastructure, technical and craft terms - are very different.

I'm similarly obsessed - it is a great show - and has been of a high standard for years. I'm a cheesy pop fan - so thought Magnus Carlsson should at least have got to the final - and was glad that Mans Zelmerlow came 2nd with the televoters. (Could anyone really tell The Ark's song from Andreas Jonhson's?)

Was really, really impressed with Lena Philipsson (who represented Sweden in 2004 and has competed in Melodifestivalen 4 times as a performer - and also written songs performed by others on 2 occasions) presenting last year. I don't speak Swedish (though I understand enough to get by watching the show and understand what is going on) - and the way they took apart the myth that she'd be rubbish, dropping in little "flash back to 2006" VTs, and her performance after the jury voting in the final, were simply inspired.

They do throw resources at it though. Two steadicams, at least 3 jibs (one with a HUGE arm), rail cams, plus standard cams on peds and mid-stadium rostra mean they can cover things fantastically well. Plus because they take it to large stadia they have space to work in, and a pretty decent performance space. (Last year's set was simplified a bit - rumour has it they had to cut the budget to pay for Winter Olympics shows?)

To view MF, go here: http://www.svt.se/content/1/c6/78/14/51/mello_ny.asx

I agree with what you say noggin - MF is an amazing show, and next year I do hope to get to Stockholm at least to see the final - so have an idea of how I would like it.

Have semifinals in Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff and Birmingham, with a final in Wembley or somewhere to choose the winner. Go down to one presenter - Fearne Cotton did a fab job keeping it all together - and give Wogan similar duties to Pekka Heino last year. Don't have this stupid gap between the shows - it just doesn't work - instead keep peoples' minds focussed on the songs.

I think the Beeb would find a lot more people would be interested than if they pick just 6 acts internally...

Has anyone else noticed how there was NO mention of writers of the songs at all tonight?

I don't suppose anyone knows what the theme music to Melodifestivalen at the end is? It's catchy as hell.