Andra Chansen works like this, this year, the traditional face offs continue and we end up with two of the eight through.
Running IN PARALLEL with the above is the International Jury Selection One of the non final qualifiers goes into what can be best described as an international jury repechage (cf Rowing) ANY of the six could go through each week into a four way battle for the eleventh final slot.
If Caroline wins through the Andra Chansen process she will qualify, and the four way battle for the eleventh place will be reduced to three, for the final slot.
And you thought the BBC was in trouble! This from aftonbladet.se, Sweden's equivalent of the Daily Mirror:
aftonbladet.se posted:
Schlager head in stormy weather - Bjorkman accused of steering jury
SKELLEFTEÅ. An extensive internal trouble is shaking the heart of Melodifestivalen.
SVT's own program [Go'morron Sverige, their breakfast show] accused Christer Björkman of influencing the jury and controlling how they vote.
The move has now led to a police report - to the "Schlager General" and SVT.
Musician Johan Norberg revealed the secrets himself on SVT's morning sofa yesterday and told me that he sat on the Stockholm jury during the final last year.
He accuses Melodifestivalen contest producer Christer Björkman of controlling how the jury vote for their Eurovision candidate.
- We got directives from Christer Björkman saying what we should vote for. "Absolutely not Rongedal, preferably Charlotte Perrelli". He didn't say any names, but he told us "not to vote on something that is typical musicians' music", "preferably not something that is dialectically Swedish". "Vote for something that can hit internationally," says Johan Norberg in the program.
He explained that the jury immediately understood that it was the brothers Rongedal, Frida Muranius and Charlotte Perrelli who Christer Björkman meant.
- We got five instructions, so we knew clearly what was to be presented. Then we could have gone against them, of course. But this feeling that anyone can win... when it comes out that it is not true then I think people will be completely outraged," he says.
Christer Bjorkman is furious at SVT, where Norberg seems irrefutable.
- I am appalled, and understand nothing. I don't understand why Johan Norberg wants to lie," he says.
Björkman explains that he gave the SVT juries some points to think about in the vote, but that they also went out to all 66 persons in the jury.
- Norberg refers to key words that have never been said. What was said on SVT's directive is that they think Eurovision 2008, hits, international, and that there should be something that just works locally in Sweden.
For songwriter Henrik Bie, behind Caracola's contribution "Smiling in love" last year, Johan Norberg's statements were clear.
- I filed a police report in the evening against Christer Björkman, SVT and Eva Hamilton. I urge the Swedish people to do the same, "says Henrik Bie.
Södermalm police confirmed on Monday that there is a pending notification against SVT, Eva Hamilton, and Christer Bjorkman. We want to not comment on it because they consider that the notification rather will end up with the Chancellor of Justice than the police.
- After having sent in 32 contributions I was accused of cheating. There will be approximately 320 000 SEK in demo costs. But I am not looking for money, but requires a reasonable investigation, "says Henrik Bie.
SVT's first show began on TV, "you sent in 3 440 contributions" - he believes this is an insult.
This year, out of 32 songs, just one is from the public.
- That anyone could make in into Melodifestivalen is a sham. SVT blowing Swedish people on their money," says songwriter Henrik Bie.
SVT's head Eva Hamilton has not been possible to reach for a comment and Christer Björkman does not want to answer some questions about the police.
- I have no comment because I do not know it, "he said.
Nojesbladet.se already revealed last week that the association of Swedish composers of popular music, creators, launched a review of Melodifestivalen and jury work.
Örjan Englund, owning music publisher Eagle Songs, has many years' experience in Melodifestivalen. He is one of those who made a notification.
- Johan said on the news this morning is the last piece needed to creators. Amazing bravery. And live also. Now it's goodbye to Bjorkman," he says.
Create administrative manager Mårten Karlsson is surprised by the new information.
- Interesting. Johan Norberg work with us and I know him well. I will talk to him for this was new for us too. We will certainly look at this," he says.
Although I liked 'Hero' by Charlotte, I still felt that Sweden would have done slightly better with Sanna's 'Empty Rooms.' Remember it was the jury vote that swung it from Sanna to Charlotte.
I'm interested to see after news of this:
1) The impact this has on tonights Melodifestivalen
2) The impact it has on the new jury structure that we are going to see at this years Eurovision SC.
Måns definitely had the best production and coverage - and delivered a really confident and distinctive song. His vocals may not have been perfect - but the delivery and enthusiasm compensated for it. Watching it he just sticks out as so much better.
Similar argument holds for Alcazar last week. Great production, very confident, but vocals a bit dodgy (and so was some of the dancing)
They both appeared to be no-brainers for the final - and that is indeed what they were.
Interesting that MF have departed from the Eurovision rules on staging and are allowing more than 6 artists on stage this year. Wonder if ESC will revise soon as well? There has to be a limit to the number of vocalists though - for practical mic management reasons as much as anything.
Looking forward to BWO this weekend!
Did anyone watch the SVT webstream, with the warm up sequence before the TV transmission? Really nicely done. Pity the show isn't on SVT Prima though.
Interesting that MF have departed from the Eurovision rules on staging and are allowing more than 6 artists on stage this year. Wonder if ESC will revise soon as well?
Can't see the EBU changing the rules about the amount of people on stage. They already have problems getting everyone into hotels as it is (remember the EuroCamp they had to set up in 2005?!). Also they decreased the amount of performers at last year's Junior Eurovision from 8 to 6.
Markus Larsson at aftonbladet.se wrote an interesting article on Sunday - his last words were something like:
"But there is a problem.
Sweden has already sent a song like [Hope and Glory], I think, to Eurovision. It was called, if I remember rightly, Hero.
And we all know how well that did."
While I love the song (and indeed it seems to be a much better composition than Hero) there's just something about it that I can't get into. Alcazar's is great fun, but is it a bit too gay for even Eurovision?
Wasn't surprised to see Amy D and Lili och Sussie to the Andra Chansen. Amy D's song is strange - her clothing makes her look younger than she really is (17) and you can tell Alexander Bard of BWO has co-written it ("It's my life, my condition / I want you with provision"). Wasn't surprised to see Lasse or Markoolio out - Markoolio took a massive gamble that just flopped completely.
What do we think of Petra? Her style has divided Sweden. I say Luuk was better - but Petra seems to be holding it ok.
I enjoyed Luuk slightly more than Petra - however to be honest, it is the songs that I am interested in! I think a lot of the links between songs are lost on me due to my limited Swedish.
My Google translator and Twitter are my friend these days! (see #melfest on Saturday night if you are interested!)
I just wish I could get a higher quality version of the stream. I am watching the online stream but feel I could be enjoying more if it was in a higher resolution/bitrate.
I enjoyed Luuk slightly more than Petra - however to be honest, it is the songs that I am interested in! I think a lot of the links between songs are lost on me due to my limited Swedish.
My Google translator and Twitter are my friend these days! (see #melfest on Saturday night if you are interested!)
I just wish I could get a higher quality version of the stream. I am watching the online stream but feel I could be enjoying more if it was in a higher resolution/bitrate.
