Eurovision 2019

If you want bizarre political rants, Ian Weaver has outdone himself reviewing EYD.

Not only does he insist on using the names of TV channels rather than country names (ie saying things like "Darude is representing YLE, represented onscreen as 'Finland'") - do you think he refers to English national sports teams as "The FA" or "The RFU"? - and not only does he still have an obsession with JESC that comes across as somewhat, shall we say, unhealthy; but now, he's compared the Westminster Government with the ruling powers in Belarus.

You couldn't make it up

http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Weaver%27s_Week_2019-02-10

I'll give him his thoughts on Chris Price though. Could have taken over from Wogan quite capably were it for a different roll of the dice.

That is one heck of a 1999 lookin' website. My eyes hurt.

Ok ve lo posso dire,
Rappresenterò l’Italia all’ @EurovisionRai con “SOLDI”.
Non vedo l’ora.
💵🔥💵 pic.twitter.com/SbWqouoHIi

— Mahmood (@Mahmood_Music) February 12, 2019

Mahmood confirmed as Italian entrant.

Only now? I thought San Remo *was* the National Final?

It is usually but there was political intervention (unfortunately) which led to doubts.

I may be wrong here, but I believe that the winner of Sanremo gets first refusal to be Italy's entrant into Eurovision, but is under no obligation to accept it.

In 2016, for example, Francesca Michielin represented Italy after coming second in Sanremo; Stadio won Sanremo that year, but declined to participate.

Looking through Wayback Machine, it seems that site layout has been unchanged since 2006.

Australia (or if you're Ian Weaver, SBS) are here for another four years.

Personally I'm delighted. I was amazed at how many Aussies turned up to Lisbon - loads. I mean loads . Bear in mind the expense and bitch of a flight and it's even more stunning.

No - San Remo is a festival in, and of, itself. Since Italy returned to the contest (after a long period of absence) the winner of San Remo is usually offered the opportunity to represent Italy (having one a prestigious domestic song contest), but there is no requirement for them to accept that offer.

All the more commendable is the fact that the songs are unapologetically in Italian and RAI send a song in their national language every year. At a time when countries are sending songs in English to Eurovision, even France, it is refreshing to see this. Equally exciting is that Italy are far and away the strongest performing of the Big 5 and, whilst having not won since 1990, they are on their best run of form ever in the contest.

The host nation has chosen its act. The song will be revealed at a later date.

And the Israeli representative to Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv is Kobi Marimi! 🇮🇱

Welcome to @Eurovision! !ברוך הבא לאירוויזיון#DareToDream pic.twitter.com/trb2gS74V6

— KAN Eurovision Israel (@kaneurovision) February 12, 2019

Australia awarded places in contests up to 2023 in new agreement.

🇦🇺 We'll be seeing a lot more of Australia - five years more, until 2023!

"We are delighted that Australia has become a more permanent member of the Eurovision Song Contest Family." - @JonOlaSand@SBSEurovision @SBS#DareToDream #Eurovisionhttps://t.co/Td5vbQzfiF

— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) February 12, 2019