Guilty Pleasures!

The Eurovision Song Contest 
The Eurovision Song Contest is a yearly competition in which each EU country (plus Australia- don't ask) puts forward their most flamboyant performers with their catchiest songs. We can then vote for who we thought "gave the best performance" or alternatively, whatever country is nearest to ours. Eurovision is usually broadcast on BBC 1 during April, and is watched by over 200 million people worldwide! Clearly Im not the only one who enjoys a cheeky bit of Eurovision although I imagine a large proportion of that 200 million would not admit to watching it- understandable. Eurovision is aimed at The Mainstreamers . Eurovision has occurred annually since 1956, and very little has changed. The Mainstreamers core need in life is security, which the Eurovision Song Contest definitely provides them with. Everything about it is predictable and familiar, from the format to the voting. The votes are often easy to predict because it is heavily influenced by geography, which means that the audiences expectations for the United Kingdom are often very low. Although no map placement could save us when we choose people like Blue and that famous British singer Englebert Humperdinck who was born in India to represent us... For this reason it is the perfect programme for The Cynics and also The groupies and trendies because it encourages you to watch with your family and friends. It is also widely talked about on social media and in face to face conversations. The Groupies and the Trendies will feel the need to watch this so that they can fit in and join in or lead the discussion about it. Despite it being for them, not many would admit to watching it if it was not brought up in conversation because it is not seen to be "cool" in society.

I would like to consider my music taste to be pretty good, however this particular musical favourite does not support this statement in anyway. The standard of music is really emphasised by the fact that my favourite Eurovision song of all time is So Lucky for Moldova (video below). If you think thats bad, just imagine the others! I also believe in the ideology that, If you are the best singer or songwriter you deserve to win a singing competition. Unfortunately Eurovision doesn't follow this ideology, intend it is apically a popularity contest. As well as all of this, Eurovision is just seen as pretty embarrassing and cheesy by 90% of the human population yet lots of us watch it! The obviously scripted jokes and flirting between foreign hosts, just adds to the Eurovision charm and familiarity.

I watch the Eurovision for entertainment and generally take a preferred reading. I think that it is just some light-hearted competition between countries which unites us as a content and breaks down any language barriers. However I can also see how some people could watch this and think that it is just a way to make a mockery of our musical culture and as a way of taking revenge for recent political arguments through the voting system.

As well as entertainment, Eurovision also provides a sense of nostalgia and humour which also contribute to the reasons why I watch it. My aunties have always been a huge fan of Eurovision and used to throw parties dedicated to the event, which would include a Eurovision sweep stake and quiz! My family are and absolute hoot as you can imagine. Eurovision now reminds me of these parties and  makes me reminisce about the past, when everything was better. It also makes me laugh, because of how ridiculous most of it is. Graham Norton's commentary is also very sarcastic which creates a lot of humour, often mocking the contestants. Despite the fact that Eurovision is tacky and definitely a guilty pleasure, I love it!