What Is Eurovision?

So what is Eurovision?

I get asked this all the time. Most Americans have no idea what I'm talking about when I start referencing some obscure European dance group from the 1980s. It's okay. It's not our fault. Yes, Eurovision is one of the most watched television programs in the world. It has viewers in Australia, Asia and the Middle East, and parts of Africa and South America. But we Americans don't get it on a television channel, so we don't know about it.

So what is it? It's a song contest. It's been around since 1956, and it's kind of like American Idol meets Miss Universe. Every country sends a song and they all perform in one night, once a year. There aren't any judges. Viewers get 15 minutes to call in and vote, and the votes are tallied live. Any nation that is a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) can participate, which is why some countries that are not in geographical Europe (Israel, Turkey, Azerbaijan, etc.) compete. Whoever wins gets to host the following year.

Do you know where ABBA came from? Eurovision. They won in 1974 and then were catapulted into international fame. Céline Dion is a winner. Riverdance was introduced to the world when Ireland won three years in a row during the 1990s. Olivia Newton-John, Julio Iglesias, and Engelbert Humperdinck have all competed. But Americans don't know about this contest.

My obsession with Eurovision started nearly ten years ago, after a friend who had been living in London came home with a recording of that years' contest. He knew I had a penchant for hot messes and human spectacles, and a deep love of fluffy pop music. So it was a perfect fit, and I have been loving it ever since.

Another question I get asked all the time: "Wouldn't it be great if America competed in Eurovision?" NO. Are you kidding me? We would ruin it for everyone. We would take out all the fun. America would dominate the contest, just like we dominate nearly every other thing we take on. And part of the fun of watching Eurovision is seeing Europeans create their own interpretation of American pop and rock n' roll.

And so, this blog was born. "Trying To Explain Eurovision to Americans." I will take you through Eurovision's history: the highs and lows, and the very lows. I will keep you updated on news from Europe, as the journey toward a new Eurovision is ongoing.  And through the process, I will try to break it down so that Americans can understand just what I'm talking about. Thanks for reading!