Just Kidding! Bosnia and Herzegovina Will Not Compete!

Because life is a hard and cruel game, Bosnia and Herzegovina announced its withdrawal from next year's Eurovision Song Contest. This will be the third year that Bosnia will not compete in the Contest, siting financial reasons.

The following nations have confirmed their participation in the 2015 Contest: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, The Netherlands, and The United Kingdom.

Greece will be allowed to compete as soon as its membership to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is approved. Bulgaria is still making a decision in regards to its participation.

And sadly, Eurovision-favorite, Ukraine, was forced to withdraw due to ongoing political turmoil in the region.

Last week, FYR Macedonia held the very first Eurovision national selection of this year, Skopje Fest. Daniel Kajmakoski and his song, "Lisja esenski," were chosen to represent Macedonia next May.

Conchita In America

Well, Eurovision 2014 has come to an end, and we're all getting over our little Eurovision hangovers. We're rested, rehydrated, and ready to talk about CONCHITA!

This little lady has clearly taken Europe by storm. But now she's spreading her Austrian phoenix wings and making the trip to the United States. American news sources, from CNN to The New York Times, even The Wall Street Journal and my own newspaper, The Chicago Tribune, are reporting on Conchita's victory.

John Oliver, who is, of course, a native Brit, commented on Conchita's win, and also how the crisis between Russia and Ukraine played out during Eurovision, on HBO's Last Week Tonight.

What is it about this Eurovision result that makes it newsworthy in America? Advances in social media certainly make following the Contest easier nowadays. And, of course, Americans are taken with Conchita's unique look. Eurovision has been around for almost six decades, but there's something exceptional about this year, and that's why it's being reported in the States.

Conchita Wurst is front page news because she, a transsexual played by a man named Tom Neuwirth, won the votes of an incredibly complex and disparate continent. A transgendered woman won before, and a drag queen once came second, but Conchita's win this year is important because of the dangerous clashes in Eastern Europe. Russia, unfortunately, is a nation known for its homophobia and mistreatment of gay people. And they were audibly booed in the arena when they were awarded points. The battle lines have been drawn, and people are taking note. Austria didn't win with just the help of Western Europe, they received votes from almost all of the former Soviet countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Even Russia gave Conchita Wurst five points!

The victory of Conchita sends a signal to the entire world that times are really changing and progress is being made. Eurovision was created in 1956 to reunite a war-torn continent. And it's being used today to mend relations and show the way towards a future of peace.

So, congratulations to Conchita Wurst. I hope we keep hearing about you in America.

Balkan Power

Never underestimate a good Balkan entry. The people in this region are fierce Eurovision fans. They vote a lot, and usually, for each other.  There's a strong, uniting drive that brings these countries together and makes them a powerful force in Eurovision.

The last Balkan nation to win Eurovision was Serbia in 2008. I think it's time for another Balkan victory.

These two fabulous weirdos are back with "Miracle." Paula Seling and Ovi were last seen at Eurovision in 2010, when they came third, giving Romania its best ever placement. It's no secret that I love them and would like to see them win on Saturday. They are great performers, and Romania would make a wonderful Eurovision host next year. This song might be a little too old-school-club-hit for some of Western Europe, but the Balkan countries will no doubt throw Paula and Ovi their support. Let's all hope Paula can hit that note.

Sergej Cetkovic is representing Montenegro with "Moj svijet" (translation: "My World"). Montenegro has been participating in Eurovision since 2007, and they have never made it through the semi-final. But with "Moj svijet," they have their first legitimate chance. Sergej is a big celeb in Eastern Europe, and I think this beautiful Balkan ballad will enchant international voters. Montenegro appears in the first semi-final tonight, and hopefully, they will sail through.

Russia, though not part of the Balkans, obviously has enormous influence in this region. From the gay rights scandals during the Winter Olympics, to the horrible ongoing clashes in Ukraine, Europeans are not happy with Russia's behavior lately. The Tolmachevy Sisters, two twin girls who won Junior Eurovision in 2006, will also perform in the semi-final tonight. Since their Eurovision debut in 2000, Russia has never missed a final. Will they be able to get the votes to make it out of the semi-final tonight? Or will Western European countries send their support elsewhere?

Americans watching at home, the first semi-final takes place at 2pm, Central Time. Watch it here.

Maria Yaremchuk Will Represent Ukraine

Eurovision season has officially started with the selection of Maria Yaremchuk! Ukraine is the first country this year to have a televised national final, and "Tick-Tock" by Yaremchuk was selected to compete in Copenhagen. 

Ukraine has an outstanding reputation at Eurovision. After debuting at the Contest the year before, they won in 2004 with Ruslana's "Wild Dances," and have passed through the semi-finals every year since. Ukraine came in second place in 2007 and 2008, and finished in third place last year. 

I expect Maria Yaremchuk will do well, as Ukraine almost always does well. Especially when they stick to the formula of sending a beautiful girl with a hot pop song. So good job, Ukraine!

Eurovision 2014 is less than six months away. In the following months, many more countries will be hosting their own national selections and announcing their representatives. 

Eurovision Royalty: Ruslana

In 2004, Ruslana became the first Ukrainian artist to win the Eurovision Song Contest. The Ukrainians debuted at Eurovision the year before; on their second try, Ruslana was awarded 280 points by audience votes, the most in ESC history at the time.

A Celebration of Sluts

Sluts are a proud tradition at Eurovision. Girls with high heels, tiny dresses, and big hair are a staple of the performances. Guys stand in front of wind machines until their shirts are literally ripped open, exposing toned, shiny abs underneath.

I love sluts. Sluts rock. The following are some of my favorite Eurovision sluts.