Eurovision 2018

[jonsie]

So it's come around again, that special Saturday in May..... what we have all been waiting for ... no not the FA Cup final, not even the Europa Final or the first balmy days of summer! Nope, it's the Saturday all nighters of the wonderful Eurovision 

Some questions therefore ::

• Are we all looking forward to it
• Do you have a favourite song
• Do you think the UK have now lost what little support they have had for the last 25 years
• Have you all got the extra wine and Vodka in ready
• Are we going to see anything worth downloading or even remembering 
• Are we going to be allowed to enter after next year given we have burnt all the bridges we took years to build
• Does anyone actually care

[Anonymous]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

I would also say he is revered more now due to his tragic skiing accident than his F1 career. People have very short memories in my opinion.

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Well it certainly gave lie to the widely held belief that F1 requires superhuman reaction times, and is incredibly physically demanding. All that's needed is an ability to make lots of decisions quickly, correctly, and consistently. Like say a jet fighter pilot. No doubt this was what was going through Schumacher's mind as he hurtled into the rock whilst skiing, which does require fast reaction times, and higher levels of fitness.

As to F1 in general I'm not convinced any more, it's not about competetivness, as back in the day, 70's & 80's - only 2 or 3 teams were competitive the lower orders were often lapped 6 or 7 times. But back then then the races were exciting and dramatic - and didn't have to build in artificial tyre stops - the sport was extremely dangerous and the cars a lot harder to drive and the drivers were a great deal more flamboyant - I'd trade you ten Vettels or Alonso's for one Hunt and one Piquet.. Put today's drivers into 1970's 400 bhp 3 litre V8's with no electronics, safety features or driver aides, and after a death or two we'd soon see the return of appeal of legendary Grand Prix drivers like Hunt the Shunt or Senna, as well as sorting out the men from the boys...

[Cleoriff]

I think it's very hard to compare the then and now of F1 @Anonymous. I have watched it since it first started.

it's like comparing the very first car I drove to the one I have now (which left alone would pretty much drive itself.)

Yes it was exciting back then, it was also deadly. The likes of Fangio, Moss, Hawthorn and Stewart put their lives on the line every time they stepped in an F1 car.

The cars of today are bigger and faster and akin to driving a computer. I don't particularly like the hybrid era of the V6. Much prefer the noise and excitement of the V10 and V8.

However, driving the cars of today need a lot more than an ability to drive. It needs an understanding of technology, the circuit, tyre and engine management and the instructions from the pit wall. 

I also think the new regulations for this year are on their way to killing the sport.

The stupid penalty system. the minimum of 3 engines and the inconsistency of punishing the drivers under investigation.

I could go on for hours but won't (as this is a thread about Eurovision)

Just finish by saying the drivers of today can (and have) driven the cars of the 60's. The drivers of that era and even much later couldn't drive the cars of today.

I saw David Coulthard attempt it, he said it was the most frightening experience of his life.

On that note I am off to watch FP1, in Barcelona. Due to start in 10 minutes...

Edited to add. The sport  today has NOT lost it's competitiveness.We are seeing Ferrari again beginning to dominate, after 4 years of Mercedes dominance and prior to that Red Bull. If my favourite driver Hamilton, is to win his 5th WDC, Mercedes need to pull their finger out

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous & @Cleoriff ... I'll be brief as it s a thread about Eurovision

I see F1 as a team sport with 'silly' rules & restrictions ... that's my very simple take on it ... it's far too quick for me to comprehend & I still don't like that noise ... hope Hamilton wins

I shall be watching the spectacle of Eurovision ... I wonder if it will be Graham Norton commentating?

Yes, I did like the late great Terry Wogan's commentary = it made it for me

I go back a long way with Eurovision to the days of black & white ... & ... remember in 1959 Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson with 'Sing Little Birdie, Sing Sing Sing' as UK's entry ... they came 2nd ... I'd be 5 years old or so

One of my favourite entries which won the contest was ... What's Another Year by Johnny Logan ... my dad told me it was a political song, but to me it was a beautiful sound

Edited for spelling

[jonsie]

Oh dear, and I thought we lived in a time of international enlightment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44078305

[Cleoriff]

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@jonsie wrote:

Oh dear, and I thought we lived in a time of international enlightment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44078305

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Good god!!!

Also on the news today, it said the UK  entry was currently running odds of 200/1

How embarrassing

[jonsie]

I wouldn't be betting on a UK victory no matter the odds. There will have to be emergency voting contingencies by all Russia's allies now they hav been eliminated in the semifinals....no need to fear any Putin sanctions now

[MI5]

Apparently there was a stage invasion during our girls performance and someone stole her microphone - probably deserves a medal 

[ComaChameleon]

Maybe Elizabeth has some medal for him/her

I found our song not bad (wondering about it, I never liked them).

What do you guys think about the countries singing in their own languages?

[Cleoriff]

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@ComaChameleon wrote:

Maybe Elizabeth has some medal for him/her

I found our song not bad (wondering about it, I never liked them).

What do you guys think about the countries singing in their own languages?

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Sorry @ComaChameleon. I'm not watching. Would rather watch paint dry...

[Anonymous]

I had planned to have the spectacle on the tv as 'background' ... as it happened, I forgot all about it because I was in good company enjoying myself dahn t' pub

I would say @ComaChameleon the contestants singing in their own language is a good idea ... were there sub-titles?

What about the voting system? ... has it improved at all?

Sorry, I should go downstairs & see for myself, but I just can't be ars'd