The Hikaruland ESC 2008 Preview Reviews

This time via webcam.

Albania to Cyprus. The Czechs will have to wait since Eurovision.tv seemed to not want to play the video.

(The hat is on because I had the window open for some fresh air.)

Hikaruland Eurovision 2008 Previews Part One

Hikaruland Eurovision 2008 Previews Part Two

Update: I've seen the Czech entry, which basically is the national final performance: Tereza capers about in short dress while dancers shimmy and a bunch of gruff looking men play backup. Very by-the-numbers, and not all that distinctive.

Pick Which Horrifies You The Most

A) Al Roker has 20 shows in the development.

Or

B) The content of those 20 shows in development by Al Roker.

The cutest advocates for fair elections you've ever seen

Korea's (Republic) Wonder Girls star in an advert for the upcoming assembly elections in Korea.




I gather the girls are suggesting that voters make up their own mind as opposed to being persuaded by outside forces.

If that's the point of the ad, then I hope the Wonder Girls are aware of the irony of them making that statement.

An Absolutely Fascinating Theory

The iron law of oligarchy.

The question is this: Has it already arrived in the US or how soon will it?

I think avoidance is off the table.

Happy Ending?

It's no secret that I liked Spitzer, particularly his policies and "screw you" attitude, and that it's rather sad to see his career end like it did, but I have to admit that thinking about a Patterson administration brings a little tear of happiness to my eye.

Good luck, Governor.

Eurovision 2008: Catwoman for Sweden

No, not Jocelyn Wildenstein, but Charlotte Perelli (ex-Nilsson) won that MF-ing thing over the weekend. (I'm sorry, but the pun was too tempting.) Hero is not that bad of a song, but while it's better than the bland ABBA knock-off that she won Eurovision [almost a decade ago] with, it's no Never Let It Go nor It Hurts (even if Catwoman is busy trying to emulate Lena Ph). Catwoman is also pretty off-key.

Eurovision 2008: Oh, Portugal

Well, the best song won. Not necessarily my own personal choice, but at least the most voter-friendly song (which by the way was written--at least in part--by a non-Portuguese).

Here is the recap.



Personally, I was pulling for Ricardo Soler (although he could show at least show some emotion.)

Eurovision 2008: We Like San Marino

We really like San Marino. Why? After all that was said and done--internally--they chose Miodio to be their debut representatives.

I'm a big Velvet fan.

I'm an even bigger Subsonica fan.

And yes, I do also like Bluvertigo (although not so much Morgan's solo work).

So Italian electroclash goes down very well with me.

Further Proof That Our Puritan Heritage Is Still With Us

Without a doubt, Eliot messed up, particularly as these prostitute purchases occurred while he was an elected official sworn to uphold the law.

That said, for the love of god, you'd think he'd was eating live babies and videotaping it judging by the media reaction. Clearly this is a sign that the man is not well-liked, but who elects politicians who are nice people? (Pay attention to that last phrase if you live in a state that has yet to vote in its primary.) As I see it, the man had a great agenda (and hopefully the LG will continue it) that is now ground to a halt.

The funny thing is this, we all have tire tracks on our backside, so are these militant "HE MUST GO NOW" people trying to cover up their own pecadillos? Hard to say.

Eurovision 2008: Up Yours, Dimaland

Dima Bilan won the Russian selection over the weekend (27 songs!), but in all honesty it should have gone to Sergey Lazarev (or has Jeff Timmons decided to reveal his heretofore unknown fluency in Russian?).




And for further proof look at this.

Eurovision 2008: Go Go Aleksa

If I ran Beovizija, Beli Jablan* would already be declared the winner. Quite interesting how Aleksa damn near flings and shakes himself all over the place and Ana just sort of sits there and throws sultry looks.



*Beli Jablan translates--I believe--as "white poplar." I'm assuming this is a metaphor which is lost on those of us who do not speak fluent Serbian. That said, I don't think "Guuurl, you are F.I.E.R.C.E" is the meaning.



Update: Aleksa & Ana came 2nd--as expected--to some torchy ballad written by this year's co-host. Rules? Fairplay? Not in Beovizija, the only national final that has featured riots. Anyway: Jelena will sing her thing, the angst queens will get their cry about their lonely lives in, and Serbia will place somewhere in the mid Top 10.

I Like You Eliot, but...

You're "involved" in a prostitute ring?

Is this a McGreevey mark II thing?

Eurovision 2008: Do Warren Beatty & Dustin Hoffman still talk about THAT film?

When I say Ishtar, you say...



The chances of Antwerp 2009 grow dimmer by the second. That said, the Belgians (Walloon division) sent Sanomi, that yckiejnrpnei song that made it to 2nd in 2003 (beating even tATu at the height of their fame/hype). Not that this is even in the same league.

Did that film get a Belgian release?

Eurovision 2008: Accentuate the Positive

Zapatero & The Socialists won!!!!

(And the Spanish public chose a really piss-poor joke entry to represent them in Belgrade.)

Did I mention that Zapatero won?

Eurovision 2008: Swing and a miss

Let's say you're Montenegro.

You just finished a semi-amicable split from former partner/parent (how Freudian!) Serbia.

Serbia won last year's Eurovision and is now hosting this year's festivities.

You didn't make it out of last year's qualifier.

So now, one would say, is the time to put on your best outfit and proceed to show the world (and your ex) just how well you are doing without them.

May I ask then, why you thought this was that song?

Eurovision 2008: Timbaland Continues His World Domination

Perhaps it's the money.

Perhaps it's the bragging rights.

Perhaps it's the challenge.

Timbaland is producing Dima Bilan's song for this year's Russian National Final.

Okay, it's definitely the money then.

Eurovision 2008: Sexpot Alert

San Marino is sending Massimo Bertacci, who quite frankly makes me think joyously lewd thoughts.

Unsurprisingly, he's singing a ballad.

Surprisingly, it's good.

Update (3/6): According to ESCtoday: Mr. Sex on legs is apparently only one of several entrants being considered to represent San Marino.

If I Ran The UK Preselection for Eurovision

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with the selection of Andy Abraham (and I would've voted for him, if I could), but when you think about it, why hasn't the UK ever sent an entry like Mercedes Club?*




*Finalist for the 2008 Icelandic preselection.

Ms. Amuro Finally Gets It Right

The final part of the Namie Amuro/Vidal Sassoon 60s70s80s trilogy has been released. It's What A Feeling, but it barely sounds like Flashdance apart from the chorus. Not to mention, I don't know who would want to revive 80s hair, but I'm also not in the hair care business, nor do I have an inkling as to what Japanese hair trends in the 80s were. (If the anime at the time is any inkling, the hair was BIG.)

That said, of all the videos, this is the one that seems to--no pun intended--hit all the right notes.

amuro namie "WHAT A FEELING"
Uploaded by GO-GO-STALIN

Now, This Is Radical

Jason Barlett is one of only six out black elected officials in the nation....although he's a recent closet-dropper...publicly, according to Gay City News.

The kicker? He's from Connecticut, and representing a district that is 96% white.