Eurovision song contest (Photo credit: kjelljoran)
Yes, I know, Richard Dawkins would have us believe that godless creation is The Greatest Show on Earth, but the truth is that Eurovision is.
Eurovision: the most watched non-sporting competition in the world. And it’s on tomorrow evening.
It’s at times an unbelievable showcase of Europe’s varied music scene; I can’t remember the last time Germany didn’t put in a heavy metal or dark hip-hop band, and Eastern Europe’s addiction to club music is contagious.
It’s also the most unexpected version of political you can imagine; countries that in any other situation hate one another’s guts vote for one another every single year, and Azerbaijan (this year’s hosts) went to extreme lengths to simply black out the screen during Armenia’s performance, and arrested people who voted for them. Epic.
And the UK has this magic way of simultaneously finding Eurovision a living joke while really wanting to win, and puts in some of the most odd performers our country can muster: Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Blue (remember how Eurovision was meant to be their springboard back to fame? Ha!) and of course #thehump Engelbert Humperdink, a man I genuinely thought was a fictional character until two weeks ago. Thanks Princess Bride.
Anyway, if you’re not busy enough cheering on England against Norway tomorrow evening, or just want something to switch over to beforehand, during halftime, and afterwards, why not have a little look at the second largest flagpole in the world?!
Come on Russia!
And, while we’re at it, who can believe that Jedward are back again?!
