Homophobia.Why did Hungary bugger off again?
Why did Hungary bugger off again?
Hungary will not participate in next year’s Eurovision song contest, amid speculation the decision was taken because the competition is “too gay” for the taste of the country’s far-right government and public media bosses.
While no official reason has been given for the withdrawal, the move comes amid an increase in homophobic rhetoric in Hungary, where the anti-migration prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has launched a “family first” policy aimed at helping traditional families and boosting birth rates.
Earlier this year, the speaker of the Hungarian parliament compared same-sex adoption to paedophilia, while a pro-government television commentator referred to Eurovision as “a homosexual flotilla” and said not participating would benefit the nation’s mental health.
I guess this means we are going to see the Big 5 and Sweden earlier than usual from a rehearsal perspective also.The running orders will be revealed "shortly" INCLUDING the Big 5 and Sweden's performance positions in the semi-finals.
I'm dripping.
I mean, they’re not completely wrong. We’ve seen the devastating effects of some national finals on people’s sanitya pro-government television commentator referred to Eurovision as “a homosexual flotilla” and said not participating would benefit the nation’s mental health.
I mean, they’re not completely wrong. We’ve seen the devastating effects of some national finals on people’s sanity
I can articulate why....there's a balance to be struck between creating an entertaining and interesting show, and a small number of individuals having control over which song goes where and shafting others in the process(whether intentional or not).I assume this is the other "big change"... and I can see some people being really pissed off but not quite being able to articulate why:
Malmö 2024: Producers to get more “choice” in deciding Grand Final running order
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest introduces a change in how the Grand Final running order is decided. Artists can draw a performance in the First Half, in the Second Half, or there's now a brand-new third option!eurovision.tv
At least last year we had Peppa Pig to pull us through. Who’s the Swedish version of Peppa, Anna Book?I suppose it’s another LAYER of DISCUSSION to add to the mindless WITTERING ON we partake in between the semi and the finals, so I’m GRATEFUL for that AT LEAST.
True, but it really doesn’t feel right that’s it’s now in the hands of production which of those favourites gets a plum spot.I suppose another benefit is that we don’t run the risks of all the favourites being piled up in the first half.
Which host was it that first brought us the dreadful spectacle of announcing the winner before the voting was concluded? I’m pretty sure it happened in 2014 but did Sweden first pull the stunt in 2013? One of the very worst production innovations we have seen (and thankfully not really feasible with the current voting format).Björkman definitely has a habit of this sort of overreach but to be fair I think it's fairly academic. The favourites will still be the favourites and will likely do well from wherever. He's never going to shove Switzerland or Croatia out in second.
It will be interesting to see where the favourites do land, since it's so open this year. I would assume they'd quite like a Swiss win for an über safe pair of hands next year. Croatia are obviously lobbying hard as well, so it depends how credible their case for hosting is, whereas they may try to subtly undermine Italy and Ukraine as the former fumbled the ball a bit in 2022 and the latter brings a whole extra layer of complication.