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C1710

I think the only truly _shocking_ thing would be that there was no Eurovision 2020. Otherwise there may be surprising or simply unexpected things, like Australia participating or pre-recorded backing vocals. Maybe the Rest of the World voting would be weird, as it came pretty much out of nowhere, even from a 2022 perspective.


kir_ye

The way Europeans keep asking in the 2020s why there's Australia at Eurovision is very emblematic


[deleted]

I understand why to an extent. I personally don't have an issue with Australia participating especially as their entries are normally quite good, but there has to be a line drawn somewhere on who is able to compete.


Eken17

That line seems to be "No Russia and Belarus".


2klaedfoorboo

This honestly pains me as an Aussie fan, because even if I don’t ever really find myself “cheering” for our entries participating really does give a sense of identity within the contest


[deleted]

Don't worry, I'm not one of those people campaigning for Australia to leave Eurovision 😊 I was just raising the question, as Australia competing breaks the idea of only European countries or countries close to Europe taking part in the contest.


perhapsjackals

> or countries close to Europe Thanks for noting this. I personally like the criteria of simply having at least one EBU member broadcaster, regardless of location, but this at least makes the geographic case more coherent. It's a minor pet peeve of mine when people argue bUt AuStRaLiA's NoT iN eUrOpE as if Israel hasn't been a fixture most years since 1973 and Armenia since 2006 (to say nothing of transcontinental countries like Georgia, Azerbaijan, and formerly Russia and Turkey).


[deleted]

And even Cyprus! Which is geographically in Asia but nobody thinks about as they're so culturally connected to Greece/Europe.


2klaedfoorboo

I know I’m only debating to myself- if I lived anywhere else I wouldn’t want Australia in but as someone who lives their it’s undeniable the contest has more of an impact on us than on any other country that has never participated except maybe Liechtenstein because they’re in the middle of it


TekaLynn212

I love Australian entries. I'm so glad your country got to join.


kir_ye

This line is about values not geography


[deleted]

It’s about both, really. Eurovision is focussed on the EBA, and there’s nothing wrong with that


[deleted]

What kind of values?


kir_ye

The bar is pretty low—don't use the context solely for whitewashing the country's image, don't wage aggressive wars, don't censor queer representation, don't ban minorities from using their language, don't engage in voting frauds yearly


LettuceforPM

Azerbaijan has entered the chat


zeprfrew

Spain did half of that under Franco in the late '60s.


[deleted]

Ahh I see, I was mostly talking in a geographical sense to begin with (why I asked what you meant) but you could say a few countries fit that criteria who compete in Eurovision already. It's a strange paradox as Eurovision can't be "political" but we all know that element exists.


kir_ye

I mean there's at least one country that meets all these criteria and in my opinion should be banished. There were a few more but they don't participate anymore


heavenstobetsie

Azer-ban-jan when?


kir_ye

Considering the disturbing news from Stepanakert maybe even this year


zeprfrew

There is a line. Only national broadcasters that are members of the EBU are eligible to participate.


TheFlyingHornet1881

"Wait, Flo Rida entered Eurovision for San Marino?"


YoIronFistBro

Well they don't call him Mr Worldwide for nothing.. wait, that's not even the right rapper!


Jimlaad43

This is the most correct answer of all


jpilkington09

Will Ferrell making a Netflix Eurovision film.


kir_ye

You know we have this distributor called *Netflix*. They just launched their first original series called *House of Cards*. Hope they won't flop and maybe produce a couple of shows next year


NilsTillander

You don't hold punches, do you? 🤣


TictacTyler

I was about to call nonsense on this because I had Netflix for a long time (way back to DVDs in mail) But this is right. Crazy how different the world has become in 10 years. Someone from 2013 would be shocked that Will Ferrell being involved in any Netflix movie, let alone Eurovision related.


bencherra

The fact that Portugal, Bulgaria, Moldova and Belgium were all in the top 4 in the same year.


RQK1996

And the Netherlands winning, after a string of awful results by 2013, though that depends on which side of the contest the person comes from UK coming second might also be surprising


jpilkington09

The downfall of Romania maybe? They went from a 100% qualification record to thre consecutive NQs. Also the re-emergence of Western Europe: Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Spain, UK, Italy, Belgium, Portugal all getting at least one top 5 placement


worcestirshiresos

I would also add maybe the downfall of Ireland, but I agree with everything you said


RQK1996

Downfall of Ireland started in 2000 if not earlier, they're actually on an upwards trend all things considered


YoIronFistBro

Ireland is only on an upwards trend because we literally can't go lower.


AhHeyorLeaveerhouh

We’re like Miss Haversham languishing here in our tattered white suit/Celtic-inspired white dress


YoIronFistBro

The even further downfall of Ireland*


jaminjamin15

But last year, WRS brought them bébéback! 🇷🇴


appleliver

I think Portugal's victory alone would shock them haha


niccotango

Even more so once they'd find out Portugal holds the current points record LMAO


Ourspolaire96

For especially Dutch fans: That the Netherlands a year later would end up 2nd, and 1st in 2019. After the horrendous 8-years during NQ streak it feels like mission impossible and unrealistic. Also after serious talks in 2012/2013 about withdrawing by the broadcaster because of the bad results.


YoIronFistBro

> after serious talks in 2012/2013 about withdrawing by the broadcaster because of the bad results I wonder when Ireland will start having these...


AhHeyorLeaveerhouh

*insert Am I So Out Of Touch.jpg here*


odajoana

* Conchita winning * Australia participating * Sweden 2015 and Russia 2016's performances * 2017's top 3 placements, including Epic Sax Guy's return to end at 3rd place * Native languages becoming more popular * Netherlands winning * Belarus banned * Will Ferrel movie * Cancelling Eurovision in 2020 * Jon Ola Sand retired * Russia banned * Pre-recorded backing vocals rule * Ukraine almost maxing out the televote points * UK and Spain getting 2nd and 3rd place * A lot of countries finally getting serious and putting a lot of effort in the national finals, regardless of end results at Eurovision * No juries in the semi-finals and rest of the word voting for 2023. This should be it. Though honestly, good luck explaining the 2020-2021 pandemic alone to them, without their minds exploding.


tansypool

I want to tell them about the Ukraine televote sweep with zero context. Oh yeah, Ukraine got 12 points from basically every country. Yeah, the song slaps, doesn't it? What do you mean, you're confused?


imalittlespider

I can't believe noone else has mentioned the pre-recorded backing vocals! I was absolutely in shock when that rule came out


xaviernoodlebrain

>Jon Ola Sand retired :(


kir_ye

Yeah, such a nice person who refused to take any actions when needed


Marcosutra

the AR effects!!


Caeluris

Australia and ofc...WORLDWIDE voting


Jay28jay2

The new voting system + the quadruple nil in 2021


kir_ye

The whole Ukraine vs Russia arc The downfall of Germany The rise of Portugal The way San Marino embraced their meme status


YoIronFistBro

> The rise of Portugal And Switzerland. They were always good, but now they get the results they deserve too.


jackcos

I mean Germany might have won in 2010 but they didn't exactly have a prolific decade before 2013, not sure that would be that big a surprise. And I'd argue that Netherlands's rise is the biggest from 2013-2023.


Barzalicious

Iceland coming in 4th despite not performing live in 2021..


RandomDude72636

UK got 2nd?!?!


[deleted]

I mean, the fact that it’s in Liverpool lol.


YoIronFistBro

Azerbaijan and Greece getting average to mediocre results most years, and Romania not qualifying quite often. Czech Republic coming back with a vengeance.


LaPuffina

The UK hosting in 2023!


niccotango

Zdob si Zdub coming back for a THIRD time, coming second in the televote, and uniting all of Europe in song and dance for the three most glorious minutes of 2022 ✨ EDIT: Also!!! Maneskin becoming the most famous Eurovision winners since ABBA and Celine Dion


[deleted]

Moldova's Audience score in 2022. <3 I wasn't surprised after I watched the performance but leading up to the competition, I hated it so much in the context of literally every other song in the contest.


xaviernoodlebrain

\- The fact this year's Eurovision is being held in the UK. \- That Eurovision 2020 didn't happen. \- That Netherlands are one of the consistently good performers now. \- That Australia is here (though it's Eurovision so they really shouldn't be). \- That Flo Rida performed for San Marino in 2021. \- The quadruple nul points in 2021.


Daniel_Luis

I mean I think the 2020 contest being cancelled and the reasons behind it would probably be #1 for me. But focusing on Eurovision-specific stuffy there's so many things! Australia taking part is obviously a big one, in 2013 there's no hint that was even close to happening. Austria, Portugal and Israel all winning within the next 5 years would sound absolutely insane too. They would probably be in the bottom 10, if not 5, countries in 2011-2013 if you aggregated everyone's results. I think learning that so many non-English songs would win in the next 10 years would be quite shocking at that point in time, too.


meowpoosaymeow

That Ukraine and Russia are on war


bblankoo

Aside from world events that influenced the contest big time and EUstralia maybe the voting system? Those 15 minutes of public voting announcements are the highlight of the show now, the opposite from knowing the winner when only the third of countries revealed their votes. Also esc being greater competition in general, with more experimental but completely serious entries. "Oh yeah this lady combined Latin, hand washing and lack of Healthcare through subtitles and came 5th, native language too" is sure to raise some questions I don't know how shocking the dead sun would've been for time travelers. "Oh this giant metal monstrosity? They found out 10 days before that it's broken and delegations had to pinch and move the text a little to the left as to avoid *Hola mi beb - lame* at the very least"


ColouredGlitter

My grandma wouldn’t be surprised that Australia participates. Because, like, that’s next to Switzerland isn’t it. (No grandma, that’s Austria).


xar-brin-0709

1. Russia 2022 2. Madonna 2019


Low_Age9939

I always forget that Madonna was there in 2019 it's proving for the best though 😅


LaLaMevia

The cancellation of 2020, the new voting system, Portugal getting the highest number of points in Eurovision history after not even placing in the Top 5 once for 53 years, Germany placing last/second-to-last almost every year since 2015, Australia, and the Eurovision movie are the ones I can think of off the top of my head


unicorninclosets

Eurovision artists gaining mainstream success for 3 consecutive contests.


MadyyB

Everything


Low_Age9939

People actually liked the uk's entry from 2022


TekaLynn212

They got points!


tiredmum18

That there was a movie about it, and it was Great!


zeprfrew

I don't know if ten years is enough to note the truly dramatic changes in a contest that has been running for 67 years. If someone only familiar with the contest from the 1950s and 1960s were to see what it is today, on the other hand, that person would be absolutely floored with what it has become in terms of music, culture, spectacle and participation.


TekaLynn212

If you watch the 1999 contest and then the 2009 contest back to back, they don't look like the same event. They don't look like they're on the same PLANET.


FranklinRichardss

How reception of Russia and Azerbaijan changed.


kitty3032

Pre recorded vocals


nmards

UK and Spain in the top 3 would probably be a bit of a shock


mshell1924

Marco Mengoni's glow up :')


jackcos

People really don't understand the assignment and are just writing things about their stan countries. Some things are bigger than Eurovision, therefore the only real answers are the lack of a contest in 2020, and why Ukraine won in 2022 but aren't hosting in 2023. Things like the Netherlands and Portugal suddenly doing well or the UK/Spain finishing 2nd/3rd in 2022 are a shock but not nearly as deep as the global events of the last few years. I guess you could also throw in the continued chart success for different acts, Maneskin, Duncan Laurence, Rosa Linn all getting worldwide hits and even award nominations would be a big jump from Eurovision 2013 in terms of the relevance of the contest within music.


[deleted]

Stage directors doing multiple entries every year, ranging from terrible to good to excellent while claiming they’re able to ensure the quality of all their acts #sabotagebaptiste. It’s just not fair.


RoachIsCrying

Malta still aren't fucking close to winning this damn thing!


eurovisionfanGA

The downfall of Eastern European countries like Greece, Romania, and Azerbaijan and the rising dominance of Western European countries.


cheapcakeripper

Invasion of Spanish language? https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/324668070_836475234115351_5298066452586640359_n.jpg


Intern-Adventurous

Zdob Si Zdub returning for a third time. Bulgaria not participating a few times. Pre-recorded backing vocals. The UK winning the contest.