[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by ~Kerry~

It's been a political contest for years now. I just watch for Terry (past) and now Grahams remarks

This.

It was one of the highlights of the show when I used to watch it when Terry Wogan was presenting - with his wicked one liners and pot shots at which country would vote for which, with his not so 'tongue in cheek' acknowledgement that allies were sooking up each others arses to keep in each others good books. Even if the songs were the worst thing ever.....

As I said earlier: the contest is a joke. Anyone taking it seriously need their heads looked at.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

This.

...

As I said earlier: the contest is a joke. Anyone taking it seriously need their heads looked at.

I agree Pyramid, it is more of a joke but a highly prestigious one for International recognition. I actually find I like the diversity of the other countries and the songs they put in,its a highly enjoyable joke but that's only my opinion.

I don't take it seriously,but enjoy it enormously.as do all my student friends who watch it avidly too. It still gets a massive audience watching it and voting in it too.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

I agree Pyramid, it is more of a joke but a highly prestigious one for International recognition. I actually find I like the diversity of the other countries and the songs they put in,its a highly enjoyable joke but that's only my opinion.

I don't take it seriously,but enjoy it enormously.as do all my student friends who watch it avidly too. It still gets a massive audience watching it and voting in it too.

Highly prestigious? Oh come on!!!

It's never that in it's life. Entertaining in a completely inane way, but never ever could it be considered of prestigious International recognition.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Highly prestigious? Oh come on!!!

It's never that in it's life. Entertaining in a completely inane way, but never ever could it be considered of prestigious International recognition.

Surprised you take that line sadly, it used to be the vehicle for some artists to break through worldwide, Celine Dion,Johnny Logan had massive world success and they were in Eurovision but it openred the door for loads of UK acts across Europe after they represented the UK.

The last 7 or 8 years it has lost that status but it did if you read the history of Eurovision,open the door for many acts worldwide that otherwise may have stayed closed to them.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

Surprised you take that line sadly, it used to be the vehicle for some artists to break through worldwide, Celine Dion,Johnny Logan had massive world success and they were in Eurovision but it openred the door for loads of UK acts across Europe after they represented the UK.

The last 7 or 8 years it has lost that status but it did if you read the history of Eurovision,open the door for many acts worldwide that otherwise may have stayed closed to them.

It might have opened the doors, in that it gave them a platform to be heard, but they still would not have won due to talent, but due to who was pally with who, which country had fallen out with which one, and what countries were trying to curry favour with others. If the winning country happened to have a singer/group who were half decent, I'd have thought that was a lucky byproduct for the singer/group concerned - - but to class it as Highly Prestigious on an international level? Nope, can't agree on that one at all.

And I'd say it's been a laughing stock for about double the length of time you feel it lost it's way - if not even longer than that.

[In the Drunk Tank]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

It might have opened the doors, in that it gave them a platform to be heard, but they still would not have won due to talent, but due to who was pally with who, which country had fallen out with which one, and what countries were trying to curry favour with others. If the winning country happened to have a singer/group who were half decent, I'd have thought that was a lucky byproduct for the singer/group concerned - - but to class it as Highly Prestigious on an international level? Nope, can't agree on that one at all.

And I'd say it's been a laughing stock for about double the length of time you feel it lost it's way - if not even longer than that.

I dont think that used to be the case, look which 4 countries have won it the most; Ireland, France, the UK & Luxembourg. None of those countries have that many guranteed votes, or that many other countries that can be relied on to give them points. It's become a lot more about voting for your neighbours since Yugoslavia was dissolved but before then I dont necessarily think it was. It was Eurovision that first launched the career of Abba who went on to become one the most successful bands of all time, I dont think you can just put that win down to Sweden being "pally" with other countries

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

It might have opened the doors, in that it gave them a platform to be heard, but they still would not have won due to talent, but due to who was pally with who, which country had fallen out with which one, and what countries were trying to curry favour with others. If the winning country happened to have a singer/group who were half decent, I'd have thought that was a lucky byproduct for the singer/group concerned - - but to class it as Highly Prestigious on an international level? Nope, can't agree on that one at all.

And I'd say it's been a laughing stock for about double the length of time you feel it lost it's way - if not even longer than that.

Originally Posted by MTVN

I dont think that used to be the case, look which 4 countries have won it the most; Ireland, France, the UK & Luxembourg. None of those countries have that many guranteed votes, or that many other countries that can be relied on to give them points. It's become a lot more about voting for your neighbours since Yugoslavia was dissolved but before then I dont necessarily think it was. It was Eurovision that first launched the career of Abba who went on to become one the most successful bands of all time, I dont think you can just put that win down to Sweden being "pally" with other countries

Abba won in 1974. 36 years ago. You'll see the last part of my post above, bolded in blue - made reference to it being a laughing stock and not to be taken seriously for quite some time.

I didn't suggest the policital aspect had any impact 36 years ago: given that Joeysteele quoted 7 or 8 years and I suggested double that time frame - that's clearly the point at which I personally fel the political side came into play and at which point politics decided the winner rather than talent.

[patsylimerick]

So here's the thing with Jedward. When they first appeared on our screen, I hid behind my hands and cringed, as I did for quite a few weeks. The smallies make me watch X Factor and I found them growing on me against my better judgement. And here's why.
They are unfailingly polite, positive and full of energy. They are somewhat talented, though not greatly, but make up for that by working like Clydesdales, exuding energy and positivity and accepting criticism with a 'fair enough, but our fans like us so we'll keep doing it for them'. They don't respond with 'g'way u sad &^%$ you have a sad little life and I've got a new car nanananaa'. They carry on with what they're doing.
Friday night they were on cloud 9,999,999 because they were (just) selected to represent Ireland in the Eurovision. Their excitement was infectious.
They are polite and sweet and, In One, I think Niamh is bang on, not the sharpest knives in the drawer but extremely driven. They are well spoken (if you can get past the weird planet Jedward pseudo-American accents ). According to several industry insiders who have spoken about them on the X Factor and since, they work twice as hard as everyone around them and then for a little bit longer. They have been booed by thousands and never once utter a word in martyrdom. NEVER. They understand that they are not to everyone's taste and are immensely grateful to have the fans that they have.
They are, in actual fact, the exact opposite in attitude and demeanour to so many zelebrities and, in particular, the spawn of some Reality shows we are all familiar with. A perfect contrast. I'm delighted for them.

[Zippy]

Originally Posted by patsylimerick

They are unfailingly polite, positive and full of energy.

No, they are rude, arrogant and obnoxious. Like when they went into the BB house and rammed past certain HMs.

They only started to tone down the arrogance when they re-appeared for the live shows on XF. Clearly they'd been instructed to change their behaviour by Louis walsh because they needed to actually win votes from the public.

[patsylimerick]

Originally Posted by Zippy

No, they are rude, arrogant and obnoxious. Like when they went into the BB house and rammed past certain HMs.

They only started to tone down the arrogance when they re-appeared for the live shows on XF. Clearly they'd been instructed to change their behaviour by Louis walsh because they needed to actually win votes from the public.

I don't know if you missed the point of the Ignore the Obvious task. They did exactly what they were asked to do and it was hilarious. The most hilarious part of it was the look on that pathetic twonk Andrew's face. If he was looking at me like that, he'd have got a lot more than rammed. That silly little twerp - who was going to go in and confront Dave, remember?, and ends up at Gloryfest a few months later because his nose is so deeply embedded in the obnoxious JJ's arse. John, or Edward, or whoever it was, didn't ram him half hard enough.

edit: so other when they did what they were asked to do and cause chaos - where's the link for someone who spent time with them describing them as rude and/or obnoxious? I'd love to see it.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by patsylimerick

So here's the thing with Jedward. When they first appeared on our screen, I hid behind my hands and cringed, as I did for quite a few weeks. The smallies make me watch X Factor and I found them growing on me against my better judgement. And here's why.
They are unfailingly polite, positive and full of energy. They are somewhat talented, though not greatly, but make up for that by working like Clydesdales, exuding energy and positivity and accepting criticism with a 'fair enough, but our fans like us so we'll keep doing it for them'. They don't respond with 'g'way u sad &^%$ you have a sad little life and I've got a new car nanananaa'. They carry on with what they're doing.
Friday night they were on cloud 9,999,999 because they were (just) selected to represent Ireland in the Eurovision. Their excitement was infectious.
They are polite and sweet and, In One, I think Niamh is bang on, not the sharpest knives in the drawer but extremely driven. They are well spoken (if you can get past the weird planet Jedward pseudo-American accents ). According to several industry insiders who have spoken about them on the X Factor and since, they work twice as hard as everyone around them and then for a little bit longer. They have been booed by thousands and never once utter a word in martyrdom. NEVER. They understand that they are not to everyone's taste and are immensely grateful to have the fans that they have.
They are, in actual fact, the exact opposite in attitude and demeanour to so many zelebrities and, in particular, the spawn of some Reality shows we are all familiar with. A perfect contrast. I'm delighted for them.

I 100% agree with you on this really good post, the only difference is I liked Jedward on the X Factor right from the auditions,but really, congratulations on a really informative and very fair post.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by patsylimerick

So here's the thing with Jedward. When they first appeared on our screen, I hid behind my hands and cringed, as I did for quite a few weeks. The smallies make me watch X Factor and I found them growing on me against my better judgement. And here's why.
They are unfailingly polite, positive and full of energy. They are somewhat talented, though not greatly, but make up for that by working like Clydesdales, exuding energy and positivity and accepting criticism with a 'fair enough, but our fans like us so we'll keep doing it for them'. They don't respond with 'g'way u sad &^%$ you have a sad little life and I've got a new car nanananaa'. They carry on with what they're doing.
Friday night they were on cloud 9,999,999 because they were (just) selected to represent Ireland in the Eurovision. Their excitement was infectious.
They are polite and sweet and, In One, I think Niamh is bang on, not the sharpest knives in the drawer but extremely driven. They are well spoken (if you can get past the weird planet Jedward pseudo-American accents ). According to several industry insiders who have spoken about them on the X Factor and since, they work twice as hard as everyone around them and then for a little bit longer. They have been booed by thousands and never once utter a word in martyrdom. NEVER. They understand that they are not to everyone's taste and are immensely grateful to have the fans that they have.
They are, in actual fact, the exact opposite in attitude and demeanour to so many zelebrities and, in particular, the spawn of some Reality shows we are all familiar with. A perfect contrast. I'm delighted for them.

Fair points you've raised Patsy. I don't like them but in all honestly, now that you've put up this post, I can't recall them taking the high and mighty stance - but they do seem to take it on the chin and just get on with what they are doing. so yep, I can see where you are coming from.