Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - Mod warning in the OP

It was something of a running joke for years that Norway always lost. norveige nil point, was a common expression. until 2009 Alexander Rubek and Fairytale which is my all time favorite eurosong, came along and won.

Something to think about. RTE don't want to win it. As bizarre as it sounds, Ireland sending a song about a Russian dog sounds, with a Norwegian band has been orchestrated to fail.

I know people on here have said the feedback has been positive and it's in no way linked to Russia but let's face facts, there is anti Russia sentiment all over Europe at the moment. Anything with even a miniscule tenuous link to Russia is not getting voted for.

There was someone on with Anton Savage over the weekend who said for the last few years RTE spends about 300k on the Eurovision entry. To put that into context, less than they pay Ray Darcy.

They don't want us to win because then they'd have to host it, which will cost way more.

Back in 1993, we were delighted to win and host it. Riverdance became a thing as a result. It's been suggested that the Celtic tiger was helped in no small way by us winning the Eurovision. But now we don't want to. Which is why we sent Dustin one year.

Johnny logan has a song penned for nxt year ..a sure fire winner!! WHATS ANOTHER QUEER !!!!lol

Just to clarify, 2009 was not the first time that Norway won the contest. Its first time winning was with the act Bobbysocks! in 1985 with "La det swinge". Norway won again in 1995 (between all the Irish wins!) with Nocturne by Secret Garden, a duo that included an Irish violinist. Now a Norwegian act is representing Ireland! Norway does hold the record for the most bottom finishes alright.

Incidentally, it was in 1994 that Riverdance was the interval act just to clarify the timeline.

The 1990s was definitely Ireland's most successful decade for the Eurovision. There were the wins of course in 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1996, which meant hosting the contest in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1997. But also Ireland came 2nd in 1990 with Somewhere in Europe by Liam Reilly and in 1997 with Mysterious Woman by Marc Roberts.

I knew someone would correct me on some of the facts, but the points expressed remain the same. RTE don't want to win and selected a song which won't win.

I think misplaced nostalgia is doing a lot of heavy lifting for Donal there…. Mumba existed in an era where bands/'artists' like that were coming off a production line, and she happened to get lucky when a few of the songs she was given to sing did semi-well here and maybe the U.K. but only for a fairly brief period, and for a very select (young) fanbase, and that was it…

Calling her an 'icon'? Steady on there Donal and stick to filleting your fingers on live TV kiddo..

the panel don’t have a vote so you can’t blame her.

I'm pretty sure they did a few years ago.. the time she had the big bust up with the lad from Aslan, I seem to remember her having a lot more influence back then, and it definitely wasn't the same format they currently use.. I think it was a panel vote & a public vote combined, but she had sway over some of the other panelists because she was Queen Linda..

I'll admit I have a modicum of sympathy for Samantha. Twenty-five years ago, she had a massive hit with Gotta Tell You, and even managed to break through in the US (no easy task.) It can't have been easy for her to stand there on Friday night and listen to criticism from people who were kids (except Arthur) when she was a big star.

On the other hand…25 years is awful long time in music and entertainment, and if she thought she could return to Ireland and become a big star again almost immediately, then she was incredibly naive. She also must have known that by putting herself into a competition she ran the risk that she might not win.

Had she entered Eurosong in 2001, she'd have won in a landslide (she wouldn't have done it then, of course, because she probably considered herself too big for Eurovision). Had she entered in 2014, when Louis and Linda still held a lot of sway on panels and in juries, she'd likely have won too. Coming back to my sympathy point, it can't be easy for her to have to accept that her time has passed.

Do I recall her saying in the intro that she'd done more rehearsal for that performance hhen she had ever done previously? It sure didn't look like it tbh.

The panel weren't particularly young and Samantha is hardly old. Arthur and Donal are around the same age as her, and Laura and Bambie are in their 30s.

Adgy

Arthur said beautiful strong, but monotone, needed more of a crescendo.

Donal 'really polished', vocals on point, performance slick, needed more of a crescendo.

Laura Gorgeous, vocals hit so hard.

Bambi, Beautiful, vocals amazing.

Donal didnt think traditional Irish stuff would work anymore in Eurovision but called it a lovely performance, great song, great singer, need a more modern song.

Laura said reylta had a fine set of lungs on her, performance was fantastic.

Arthur said it beautiful performance, but the vocals of a song for the end credits of a movie.

Bambi beautiful song, beautiful voice but won't stand out or make impact at eurovision.

Donal 'eurovision ready'.

Bambi 'loved it' a bop. Sweet. Good vocals. Wants better costuming. Vocals same as on recording

Arthur Performance of the night. A guilty pleasure.

Laura Vocals same as on recording.

I was going to vote for Samantha Mumba as she’s a great performer but the song just wasn’t good enough unfortunately.
That said, I didn’t like the ‘pundits” at all, when Patrick Kielty asked Skehen about what his opinions were on the first song, Donal proceeded to talk about himself and his own love of Eurovision offering no opinion whatsoever and then had a laugh with Bambi about something random. It was disrespectful and came across as arrogant. The performers Adgy had just done a nice performance of their song. They deserved an opinion and proper respect. Their song on Spotify plays very well and it’s really stuck in my head. Laika was the best of the night and I hope it does ok for Ireland.

it’s crazy having a panel giving opinions before a vote has taken place in a competition like this. Why have a panel at all? It seems they just need them to pad 6 songs plus voting into a 2 hour show.

RTE not taking this seriously.