Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - Mod warning in the OP

Just to add - I think Slovenia might be safe…I don't like it at all, but you can see how how it might get though to people, especially those who might have a loved one who is ill. Plus the staging is impressive, and Klemen is a big name in Slovenia, so he knows how to perform.

After his "endorsement" of Conor McGregor for president the other day, I hope Tommy Cash is on the first flight to Tallinn tomorrow morning.

I can't stand Rylan in anything, and while he calls himself a "superfan", I bet he couldn't tell you who finished third last year or who won in 2019. I have a friend just like him, calls himself a massive Eurovision fan and for the two weeks leading to the contest, plays the entries constantly, has them all over his social media etc., then forgets about them all once the contest is over for the year, and doesn't mention Eurovision again until April the following year.

The advantage with the BBC is no ads, though that means you have to either watch the host broadcaster's filler for the countries without ads or a BBC insert, which are always awful.

Re. Emmy, keep a close eye on what happens with the likes of Iceland and San Marino this evening. If they qualify, you would think Laika Party is in a great position to qualify i.e. it would mean fun and uptempo is in for the televoters this year.

Oh…so Marty’s STILL commentating?

Interesting that Sweden percentage is about half what Kaariaa and Baby Lasagna had in similar polls after their jury SF rehearsal and I'd argue they had tougher competition. Perhaps a sign that while BBB is popular and could win the televote on Saturday they might not landslide it, I think they'll need at least 350 points in the televote to offset a lower jury score to be in contention.

Switzerland has become a real dark horse. I'm intrigued to see the staging (all filmed on a single camera shot) and what the reaction is afterwards.

One big difference is that it was 50-50 voting that year and Brooke was 11th in the televote. If all the fun / uptempos go through this evening, I'd say Emmy is a near cert to qualify from SF2. If some of the slow or 'strange' ones like Slovenia, Croatia, Portugal and Azerbaijan qualify instead, then all bets are off.

I feel sorry for Azerbaijan (not something I say very often), because they're doomed being the first act on after the break. Why couldn't Italy sing after the break, not before? (I assume it's because one of the acts must have big props and the 30-sec gap isn't long enough to move everything.)

Who’s getting REALLY excited now?

it was a religion in our house for years - what am I saying - decades.

We agreed with Russia being banned after the Ukraine invasion.

We will not be watching this year.

Do I need say why?

ok.

ISRAEL.

Not enough yodelling

Joe Lycett missing one of his suits tonight.

I've seen no songs bar ourselves and Sweden. Almost obligatory to have a look at their song!

Let’s go!