Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - Mod warning in the OP

the jury vote comes first. It’s the televote that reshuffles things. Considerably.

You are forgetting something very important. RTE dont want to win. They don't want to come close to winning it.

Ireland not getting into the final was not incompetence by RTE it was perfectly orchestrated by them to be thus.

But they definitely do not want to win. It's very hard selecting a mediocre song.

I made a promise to only talk about the music when it comes to Israel on this thread.

So I can now say how radioactively bland and uninspiring ‘New Day Will Rise’ is.

Just like Eden Golan’s ‘Hurricane’ last year, every beat is as predictable as an ‘X-Factor’ winning song - soft intro, slow piano, build up in second verse, bit of oomph in the second chorus, vocal range show-off at the middle eight, key change, shower of sparks.

Judged PURELY ON THE MUSIC, I would never put this through in a million years.

..

He is still in that mode from 20 years ago when we were sniggering at the wacky Eastern entries thinking it was a phase.

Time to bring in someone who actually gets and appreciates what the show is now. Although we don't need some super fan cheerleader either.

The problem I have with Israel's entry is that it's a propaganda piece. The second in a row. The amout of advertising Israel are doing around the world demonstrates it's purpose.

I'm not taking away from the ordeal the contestant went through but there should be rules against this stuff. It's cynical.

He is of the same generation as Joe Duffy. Both have a history of sniggering at "foreign" accents.

It's not that long ago that "Chinaman" jokes were a staple on Liveline's Funny Friday - with the host tittering along.

And I STILL hear Marty play the song "Goodness Gracious Me" on Lyric from time to time. That's the one where Peter Sellars impersonates a South Asian doctor.

Probably not a great look in this day and age.

The Irish song wasn't very good. For Ireland to move forward in the competition it has to stand out. Samantha Mumba would have been better to send as she's well known, much like Jedward (though I don't know how well in Europe) but I know many in America and Canada know who she is.

You need a big song, with big production, it doesn't have to be novelty. But it has to make an impact. I don't think Bambi Thug was going to win, but I knew she'd do well. That's largely because it was different and knew the audience.

They have to move away from TLLS eurosongs. Even if for entertainment here at home.