Can we Brexit Eurovision?

Can we Brexit Eurovision?

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norman lebrecht

November 28, 2019

Hungary has pulled out of the Eurovision Song Contest,

The official reason? ‘Instead of taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020, we will support the valuable productions created by the talents of Hungarian pop music directly.’

They’re probably right.

Wish we’d do the same. That would be a worthwhile Brexit.

 

Comments

  • John Rook says:

    Good on Hungary. Eurovision has become a grandstand for narcissistic identity politics these last few years. The songs are largely dreadful, too; talent-free performers and ‘songwriters’ alike (except for that French girl who didn’t get the nod last time, much to the chagrin of many).

    • Brettermeier says:

      “Good on Hungary. Eurovision has become a grandstand for narcissistic identity politics these last few years.”

      Funny, because “narcissistic identity politics” is the only thing the ESC and Hungary have in common. Oh, and bad music.

  • Probably money better spent elsewhere.

    Bulgaria dropped out in 2019 and cited the € 5.3 million cost of an entry as the reason.

    https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/bulgaria-withdraws-from-eurovision-2019

    A back-to-basics edition of Eurovision, a la MTV “Unplugged” might be a worthwhile experiment.

  • V. Lind says:

    Sounds like Hungary’s Got Talent is on the way.

  • Mustafa Kandan says:

    Yes, that would be the best Brexit.

  • Marionette au fil says:

    I-iiiiii wonder if one day that,
    We’ll say that, we’re out
    If they’ll really allow us to go,
    We’ll gladly rejoice
    Unlike puppets on a striiiiiing!

    Brexit’s just like a merry-go-round
    With all the fun of the fair
    One day we’re feeling down on the ground
    Then we’re up in the air
    Are you leading us on?
    Tomorrow will we be gone?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xnzPnyyWbY

  • fflambeau says:

    I’m not sure I follow your reasoning.

    Why so? Are you a “little Englander”?

  • Peter says:

    Seriously … does this mean you actually watch the contest?

    Let the gays have some fun and let’s all pray homophobia (and agression againt gays) decreases everywhere in the world.
    Be brave.

    • Nik says:

      Ah, “the gays”. Thank you for telling us what our collective idea of “fun” is. No diverging tastes tolerated, am I right?

  • Its Me Again says:

    Real reason; homophobia. Not a legitimate reason, at all.

  • MOSCHE O. says:

    You missed the point.
    They left because it’s “too gay”.

    https://m.ynet.co.il/Articles/5633224

  • Stereo says:

    U.K. should pull out of this ridiculous competition.

  • Una says:

    Absolutely! Never been the same since Terry Wogan died. Let’s crash out of that and Brexit and Boris certainly will be worth it!

  • Mark Harmsworth says:

    Show some balls!! England England again

  • david hilton says:

    Never been the same since they banned opera singers, after Ingvar Wixell’s early 1960’s win. .. Now if they’d revoke that ban, there’d be some renewed interest in some quarters at least.

  • Nightflight says:

    Most commentators agree Hungary’s move is related to its increasingly toxic homophobia. Alongside its equally unpleasant anti-Semitism and xenophobia. I wonder then why you are celebrating this miserable act of intolerance Norman?

    The Eurovision Song Contest is the only annual cultural event that brings together the entire continent. It has always been about entertainment without pretension, not art. And it delivers this year after year spectacularly whilst occasionally offering a good tune.

    And whilst its comforting to know “the gays” are tolerated on these pages, the global audience of 182m would suggest its reach is far greater.

    If you don’t like it, please switch it off but don’t impose your conservative tastes on the rest of us.

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