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Special Event: Live Stream: Semifinal 2 (2022 Eurovision Song Contest)

"A woman sings about Meghan Markle’s hair and her own lack of health insurance while washing her hands in a basin surrounded by Gregorian monks. How could this not be a LOCK TO ADVANCE?"

Whoa. I'm not going to spoil myself before the Semi, but this sounds amazing.

Our older cat is currently off getting an ultrasound. We're hoping he's back home soon to chill on the couch with us when today's show gets underway.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 7:48 AM on May 12, 2022

Been using a VPN for the official stream here. I don't think I could deal with Peacock, given what I've heard about their coverage thus far.

Cat's back from his ultrasound with a shaved belly and seemingly feeling a bit worn out. Happy to have him home.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 11:50 AM on May 12, 2022

As a New Jersey resident, I wish Finnish Bon Jovi all the best in the rankings.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:13 PM on May 12, 2022

Live Stream: Semifinal 1 (2022 Eurovision Song Contest)

Can't wait! Haven't been sleeping well this week, but did catch up a little last night, so we'll see how it goes. At the very least, I'm loving the titles of two of today's tracks. Might not be able to watch all of the second Semifinal, but again, we'll see.

Going to pick up my Eurovision baking again for the Grand Final after not doing any last year, and have decided to make anginetti.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 10:27 AM on May 10, 2022

A new Epic Sax Guy appears?!
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:19 PM on May 10, 2022

Lithuania's song was lovely. I don't think it's quite a winner, but I wish it well in the rankings.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:27 PM on May 10, 2022

Slovenia: love, love, love the song. The band is great, too. The singer, unfortunately, is a little bland overall.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:32 PM on May 10, 2022

Ukraine: the MC in the pink hat is hype. Who knew Ukrainian hip hop was this good?
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:35 PM on May 10, 2022

Ukraine's definitely sent better songs in the recent past, but this was still a strong entry. The best one so far (as early as that is).
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:40 PM on May 10, 2022

Bulgaria's not bad. Getting slight Guns N' Roses crossed with 80's era Rush vibes.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:43 PM on May 10, 2022

Latvia has been out-Eurovisioned by Moldova (also Joey Ramone is turning in his grave).
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:50 PM on May 10, 2022

Legit got chills watching Portugal's performance. Incredible song. Far and away my favorite thus far.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:56 PM on May 10, 2022

Denmark is super fun.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:05 PM on May 10, 2022

Austria's song needs a bit more work. There's a hint of something good in there. As it is, though... no.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:12 PM on May 10, 2022

Iceland was very good! I hope they make it to the Grand Final.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:17 PM on May 10, 2022

Is Greece's song about the pandemic?
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:20 PM on May 10, 2022

SOMEONE GIVE THAT WOLF A BANANA
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:23 PM on May 10, 2022

Norway isn't just bonkers, it's bananas.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:27 PM on May 10, 2022

My top six, in order (roughly):
Portugal
Denmark
Norway
Iceland
Bulgaria
Ukraine
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:31 PM on May 10, 2022

Bah on Denmark not getting in. Ah well, see you all again on Thursday.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 2:13 PM on May 10, 2022

Live Stream: Grand Final (2021 Eurovision Song Contest)

Can't wait; printing out scorecards now!

Usually we have friends and/or family over, but we aren't quite comfortable doing that this year, so cyrusdogstar and I will be by ourselves. I'd also gotten into the habit of baking something related to the host country-- in past years, I've made Ukrainian poppy seed cake and bolinhos de laranja-- but since we're not having guests over this time (and I didn't feel like baking anyway), I just picked up some Stroopwafels from the supermarket.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 9:56 AM on May 22, 2021

Here we go!
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:00 PM on May 22, 2021

Legit getting chills watching this intro. I had no idea how much I had missed Eurovision.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:06 PM on May 22, 2021

Isn't there some Eurovision curse where the acts that go first never win? Cyprus' song isn't a winner anyway, but just putting that out there.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:14 PM on May 22, 2021

Currently wondering how long it must take to do Eden's hair.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:19 PM on May 22, 2021

I still can't not see Russia's entry as being heavily inspired by that winning one from Israel a couple of years ago (and yet it's better than the Israeli song!).
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:31 PM on May 22, 2021

I already really liked Malta's song, and now it's growing on me even more.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:34 PM on May 22, 2021

I wish I could be optimistic as well, the UK being where I'm from, but this isn't it. For starters, it sounds a bit over-produced and the singer sounded a little off in the first verse.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:49 PM on May 22, 2021

For me, twee stuff is either really good or really eyeroll-inducing. Iceland is Good Twee.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:00 PM on May 22, 2021

I don't feel hate, I just feel sorry... for Germany.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:13 PM on May 22, 2021

My personal top five are Malta, Greece, Iceland, Lithuania, and Ukraine. Iceland's in my number one slot, followed by Ukraine, then the rest.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 2:15 PM on May 22, 2021

Some interesting context for the Netherlands' entry
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 2:30 PM on May 22, 2021

The Swiss song was one of my least favorite entries. Won't be happy if they win.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 3:03 PM on May 22, 2021

Go Lithuania!
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 3:38 PM on May 22, 2021

Congrats to Italy! Not my favorite song, but I'm cool with it. Great to see that Iceland and Ukraine got in the top five as well.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 3:50 PM on May 22, 2021

PearlRose: Italy's 2019 entry was probably my favorite that year. This kind of makes up for it.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 3:50 PM on May 22, 2021

Live Stream: Semifinal 2 (2021 Eurovision Song Contest)

How is the Peacock stream? Is there any extra commentary, or is it more or less the same as what's on Eurovision's own YouTube channel?
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 11:55 AM on May 20, 2021

So I wasn't imagining things; that really was Flo Rida as part of San Marino's performance.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:16 PM on May 20, 2021

Czech Republic's song was slightly better than Estonia's, but only slightly.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:20 PM on May 20, 2021

Greece's song is pretty decent on its own, but yeah, that staging is something else. Love the color scheme, and wondering how it looks live.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:24 PM on May 20, 2021

actually a Christian praise song disguised as a pop song.

Austria's got something to say about that, it seems.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:26 PM on May 20, 2021

One thing I love about Eurovision is that through them, the 80s will never die.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:31 PM on May 20, 2021

I dunno. It's not perfect, but I like Moldova's entry. And speaking of the 80s, there's at least three different decades' worth of influences (which you might not ordinarily expect to see together) in that performance.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:39 PM on May 20, 2021

Iceland is so precious <3
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:41 PM on May 20, 2021

Albania's song is solid, but their staging is a bit plain. I think that song deserves a touch more extravagance.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 12:56 PM on May 20, 2021

Nu-metal is alive and well in Finland, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:09 PM on May 20, 2021

Denmark's entry sounds like an original video anime ending theme from 1986 and I am here for it.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:21 PM on May 20, 2021

This (and Tuesday's thread) has been fun, everyone! As the hosts said: see you at the Grand Final!
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 2:06 PM on May 20, 2021

Live Stream: Semifinal 1 (2021 Eurovision Song Contest)

The instrumental bits are goofy as hell, but the rest of Malta's performance has the marks of a winner.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 1:24 PM on May 18, 2021

My personal top two (Ukraine and Malta) got in. I'm okay with that.
posted to FanFare by May Kasahara at 2:04 PM on May 18, 2021