Wiwibloggs: The Eurovision Podcast

MÉLOVIN has had an eventful few months. But with his new single "Don't Need Your Love," he's fighting back and standing up to the haters. Ukraine's Eurovision 2018 singer also discusses his artistic music video, his message about believing in yourself and the ongoing war in Ukraine. He also teases a potential run at Vidbir 2024 — Ukraine's national selection for Malmö. Thank you to Vasyl for the translation voiceovers!

Eurovision 2023 was filled with jury and televote surprises...and other shocking moments. We review our Top Eurovision Crimes

DO NOT SCROLL DOWN unless you want to see spoilers and timestamps. . . . . . .

You can order William's Eurovision memoir "WILD DANCES: My Queer and Curious Journey to Eurovision" here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Dances-Curious-Journey-Eurovision/dp/1662601573

1:30 Georgia not qualifying from Semi-Final 2.

5:43 Austria's low televote score at The Grand Final.

8:27 Malta finishing dead last in Semi-Final 1.

13:12 No Press Centre before the dress rehearsals.

16:52 Norway's low jury score at The Grand Final.

18:58 Latvia not qualifying from Semi-Final 1.

22:09 Spain finishing last in the televote with just 5 points.

27:17 Bad sound mixing.

32:29 Each national jury consists of just 5 people.

37:14 Questioning the integrity of Sweden's victory.

Featuring: William - http://instagram.com/williamleeadams

Deban - http://instagram.com/deban_deban

Video Editor: Ron - https://www.youtube.com/ronkesc

 

So why is Malmö hosting Eurovision 2024 instead of Stockholm or Gothenburg? We react to the host city news from Sweden's state broadcaster.

 

Featuring: William - http://instagram.com/williamleeadams

Eurovision 1998 winner Dana International has a lot to celebrate. 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of her Eurovision win in Birmingham. It also saw the debut of her reality series "Dana Kama," which ended its run on Yes TV on May 7. She tells our William Lee Adams about the difficulties of filming a reality series, recounts the difficult road to Eurovision (including backlash from Orthodox religious figures), shares her thoughts on her Eurovision 2011 song "Ding Dong" and more.

Before even landing at Eurovision in Birmingham, Israel’s Dana International had to stare down her critics: The Orthodox community at home wanted the transgender singer banned from the contest. Conservative politicians called her an abomination, but European viewers embraced her — naming her their winner in the first contest that mandated televoting.

To mark the 25th anniversary of her win, this episode looks at queerness on the Eurovision stage and how the contest reflects a radical shift in public attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people across Europe. Long before gay marriage was legalized and transgender rights were encoded in law anywhere on the continent, the contest was already celebrating marginalized voices.

“My victory proves God is on my side,” she said after her surprise win. “Try to accept me — I am what I am.”

Our reaction to the Eurovision 2023 Semi-Final 2 results and qualifiers.

QUALIFIERS 🇦🇱 Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi 🇨🇾 Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou — “Break a Broken Heart” 🇪🇪 Estonia: Alika — “Bridges” 🇧🇪 Belgium: Gustaph — “Because of You” 🇦🇹 Austria: Teya & Salena — “Who the Hell is Edgar?” 🇱🇹 Lithuania: Monika Linkyte — “Stay” 🇵🇱 Poland: Blanka — “Solo” 🇦🇺 Australia: Voyager — “Promise” 🇦🇲 Armenia: Brunette — “Future Lover” 🇸🇮 Slovenia: Joker Out — “Carpe Diem”

Non-Qualifiers 🇩🇰 Denmark: Reiley — “Breaking My Heart” 🇬🇪 Georgia: Iru — “Echo” 🇬🇷 Greece: Victor Vernicos — “What They Say” 🇮🇸 Iceland: Diljá — “Power” 🇷🇴 Romania: Theodor Andrei — “D. G. T. (Off and on)” 🇸🇲 San Marino: Piqued Jacks — “Like An Animal”

We filmed our reaction to the Eurovision 2023 Semi Final 1 qualifiers. 

Käärijä — Finland's Eurovision 2023 act — speaks with our William after his second rehearsal inside our LUSH Liverpool Lounge. He talks about his staging, "Cha Cha Cha" and more.

Blanka — Poland's Eurovision 2023 act — speaks with our William after her first rehearsal inside our LUSH Liverpool Lounge. She talks about her staging, that dance break, "Solo" and more.

 

Featuring: William - http://instagram.com/williamleeadams

The Busker — Malta's Eurovision 2023 band — speak with our William after their first rehearsal inside our LUSH Liverpool Lounge. The group talk about their staging, that car, "Do You Wanna Dance (Our Own Party)" and more.

Featuring: William - http://instagram.com/williamleeadams