The Off Topic Topic

[celedhring]

Spain has a known policy of not wanting to win Eurovision (organizing it is too damn expensive) but I wish they didn't try so hard.

[The Larch]

In a rare turn of event the most boring song won. Sweden was robbed.

Both Netherlands and Sweden had extremely forgettable songs.

True, the only song I vaguely remember is the Norwegian which also won the public vote.

Yeah, they were the favourites in my group of friends, including mine. I also liked the weird Australian song.

[Syt]

They only song I knew about was Iceland's Hatari: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVbShUW6QBM

I see it managed to reach rank 10.

[The Larch]

They only song I knew about was Iceland's Hatari: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVbShUW6QBM

I see it managed to reach rank 10.

Yeah, that was something different from the rest, kinda 2nd rate Rammstein-like, but different nonetheless. 

[Syt]

ESC was much more watchable with all those comedy/parody contestants.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hco0bR_mfzo

[Duque de Bragança]

Forgot to watch it this year 

Relax,  you are not the only one. 

[Syt]

It used to be that Eurovision Song Contest winners became well known for posterity. Hell, I know several from before I was born. Most songs down here I knew before I learned they were ESC winners.

1965 - Poupée de cire, poupée de son (France Gall) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqnCl3NltaU
1967 - Puppet on a String (Sandie Shaw) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkbVhjxdr8A
1969 - Boom Bang a Bang (Lulu) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdnrZJWHlEY
1970 - All Kinds of Everything (Dana) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka5OfjwB3nM
1974 - Waterloo (Abba) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FsVeMz1F5c
1975 - Ding-a-Dong (Teach-In) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXv4Pk1s6G0

And even afterwards some songs got plenty radio playtime:

1976 - Save Your Kisses for Me (Brotherhood of Man) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lPZqO0l7vU
1979 - Hallelujah (Gali Atari and Milk and Honey) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C33kO3fvjkI
1980 - What's Another Year (Johnny Logan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPOwTXWe-Yw
1981 - Making Your Mind Up (Bucks Fizz) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pACePi441ds
1984 - Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley (Herreys) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybs39cu21iw (peak 80s video)
1985 - Let It Swing (Bobbysocks) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyG2Kotxh9M
1987 - Hold Me Know (Johnny Logan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IN3fTx3Czo
1990 - Insieme: 1992 (Toto Cutugno) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b5whZydVZc
1995 - Nocturne (Secret Garden) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pGsx9KLJxw
2004 - Wild Dances (Ruslana) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv64W74fC-s
2006 - Hard Rock Hallelujah (Lordi) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Xl9tBWt54

I think what I'm trying to say is the peak period of the ESC was from mid-60s to 1990.

[celedhring]

Lordi was 13 years ago? Fuck, what happened? 

[Duque de Bragança]

Poupée de cire is indeed a classic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFD7YIk_9dw

Poupée de cire poupée de son cover by Therion. The video is not really linked to the lyrics though. 
Actually, I prefer the Sucettes à l'anis, another France Gall cover, but that one is pretty good too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU58ZN4I1lw

So basically, according to Syt, the Berlin Wall fell and everything collapsed. 

PS: yes celedhring 2006 for Lordi, I still remember it as it was yesterday. Really cared about the Eurovision before and after the event in a long while. Though Sobral's victory was nice too, a nice exception from crappy English-sung euro pop winning.

[Agelastus]

In a rare turn of event the most boring song won. Sweden was robbed.

Both Netherlands and Sweden had extremely forgettable songs.

True, the only song I vaguely remember is the Norwegian which also won the public vote.

Likewise; I remember it being the only song that made me think "I like that" all night.

Our song was a deserved last place. I'm surprised it got any points.

[celedhring]

The new Spanish parliament gets inaugurated tomorrow, and has vaulted us at the top of the EU in women MPs.



We still have a big glass ceiling, since no woman has been able to win the leadership of one of Spain's major parties, let alone capture the presidency, but at least we're slowly building a solid foundation.

[Josquius]

30% average doesn't sound all that bad to me.
50% is of course artificial and undesirable. 40% of the minority gender is ideal but 30% isn't bad.

[celedhring]

30% average doesn't sound all that bad to me.
50% is of course artificial and undesirable. 40% of the minority gender is ideal but 30% isn't bad.

Why is it "undesirable"? And 40% ideal?

[Josquius]

30% average doesn't sound all that bad to me.
50% is of course artificial and undesirable. 40% of the minority gender is ideal but 30% isn't bad.

Why is it "undesirable"? And 40% ideal?

Its forced. There's little room to maneuver if you suddenly have far more good male candidates than female candidates (or vice-versa).
40% gives you equality but with wiggle room to make sure you can choose the best people rather than just blindly going for equality.

[grumbler]

Its forced. There's little room to maneuver if you suddenly have far more good male candidates than female candidates (or vice-versa).
40% gives you equality but with wiggle room to make sure you can choose the best people rather than just blindly going for equality.

If you are talking ten people, sure.  If 100, false.