Eurovision may have a lot of failing and produced more that its share of bad music over the years, but it is nothing like American Idol.

While on assignment in Europe I enjoyed the annual cultural/political/sometimes musical tour de force that was Eurovision. It was fun and something I had never experienced in North America. The language and musical diversity ranged widely among the participants.

Perhaps the voting system as it is now could be considered a parallel to American Idol, the tyranny of the masses now prevails, instead of the old system of national juries awarding votes.

But the production, with all it faults, still transcends the karoke contest that is American Idol.

Cheers, all.

Re: Eurovision

I think the win by Finland can be attributed to a Europe-wide "taking the piss". Eurovision is so old and ridiculous by now, and has been blown out of proportion by lots of new eastern European countries coming into it with appalling songs and daft dance routines, that there is very little real interest in it. In Ireland certainly, people voted for the most ludicrous entry, and really the whole contest should be taken out and shot at this stage as it has absolutely no credibility left. I am quite amazed that mention of it actually made it to your normally brilliant music section.

Most of us had to watch the "Lordi" video on Youtube, since Eurovision is unavailable in the United States. "This continental version of 'American Idol'", to quote the author, is not something we can enjoy or participate in. ABBA got its start with a win in Eurovision!

While Eurovision entrants and their songs may be the Thomas Kinkades of music of their respective countries, wouldn't it be nice to sit down and spend the three hours and watch it just for the giggles? I suspect the Digital Millennium Copyright Act has something to do with this. In a 500-channel world, there must be room somewhere.

There is a "cure" - somewhat revolutionary, but a way to see it nevertheless. The European Broadcasting Union has some rather loose definitions about what "Europe" is. Armenia had an entry, as did Israel. I don't know about Lebanon or Syria. All a country has to do to join is pay the requisite membership fee and contribute content.

Let's have Los Angeles County, with its 11 million people (think Belgium) join the EBU. A county-wide competition for an entrant into the contest would be uniting, fun, and a true spectacle for the people. We too could see Eurovision here as well. Hey, it works for the World (soccer/football) Cup...

In the meantime, ask a teenager to get you a copy on DiVX CD.

During Eurovision I happened to be in an IRC forum with several people from around Europe and in Israel. I couldn't see the program, but they were thoroughly enthused. They all voted for Lordi. Their reasoning? Lordi was the only band that didn't sound like everyone else. So there's your answer. That's why they probably won. Everyone's second favorite? Lithuania.

Having listened to the top 20 Eurovision 2006 songs online, I was struck by how many were recorded in English and how American many of them sound.

Germany's entry, for instance, features a country-and-western theme, and the group's name is "Texas Lightning." Those smiling Germans in cowboy hats really unnerved me. In the mid 1980's I spent a summer in Germany, and one evening my host family's grandparents came to dinner. I asked the grandpa where he learned his flawless English. Turns out he had been a prisoner of war in my home state of Texas during World War II... at the very same time my Jewish ancestors in Holland were suffering and dying under Nazi occupation.

Yet somehow those happy Germans in goofy western wear have cheerfully adopted both the language and music of Texas without a hint of irony. I bet they learned English by watching reruns of "Dallas."

The Russian entry to the Eurovision contest, "Never let you go," is also recorded in English, and sounds a lot like the Rob Thomas hit "Lonely No More." If you could tune out the singer's Russian accent, you might think this hot audio track was just another American top 40 hit. But before hitting the recording studio, the composers should have asked a native English speaker to proof-read the lyrics. The many grammar and word choice errors give away the secret of this tune's foreign origin.

Why so much musical homogenization? Yes, it's a small world after all, but why should any country abandon its own unique music traditions to mimic American top 40?

My favorite "ethnic" sounding entries this year include Norway and Armenia. Both offer a fascinating mix between native musical traditions and Europop homogenization. Unfortunately the Armenian entry's English lyrics contain lots of grammar and word choice errors, but I love it anyway.

If any writers for next year's contest are reading this, please hire a native English speaker to proof-read your lyrics before recording!!! I'd be happy to volunteer.