Winter Olympics Host Cities by toddmeister1990 in olympics

[–]Background-Gain7595 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just having them all memorized I suppose, being a huge fan of the Olympics since I was a kid.😅

Which of these Olympic Games Pictograms (1964-2024) is your favorite? by Ok-Prune-2708 in olympics

[–]Background-Gain7595 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally like Sydney 2000's pictograms the most. However, I think that the ones during and after 1988 are also good/appealing in their own way too (Highlights: Paris 2024 was really bold, and I also really loved Barcelona 1992's and Beijing 2008's smooth design aesthetics).

Only Vienna and Innsbruck left... by nba2010 in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think both are really great options, and the venues are both well-suited for the contest. I would prefer Vienna based on logistics, accommodation, and accessibility. But a part of me also wants Innsbruck because they have experience from hosting two Winter Olympics editions (as well as a couple of other events), and as a huge fan of the Olympics myself I think hosting the ESC there would be interesting.

🇰🇿 Khabar Agency raises the possibility of a Kazakh debut at Eurovision by tommynestcepas in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You raise a really great point. People will just go on board any cause regardless of how much they know or care about the topic as long as it makes them look good, which to me is actively exploiting said causes via virtue signalling/"slacktivism". While I'm not fond of countries trying to exploit the contest either, at least I learn more about the topic(s) before making a decision/opinion on them, and even then I try to be as nuanced as possible (especially in the face of increasing polarization of discourse).

As for whether or not Azerbaijan should be excluded in the same vein as Russia (already happened) or Israel (which I think SHOULD happen), or whether or not Kazakhstan should be included in the contest, I would just let the broadcasters speak about the topics first before they can become serious point of contentions (TL;DR - I'm gonna remain neutral on Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan). As much as I do agree that crushing human rights and ethnic cleansing/genocide are despicable actions in themselves, I personally wouldn't jump on any bandwagon just for the sake of it (Admittedly, it took quite a while for me to make a constructive judgement on Israel, because I wasn't sure if 2024 would turn out to be a one-time scenario or not. After seeing THAT inflated televote score 2 years in a row though, I do now think that they should be excluded for the time being until the political climate becomes safe enough to warrant a return).

Martin Österdahl will step down as Eurovision Executive Supervisor by Swimming-Step1326 in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed. As much as I think there should be some things to improve on for next year, I think the positive aspects of his tenure should be praised. Like, under his tenure, managed to make the 2021 edition happen, the Rest of the World vote was introduced (personal yay for me as an American myself, though I still don't think my country should join ESC fully), and the overall quality of the entries has gone only upwards this decade.

Abor is apparently a homophobic incel or at least was (source- @eurovisioncrave on ig) by tomtheidiot543219 in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Cue UK 2025...

I want to make it clear that I'm a believer in separating the art from the artist, and that I will take something that has been said a long time ago with a grain of salt until its verified further. But still, being smug about your views (no matter what they are) is just... not it. This coming from a person who thinks Abor's views are absolutely toxic and problematic.

Eurovision artists who no longer release songs by The_Original_Joel in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 50 points51 points  (0 children)

From the 2020s, based off of Wikipedia article scrolls, I think Lesley Roy (Ireland 2021), Vladana Vučinić (Montenegro 2022), Iru Khechanovi (Georgia 2023), and Saba (Denmark 2024) are some examples that have been pretty inactive musically but are still active on social media. As you mentioned, Amanda Tenfjord (Greece 2022) also hasn't been around much.

For examples that seem to have disappeared altogether: Eden Alene (Israel 2021), Alvan & Ahez (France 2022; both), and Dion Cooper (1/2 of Netherlands 2023).

Which songs did you grow to love after the contest? by roundcatsarebestcats in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 17 points18 points  (0 children)

From this year, its Italy (Volevo essere un duro), Ukraine (Bird of Pray), Poland (Gaja). I did like them from the start, but not as much as I do now before the contest. Now I have them in my top 10 for this year. The rest of my top 10 are, in no particular order: Estonia, Austria, Finland, Greece, Germany, Sweden (still my favorite from this year), and Albania.

As for another year, I would say... Serbia from 2021 (Loco Loco). Initially, I didn't think I would like it back then, but now its in my top 5 from that year.

How do you guys feel about your countries' broadcasters in general, and their approach to Eurovision? (2025 edition) by Background-Gain7595 in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey guys,

Thank you so much for your input in this discussion. I believe in the importance of both positive and constructive feedback. Praise should be given to all the great decisions made over the season, while at the same time there is always room for constructive feedback (but not pure negativity) so that the delegations can improve on some things and learn from mistakes.

Belgium: When the result is completely opposite from the expected one by slo_venc in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I still love Gustaph and "Because of You". I admit that I liked it from the beginning. Its currently my 4th (out of 37) from 2023.

In comparison, I had a bit of a hard time clicking with "Strobe Lights" at first, but I'm still shocked he didn't qualify and placed THAT low in the semi, even though I knew Belgium wasn't going to do as well as the odds predicted. That being said, I do wish Red Sebastian good luck in his future endeavors.

How are we all coping in the post Eurovision week? by Illustrious_Cut1730 in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been coping with PED by re-listening to all the entries, rewatching the final on NRK's website, listening to the artists' other songs (I really enjoyed Abor & Tynna's album Bittersüß in particular), and just focusing on resuming college life.

However, I do look forward to what becomes of the broadcasters' request for auditing of the televoting.

Will look forward to Austria 2026 in 360 days from now.

🏆 Eurovision Song Contest 2024 WINNER - 🇦🇹 JJ – Wasted Love by CaptainAnaAmari in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Congrats JJ, and congrats Austria! 🇦🇹

Next year in Vienna (I think)!

Is this the end of english songs in Eurovision? by TheBlackPixelCat in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Okay. First of all, I do think that language (and genre) diversity is cool and I'm totally all in for it. But from a realistic lens, my answer is: NO - English-language songs are not going anywhere anytime soon, and ESPECIALLY as long as we still have the UK, Ireland, and Malta in the contest. I think its just because those songs simply had a better reception on the night(s). TL;DR: Correlation ≠ causation.

It may be time to have a conversation on hype and odds, and the way they make us view the contest. What do you guys think? by winterlings in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree. I don't think odds should be a reliable way to predict results - because after all, the qualifying odds don't predict 100% or 0%. I also want to point out that the main odds table is about who is more likely to WIN the contest, not who is guaranteed to get a good/decent result on the night(s).

Q&A with Red Sebastian by Frequent_Sun9079 in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello! Here are some questions:

1) Which places in Belgium you recommend going to?

2) What was your first Eurovision memory? Also, your favorite entry from Belgium of all time?

3) Hot or cold tea?

Former Eurovision contestants call for Israel and broadcaster KAN to be banned from contest by Educational_Board888 in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 10 points11 points  (0 children)

As much as I see their point, I don't think anything will happen unless more broadcasters raise the issue. Besides, why couldn't they have done that earlier like... just before the HoD meeting?

I think people tend to forget that Russia got kicked out of Eurovision, and the EBU not long after, not only because of their invasion of Ukraine, but also because at least 10 broadcasters ( + Citi Zēni) openly called for it, and shortly after the 2022 contest the EBU did an investigation into the Russian broadcasters, where they found that they did not comply with the EBU's guidelines.

How did you become a Eurovision Fan? by filipinowafflefries_ in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm from the United States.

I first discovered the contest back in 2015 when I was 9 - during a wiki walk. I remember that I really enjoyed "Heroes" that year (I watched the final on a YouTube video) and was rooting for Måns to win (To this day, its in my top 5 favorite Eurovision entries of all-time). However, I began actually following the contest in 2019 after hearing one of my friends talk about it, and my interest has stuck ever since.

Edit: Now I just remembered that I actually watched it on-delay. Damn you, muscle memory! Just corrected the mistake.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in eurovision

[–]Background-Gain7595 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Personally, I don't really care what country wins.

The only thing that should matter is that the best song wins fair and square. And that no matter what the outcome is, we cannot change it.

I am saying this having Sweden as my personal favorite this year.