
'It was really hard': Tallulah Willis reveals mom Demi Moore's romance with Ashton Kutcher sent her into 'dumpster fire'
Tallulah Willis reveals she's still 'unpacking' from her mother Demi Moore's marriage to Ashton Kutcher during the premiere of 'Stars On Mars'
2023-06-06 18:47

Eurovision 2023: A homage to naffness or musical genius? Two writers battle it out
Millions will be watching as 26 countries go head to head to be crowned champions of the Eurovision Song Contest this weekend – but not everyone calls themselves a fan. The notoriously weird and wonderful event still divides opinion right down the middle – when it comes to Eurovision, you’re either all in or not. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter We pitched two writers against each other, one who loves Eurovision and one who can’t stand it. So, whose side are you on? Kate Plummer: Why I hate Eurovision What would happen if you brought together all the kinds of musicians who X Factor judges consider passing at the audition stage of the competition - but ultimately decide not to? What would happen if you asked cruise ship singers to come together and belt out hours of 'tunes' that resemble copyright-free hold music at best, or something your 10-year-old niece cooked up on GarageBand at worst? The answer, of course, is the gaudy Eurovision Song Contest, that homage to naffness, that yearly nightmare that we are forced to endure. "But it's fun!" the doltish masses cry. "Look at their outfits," the square-eyed cretins say. Save it. Like most organised fun and forced merriment (see hen dos, school reunions and anything to do with sport), Eurovision is absolutely awful. But unlike hen dos, school reunions and anything to do with sport, there is no escaping the tyrannical grip of its regime. It man spreads over the course of Saturday night telly, it bleeds into every pub, bar and group chat of excitable friends organising their cursed viewing parties. This year, it will even be screened in cinemas. Where is my respite? I didn't even vote for Brexit but surely the yearly congregation of the worst representatives of Europe is a dividend we could have gained from leaving the bloc? The 2023 contest is being held in the UK city of Liverpool this week, building up to the grand final on Saturday. Acts from 37 countries are taking part. So will I be tuning in to see which act has become this year's meme and what 'funny moments' have gone viral on social media? Absolutely not. After all, 66 contests and over 1,600 songs, there's a reason the only Eurovision act anyone can name is Abba... Eurovision is completely naff. Count me out. Harry Fletcher: Why I love Eurovision There aren’t many things that every single member of the family can sit down to watch together and genuinely look forward to. Eurovision is one of them. It’s a big event in our household, with family members spread around the country heading back up north to watch together. Why do we love it? The sheer strangeness is certainly a factor. The likes of Käärijä, representing Finland in 2023 with the bizarre 'Cha Cha Cha', are doing a good job keeping it weird and wonderful. But the sheer quality of the entries is more impressive year on year. The overall standard has increased inexorably and the quality of the songwriting in the strongest entries is always staggering. Crafting a good Eurovision song is an art form, and there are still entries from more than 10 years ago that pop into my head occasionally. Eurovision also has to be the most welcoming, accessible major event in the UK calendar. It’s for absolutely everyone; it’s a comfortable space, completely free of cynicism. With Eurovision, you take away all the nastiness that comes hand in hand with X Factor and other formats that invite people to sing before live audiences. Here, there’s none of the sneering at contestants or gawking at eccentric members of the public. Instead, with Eurovision it’s a celebration, and an invitation to be as weird as you like when representing your country. Eurovision can always be relied on to bring out the best in Twitter, too. When so much of social media is increasingly devoted to negativity and hate, it feels like a throwback to nicer times when it functioned more as a public forum for fans during events like Eurovision. The contest has changed a lot since I started watching around 15 years ago. There was an endearingly cheap feel about the contest back then, but the production values are outstanding these days. It’s far less of a niche interest than it used to be too; with the event coming to the UK this year, it’s attracted more and more attention. More eyes on this wonderfully odd event, which celebrates diversity, gives us genuinely brilliant songs every year and gives us something wholesome to get stuck into on social media can only be a good thing. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-05-13 14:23

Luny Tunes & Noriega’s Mas Flow Is Still One of the Best Reggaeton Albums of All Time
It’s been 20 years, but Brenda Mejia still vividly remembers watching a TV infomercial playing Tego Calderón’s “Metele Sazón” back in 2003. At the time, the teenager preferred the bubblegum pop of Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears over reggaeton, a genre that was slowly and controversially spreading from nightclubs to radio stations. Then the San Juan native heard Tego’s rhyme and rhythm — and it “haunted her.” She connected with it so much that she went out and bought Mas Flow, the debut compilation album by reggaeton producers Luny Tunes and Noriega that featured the track, and made the hit a part of her quinceañera.
2023-08-19 01:23

Rosie O'Donnell shares positive update on Madonna's health after 'serious bacterial infection': 'She's feeling good'
'You’re such an amazing friend to Madonna and you’re such an amazing person in general. Thank you so much Rosie,' wrote a fan
2023-06-30 01:18

Andrew Tate puts forth hypothetical question as he plays 'would you rather' game with fans
In June, Andrew Tate along with his brother, Tristan, and two others were charged with rape, human trafficking, and creating an organized crime group
2023-07-17 15:57

Pregnant Lindsay Lohan's beach getaway is grool
Pregnant Lindsay Lohan's beach getaway is grool
2023-05-31 03:30

Is Miss Universe going to be held this year? Beauty pageant owner Anne Jakkaphong files for bankruptcy week before event
Amid financial troubles, JKN Global Group, owned by Anne Jakkaphong, faced bankruptcy a week before the Miss Universe pageant
2023-11-11 18:52

Samuel L Jackson's unimpressed reaction to losing Tony award turns him into instant meme
Samuel L Jackson wasted no time making his feelings known when he was snubbed of a Tony Award at last night's ceremony (11 June), when he sat in the audience looking super dead-pan. The 74-year-old was up against the likes of Brandon Uranowitz, Jordan E Cooper, Arian Moayed and David Zayas for best performance by a featured actor, but was pipped to the post by Uranowitz. Understandably, Jackson looked a bit miffed that he didn't secure his first ever Tony, but it's unfortunately made him the subject of a lot of memes. There's always next year. Click here to sign up for our newsletters
2023-06-12 23:59

'She was robbed': Internet declares We Ani should have won 'American Idol' Season 21
Iam Tongi won 'American Idol' Season 21 but fans think We Ani deserved the coveted title
2023-05-22 14:29

Lana Del Rey is going on a limited tour
Lana Del Rey is hitting the road.
2023-08-22 00:49

Why was Michael Oher in a conservatorship? Tuohys ready to end custodianship, allege $15M shakedown
'The idea that the Tuohys have ever sought to profit off Mr Oher is not only offensive, it is transparently ridiculous,' Attorney Marty Singer said
2023-08-17 14:54

Tristan Tate delivers fiery response to 'selfless' fan's bold financial appeal: 'Wow, what's the catch?'
It's not uncommon for Andrew and Tristan Tate to receive bizarre requests from fans, and money requests are not unheard of either
2023-07-09 15:51
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