Thu 24 May 2012 | 
Eurovision 2009: Second Semi Final all strung up
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Enlarge textViolins, double basses, cellos and more. This year's Eurovision is shaping up as the year of string. Minor spoilers and no results follow.
- 66 Comments | Join the discussion
Minor spoilers: "What's up Europe?" asks our co-host Andrey.
"Hello everybody how is it going?" says Natalya.
The second Semi Final has 19 songs (one more than the first Semi) competing for ten places in the Final. If there was a flurry of white costumes in the first Semi Final there are even more in the second.
There's also a slew of stringed instruments this year: violins, double basses, cellos and more violins. By that definition Norway should take it out –but ESC is never that straightforward.
It was another spectacular showing by the host broadcaster, again proving the stage at Olympiskyi Arena is a diverse and technically mammoth beast.
The opener to the show demonstrates Moscow has a good sense of humour when it comes to its history and culture too. Look out for balalaikas and piano accordions playing a medley of Eurovision's biggest hits including Volare and Waterloo. There are Cossack and folk dancers, a giant Russian Doll, dancing Russian ladies in traditional dresses and even dancing bears –thankfully none are real or chained.
The second Semi Final seems to have more ballads and romance than the first. There are some stunning stage ideas and concepts, that work as assists to some participants.
Look out for an Afro wig, a DJ Mama, ribbon dancing, grand pianos, rotating boxes, an art gallery suspended on the LED screens, dancing mime artists, and some very sexy semi-naked metallic gladiators (dare we suggest homoerotic?).
There's cartwheels, leaps in the air, the world's oldest boyband, one act that keeps its vocalist concealed for at least two-thirds of its song and a female vocalist who is also pretty mean on a moving drum kit.
The wind machine gets another workout, as does the pyro-technics.
The interval show is a brilliant demonstration of traditional dance by a State Ensemble troupe. There are more Cossack dancers, dozens of folk dancers once more and of course, Fiddler on the Roof. Russia sure loves the past. It's hard to know what they will keep up their sleeve for the Final. More traditional dancing?
Our hosts, yet again, appear to be joined at the hip.
"Natalya strike a pose!" insists Andrey.
Hmm, isn't that Madonna's brand?
During the results of the voting, his enthusiastic ad-libbing gets such a workout he even comes out with this pearler:
"Who will fly in the first class? You want aisle or window?"
"You're talking too much," says Natalya.
You think?
Without giving too much away, it's a nail biter for the last two places.
Catch all the fun Saturday night 7:30pm on SBS.
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Comments (66)
Previous 10 |
15 May 2011 21:10 AEST
From: Melbourne
Julia and Sam = FAIL.
So Laramie thinks Julia and Sam "did a pretty good job"? Well, it must have been a different Julia and Sam to what I was watching. The SBS I was watching had two moronic, insipid, cringeworthy and downright flaccid hacks talking uninspired rubbish over the whole event. If this is the best that Australia has to offer, perhaps we should just stick to the BBCs far-superior broadcasts. Julia and Sam's appalling commentary was embarrassing, crude and lacklustre. GO AWAY IDIOTS.
18 May 2009 13:49 AEST
From:
Eurovision 2009
My friend and I are avid fans and were disappointed to find no Terry Wogan but the sheer horror set in and by Sunday Night we had to watch the contest at some points with no sound. Julia SHUT UP just SHUT UP. For a person that thinks she knows something she certainly did not convey that. Simply, if they have to host this next year (we hope not) then do some research, learn the names and stop touching every male that is remotely attractive!
18 May 2009 10:15 AEST
From:
Julia and Sam - good work.
It's got to be the hardest gig on TV to host Eurovision. Julia and Sam did a pretty good job all things considered. SBS, please get them back next year! To all those calling for the BBC coverage - there is no more Wogan, so why bother with a presenter we don't know when we can develop our own home-grown talent? Talk about the cultural cringe! Good work Sam and Julia!
18 May 2009 9:39 AEST
From:
WHAT ABOUT DES MANGDAN COMMENTARY OF THE ESC
I Applaude SBS for sending an Australian Commentary to ESC. However WHAT ABOUT DES MANGDAN? Des Mangdan has that quirky wit & is a real lover of the ESC which his written a book about & knows how to deliver real good laugh along with genuine opinions of the ESC. BRING BACK DES... ALSO We can consider Des to co host along with JULIA & SAM as Des can Host while the others can be the back up presenters.... THINK ABOUT COME ON BABY.....
18 May 2009 0:25 AEST
From:
Euro night
Well, considering Sir Terry RETIRED I think Julia and Sam performed admirably in trying to fill some very big Euro shoes. But then again, at our party we're they're picking the show to pieces and having fun; Julia and Sam helped a lot. And has anyone worked out what the blazes that blue-green guy from Albania was meant to be? Finally, I'm not a Graham Norton fan so I'm happy to not get the BBC feed. Wogan was Eurovision; Norton is just his replacement.
17 May 2009 23:08 AEST
From:
Re:eurovision crap
WELL DONE YOUR KIDING ME THAT COULDN'T STOP RANTING ON ON ANMD ON ILL BE CALLING SBS MANAGEMENT ON MONDAY, WE ALL SHOULD CALL THEM ITS, SO STUPID TALKING OVER THE WHOLE SHOW.
17 May 2009 22:46 AEST
From:
Where is Terry...?
Where the hell is Terry Wogan...? Why woud you replace a quick witted comedy genius legend with some bimbo and a chump who have nothing more to say than which singer and presenters they would shag...? Pathetic attempts at humour... I was cringing at them more than the acts... Bring back Terry... he made the ridiculousness of the attempted musical talent so much more bareable and entertaining... Please keep Eurovision European... It is an institution that Australia should embrace but not get involved... As an Australian who is proud of our Multiculturalism, we all love our inner Wog and Eurovision is a place where the Aussie accent is not welcome...
17 May 2009 22:42 AEST
From:
Bring back Terry
Why is Terry Wogan not doing the commentary? He is what makes watching the final of Euro worthwhile. You don't seriously think the show itself is enough do you? Julie we love you but stick with Rockwiz, you just aren't Terry and the other dude who are you?
17 May 2009 22:40 AEST
From:
Eurovision
The Aussie commentators - Julia and Sam are terrible. Surely there are must be better qualitified commentators out there Pleaseeee its almost unwatchable! Julia is so annoying, who cares about her favourites?? Someone else with more finese and knowledge please replace her! Its a almost embarassing. Rather just forget about Australian commentary.
17 May 2009 22:40 AEST
From:
quiet commentators
so what i love is when you're watching the eurovision SONG contest (thereby with songs you are trying to LISTEN to) and you cannot even begin to hear what is being performed because it is blocked out by BAD commentary. Please get rid of the woefully bad and irritating commentary and if Terry Wogan cannot be brought back find someone whom at least doesn't inflict their annoying voice on loyal sbs viewers.
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About this Blog
Join David Knox as he reports on the build-up to Eurovision 2011. Who will capture the imagination of an entire continent? Knox is a media commentator with an unhealthy addiction to television and pop culture. His coverage of Eurovision is an annual fixture at SBS and
he blogs at TV Tonight.To this day, he still thinks Gina G was robbed at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest.
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