The Calm Before the Storm (won’t last forever)

Well inevitably the ‘considered deep and meaningful thoughts’ never did follow in time, but at least that was trailed in the last post so our reader was hopefully not too disappointed.

The biggest thought being… OMG!?!!??11! The UK is hosting Eurovision in 2023. I mean, while it did half cross our minds this may be a thing after Ukraine won and we came second, I don’t think we dared to believe - and even when the BBC/EBU announced ‘talks’, there was still a nervousness that we’d somehow let this opportunity slip by (and Spain was waiting with eager eyes in the corner for that to happen!)

But no - the BBC/UK government managed not to mess it up, and after much fun over potential host cities (we were gagging for Newcastle to win, for many reasons, not least the convenience given key EUROfiasco members have well-appointed accommodation there) we are all set to descend on Liverpool in May 2023.

It still feels quite surreal to be honest… so in the new year we will be doing our best to make it feel real! 

And we are supremely confident that the BBC will play their co-hosting role well - it’s Ukraine’s win, we know, and that won’t be forgotten. Excited to see how that’s brought in.. as well as what a BBC Eurovision in the 21st century looks like! Again, how surreal to even be contemplating it. Certainly wasn’t on the cards this time 12 months ago, pre-Sam, post-Nul Points.

On the subject of Sam - what a year he’s had. As well as the aforementioned singles chart success and his ace performance at the Jubilee Party… he’s been everywhere, and has ascended to National Treasure status already. Capped - so far - with a Number 1 album just last week. 

ONE GIANT LEAP to Number One! 🎉

Congratulations @SamRyderMusic on your chart-topping success! 🚀

We had a special @officialcharts surprise for Sam! 🏆 #TheOneShow 👉 https://t.co/RoFB5iBhv9 pic.twitter.com/FO8RFob3cm

— BBC The One Show (@BBCTheOneShow) December 16, 2022

And then on NYE he’s got his own BBC1 show! (And the BBC are then showing the recent Amsterdam Eurovision concert straight after midnight - again, how things have changed - let’s hope the ratings are decent enough).

We can’t let this post wrap up without mentioning our Junior Eurovision success either. Freya Skye (semi-connected to one of our EUROfiasco parish members incidentally) sent an absolute bop-and-a-half, and was rewarded with a WIN in the public vote. And should really have won the whole thing - there were some strong songs, but the Jury votes were a little erratic in our view… but France will put on a good show again we’re sure.

But what a return for the BBC to Junior Eurovision. And what a year overall - a jury vote win, and a public vote win… a 2nd place, a 5th place… and a year ahead hosting Eurovision.

Of course the stressful part is coming up - getting tickets (ha!), finding somewhere vaguely affordable to stay (good one!), working out which events to get tickets for (the answer being: all of them), and trying to help of all the broad EUROfiasco Family to do the same. Think we need a little Christmas break first. 2023 is going to be a big one!