Turkey to Serbia
http://www.afterhours.ie/articles/81/1/Turkey-to-Serbia/Page1.html
Seamus O'Neill
A Masters in International Journalism student and a graduate of Advertising and Media Studies, I am hugely interested in the entertainment field. I also write on more serious issues but you can't beat a bit of juicy gossip!!
For other articles by me check out my blog: http://www.wellblogitanyway.blogspot.com
By Seamus O'Neill
Published on 02/24/2008
Dustin wins Eurosong 2008 and will represent Ireland in Belgrade.
Go on ya good thing!
Live from the University Concert Hall Limerick Dustin the turkey was crowned winner of Eurosong 2008. He will now go on to represent us at the Eurovision Song Contest in May which is taking place in Belgrade Serbia.
This year’s national song contest has been one of the most talked about since the days of when we won the Eurovision year after year. This has mostly been attributed to the inclusion of Dustin and how right or wrong of a decision it was to include him.
Well the public have spoken and it looks like it was right to include him. However this did not stop members of the audience in the concert hall from booing before Dustin performed and when he won.
Eurosong 2008 saw six acts of various styles all compete for the chance to represent Ireland.
First of those who performed was Donal Skehan with his song “Double cross my heart”. Although the song was a typical Eurovison style song it was let down by a bad vocal performance from Donal.
Next up was Dustin who performed his song “Irlande douze pointe” in a shopping trolley. It was everything Dustin is, loud, brash and with no real tune except for the chorus which is sung by a woman who can certainly hold a note.
Maya from Slovenia sang third with her song “Time to Rise”. A strong performance from the girl with a big voice. This powerful ballad was almost too powerful as Maya was always reaching for the high notes which made up this song.
Up fourth was Leona Daly with her song “Not crazy after all”. This song was a very strong song and one that would do well in the music charts. With a strong vocal from Leona the one thing that may have hampered this song is that it was not typical of the Eurovision songs of today.
Act five was Liam Geddes with “Sometimes”. A nice ballad with a strong theatrical feel, this is the kind of song we were sending eight years ago.
Last up to perform was a gentleman we did send years ago. Marc Roberts came second for Ireland in 1997. This time he was trying his luck with his song “Chances”. The Irish public didn’t give him another chance though and rightly so. The song while good was not strong enough to make an impact.
Judges Louis Walsh, Dana (who won for us in 1970) and Marija Serifovic (last year’s Eurovision winner) all predicted Dustin to win although that does not mean they wanted him to win.
Dana who was clearly against the idea of Dustin being included in Eurosong said, “I don’t blame the turkey, I blame the turkeys who picked it” (to enter Eurosong). She also put forward the notion that “if Dustin wins we should pull out of the Eurovision Song Contest for good.”
And win he did. The bookies were right and the Irish public voted. Those not happy with the decision must accept the fact that the people of Ireland voted and made their voices heard by choosing Dustin. Dustin will be the first puppet to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. This is a big step for Ireland who in recent years have been sending inadequate entries.
It is a matter of time though to see if the turkey’s charm can transcend borders and cultures or if it might be a case of lost in translation when it comes to the semi-final on the 20th May.
This year’s national song contest has been one of the most talked about since the days of when we won the Eurovision year after year. This has mostly been attributed to the inclusion of Dustin and how right or wrong of a decision it was to include him.
Well the public have spoken and it looks like it was right to include him. However this did not stop members of the audience in the concert hall from booing before Dustin performed and when he won.
Eurosong 2008 saw six acts of various styles all compete for the chance to represent Ireland.
First of those who performed was Donal Skehan with his song “Double cross my heart”. Although the song was a typical Eurovison style song it was let down by a bad vocal performance from Donal.
Next up was Dustin who performed his song “Irlande douze pointe” in a shopping trolley. It was everything Dustin is, loud, brash and with no real tune except for the chorus which is sung by a woman who can certainly hold a note.
Maya from Slovenia sang third with her song “Time to Rise”. A strong performance from the girl with a big voice. This powerful ballad was almost too powerful as Maya was always reaching for the high notes which made up this song.
Up fourth was Leona Daly with her song “Not crazy after all”. This song was a very strong song and one that would do well in the music charts. With a strong vocal from Leona the one thing that may have hampered this song is that it was not typical of the Eurovision songs of today.
Act five was Liam Geddes with “Sometimes”. A nice ballad with a strong theatrical feel, this is the kind of song we were sending eight years ago.
Last up to perform was a gentleman we did send years ago. Marc Roberts came second for Ireland in 1997. This time he was trying his luck with his song “Chances”. The Irish public didn’t give him another chance though and rightly so. The song while good was not strong enough to make an impact.
Judges Louis Walsh, Dana (who won for us in 1970) and Marija Serifovic (last year’s Eurovision winner) all predicted Dustin to win although that does not mean they wanted him to win.
Dana who was clearly against the idea of Dustin being included in Eurosong said, “I don’t blame the turkey, I blame the turkeys who picked it” (to enter Eurosong). She also put forward the notion that “if Dustin wins we should pull out of the Eurovision Song Contest for good.”
And win he did. The bookies were right and the Irish public voted. Those not happy with the decision must accept the fact that the people of Ireland voted and made their voices heard by choosing Dustin. Dustin will be the first puppet to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. This is a big step for Ireland who in recent years have been sending inadequate entries.
It is a matter of time though to see if the turkey’s charm can transcend borders and cultures or if it might be a case of lost in translation when it comes to the semi-final on the 20th May.