Breaking: Eurovision...

The problem with having a reputation of being a Eurovision superfan, is that when ESC hits the mainstream news, I get messaged by everyone I know. 

Last week, a story that's been bubbling since the last Eurovision Song Contest, made it to the BBC News website. 'Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia boycott Eurovision after Israel allowed to compete' read the headline. And yes, that's correct. The EBU (European Broadcasting Network) met to discuss whether Israel would be included in 2026 and decided that it would. As a result, the countries listed, announced their withdrawal.

I'm not going to lie, it's messy. Russia's exclusion in 2022 was 'based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU.' This was later clarified in 2024. On the ESC website's FAQs section, in response to 'Why is Israel still a member of the EBU when Russia was suspended?' the response was, 'The Russian public service broadcaster had their EBU membership suspended in 2022 due to consistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service media values.' This was not the case with the Israeli broadcaster, KAN.

There's also the point that KAN is considered free of government interference and provides independent news. To exclude the broadcaster could signal the end of that. If there's no need for KAN to keep legit to stay in Eurovision, then the Israeli government can make moves to take over the broadcaster. That could be why the EBU felt it important that KAN stay. But! - and let's face it, this is a massive but - there's a genocide taking place. The images of Gaza are horrendous. The idea that the country whose government is responsible for the devastation, will also enjoy the soft power of sending an act to compete in musical fun times, can feel too much to stomach.

At the time of writing, four countries have backed out. (That figure could change before the official deadline to sign up on Wednesday.) Many people I follow (online superfans that live for the entire season) have indicated they're out. The EBU's decision has disappointed many and they've no desire to watch. My own vague plans to be in Vienna next May have also been shelved. Eurovision was always a supremely happy vibe. People from all over the place having the best time. It's fair to say, the tone has shifted dramatically. 

In better news, there have been some changes made to the 2026 contest because of 'all of this.' The voting rules have been rejigged. Last year's voting was alleged to be influenced by the Israeli government. (I'm unclear if that was illegal; it's just that the likes of Keir Starmer doesn't concern himself with a global internet campaign promoting the UK act.) Perhaps as a result, Israel came second. This year, it is discouraged for governments to engage in disproportionate promotion campaigns. Not sure how it'll be managed but they've tried to address concerns. Time will tell if it makes a difference. 

Despite the voting overhaul, Eurovision is tainted right now. Whether I pay attention to the national finals and the up and coming months' build up, is uncertain. Instead, I'm tuning it out and hoping something changes. It probably won't, but my desire for a comforting happy place remains. If the usual buzz of national song selections isn't doing it for me, I must look elsewhere. That's why I've been auditioning a few new comfort blankets in which to cover myself. 

First up, Delia Smith's Christmas. This episode is a hive of history - cookery shows really highlight the economy they're filmed in and this one seemed to be made in an absolute boom. Then, in more food and drink nostalgia, I watched a 1990 Christmas special of the Food and Drink show. More history, and huge amounts of sexism but mostly funny af. After that, I stayed with the nineties but moved away from Christmas. Remember The Travel Show? For all I know, it's still on, but this episode is from 1992. What's mad is how much info gets imparted. Pre-Internet, I guess we got our European road news, baggage handling info, and last minute holiday deals on a weekly TV show from Penny Junor.

This is from 1987

This final gem is also on YouTube. Now, stay with me, it sounds batshit at first. This is a compilation of the BBC Christmas trailers from the seventies to the late eighties. Don't worry. This is only part one. If your nostalgia has more of a nineties flavour, try part two. There's something strangely compelling about seeing the Christmas Day schedules from various years of your life. Imagine my excitement when 1989 hit and I remembered watching that exact showing of Crocodile Dundee. A Christmas miracle!

If the Eurovision dissembling hasn't troubled your existence this week, then fair play to you. I've not been able to escape it, myself. Hopefully this post has informed you about events... or depressed you beyond measure. Thank goodness you've got the BBC trailers to dive into. 

Have a lovely week, folks.