I’m guessing my experience is similar to most that love Eurovision. Friends and family look at you strangely when you bring it up. They make fun of your musical taste. They wonder if you’re insane. Actually they’re pretty sure I’m insane.
And in my case it’s even worse because no one in the U.S. has even heard of ESC. At least in Europe it’s a guilty pleasure, which gives people an excuse to watch it.
And yet… and yet…
One person who recently started at Windward (my company) loves Cascada. And so she read some of my posts about ESC. She watched some of the YouTube clips. And she’s hooked. She borrowed my DVDs of the last five year’s shows and is watching them.
And her biggest question of all so far is Cezar??? From her blog:
So as I’m watching the performances I can pretty much form an opinion. Either they are okay; LOVE them or hate them. Except one. The wonder that is Cezar.
She has watched his performance several times. She’s watched other performances of his on YouTube. She definitely either loves or hates him. But after two weeks, she still can’t figure out which it is…
But the coolest part is, she’s now addicted to Eurovision. So all of you, keep talking to others about it. For every 99 people that thing you’re borderline insane, there’s the one person who finds they love ESC. And that’s worth it.
How do you convert your friends? What strategies do you find successful? Let us know in the box below!
David T contributed this report from Colorado. Keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following wiwibloggs.com on Twitter and Facebook.
Photo: Dennis Statchel (EBU)
@Emily that guy’s friends actually weren’t happy at all with him discovering Verka.
Try having them listen to Rodolfo Chikilicuatre. That will really do wonders for their mental health.
I showed a friend outrageous moments from the contest like the jimmy jumper in 2010, Lill Lindfors’s “wardrobe malfunction”, the trophy smashing joke, Lynda Woodruff, Cezar, Winny Puhh.. Now I got her hooked on some of the songs & she will watch with me next year, even some of the NFs 😀
http://esczorgen.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/the-various-day-to-day-experiences-of-a-eurobore/ – I’ve provided my own views on the issues which surround “converting” people to Eurovision.
Anyway – it’s stupidly difficult. I sympathise with many of you.
@nirgal – Whenever I play Verka Serduchka, I usually get banned from going near a computer.
I agree with Eric – parties often do the trick. In the US, since know one has heard of it, I have the chance to paint a favorable enough picture of the Contest that they’re at least willing to watch a Contest with me. I usually use 2009 as the Russian production is the biggest and everyone seems to like the majority of acts. I haven’t brought anyone to our level of fandom, yet, but I have gotten quite a few to watch with me every year. And my blog, friends want to support me by reading it, then they… Read more »
I throw a party every year. It’s a great way to get people on board.
>> For one of them, what did the trick was Verka Serduchka.
Now that’s a scary thought.
Here in Mexico it’s maybe even harder. But so far I converted two, via simply sharing videos with them.
For one of them, what did the trick was Verka Serduchka.
Cascada <3
I got a friend to watch Baku and Malmö (also my first two TV/internet watches) and now we’ll watch it yearly.
She rooted for Estonia and Macedonia in 2012 and Norway, Netherlands and Azerbaijan this year.
I tend to put on Eurovision songs when hanging out with friends until they find one they like and then I let them know what 57 year old song contest the songs are from! This either results in a new Eurofan (hooray!), or I end up being banned from going near the computer with the music in the future (boo!)
You forgot me 🙂 Being an American Eurovision fan is NOT easy. I converted 2 other people to our faith. All you have to do is bother people with your songs from Eurovision, answer their questions about the show and repeat until you have them hooked.