Good Evening, Europe! It may be frosty in our beloved Sweden, but joy is in the air as the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 approaches. On January 25 Swedish broadcaster SVT staged the semi-final allocation draw, deciding when the 43 participating countries will sing and vote. wiwiblogger Tobias was on the scene and had the chance to catch-up with Christer Björkman — Mr Melodifestivalen and the Show Producer for Eurovision 2016.
Björkman discusses “the fliers” — which we assume are the seeds of the dandelion logo, saying they “represent a person or a song or a composer or an artist or a fan, and it symbolises that we go from somewhere to here and become a new memory….all the fliers are drawn in…they are sucked in and become the collective memory of all Eurovisions.” Does that give us a hint about the postcards for the show? Blow, baby, blow!
He’s decidedly tight-lipped about other matters — we can’t blame him! But we keep prodding him anyway, and ask whether Lynda Woodruff will play a part in the show, whether Sweden has a strong enough pool of Melodifestivalen songs to win Eurovision and how the Stockholm show will stack up against Malmö.
You better hurry and click that play button, because as Spain’s Maria Isabel says, la vida sólo es una. Don’t waste it!
Eurovision 2016: Executive Producer Martin Osterdahl
Eurovision 2016: Reacting to “Come Together”
Eurovision 2016: Semi-final draw reaction
READ MORE SWEDEN EUROVISION NEWS
Photo: SVT
Don’t mind me, just here to watch people comment and complain about on how Sweden didn’t deserve to win, voting systems, and political voting.
Move along.
*eats popcorn*
With nordic loby in reference group for Eurovision and overrated points by juries, with good song they can everything from 2012 till now.
@Österrike: That’s interesting, I never thought about Slovenia that way but what you say is true. It happened in 2003 as well: Belgium had quite a strong lead and looked like the obvious winner. Only two countries were left to vote: Sweden (no point to Belgium, 8 to Tukey), then Slovenia (only 3 points to Belgium, 10 to Turkey). And bam, Turkey won with that horrible song by a margin of only 2 points.
@Österrike:
Sweden would’ve still done very well without those 19 points, so it was still a popular choice. And in Eurovision, all the participants’ votes matter, so the outcome was the will of all of Europe. I could go on a rant about that barely anyone voted for my favourite Lithuania, but I feel it’s pointless. You have all the reasons to feel dissapointed, but it gets tiresome if you go on and on and on about it, especially since it was 17 years ago.
Also, I must speak up for Ireland – to the previous poster, they may not be your personal cup of tea – but to me, they are all worthy winners. “In Your Eyes”, for example, is a classic! If you look back to 1993, it is one of the few songs to stand the test of time.
I have no problem with the result being split between juries and televoters – however, I feel that last year’s jurys based their points on the “show” rather than the song. The admittedly excellent staging of “Heroes” is what won the contest for Sweden – not the song, not the singer. I think I read that juries are actually directed to take the staging into consideration, which is a huge mistake. For me, Italy are (or at least should’ve been) the true winners.
OMG, people are still sour losers over Italy losing? It’s been a year, time to get over it. You really are overreacting to non-trivial issues. Sweden won, that’s that. The world didn’t end, the contest is still here bigger than ever. Italy is competing again, and aren’t feeling raw about coming third. It’s a entertainment show, not bloody war. The outright hate of some of the comments is staggering. You take it that seriously? Funny also that you mention Ireland’s three wins at being deserved, when at the time it was seen as anything but deserved. Fans thought there were… Read more »
@Mitchelvaneijk – whenever the “copy” topic arises, you defend Sweden with the same “but others copied as well, look, look”.
Well, those others didn’t win, so you’re the ones targeted. Accept it already! Hahah
I wanna see an underdog win. Hungary, Slovenia, Albania, some country that’s never won before. A Swedish win obviously wouldn’t be ideal, but if they produce a great song and they actually deserve to win, who am I to say that they shouldn’t?
@who ever said that Mans should stop me on the Globen doors: relax, I ain’t coming.
@the one who said that Sweden won because it’s awesome and takes care of ESC (or something like that) – sorry, Italy won last year fair and square. You just had the stupid juries to hand the win to you. And God forbid EBU to disqualify whatever copy-song you send to ESC.
@Rayman, Slovenia has a record of voting for mediocre schlager. In 1999 Slovenia and Bosnia gave Sweden 19 points, Iceland 0 points. Iceland was done, Sweden was through. So even with the Nordic friendly vote, but without the Balkan vote, Iceland was the winner. Denmark and Norway awarded 22 points to both SWE and ICE. ICE and SWE exchanged 10 and 12. The winner was crowned by the Balkan vote.
@Österrike:
You still need to explain the Slovenia girlfriend deal tho
Also, what has Österdahl’s appereance got to do with anything?
@Österrike:
I really like the Irish entry that year, but I do prefer the Polish one. One factor to Ireland’s win was probably that 1994 was full of big ballads, and so an acoustic one (in English) stood out from the bunch.
Let’s vote right here and now regarding which country we would like to win and all due to the fact that we want “some sunny place this time” or because “it’s been a while since these countries won” … Is that how sporting events works as well? “Poor [insert country here] for not putting in enough effort to beat Norway in the winter olympics. We’d prefer if Norway didn’t win any medals, let’s hand these to Brazil, because it would be cool if someone else won some for a change and while we’re at it we should hand the FIFA… Read more »
@Rayman, with the exception of 1994, Ireland was a great winner each time. In 1994 I would have preferred Poland and Hungary over Ireland. It seemed like Riverdance won it for Ireland.
@lily, dont worry about me coming to Globen, because I am so not going to Stockholm. Next year to Madrid for sure. Sweden is a stuck up country, happy to never go there ever again, along with its “friendly” neighbours.
I would like to see another “Molitva” winner this year. A non English winner would be amazing.
No ones taking any risks anymore.
The safe “Swedish winning formula” as someone put it, is wearing thin.
I love Swedish songwriting. But most of the guys working today aren’t exactly Bjorn and Benny. A little less formulaic stuff would be very welcome.
Something is telling me that Holland, Estonia or France is going to win this year…
Sweden to win again?
YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! Hela Sverige!!! Apart from 2009, I have liked all of their entries. Matter of fact, if it was up to me, they would have won 4 times since 2007. I think Ace or Molly could do it for me this year.
@Österrike:
Meh, I think people got pretty tired of the Irish wins back in the 90’s too, they just didn’t have the Internet where they could’ve vented their frustration. It’s easy now to say they were deserved, when matters have had 20 years to settle.
Never liked the 1984 winner, but I’m fine with the other Swedish wins, even though I preferred a few other songs most of those years.
“Swedens wannabe girlfriend named Slovenia”
??? Never heard that one before. I mean, Slovenia’s great an’ all, but seriously, wat
@Österrike @MTD I actually screem inside everytime I read one of your guys answers. Cause I have never, ever, seen so jealous guys before!! Hope Måns Zelmerlöw himself will be there at the frontdoor to stop you from getting into the Globe arena when it all starts. Oh my…It would be so much fun. Hilarious!!
@MTD, you are right, the Eastern bloc could return the favour given how divisive the Nordic Eurovision policy is for the contest. I am not sure if they want to go for it, but when Denmark announced the running order of the songs in the Grand Final, I thought they got to be kidding. Ukraine, Belarus and Azerbaijan at the beginning and they moved the ad break in favour of Sweden which drew 1st half, but was granted second half.
I hope this year all these Eastern countries will deliberately put the Nordic bloc on positions 20-25, just to make them feel pain. Hahaha
Just like Iceland’s jury did last year.
@Österrike – I couldn’t agree more with each of your points made. Cheers to that!
SVT has the aim and attitude of “always go for gold, no matter what”. They have said so numeral times.And I don’t think it’s a bad attitude to it. I think every country should have that same attitude to always go for gold. Sadly many don’t have it, with saying they can’t afford it or don’t want to win and whatnot. Every country participating should be prepared to host it. As for Swedish win this year? Probably not, if we want to be realistic. Never say never, but it’s unlikely this year. But that said, and with rate we’re keeping… Read more »
Sweden is the only host country that refers to itself as part of a BIG SIX. No other host country did that. Goes to show some attitude. Österdahl has lazy eyes but thinks he stands above the rest.
Sweden has 6 wins, but 4 of them are outrageous. The Irish wins were all well deserved but looking at these 4 Swedish victories, I cannot live anymore living with the knowledge that they eventually won. 1984 – Diggy-Loo, Diggy-Ley – this song is an absolute poo-poo song. Thank you Denmark for your decisive votes! 1991 – Captured by a love storm – by the terrible Carola. Under the current tie-break rules the win would go to France and their amazing Amina. Again Denmark did the job for Sweden against the will of the rest of Europe. 1999 – Another… Read more »
I’d actually like to see a new cou try win, macedonia’s best position was in 2006 and 12th. Kaliopi came 13th just 1 point off 12 the so I think she could actually do well. It would be incredible if Malta won, they’ve been robbed about 5 times!!!!!
@ct greece:
Got any proof to support that?
mtd so true! and what pisses me off is the vickings do it so much but they neer get the hate its always the eastern black people have a go at.
i think the balkans have got it i the bad this year all they need to do is make sure one of them send a good balkan type song and victory will eb theirs. if they all send balkan songs it will flop
And it is interesting to see how these countries blame the neighbour voting, but look at the past 7-8 winners. Hahahha
I have really high expectations about Iveta. Hope Armenia Wins. Time for another country to win the whole game
Sweden is one of my all time favorite Eurovision countries, I have religiously loved every one of their entries since 2011, except 2014, I still cant get over “Undo My Sad”. But nope, I dont want them to win again. The contest has been stuck in Scandinavia for too long now, I think a different country should win, preferable an underdog. The ESC hasn’t been west of Germany since 1998, so its definitely time is has come for one of these countries to win. I also dont want to see my country lose its record of Eurovision wins. I predict… Read more »
As a Swede of course I’d love to win again, but only if we have a deserving song. I’d actually love to see a country who’s never won win this year, like Hungary or Romania. My gut feeling is telling me we’ll be heading to Amsterdam, Tallinn, or Oslo in 2017 though.
if they are in the top 3 again in the juries with a bad song im going to start questionsing wtf is going on. i still dont get hot robin got 3rd in malmo.
Isn’t it time for another big 5 win all the big 5 this year seem too be taking the contest more serious than so I’d like to see one of them try triumph like Germany did in 2010
@ESC WINNER CONFIRMED:
“Sweden will not win. Kaliopi is officially ESC winner confirmed by EBU.”
Amen.
Don’t say! They intend to buy the juries again?
Sweden will not win. Kaliopi is officially ESC winner confirmed by EBU.
I mean it’s Sweden you cannot count them out. They’ve been top 3 4/5 last years [2 of which I don’t think should’ve been there] and my favourite of the lot is the one that placed worst. Robin <3
I love sweden in eurovision! I genuianly do! But just NOO we need to go to other countries and see what they can offer, it gets boring going to the same countries every 2-3 yrs
I think that only two songs – Fairytale and Euphoria – could have overcome the home disadvantage and retained the title. Would be nice to see a southern Europe or Mediterranean country win – it’s been 10 years after all- but Eastern Europe would make a nice change too.
all sweden’s wins are justified. if they win again with an amazing song, i won’t complain.
No!!!
I’d like to see someone else win. Everyone seems to be copying the Swedish “success formula”, and it would be nice for the winning recipe to not be the same every single year.
On a completely separate note, Ola Salo’s starring in Hedwig and the Angry Inch after Mello. I wonder if he’ll do the songs in English or Swedish.
The best song should of course win whichever country so to say Sweden should not win before you hear the song kind of does not make sense. The same as not to vote for a song because you don’t like a country.
Even though I do love a majority of Sweden’s songs, I would like to see other countries to win the contest. Preferrably one that’s never won the contest before. The last time that happened was back in 2011, so five years ago. I think it’s about time Eurovision gets held on fresh land.
If it’s just about getting Eurovision out of Sweden, then the other nations need to send entries that the televoters AND the juries love. It might be the only way.
1 word: NEVER. The contest needs to go somewhere else. And when i say somewhere else definitely not scandinavia again…. esc needs some sun….