When the credits at Eurovision 2016 started to roll, the team from wiwibloggs was a total mess. After two weeks of no sleep — and many months of build-up — many of us were left feeling like the walking dead. This was particularly true for William and Deban, who, in addition to working on wiwibloggs, were busy commentating for SVT’s Studio Eurovision — Sweden’s nationally televised pre-show ahead of the semi-finals and the final. In the moments after the final, and before they had time to properly think about the result, the duo caught up with German broadcaster NDR for a quick chat. Their eyes are bleary and their faces worn, but they manage to spit out an answer or two — on technical innovation, Jamala’s stunning performance and Jamie-Lee’s last-place finish.
William was impressed by SVT’s presentation.
“This was the most fantastic production we’ve ever seen at Eurovision. The stage was enormous but it still felt intimate despite the size. They were able to do a lot with the winner Jamala from Ukraine…tell a very moving story using modern technology. Sometimes technology can get in the way, but here it really enhanced the music and the story.”
Deban, still shaking, was creaming his knickers over the intense final moments of the show: “The voting segment was really exciting from the first bank of countries was announced to the last.”
But what got you going during the grand final?
Were you still laughing about the Peace, love, love interval act? Did Petra and Måns manage to keep your interest for the full three hours? Did the stage get your goat, or would you have preferred fewer LEDs?
Candid answers in the comments section below, please!
Just meh.
My favorite was Dami Im Australia, she clearly got the highest votes from jury and flopped for televoters.
Just like Oscar Zia/Ace Wilder in Melodifestivalen moment.
TO MANY SWEDS AS SONGWRITER ETC IN THIS YEAR OF ESC – AND Nebi – As a swed, no it’s not a good idé, but thanks. I think our swedish produktion made a fantasic jobb and it was a modern and frech. BUT, I want to experience what other countries can bring. TO MANY SWEDISH SONGS IN ESC I think it’s bad enought that sweden has been a part of 17 acts in ESC this year one way or another. Ofcource it’s fun that swedish people working in the music are sussecfull. This year we had acts whith sweds that… Read more »
I was shocked! I’m still in shock. I cried like a child, I was scared. I didn’t believe what I saw. I hate poli?y. Sergey is my only one <3
I hope every country feel that the swedish produktion has been passionate to lift every number. I do belive that’s the case. I heard that even those who diddn’t end up in Grand final were so gratefull how there act ended up and described that the sweds were so passionate to let every countries act to be as perfekt as possible.
I think the act grey people was best of Eurovision. I think When bbc chose to show sweed eating meatball it wasn’t only lack of respect towards SVTs production. It was lack of respect towards refugeis.
Well I have just wathed an interwiev whith the producers of camera on SVT godmorgon and before the show the producers of lighting. I think they were abolutely a huge part of how incredibel all the numbers was.
My first reaction was that it was a great contest because it was close, but… The winner was a very sad song, and perhaps shows how Europe is at war rather than how it is all together. With Australia coming a well-deserved second, I felt that were were seeing the end of EUROvision and the beginning of a new international song contest. It might be good if the world were at peace, but as this isn’t the case I think the contest may become even darker over time. Jamala in the Press Conference really summed it up well: Her winning… Read more »
I loved the scoring system. It was great that the announcers only gave the 12 point result from the jury so it didn’t drag on for too long. Also the massive differences between the jury results and the televoting results kept up the tension right to the last announcement. I think if we could have voted for Peace, Peace, Love, Love then it would have beaten them all as it was by far the best song on the night (Justin Timberlake included). If anything I think there was more political bias in the televoting results than the jury votes. But… Read more »
The new voting system definitely took my breath away. It was the most intense voting I’ve ever seen! I was so shocked that Russia wasn’t top 3 for the juries and because of that, he couldn’t win! And zero points for the Czech Republic?! D: And people always are in a rage about antisemitism — then Germany gives 12 points to Israel.
“Love Love Peace Peace” was fantastic too though. Absolutely loved it.
My reaction – Like many, I was anticipating Australia to take the crown. They did a bloody fantastic job. Dami Im literally gave life to Sound of Silence. 2nd place (almost taking top spot mind you) in one of the biggest song contest in the world is such an amazing feat. Well done Australia
My first reaction was pure joy when I realised that Australia were not going to win and then a slow acknowledgement that Dami Im actually did a fantastic job with a poor song.
It has been a while since I have actually been invested in the winning act of Eurovision. Usually the songs I think should win finish in the top 10 to 15 range!
My first reaction was pure relief that Australia didn’t win. Firstly, because it’s far from my favourite song in the competition – and secondly because I still haven’t come to terms with Australia competing. I’m adjusting slowly to the idea, don’t get me wrong, but a win? I’m not there yet. A big “phew!” from me. I’d like to echo the sentiments congratulating SVT on a stellar job. They corrected all their mistakes from 2013. It was great three years ago too, but the biggest improvement was the stage – the last one was absolutely horrible and not camera-friendly. To… Read more »
For me better stage , postcard, host was in Denmark 2014.
Best stage from 2000 to 2016
1.2014
2.2009
3.2011
Next year Armenia will send the worl pd famous song Adana renamed to 1915. Practice shows that the rules of Eurovision make no sense.
The moron people are the ones that violate the rules, not the ones that demand justice,
So after the stupid petition, those moron people start to choose another way by spreading hoax about that crime is ours thing or the publicity rules violation or whatever. Keep trying moron people
I had to leave early to catch the last train from a cinema showing the final right before the televote results. A young woman who had got reception when we told her we’d been to a Eurovision showing suddenly said `Ukraine had won` I jumped for joy!
Clarification on the dates mentioned earlier:
The concert was held on May 18, 2015.
The video was originally uploaded on May 23, 2015.
More videos of this performance are now circulating on the web:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoPHIdUCGtM
New and unexpected controversy surrounding ‘1944’:
A Youtube video uploaded on May 18th, 2015 claims to show Jamala performing ‘1944’ in a public concert she held on May 15th, 2015.
If there is any grain of truth in this and the ‘evidence’ hasn’t been tampered, Ukraine’s victory could be annulled as the EBU guidelines and rules strictly prohibit the validity of a song publicly released before September 1, 2015.
WATCH THE LINK BELOW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLoLIxHiTV0
Even though I didn’t like Russia’s song, Sergey’s face before Russia’s points were announced really broke me :,(
To be honest, I was crashed! I’m trying not to be a sore loser but it was soo close! I mean I’m proud of Dami, she did really well! And 2nd is a great achievement considering a lot of ppl don’t understand Australia being in the contest! And may not like the idea of Australia hosting, even though it couldn’t be hosted in our country…Still it really was a twist of events in the end! I didn’t predict Australia to win, I thought top 5 but seeing how well Australia did in the jury vote I began to think it… Read more »
This was probably one of the best contests to date. The songs were almost all of decent quality (along with 2015) which really has lead to increased credibility. There were very little gimmicks that did not add value to the actual performance or any kind of innovation. The hosts and production were all on point. SVT really did a great job (and redeemed themselves from 2013!). Maybe it would be cool if the spokespeople, representing their countries, announced the televoting and the jury votes were read out by the hosts. Just a thought. Good luck Ukraine, SVT really stepped it… Read more »
SVT did a great job. I’m going to vote Sweden just to see Petra again!
To all Russian trolls: so you all accept that Dami is the winner?
Love Love Peace Peace was the real winner of the contest. As far as the voting was going, as we got down to the finals, I was totally pulling for Dami after it became clear that neither Spain nor Belgium was gonna win. Everytime they announced a country I was like “plz not Australia”. Then they announced Australia 4th, and I saw the 300 point differential, and I’m thinking “its enough… maybe?” And then Petra said ‘the second place country… with three hundred twenty three…” and I knew it was over and Ukraine had won. They’d pass Australia, and there’s… Read more »
1) Keep the scoring system the same (at least for a while)! It’s great that the system worked out since it would have actually been boring if Australia dominated both the jury and public vote, but luckily the top 5 were all over the place. This has to be the most exciting voting sequence since Turkey’s win back in 2003! I liked all of the bookies’ favourites (bar Sweden, I didn’t quite get that entry as a strong contender), so I didn’t mind whoever won. 2) SVT really upped the game for all future hosting countries. After an impromptu comparison,… Read more »
Loo you are right.Thank you svt for this amazing show.It was fantastic. Frans has a great talent and his haters must be in a bad mood now that he did very well.He could have won if Sweden wasnt the host country.I think that Sweden will win next year.It is time for Sweden to become queen of eurovision. This year showed that they deserved that.
After watching the final like 10 times now I can clearly say that Sweden had the best song by MILES this year without competition. I feel so happy that all the haters was punched in right in the face. The hate was only based on the fact that it was Sweden. I knew it all the time. Such a innovative and modern song. It’s such a shame for Frans that he didn’t win. In any other year Sweden would have won, but as a host country it’s too hard to do it. If he were in a semi final we… Read more »
In terms of stage, visuals, hosts, interval and opening acts SVT blew me away. Lets just say, compared to last year, Vienna was humilliated. The song line up was stronger last year, and I felt the results were more consistent (as in no fan favourite got stuck in the semis, there was no huge discrepancies of points like with Poland, etc.) The new voting sistem worked like a clock, it’s really good. The only negative aspect this year was the same as last year’s: the juries and their disgusting behaviour. I’m also really, really happy that a non pop song… Read more »
Jeey more butt hurt Russians ….
You did not win – deal with it.
Maclaren, SAME. STILL.
Love how the Huffington Post can’t even come up with original articles anymore, well done Wiwibloggs you inspire people! 🙂
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-thielen/call-the-police-the-five-_b_9980074.html
@KK +1 And I am sure Ukrainians decided to take part in the competition inspired by this song. All the circus with national selection is complete joke. And I am also confident that their win was supported by the EBU. The incident with Danish jury showed how crucial is the voting of just one jury member.
@Zoomy SKANDAL
@William Lee Adams Well, let’s say Jamala’s performance was not political, BUT…
The song was performed before September 1st!!! and was previously called “Crimea is ours” (In crimean tatar language). Here’s the video below, watch from 4.00. There was an interview with Ukrainian president who admitted everything what I just said.
I don’t like contests who don’t follow their own rules. Jamala has a strong voice, and she let her be. But I have no willingness to ever take ESC seriously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xivfN-MCjQ
My first reaction was aparently to take pictures with others on the sofa wearing flags.I have no recollection of this but my camera role says it’s true.
@Maclaren Will you respect the winner after learning that the song is 1.5 years old (violations of ESC rules) and was originally named “Crimea is Ours” (nationalist slogan, again violation of rules) and according to Jamala and Pyotr Poroshenko, the president of Ukraine, the they had political intentions? This video is taken in May, last year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xivfN-MCjQ the song is sung at 03:58
From the beginning goosebumps that Belgium gave me (and sad they had to perform first), to the other goosebumps I got from France, Poland, Russia, Latvia, and Ukraine, to the final change in the leaderboard with the reveal of the televote for Australia, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia (what excitement!!), I was thrilled with the Final. I thought SVT did a great job and is a template for future successful shows.
I felt being robbed. Then I felt angry, helpless, being in pain and numb at the same inside. I guess this is called heart-broken. I respect the eventual winner but I can’t get rid of the feeling that Sergry was badly robbed. Three days after it is not getting any better. My Eurovision heart will grow back again only if Sergey comes back in 2018
We were shocked. We all agreed that Jamala’s performance was overacted, making it tacky and disrespectful towards her great grandmother… She ended dead last in our own poll.. We drank our sorrow, finishing the wine and went for an afterparty at a local gay bar!
@MTD
“If I was Ukraine, I would hire the whole Swedish team” If you were Ukraine, you would be able to hire anyone if you had money. But if you were Ukraine, and you had money, you would have to pay pensions that have not been paid for months. And if you were Ukraine and if you somehow managed to pay the pensions and mend the streets you would think about the social problems of the country: homophobia, nationalism, neonazism… If you were Ukraine… But you’re not Ukraine… No (sorry Frans)
My first reaction was get me to the Tele 2 for some proper booze!!
We had a Eurovision party and thought the voting system was really good, as we all felt suspense and had different ideas of who would win. The system has done a good job of highlighting the flaws in using juries and now I think more people support jury reform.
I am really happy how SVT made this show, overall, hosts included. Really a top notch job. If I was Ukraine, I would hire the whole Swedish team (included the script writers). 🙂
Well done SVT. I wont be mad the next time when you’ll win, you deserve it solely for show purposes. 🙂
I’m pleased wiwibloggs are famous. You do a fantastic job every year with all your slick and funny videos, and much more. Deban knows his audience with his appropriate remarks about Jamie-Lee. Form me 2016 wasn’t quite up with 1975 and 1976, but in those days the UK had contenders which made it that more exciting in my country. But there was plenty to cheer. The presenters I think have set the bar very high for others to follow. I thought Petra was great in 2013. This year she was brilliant. I didn’t expect Måns to do such a good… Read more »
MY FIRST REACTION WAS: Wait I have already heard the winner song somewhere… And I found out that the song was performed in May last year and I was in that concert though I didn’t know Jamala. here’s the song performed by Jamala https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xivfN-MCjQ 04:01 And when I found this video in youtube I got interested in the song and it turned out that It was written in March 2015 and was named “Crimea is ours” which is a nationalistic slogan used by Ukrainian “Pravy sector” (the guys with Nazi symbols). I have never been interested in Eurovision but now… Read more »
the voting display is a great innovation! the DRAMA is here, finally, and not like in previous years when we had the winners announced even before the voting segment ended.
the show was great! i couldn’t pick any single great moment. i’d have rated the whole show 11/10! 😀
…BUT!…
…the moment ukraine was declared as the winner tho, i was gasping for air in utter disbelief. i headed to twitter to express all of my frustration as i believe the result is not fair at all. the winner totally messed up my perception of this year’s eurovision. i think i’ll rate it -27/10. 🙁
#sergeyisourchampion
#justicefordami
Score:
New voting: A+ I was initially quite opposed but I was wrong.
Peace, Peace, Love, Love: A+ I rewatched this several times and laughed myself silly each time.
Jury Integrity: D Although I’m very politically aligned with what may have motivated many of these juries, I’m much more aligned with justice and there is no room for what was done to Russia.
Quality of Performances: B+ I thought this was going to be a weak year but actually, except for Georgia, the numbers were very entertaining.
Hosts/Show Production: A Can we have Sweden host this every year?
Wiwi team check those out, the world scandal is little i think…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_isw2aqOHQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl7XYpsgW7c