After the success of Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam, Eurovision 2022 host broadcaster RAI invited Dutch television producer Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen to return as the Head of Contest. Speaking to Volgspot on NPO Radio 5, he revealed several details about the show’s preparations — including how he and his team decided the running order.
When the show’s organisers released the running order earlier this week, fans debated what may have contributed to producers’ decisions. Twan unpacked his thinking behind the running order to Volgspot presenter Hijlco Spaan. When deciding where more intimate songs should go in the running order, Twan shared that the musical component is not the only factor. He said:
“The most important thing is to make as attractive a TV show as possible. To have a running order that will appeal too much of the public. Then you look to variety in music, as you already said, but also to the execution part. But if I look to the start of the semi-finals: we open with Albania. That song starts off slowly, but after forty seconds, a strong beat appears (…)”
“But if you saw the performance during the Albanian national final, then you see a type of drama, it looks dark in the clothes, in the staging and in the use of lights. And then it’s nice if you then [follow that up with] number two, which is actually Latvia. If you come with something that looks very fresh, bright colours, funky, very white. So if you heard nothing, there is still visual contrast in light and in direction.”
Meanwhile, Finland’s The Rasmus were put first in the second semi-final because of the high energy of the song. According to Twan, the country has “ambitious” staging.
The costruction and deconstruction of each act is another force to reckon with. Although the Head of Contest is very influential in determining the running order, the directors also play a large part in the decisions. This year, the stage crew only has 35 seconds to prepare each act. Upon his appointment, Twan requested that the Italian broadcaster allow him to bring some of the crew they had in Rotterdam. RAI agreed, understanding that the crew needs to function like a well-oiled machine.
When asked whether countries have shown dissatisfaction if assigned spots early in the draw, like the infamous “spot of death” for position two, Twan joked:
“I haven’t had any angry Latvians or Israelis on the phone. Nobody has called me, emailed me or texted… I literally have zero interest in disadvantaging any country.”
“I love all forty as much, I want to give all forty the same amount of attention during the preparations. That has to be honest. The rehearsals have been neatly booked in 30-minute slots. But also in the other type of attention that you give people when you email them or call them. There, we have to share our attention in an honest way. I cannot give one country twenty hours of extra attention and give zero attention to two other countries.”
Some delegations receive a “reality check” from organisers
After the deadline for submitting songs, countries are required to submit a so-called “look and feel” document. They outline the staging concept they want to see on stage.
Twan recalled how the Italian delegation submitted an 88-page document with videos, pictures and drawings to direct their entry second by second in Rotterdam. Barbara Pravi’s document was much shorter, but nonetheless complicated. The stage crew had issues with not being able to control the smoke due to the draughty hall in which Eurovision 2021 was held.
After receiving these “look and feel” documents, Twan noted the following:
“After that, the game really starts. At first we think, we know the song, do we understand how this staging adds to and strenghtens what a country or delegation wants. And then we, often, as the beautiful task is with me, have to give a reality check. Because, often, things are not possible, or are not allowed.”
Sometimes, plans die as the props that countries wants to bring can’t be brought in and hiring or making them locally is too expensive for a delegation’s budget.
One of the things that has been made impossible since the contest in Rotterdam is the use of fountains on stage. Twan said:
“Water on stage is just super complicated for us. There are some cables. Plus, the LED floors, which have been a given for years, are an incredibly slippery surface in their own right.”
“If there’s water on them, we also, within those 35 seconds, when we are already trying to build the set from Ukraine for example, have to mop it up. We did actually already decide last year that we cannot take that risk. We also have to guarantee the safety of all artists, who are in front of two hundred million viewers giving the performance of their lives. It’s impossible to make it safe [with water on stage].”
“The equality principle comes around there as well. Then we say “no” to everyone. No water on stage.”
Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen stated that the show overall has a heightened level of creativity with many countries submitting well-developed plans. He recalls that the United Kingdom is “one to watch” too with regards to staging efforts.
We are very curious to see what what countries are planning for Turin. How about you? What are you expecting to see from your favourite countries? Let us know in the comments down below!
“He recalls that the United Kingdom is “one to watch” too with regards to staging efforts.”
I am buzzing by this comment!
Really interesting articles. I would love it that wiwibloggs would have more of these articles on the technical side of things.
In theory I get why they’re letting the producers determine the running order, in practice I think it hasn’t proven itself. If this relatively new practice showed us anything, it’s that all countries may be equal, but some countries are more equal than others.
I wish they’d at least change the draw so that countries are drawn in to four quarters rather than two halves, which would restrain the disproportional power one person in the production has to bury or elevate a song.
I agree about water, it’s extra and unnecessarily dangerous.
The running order still shucks though. So many similar songs are back to back.
Now that I think about it, American Song Contest is a lot superior than Eurovision Song Contest because the producer hand-selected which song to compete for each state which guarantees a lot of variety.
Maybe sooner or later ESC will evolve into that direction as well where broadcasters have to submit multiple songs to EBU for them to select which one to compete.
Just an idea, lol.
Please no.. Then what would be with national selections,euphoria in people selecting the entry that’s gonna represent their country
I really hope that never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever happens.
?????
As someone who find itself being a fan of ASC, I say…
… What?
*Insert Jazz music stops meme here*
Interesting ideas.
I more or less agree on your American Song Contest idea (though I must point out that it doesn’t really negate the many issues that it has).
However, I must disagree with the second part. If you give the producers too much power, you’ll end up with some fans claiming that the contest was “rigged” against a poorly-placed entry.
Fun fact about Israel LOL!
Song number 2…
Title with 2 letters only.. (I.M)
Second semi final..
Year 2022…
2022 let’s seal the deal
and also Albania, First country competing alphabetically, in the first pot, First country drawn, first semi final, first half, First Spot, and one of the first songs
Move over, Christer Bjorkman. There’s a new guy in town!
is this real or the april foolsjoke
Latvia & Israel.. RIP
So no water for Spain. Okey.
I prefer random order to producer meddling. And why isn’t an Italian doing this job?
Because RAI hired Twan, a man with experience. Also expetience with the back up tapes
A random order would have its upsides. For one, it would remove some of the claims of bias. Furthermore, it would be a good way to prove whether a running order determines how well a song does.
However, a random order would be hit-or-miss. Sure, you could end up with an awesome lineup…but you could just as likely end up with four rock songs in a row, followed by 8 pop songs. Ultimately, I feel that it would be too risky.
I wanna be optimistic about UK but just because one person or even a bunch says it’s great it doesn’t mean it will appeal necessarly to the masses so let’s wait for the rehearsals to form hopes and opinions about any artist really!
I do not feel UK songs – vocally is good
I’m excited about the UK’s plans since he stated they’re ”one to watch”.
If the staging lives up to the rumoured hype, the UK could potentially land Top 5. But without a doubt, it won’t win.
After the giant trumpet maybe some little green men dancing around.
Kinda off topic but anyone know why Bulgaria is 24th in ESC scoreboard app?
An April Fools’ joke of a group of people on social media (don’t remember the group or which social medium platform it is). The April Fools’ joke is: give Bulgaria your 12 points and get Bulgaria as high as possible in order to “scare” people who don’t know about the joke.
ahhh, I see. Thanks for the response.
A totally random draws generated by computer.
SF1
1 Norway
2 The Netherlands
3 Moldova
4 Iceland
5 Switzerland
6 Armenia
7 Portugal
8 Austria
9 Albania
10 Slovenia
11 Croatia
12 Greece
13 Bulgaria
14 Denmark
15 Latvia
16 Lithuania
17 Ukraine
SF2
1 Ireland
2 Czech Republic
3 Australia
4 Malta
5 North Macedonia
6 Finland
7 Belgium
8 Serbia
9 Cyprus
10 Poland
11 Montenegro
12 Estonia
13 Romania
14 Israel
15 Sweden
16 San Marino
17 Azerbaijan
18 Georgia
Isn’t it more fun ?
What a bad order
Yes
No. It’s not more fun. Randomizing the order is a horrible idea…
The number of times Israel got position 2 or 3 is insane.
Just like Croatia almost always no later than 13th in Semi Final.
Same likeMacedonia got 11 – 4 times or 5
Now i undestand good position for Holland and Belgium 😀
Thanks for dislike – it was mostly jokes same like fact Serbia is staying in semi 🙁 😀
– still waiting for an explanation why are Portugal and Croatia at #10 and #11 with not a huge contrast, and Armenia closing after Norway as a huge contrast
– if he is dutch, we should randomly place Netherlands too, like Italy’s #09
– if not cancelling whole producers decision, let’s make not halves, but thirds or quarters. it is just ridiculous how they can manipulate with it way way way too much
So what if he is Dutch, he does not work for them. He works for EBU. He wont give Netherlands random position because you doubt his profesionalism
They probably will have vastly different staging that will set them apart. That would put his professionalism in question like Denis says. The only intended manipulation is making sure that every song gets as big as a chance to shine as possible. The more you divide them ahead of the revealed songs, the more likely the running order is messy and incohesive, with the time needed to set up props etc. just to name a single example. Doing the running order in halves is just enough for the producers so they can arrange the songs in a good order so… Read more »
I don’t think Croatia’s staging will change a lot from NF so I’m really hoping that Portugal is elevating a lot <3
Armenia never closed semi + u have 5 folks girls with folk sound – it was normal to close with one of them
I am sick of this producers’ choice. For the past 5 years Croatia always gets the same unfavourable position in the second half of the semi.
2017: 11
2018: 12
2019: 10
2020: 11 (even though it did not happen)
2021: 10
2022: 11
Be grateful that you got allocated to the 2nd half all times lol
Maybe they just should send better songs
I feel sorry for Israel & Latvia… RIP! no final this year.
The United Kingdom is “one to watch”??? I am officially scared to see recycled moon with aliens covered in tin foil….Please……
Yeah, my mind instantly went to ‘Doctor Who’ xD
Doo-wee-oooh.
Moon / earth / space backgrounds have already been done to death, with none of them troubling the podium. Not sure the BBC realise this.
The order should be random, anything else leaves too much space for favoritism and bias.
Yes why in the past not so long ago with random draws props/stagings didn’t cause problems and suddenly became a problem ?? How stupid do they think we are ?
In extrême cases then it could be just an extra few seconds between songs, it would not be the end of the world. Hello green room interviews ?
It wasn’t as elaborate and technically complex as it is now. Back then, acts come on to the stage, perform, and then they exit stage left, so on and so forth.
Still many acts have less props on stage. So the argument is not valid.
Props are one of many aspects to consider for the modern contest, especially when running orders are done with only concepts of staging being submitted and producers have to make critical calls if many of these are feasible, easier to set up and quicker to dismantle in less time.
And having sing ballads in a row like in 2012 – Its good how it is – maybe for final they should do 25 balls with number and 25 with papers – first/second half – would be more fair
6 ballads*
I partly agree but just think that this year the would do that randomly we could have listened to ten ballads in a row then ?
Now imagine Portugal, Iceland, Croatia and Armenia performing in this order.
Breaking news!! EBU decided to re-arrange the running order due to complaining! Now Switzerland is opening, followed by Armenia, then Croatia, then Iceland, then Portugal, then Lithuania, and then we have our first break. They said it’s because they want the opening third to have enough party energy to last for the whole evening! Much better now!
Happy April Fools to you too
Happy April Fools, Nomo nomo! 🙂
Let me guess.. they also decided to switch and put Australia,Poland and Azerbaijan into first semi final because of lack of energy ?
Yes, and the running order of the second semi is now, in order – Norway, Latvia, Moldova, Ireland, Austria, Czech Republic 🙂
Wow! That’s the most high energy opening I’ve ever seen in a semi final! Everyone is going to be dancing all night 🙂 . Happy April Fools btw xD
Delegations don’t complain because they are simply afraid of next year’s contest and having again a bad draw if they say something negative. It’s like in school, you wouldn’t complain if the headmaster of your school does something bad to you, too? Or would you?
There’s always a next year you have to think about. Seriously he could have thought about it, why nobody from Delegations complained, like Albania twice 2nd in Final, some countries always get good draws and some countries (Balkans, ex-Yugoslavia for example) are always getting bad or let’s call them worse draws.
The interviewer asked him if anyone complained yet, he said no. That’s it. Don’t make everything political please.
The second semi-final starts with rock-pop song and then continues with a song that is VERY theatrical/runway style and then continues with a song that is pretty weird.. I don’t get it… WHY?
The UK being ambitious about the staging is what brought me back to the reality and its Fools’ Day. 😀
I think one reason delegations don’t complain about their running order placements is because no one wants to admit their songs are weak and will not survive such poor placements. But regardless of the lack of complaints, I’m sure when coming up with the running order the Head of Contest has this factor in mind.
Btw, glad to know the UK is coming up with something ambitious! So excited for the UK this year. Hopefully it pays off.
Does this mean Konstrakta will not be allowed to bring bowl of water? It is a super significant part of the song, it might lose some impact without washing hands element.
I don’t think the bowl will actually have water in it. She can still mime washing her hands without actual water and the point will still be made.
They approved her staging
How is there supposed to be ‘no water on stage’ when the stage already has a water feature incorporated into the design?
If I’m not mistaken, the water feature is designed to be on the edge of stage only. Some delegations probably asked for something like Ireland 2012.
Ira Losco even walked on water.
Why is he back????where is the team of 2019???
Sweden doesn’t own the contest.
But they still deliver the best songs 😉
April fools! Betting odds are making the running order and favoristism. what are the technichal reasons for Croatia to not close the sf ?
Also I doubt the stagings are all already been terminated 2 months before. Remember the Netherlands ball and grand piano in 2019 that come right after the 1st reahersals because people were not satisfied of the Botempi keyboard.
Floater.
He also looks to give his own country the best possible spot and looks to ruin the chances to qualify of some of the same countries he ruined last year. Great.
Like who?
The guy couldn’t sound more like the Dalai Lama if he tried, and even then people are going to accuse him of favoritism 🙂 It wouldn’t make sense to put S10 in the death spot just because she’s Dutch like him. Also, having Moldova perform right after isn’t exactly ideal for S10, they’re guaranteed to bring the house down whereas her song isn’t.
If they bring the staging that the producers deem that’s the best spot to do it then so be it. Bring different staging then.
S10 and the hype de Diepte has deserved this spot.. I mean one of the songs to win this semi.. A clearly great song.. No denying
Maybe those countries should send songs that don’t rely on good slot to qualify
He is sooo full of S***! We all know they give the 2nd spot to the songs that no one believe in them.. Latvia & Israel dont have any chance.. what he done is just to make sure that this songs will not pass to the final..
Maybe you should have a look where in the semi Samanta Tina and Triana Park performed before blaming the oroducers for Latvia’s failures to advance to the GF.
Isn’t the second one in the running order only the “spot of death” in the final? I didn’t think it made much difference in the SF.
Let it be known that 2nd in the RO in the semi is not an automatic failure. Austria in 2017, Poland in 2016, Armenia in 2015, Estonia in 2013… Those countries all qualified despite being 2nd in the running order. If the staging the two countries in 2nd bring this year is interesting enough and first-time viewers keep their attention to those songs, they can qualify just fine. It all comes down to how well they can translate their songs on stage to the viewers, and that’s what matters.
Austria 2011, Israel 2008, Armenia 2010 too
They have a chance if you vote for them.
is this realor is it the april fools joke
No water on stage… Maybe Serbia will need to use hand gel instead
Damn, now I’m thinking “biti Strava” with sanitiser. I won’t sleep tonight and I blame you lol.
Then how come Sweden is 2nd to last in SF2 with such a simple staging ? Feels more like a choice to me
she’s probably bringing a bigger sun
the stage is already look like a sun… LOL
maybe it’s what he also said about light and dark stage and the contrast between them. Presumably Czech Republic will have a very light stage
He doesn’t say the props are the only reason to put certain countries in certain places… it’s one of the reasons. They have 35 seconds to remove everything and prepare the next act. If there’s two massive stagings behind each other that’s nearly impossible.
I mean, it may be that the act before and/or after have more complicated staging and so you need that simplicity there.
Bc Sweden never closed semi since 2004 + and never performed i position 17 🙂
They performed last place in the Grand final last year
San Marino performed last (#26) in the final last year. Sweden performed second to last (#25)
Yeah it was San Marino. Still very strange that Sweden gets the same spot two years in a row
What spot? Sweden performed 4 and 25 last year and this year 17 – lol … Its just hate/jealous from fans …
I was talking about SEMI and not Grand final, who cares at this point? And they performed 25 – second last – cause San Marino was last – 26, and Tusse performed 4 in semi like what everyone has expected the same countries open semi and final? Lol – it was more fair this year to give Czech, Albania or Armenia opening and closing their semis cause they never did – we talk about semi and not final, final is different story 😉
The United Kingdom is one to watch, eh? That gives me hope
Really it does! The staging has easily been the thing I’ve been most nervous about
Hopefully no giant rockets.
or spaceman outifts
Apparently, they joked about the UK staging last year during this interview – so that should accentuate the comment about the UK being “one to watch” this year.
On an unrelated note, Marius Bear is selling NFTs of Boys Do Cry so congrats to Malta for no longer being my last place
Oy thought I was replying to my own comment, sorry for the tangent!
just when i was starting to like his song :/
No soul, no Heart
For the downvoters, this is an obvious compliment. Geez.
I have a horse an elephant and a giraffe in my act. Can I go on last please? My song is a ballad (in English) if that helps.
He seems like he genuinely takes into account every factor, unlike his predecessor who in 2019 placed Australia before Spain, the entries with the biggest and most complicated props.. i guess props dont count if you are besties with the HoD of another country…..
No water for acts, but isn’t a water stream part of the staging design or is that fake?
It’s real.
Only big and awkward staging should be important for the running order. It’s impossible to see what songs will be like months in advance, I’m not sure if most countries are even finished their thinking. A few weeks ago we were hearing of how Christer saved the day for Poli Genova in 2016, everything was done during rehearsals.
is this real orthe aprilfools joke
Just to clarify for anyone who might be concerned – Konstrakta received the approval to keep washing her hands.
Phew I was concerned glad that’s the case..
If he’s right then the UK could have its best staging in a long time!!
So he judged Albania based on the NF performance, even though the song is revamped (that 40s is gone) and Ronela said the stage concept will be totally different in Turin. They didn’t even watch the live on tapes? How professional…
They literrally have all staging plans recieved from the broadcast. + I am pretty sure a head of delegation knows more than some random Esc fan lol
Did you miss the part where it says that broadcasters are required to submit a document about staging? Pretty sure he knows much more about Albania than random fan ranting on here about staging..
No water on stage? Elf and safety gone mad!
I’m intrigued to see the UK’s staging now after his comment. Get Sam flying through the audience!
He mustn’t have watched Jedward’s ‘Waterline’ then!!!
Yeah and that staging was a whole mess!
We’ll still have the fountain.
Brooke’s gonna be fire opening SF2 2ndHalf
And the most certain non-qualifier of this year’s contest…
B U L G A R I A
Well looks more promising for U.K.
however I loved the water used in Eurovision 2014 on edge of stage . I’m sure a pool could be used again
“One to watch”. That’s a nice endorsement. Hopefully it can justify the odds because I simply do not understand it.
I mean, the song and voice we’ve got this year is the best in a LONG time…
How do you ‘not understand it’?!
okay fingers crossed for no big trumpets??
Or rather, no huge spaceship and Sam wearing an astronaut costume ._.