Saturday 21 November

BLOGS

blogCategory
Previous
Back to blog
Next

Graham Norton talks Eurovision

Graham Norton wearing a Union Jack bowler hat
  • Posted at 6:11pm
  • 12 May 2009
  • by PaulJones-RT
  • 11 comments

Eurovision remains the world's most watched non-sporting TV event, with figures estimated as high as 600 million. This year, the BBC expects even more than last year's 9.3 million to tune in and all eyes will be on new host Graham Norton to see if he can keep us as entertained as Wogan used to do. RT asked Graham about a big night for him - and, just maybe, the rest of the country…

How will your presenting style compare with that of former host Terry Wogan?

"Terry was a master at taking the rise out of terrible contestants. Trust me, I'll be sarcastic when the need arises. But I'm aware there's a groundswell of belief in the UK this year and I want my commentary to reflect that… I'll be doing my utmost to fill the evening with hope."

Why have we performed so badly in recent years?

"Somewhere along the line the UK lost touch. Our big mistake was choosing songs and performers we thought Eurovision would like rather than things we honestly rated."

Could that all change this year?

"In writing It's My Time, Andrew Lloyd Webber has been smart in not trying to second-guess Eurovision. It's a well-constructed song that stands on its own merits. Having Andrew on stage playing the old Joanna should also be an advantage. Other countries will pay attention. They may not like the song, but they'll at least listen."

"Jade Ewen is an inspired choice, too. She sings like she means it. That's going to make all the difference. Jade also has the advantage of looking and sounding fairly modern, which should give her the edge on any acts who sound like they're living in 1979 and believe mullets are cool."

Which other entries should we be worrying about?

"I was a bit worried when I saw this year's other entries as some of them are actually quite good… The UK will be up against some stiff competition, particularly from the Norwegian entry. Alexander Rybak's Fairytale seems to be the out-and-out favourite. He's a handsome, charismatic young man with a genius song. We can only hope that the nerves get to him on the night…"

**

Still not convinced we can win it this year? Check out our five reasons to be hopeful about Eurovision 2009.

Link to this post
Post a comment | 11 comments

Comments

  • Posted on 18 May 2009
  • at 10:13am
  • by Marilyn Castleton

I thought it would be nice to have a change from the weak jokes at others' expense but we've got the same lack of respect from Graham Norton which makes uncomfortable listening. What must foreigners think of British people with their well-known 'falta de respeto'? It mirrors the cruel streak governing the allocation of Stars to Movies in the Radio Times. What kind of people give five stars to Silence of The Lambs (A negative movie with nothing but desolation to offer) and 2 stars to My Girl? (A positive movie with loads of behaviour analysis to learn from). Can you employ a more wholesome writer with fewer resentments, to review movies, do you think?

  • Posted on 17 May 2009
  • at 5:07pm
  • by Melvyn

I think 5th place proves you all wrong :o) Well done Jade, Andrew and Diane, you did us proud.

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 11:12pm
  • by Lorri

I think Graham Norton has done a fantastic job, he was great - some lovely wit with a bit of seriousness which all countries seem to have taken on this year - Graham was great, and 5th is nothing to be ashamed off!

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 6:52pm
  • by jonnyboy

whats with th u.k using irish people to host the eurovision for them haha

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 5:20pm
  • by yankydoodle

My money is on the cute Norweigan…but I must say I like to look of the Greek.

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 11:52am
  • by andy

FAIRYTALE: Norway's Alexander Rybak is my favourite. He's got it all!! :)

  • Posted on 16 May 2009
  • at 11:17am
  • by Eeyore

Terry Wogan's commentary made eurovision, switching in Graham Norton is an extremely bad choice, he's not in the same league as Wogan. I'm going to watch, but i'm expecting to be bitterly dissappointed by our points and the commentary.

  • Posted on 15 May 2009
  • at 5:50pm
  • by Melvyn

I hope you are all proved wrong.

  • Posted on 15 May 2009
  • at 12:55pm
  • by Tanya

Another dull ballad - don't be surprised when the UK get low marks despite the voting changes. Rubbish song, no chance, good luck Graham!

  • Posted on 14 May 2009
  • at 12:47pm
  • by lastgang

I'll be very surprised if the UK wins. I haven't heard the song but it's all so political these days that we always do bad. Not that I'll be watching this tosh anyway!

  • Posted on 13 May 2009
  • at 2:48pm
  • by LInda

Only Terry's sycophantic fan base will miss him. He rants too much these days. It was high time we had a new TV presenter for Eurovision and I think Graham Norton will be perfect. I don't care for the song at all and the singer is a "bawler" so I don't think we will do very well at all, even if the good "Lord" is playing the "joanna". Surely, if we get nilpoints again, we must stop pouring money in to this event and back out.

Post a comment

Do you have something to say about this post? Share your thoughts…

Post a comment

(first or nickname only)

Please do not include any personal or personally identifiable information about yourself or others (including email addresses). All information you submit about yourself or others can be viewed by others.

Thank you for your comment

Thank you for your comments. All comments will be looked at by a moderator, however, due to the numbers of comments we receive, we can't promise that all will be posted on the site.

Post another comment

More


Advertisement