EuroNite - This Week 1996

After a weeks gap, last Wednesday night saw our EuroTrip head to Oslo for the 1996 contest.  It was presented by Morten Harket (despite being of-age to appreciate A-Ha at their peak, was never a fan) and Ingvild Bryn (who comes third on my Most Annoying Female Presenters list, behind a certain German lady from 1983).  I wish I had written the line that contained the words "...vast amounts of money, thousands of man hours and many sleepless nights...".


The United Kingdom were in the graveyard Number Two slot.  Our NF took on a slightly different format that year, with the final 8 whittled down to 4 by listeners of Radio 2 before the qualifiers were put to the Televote.  It was a poor year, with not one entry outstanding.  It was fairly obvious that Gina Gs Euro-Disco song was going to win, and there are many who believe this effort was the UKs finest hour - not me (can tolerate it if played full blast in a club when I am the worse for drink) - it was a bit formulaic and lyrically challenged for me, certainly wasn't helped by a tuneless rendition on the night (don't start me on that dress, and Gina not having the legs to carry it off). We deservedly finished amongst the also-rans.


The winner that year was Ireland, for the 4th time in 5 years.  Eimear Quinn with "The Voice" for me capitalised on the popularity of Celtic music, fuelled by the phenomena of Riverdance,  I thought at the time (and still do) that it was quite exquisite, and felt it had a big chance.  That said, my 12 points that year would have gone to Estonia (above).  I simply loved Maarja Liis & Ivo Linna with "Kaaleke Haal", but suspect that many jury members may have been creeped out by a middle-aged man singing with a girl young enough too be his daughter, and handed there votes elsewhere.  Pity, as the song is light-years better than the one they eventually won the contest with several years later.


Two other performances of note - Elisabeth Andreassen for Norway (the host country could not be accused of not trying to retain the crown), and Maja Blagden for Croatia (if you ignore the high pitched screech mid-song).


All in all, an entertaining show!