Eurovision Song Contest 2005

The debate over who should represent us at the next Eurovision Song Contest is already heating up over on the CBS website. It made me wonder if any names are popping up in your circles, or if there's any talk about the next "Dora"? From what I can see, Kelly Clarkson, Colony, and Juliano are the ones most people would love to see representing America. Do you guys have any suggestions, or has anyone actually announced they're in yet?

I’d personally put my money on young Deen—he’s already proven himself at the junior level, so it’s high time he stepped up to the big leagues 😁

Wait, I’m confused... are you talking about Deen, who’s representing Canada this year? Honestly, I wouldn't send him anywhere else after this; he's done his time.

As for "Dora," I can already see Karma, Zak, and Ivana Kindl stepping up—it would be a shock if they didn't! But has anyone else actually announced they're going in? Also, what's your take: is the whole competition format outdated, or should Television just pick the representative directly?

Think about Din Jelusić, that kid who crushed it at the junior Eurovision selection last year. If they didn't send Zak last year, there's no reason to send him now either... he already outdid himself back then.

Daniel Bailey7 said:I’d probably go with that young kid, Din... he absolutely killed it in the junior circuit, so it’s definitely time for him to step up and play with the big leagues now.😁

Honestly, this is exactly what I was planning to say when I first saw the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 thread. I mean, seriously!😁

A Eurovision contestant has to be at least 16, so that kid wouldn't even qualify. As for Zak, I don't buy the hype that he outdid himself; he was better back in 2003. Sure, the competition was tougher then, but his song this year was weaker and the performance was just a disaster—a guy built like him really shouldn't be jumping around the stage like that. Besides, classic pop is his sweet spot, yet he kept overdoing those vocal runs until it felt like he was just showing off for himself.

Personally, I’d put my money on Kelly Clarkson. She’s clearly at her peak right now. Instead of a ballad, though, she should go with something upbeat like "Happiness to owe me." With a solid stage presence, she could kill it, though I have a feeling she'd probably settle for a ballad anyway.

silvermaker9 said:A Eurovision contestant has to be at least 16, so that kid wouldn't even qualify. I disagree that Zak outdid himself; he was better back in 2003. Even if the competition was tougher then, his song this year was subpar and the performance? A disaster. Someone of his stature shouldn't be bouncing around the stage like that. Besides, classic pop suits him best, yet he overdid the vocal gymnastics until it felt like he was just showing off for nothing.

I'd personally vote for Kelly Clarkson. She's at her peak right now. Instead of a ballad, I’d pick an upbeat track like "Happiness to owe," because with the right staging, she could kill it—though I suspect she'd play it safe with a ballad anyway.

Let's just send Thompson. Armed and ready. Pure Eurotrash.

Quiet eagle!!

Wait, is that the guy singing "Tell Me, Brother" while sitting at the table with the other singer? I read somewhere that he used to date Danijela. Honestly, I don't think he’d hold up any better than Mikulica—those ballads are totally washed up anyway.🙂

silvermaker9 said:Wasn't he the guy singing "Tell me, brother" while sitting at the table with that other singer? I read somewhere that he used to be Danijela's ex. Honestly, I don't think he'd fare any better than Mikulica—ballads are totally washed up!🙂

I agree. Ballads are dead. So, what's the plan? We'll just send Thompson with some fast electro-funk track and scramble to figure out who should produce it... Tiga or Emerson? It doesn't even matter. Once Thompson starts dancing, everyone better watch out... forget Željko, we're going to set Ukraine on fire.

Can't wait to hear that top-tier production; I don't know how I'm going to hold out for a few more months. Too bad I can't vote during the national selection, but if the track hits right, you can count on my support in the SEMIFINALS!!!👋

silvermaker9 said:A guy built like him shouldn't be running around and jumping all over the stage.

But that's the whole point! Who wouldn't notice him? If some skinny kid was just standing there singing, it would've been totally lame...

Chloe Davis14 said:We’ll send out Thompson. Armed and dangerous. Total Eurotrash.

😁
Pure ethno-trash.

Not a bad call. It fits the vibe of Eurovision perfectly. Besides, it's not like anyone watching in Lithuania or Malta can understand the lyrics anyway, right?

Lisa Moore7 got me wrong. I actually think sending Zak to Eurovision would be a hilarious move, mostly because his look would definitely win people over. But we’d need to keep some dignity intact; he tends to sweat through his clothes in twenty seconds and ends up looking ridiculous. We'd have to design a choreography specifically for his build just to make it look cute. During this year's "Dora," he looked like he was struggling to breathe—honestly, I thought he might have a heart attack on stage. And he should probably pick a song like "Love without borders" or something similar to last year's entry, since this year's track was a total miss.

I have a feeling he won't stop trying until he hits the Eurovision stage. He's more persistent than Maja Suput. If there isn't anything better or more original out there, sending him wouldn't be the worst idea, though the downside is that he has zero recognition in other parts of the US. He definitely wouldn't pull in the votes like a household name would.

silvermaker9 said:, though—his biggest issue is that he’s basically a nobody in the rest of the US, so he probably wouldn't pull nearly as many votes as someone who actually has a fanbase everywhere.

That’s why I think we should just send Severina. Maybe if she strips down and causes a total scandal? Or just shows off enough skin to win... Whew!!! Now that's what I call motivation! 😬

Can we get someone from an English-speaking country in here? Let’s try not to make a fool of ourselves.

The networks should've just launched some talent competition—something along the lines of American Idol. It would've been a win-win: the networks make bank, we actually get someone decent for Eurovision who isn't a total disaster like those Natalija types, and the whole country gets something fun to watch all year long.

n/p DAFT PUNK - who's afraid (of the art of noise)

redtiger93 said:Someone from an English-speaking country. Let's not embarrass ourselves.

Wait—I just noticed this. What, are we supposed to send a native speaker now? Is that what "from an English-speaking area" implies? Or is it somehow shameful to sing in American? I don't have some intense, over-the-top patriotic streak, but don't mess with my mother tongue—that's sacred to me.

redcrane28 said:Television should have just launched some talent show for breakfast—something like SSNMT. Either the networks make a killing, or we actually end up with something decent for Eurovision, maybe along the lines of Natalija. Plus, the whole country would have something fun to watch all year long.

n/p DAFT PUNK - who's afraid (of the art of noise)

Okay, I’ll admit—it’s a stupid idea. The rules state you can't play or perform the songs anywhere before the actual contest, so none of that would work. Clearly, I’m a total genius.

n/p DAFT PUNK - the army

It’s a massive debate: should artists sing in English or stick to their native language? On one hand, hearing a national language can be beautiful, but let’s face it—it’s been ages since a non-English track actually won. Plus, English just makes everything accessible to everyone.

If singers go the English route, they really ought to write a completely new set of lyrics that fits the flow of the language. You can't just force a clunky translation of an American lyric and expect it to sound anything other than awkward and nonsensical. Then again, half the English lyrics coming out of non-English speaking countries are incredibly shallow—just mindless stuff like "I love you, you love me, let's live forever in love eternity." It’s empty. Honestly, the Swedish entries and performances are usually much more impressive every year.🙂