EP 5: Juries and Voting (The Controversy Around How Eurovision Chooses Winners)

19:55 - Gjon's Tears talks about his 2021 Eurovision near-win

35:00 - Michael Hsu Rosen plays a game putting the people against the powerful

 

We dive into one of the biggest controversies among Eurovision fans: how Eurovision selects its winners. Should they rely on the expertise of industry juries or should we let the people decide? We explore the evolution of Eurovision's constantly evolving selection process, and talk about the different implications of its varying forms.

 

Then we talk to Gjon's Tears, whose song Tout L'universe was a favorite of the juries, but was prevented from winning because of the televote-- eventually placing 3rd overall. We talk about everything from his experience at Eurovision, to his search for identity and belonging through music, to how his 2021 performance helped him overcome his body insecurity.

 

Finally, we chat with Michael Hsu Rosen who performed with the NYC Ballet, before going on to star in several popular Netflix hits (Pretty Smart, Glamorous). He draws on his experience operating in artistic worlds that are ruled alternately by expert and public opinion to explore why certain songs are jury favorites, and why others steal the heart of the people.

 

SONG LINKS

 

Mentioned in Deep Dive

Loreen - Tattoo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3vJfR81xO0

Kaarija - Cha Cha Cha - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJHe-iZ5HSI

 

Gjon's Tears - Tout L'Univers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuimHmJMEFA

 

Mentioned in the Game

 

Keiino - Spirit in the Sky (Norway 2019) - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x799hq2

Zdob si Zdub - Trenuletul (Moldova 2022) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9RJQPZsj8E

Il Volo - Grande Amore (Italy 2015) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TOMqZV2jA8

Destiny - Je Me Casse (Malta 2019) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TdBbLVCAzk

Tamara Todevska - Proud (North Macedonia 2019) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw-NQ1a1zZ0

Konstrakta - In Corpore Sano (Serbia 2022) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odFhYxoXiuo

Teya and Selena - Who the Hell is Edgar? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JEJe85Xmnk)