For many on here -- and yes, I hate it too -- it's kept on our TV because -- LIKE IT or not!! -- it gets very big viewing figs. Is that so hard to follow???
I detest that Jungle nonsense too, and assorted others shows, but I can recognise that if they're popular, they'll be kept going.
Yes, Australia is a very long way away, but apparently they LOVE the show, masses of dress-up parties, big viewing figs, hence they're in it. Maybe Peru/Botswana next time?! And apparently, if Oz won, the next show would be somewhere actually IN Europe. Speaking of which, indeed, Israel isn't strictly speaking in Europe, but I'm advised from my sports consultant that in 'Euros' football, the likes of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia and Kazakhstan may well be playing, and the latter has a border with China?
I quite accidentally saw our entry, on the Thursday evening, for reasons I couldn't clarify, despite it being a semi-final, and the UK entry gets directly into the final (money talks?!), we were 'treated' (?!) to a run through - a dress rehearsal perhaps?
I was amazed to hear "UK" as I was changing channels, so watched it to the blessed end, when the sadly talentless tuneless lad who'd been chosen got to the end and shut up.
I've seen that articles have appeared since the actual show, asking why, if we came second a few years ago with a decent song and performer, the BBC doesn't try to repeat THAT formula? Answers on a postcard?
Oh, and for those talking of 'Paul, he writes a good song', I gather that actual PROPER 'artistes' do NOT WANT TO KNOW, in case their involvement comes 17th (etc)?!
As the Thursday 'performance' came to an end, Graham Norton said it was a "big banger" (& it was noisy). The chap with the nuclear teeth (Ryland? - he's on almost everything), said "awwwww, I hope he gets something" . . . . .yes, quite, neuralgia came to mind, then he can suffer too?