The EuroWhat? Podcast: Eurovision News & Reviews

Happy Eurovision New Year! We start our 10th Season (sidebar: WHAT?!) catching up on the planning for 2027 as Bulgaria prepares to host the big event for the first time. 📸 Photo by Ondrej Bocek on Unsplash Welcome to Bulgaria Summary Eurovision Rule Updates for 2027 (1:39) Voting overhaul? (7:55) Netherlands Likely Not Returning while Canada(?) Joins (11:09) Welcome to Burgas, Bulgaria! (17:59) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . EuroWhat AV Club If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. Join today to get our coverage of Eurovision Song Contest: Asia Edition!

The Eurowhat AV Club finishes out the 1980 Disco Musical Trilogy (which includes The Apple and Xanadu ) with CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC. Spoiler: We would like to stop the music... 📸 EMI Films, Ltd. Can't Stop the Music Summary When did you first see Can't Stop the Music ? (0:58) A Truly Curséd Production (4:43) What is Can't Stop the Music about? (13:39) Out of Control Promo Budgets (18:23) Can't Stop (talking about) the Music (or the Cast) (27:45) Would you recommend Can't Stop the Music ? (33:39) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest Asia edition.

The Eurowhat Movie Club celebrates the legacy of Olivia Newton-John’s film career with a detour into the roller disco classic(?) Xanadu. And OH BOY do we have questions... 📸 Universal Pictures Xanadu Summary Remembering Olivia Newton-John (1:15) What is Xanadu about? (5:47) Is Xanadu a musical? (11:12) What is the business plan for Xanadu? (22:23) Would we recommend Xanadu? (31:46) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest Asia edition.

The instantly-doomed American Song Contest really did seem like a good idea at the time: 56 states and territories competing for the hearts and minds of the public on NBC. The execution was not great, but we were pot-committed back in 2022 when we covered this pale imitation of Eurovision. What lessons can be learned before Asia tries its hand at the ESC formula? 📸 NBC Revisiting the American Song Contest Part 2 Summary Episode 5: That's Not My Jam (5:28) Episode 6: Having Nunavut (27:17) Episode 7: ......Trash (49:53) Episode 8: Grahn Feenal (1:08:22) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

The instantly-doomed Great American State Fair was supposed to bring together all 56 US states and territories. What if there was a song contest that did that? NBC tried it in 2022 and we watched it all. This episode pulls out some of the best bits from the first half of the series as we consider Eurovision’s next attempt at expanding their brand in Asia later this year. 📸 NBC American Song Contest Revisited Part 1 Summary Episode 1: These Boots Were Made for Goofin’ (5:07) Episode 2: Sunk Cost Fallacy (22:15) Episode 3: Stockholm Syndrome (40:47) Episode 4: ENTHUSIASM! IS! FLAGGING! (1:10:21) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Scopitone was a video jukebox from the 1960s that featured short clips that could be considered proto-music videos. Ben discusses the history, production, and cultural impact of the medium while Mike delights in the off-model nature of the content. 📸 Cover Image by Joe Mabel , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Scopitone Summary What is Scopitone? (3:03) Scopitone Production in America (8:15) The End of the Scopitone Era (13:44) Let's Sample Some Scopitone (19:17) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

What is "Camp"? In 1964, literary critic Susan Sontag investigated this question in her culture-defining essay "Notes on Camp". We discuss how the concept of Camp applies to Eurovision, other forms of pop culture, and our day-to-day lives. 📸 Cover Image by Loyloy Thal from Pixabay Notes on Camp Summary Notes from Future Mike (0:00) Episode Intro (1:32) Notes on Camp Background (3:26) Is Eurovision Camp? (17:16) Camp vs. Time (25:29) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Better late than never: let’s talk about Eurovision 2026. We’ll discuss what happened in Vienna, what this means for the Contest going forward, and share our post-confetti plans. Also: BULGARIA?! 📸 Sarah Louise Bennett | EBU BOOM Bangaranga Summary Were we engaged with the Contest this year? (0:56) The Eurovision Brodacasts (6:16) First Semi-Final (10:06) Second Semi-Final (16:24) The Grand Final (28:41) Data Tidbits (46:19) Looking Ahead to 2027 (50:21) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Spain has been ride-or-die for Eurovision since debuting in 1961. In this episode, we’ll be taking a look at how Spain’s original approach to the Contest may have informed their decision to not attend the festivities in Vienna for the first time in 65 years. Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Eurovision is an expensive enterprise, and the Netherlands has been one of the Contest’s largest financial supporters. In this episode, we’ll be taking a look at the financial impact of Netherland’s absence from Eurovision 2026. Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Slovenia has struggled to find momentum and consistency on the Eurovision scoreboard. In this episode, we take a look at how rule changes—especially around who qualifies—has impacted Slovenia’s ability to succeed at the Contest. Hvala, Ne Summary Slovenia and the Relegation Era (4:39) One Semi to Rule Them All (11:32) Semi Finals go to Pot (15:17) Slovenia vs. the Televote (25:39) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Iceland's television broadcaster RUV turns 60 this year and 2026 is also their 40th anniversary of entering Eurovision. We take a look at why it took 20 years for Iceland to join the party, how the country helped push the Contest into a more modern mode, and why they won't be in Vienna this year. Icy Reception Summary History of Iceland Speedrun Any% (4:51) 1986: Iceland Joins Eurovision (19:38) Iceland's First Decade at Eurovision (27:03) Pall Oskar / Paul Oscar (29:30) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Boycotts, jury overhauls, technological shifts, major protests, religious and political violence, hot pants... Ireland had a lot to deal with when it hosted Eurovision for the first time in 1971. All Kinds of Everything Summary Ireland at Eurovision (0:39) The State of Eurovison 1970-1971 (4:33) RTE presenting Eurovision in Color (13:53) Protests and Politics (22:29) Wrapping Up (35:43) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Romania returns from its Eurovision hiatus this year, hopefully with some things figured out. We review the country's history at the Contest, its qualification troubles, and how their strategy at the contest may be high risk, high reward. Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

The semi-final era has not been kind to Poland. Though the country has done okay at Eurovision the last few years, they haven’t reached the heights of their debut entry in 1994. We’ll be doing a deep dive on what worked 30+ years ago and identify where Poland may secretly have its finger on the pulse of what does well at the Contest. Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Finland's UMK is one of the premiere selection shows each Eurovision season, but it didn't start out that way. We explore the evolution of the format and how YLE continues to make the program must see TV. Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Lithuania isn't exactly a Eurovision powerhouse, but their lengthy selection processes have been showcases for the country's music industry. We take a look at the Baltic nation and how their approach to the Contest may be serving a different purpose than competition. Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Croatia is very specific about how it chooses to represent itself on the Eurovision stage. We take a look at the country's history at the Contest via its long-running national selection format Dora. Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Hey “Everybody”! Estonia and Latvia were the first two new countries to win Eurovision after the EBU expanded its membership in 1993. As we get ready for the Eesti Laul and Supernova selection processes, “I Wanna” take a look at the Contest history of these two Baltic nations. Baltic Buddies Summary Estonia at Eurovision (1:03) Join the EuroWhat? AV Club (17:34) Latvia at Eurovision (18:45) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::

Bulgaria returns to Eurovision following a three-year absence. We take a look at the country's history at the Contest: a rough start in its initial tenure, a renaissance after its first hiatus, and looking ahead to how Bulgaria's next tenure may go. Rough Summary Selection Season So Far: Moldova, Malta, Luxembourg, Georgia, Israel, Switzerland (0:40) Join the EuroWhat? AV Club (4:29) Bulgaria's History at Eurovision (6:30) How is Bulgaria selecting for 2026? (28:32) Subscribe The EuroWhat? Podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts. Find your podcast app to subscribe here . Comments, questions, and episode topic suggestions are always welcome. You can shoot us an email or reach out on Bluesky @eurowhat.bsky.social . Join the EuroWhat AV Club! If you want even more EuroWhat? in your life, join the EuroWhat? AV Club on Patreon ! You can join for free to get virtual high fives and a monthly newsletter featuring: previews of upcoming episodes, North America tour dates for Eurovision alumni National Selection dates Tidbits we can't get to on the main show We also have the EuroWhat? AV Club Podcast , a monthly bonus episode for paid members exploring Eurovision-adjacent TV, movies, books, and more. And if there is a season 2 of the American Song Contest... well... :::monkey's paw intensifies:::