I have never watched the Eurovision for the last seven years. I am not sure why, it just was not on my radar but in 2013, I did watch it and really could not understand what was going on or how big it is over here and in Europe.
The Eurovision began in 1956. Only members of Europe Broadcasting Union can take place in this singing competition. This includes Russia, some countries in Africa and most of the Euoprean countries. The country that won the Eurovision last year have to host the next one. Sometimes people have a Eurovision party and they invite their friends over to their homes to watch it.
So the interesting bit of the competition is that it is very political. So you go through out the night having the singing and the voting. The people in the countries can then vote for their favorite song and then the top 3 countries are given 12, 10 and 8 points. So some of the Eastern Bloc countries vote for each other as does Ireland and the United Kingdom and so forth.
A song is written every year for the Eurovision and performed by an act from that country. One of famous band that rose to fame after being part of this competition is ABBA who won in 1974. One of the UK's most famous performers were Bucks Fizz who won in 1981 with their song Making Your Mind Up. Celine Dion won it for Switzerland in 1988 which helped launch her career.
So if you in when the next Eurovision is on, watch it and let me know what you think of it. This year's is on 6 May 2014.
Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts
I have the Downtown Abbey bug
I never really got into Downtown Abbey until it had already been on for a while and only wanted to watch it from the beginning. Luckily I got the first series for 2 pounds on a FB group and then signed up for a free months trial via Netflix, I was able to catch up while on my break for Christmas (my work closes down from Christmas to New Years :).
Why I like it and think it is worth any American to watch it:
Why I like it and think it is worth any American to watch it:
- I like that the mom (Lady Grantham) is American. This is true because many British married rich Americans because although they had the titles and the manor houses, they did not have the money to maintain these properties and the lifestyles.
- It takes you through the history which many people may not be aware of. Such as the women's right to vote (Emily Pankhurst who was trampled under the King's race horse while protesting for women's rights.) Downtown Abbey being used for the war effort, many estates were used for several functions then.
- It reflects both the upper and lower classes and how life was for them.
- The family is likeable, they treat their servants well and that makes you like them more. They aren't perfect and that made me like them even more.
- It made me laugh.
I have already told Jon that he can expect us to go visit Downtown Abbey. I will write about it when we do!
Otherwise, I suggest if you like Britain, history and drama, Downtown Abbey is a must!
Made in Chelsea
I have to admit, I have become a follower of the show, Made in Chelsea. I have tried to watch TOWIE, but it just doesn't pull at my strings like the rich kids running Chelsea does. I love watching British television just to get an ideal of rich children and the lives that they lead or at least how they are portrayed to us. Many other of my American and Canadian friends also love this one.
What British television shows are you addicted to?
What British television shows are you addicted to?
Black Adder
We do not normally have Sky TV, we usually have Freeview, but we have it now for a year for free because we had to move our internet provider. Recently we have been watching Black Adder later in the evenings.
Black Adder is a very interesting show. It takes place in a period in history but that time changes with each series.It is very typical British humor and was the starting place for a few famous people who you might recognize such as Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean), Hugh Laurie (House), and Stephen Fry.
Here is a good video as a taster.
It is worth watching if you see it on. It is historically correct for the most part but very entertaining!
Black Adder is a very interesting show. It takes place in a period in history but that time changes with each series.It is very typical British humor and was the starting place for a few famous people who you might recognize such as Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean), Hugh Laurie (House), and Stephen Fry.
Here is a good video as a taster.
It is worth watching if you see it on. It is historically correct for the most part but very entertaining!
Top Gear
They regularly have celebrities on the show driving a reasonably priced car around a track. They have a board where they track the fastest celebrities’ times.
There is also a character called the Stig who they hide his true identity. He test drives sports cars around the track and they track the fastest cars on a board.
You can get tickets to be on the show, but the list is very long. However, they reset the list every year so if you get an email to reregister your interest, make sure you do it. I was able to get tickets and got to meet James May and Richard Hammond but I really wanted to meet Jeremy Clarkson. Sign up for tickets here.
to get more information on the show, go here.
British Soaps
I have to admit, I love my British soaps, Hollyoaks, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street. Unlike American soaps, they play in the evenings. On the weekends, they often run an omnibus, which is a catchup of all the episodes in the week.
I think I like them because it exposes me to new sayings and different cultures I don't get in Cambridge. For example Emmerdale is set in a village up north. One of the characters will say 'she is going to kick us out'. When she says 'us' she is talking about herself, so sometimes people will refer to themselves in that way up north.
They often use soaps to talk about difficult situations, like in the Archers, to get people to know there is help out there. The story-lines often reflect what is going on in today’s society and sometimes this has been controversial.
Also who doesn't love a bit of drama?
I think I like them because it exposes me to new sayings and different cultures I don't get in Cambridge. For example Emmerdale is set in a village up north. One of the characters will say 'she is going to kick us out'. When she says 'us' she is talking about herself, so sometimes people will refer to themselves in that way up north.
They often use soaps to talk about difficult situations, like in the Archers, to get people to know there is help out there. The story-lines often reflect what is going on in today’s society and sometimes this has been controversial.
Also who doesn't love a bit of drama?
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a television show that has been running since 1963 with a break from 1989 to 2005. It has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running sci-fi show. You can watch it on BBC One on Saturdays.
You may have seen it as the show runs on BBC America.
The Doctor is a humanoid alien who travels through time and space to fight injustice. He is very quirky and intelligent.The Doctor has a companion (up to 3 at a time) that helps him through his adventures.
When the Doctor is replaced, it is written in as a regeneration where the Doctor takes over a new body. With every regeneration, the Doctor picks up and drops off his quirky ways.
Many children who were scared of the aliens in the show would sit behind a couch or chair and hiding when a scary part was on. My husband and a few other men I know were some of these children.
There are are spins offs and a few movies that have come out of the series.
To get a more in-depth description, go here.
You may have seen it as the show runs on BBC America.
The Doctor is a humanoid alien who travels through time and space to fight injustice. He is very quirky and intelligent.The Doctor has a companion (up to 3 at a time) that helps him through his adventures.
When the Doctor is replaced, it is written in as a regeneration where the Doctor takes over a new body. With every regeneration, the Doctor picks up and drops off his quirky ways.
Many children who were scared of the aliens in the show would sit behind a couch or chair and hiding when a scary part was on. My husband and a few other men I know were some of these children.
There are are spins offs and a few movies that have come out of the series.
To get a more in-depth description, go here.
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