The Eurovision Song Contest has been a significant phenomenon in Europe since 1956. And now the American version premieres on 21 March on NBC, with the grand final scheduled for 9 May, presented by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson. The live singing competition will feature artists from all 50 states. In this slogging thread, our community discusses whether it makes sense for the USA to replicate Eurovision and its impact on Eurovision fans.
This Slogging thread by Mónica Freitas, Sara Pinto, Jack Boreham and Limarc Ambalina occurred in slogging's official #pop-culture channel, and has been edited for readability.
"US rapper Snoop Dogg and singer Kelly Clarkson are to host the new American Song Contest, modelled on the long-running Eurovision Song Contest.
The live singing competition will feature artists from all 50 states."
The live singing competition will feature artists from all 50 states."
"The Eurovision Song Contest has been a mainstay in the showbiz calendar in Europe and beyond since it began in 1956."
And now the American version premieres on 21 March on NBC, with the grand final scheduled for 9 May.
As a European who's grown up watching Eurovision, it makes no sense to me for the US to host their own Eurovision using the 50 states. The whole point of Eurovision is to have different countries, languages, and cultures brought together and have their music shared. Though there has been a growth in the English language usage in lyrics, a lot of the winners of the past editions kept to their native language, like Måneskin (Italy), Salvador Sobral (Portugal), Marija Šerifović (Serbia), etc. Besides, it's an incredible exchange of distinct music influences.
Thus, I don't see the point of doing a song contest within your country and calling it Eurovision. It's simply a regular song contest like "The Voice" or "American Idol."
What do you think?
Mónica Freitas, it doesn't seem like an awful idea. I think it could be curious if they had great changes in music styles from one state to another. However, I understand that the culture and the language are basically the same, so it can be pretty much like regular contests, as you said. It could be more interesting if they included all countries of the continent, like Brazil, Colombia, and so on. It would bring diversity to the contest.
Sara Pinto,if they joined different nations, it'd make sense. But as it is, what differs this from a regular song contest? Just the representation of each state?
Mónica Freitas, Eurovision is rubbish we don't need another 😂. Yeah I said it hahaha
Mónica Freitas, yes, I suppose that would be the only difference haha. But I guess this is just a draft, and they will eventually come over with new and better ideas to up this contest.
Jack Boreham, you're just saying that because last year was a bad one for the UK, ahahaha!
Sara Pinto, maybe but it's premiering in a month, so I'm not sure what's coming out of this. Ever since Eurovision-winning songs got popular on TikTok, I feel like it has become a new phenomenon in the US and probably why they're now trying to replicate that formate with the 50 states.
Mónica Freitas, it's always bad for the UK; you guys fix it against us. You can't blame Brexit 😂
Mónica Freitas, oh, I didn't know it was just around the corner haha. The concept of Eurovision is interesting, so I can't blame them for trying to do something similar. I guess we have to wait and see.
Jack Boreham, I'll blame Brexit for those 0 points 😂 at least you have a secured place at the finals. We still have to grovel for it 😪
Sara Pinto, yeah it took me by surprise too. Eurovision is a big event for the LGBTQIA+ community. So, if they're successful in creating the same aura around it, maybe the US will bring different communities together.
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Mónica Freitas, hahaha we won once!
OH, Jack Boreham "Eurovision is rubbish" shots fired.
IF those words don't start WW3, nothing will.
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I don't understand anything this guy is saying, but I'm feeling it.
Limarc Ambalina, Jack is still processing those 0 points last year 😂
Limarc Ambalina, for reference it's all about being different but it's a banger. I'm not surprised about the success these kids are having. They were the youngest Eurovision winners, I think.
Limarc Ambalina 😂😂😂 a hill worth dying on.
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