Shows
Mysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP10: Live From Basel (Class of 2025 Part II)Zoë Më, Voyage, Switzerland (11:47), Go-Jo, Milkshake Man, Australia (26:53), Ziferblat, Bird of Pray, Ukraine (35:21), Aurin Squire, The Good Fight, (49:59)
On this episode, we're reporting on Eurovision 2025 from Basel! First we give you updates on this year's contest directly from the press center, covering the changes to the semi-final broadcasts and Eurovision's controversial flag rule.
Then we interview three artists from this year's Eurovision - Switzerland's Zoe Me (Voyage), Australia's Go-Jo (Milkshake Man) and Ukraine's Ziferblat (Bird of Pray).
Finally, we sit down with television and Broadway writer Aurin Squire for a game about songwriting at Eurovision 2025 that we're calling "It Tak...2025-05-151h 12Mysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP9: Global-vision?: Eurovision's Continuing ExpansionRambo Amadeus (Montenegro, 2012) - 23:05, Nico Carney (Vulture, Comedian You Should Know) - 42:30
On this episode, we talk about how Eurovision can achieve its goal of expansion. First, we use the occasion of Montenegro returning to the contest to explore the ways that Eurovision can make it easier for even more countries to join.
Then we talk to iconic Montenegrin artist, Rambo Amadeus, whose Euro Nero explores the complications of integrating into the larger European project. We talk to him about whe...2025-05-071h 05Mysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP8: And Then They Wrote A Song (Songwriting Part II)Wouter Hardy (Arcade)- 3:36, NYLAN (The Code, Shhhh) - 23:46, Benji Alasu (The Code, Survivor) - 41:43
This week, we're talking to the songwriters behind two Eurovision winning hits. First we sit down with Wouter Hardy, who co-wrote Duncan Laurence's Arcade - the first Eurovision song in nearly a quarter century to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Then we turn to two writers, NYLAN and Benji Alasu who, along with Linda Dale and Nemo themselves, wrote last year's Eurovision winner, Nemo's The Code. These writers give us a window into their unique processes and...2025-04-301h 00Mysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP7: Eurovision Class of 2025 Part 1Sissal (Hallucination, Denmark 2025) - 3:59, Shkodra Electronike (Zjerm, Albania 2025) - 22:19, Pixie Aventura (Hulu's Drag Me To Dinner) - 43:00
This is our first episode featuring interviews with Eurovision 2025 contestants! We've talked about Eurovision's dual identity as a place for both global pop and culturally specific numbers, and in this episode we talk to two acts who embody either side of that identity: Sissal, representing Denmark with an instant Scandipop classic, Hallucination, and Albania's Shkodra Elektronike, whose song Zjerm is infused with the traditional sounds drawn from the history of music from Shkoder.
We then sit down with EuroVerse favorite Pixie Aventura who brings h...2025-04-231h 07Mysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP6: Eurovision 69: Too Hot for TVMartin Green (Director of Eurovision) - 24:37, Santino Fontana (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Frozen, Tootsie) - 42:08
First we deep dive into the controversy around three of Eurovision’s most provocative acts: Australia’s Milkshake Man (Go Jo), Malta’s Serving (Miriana Conte), and Finland’s Ich Komme (Erika Vikman). We discuss broader trends that have led the contest once known exclusively as a “family show” to have to confront these boundary pushing acts - and talk about how Eurovision’s recently released Code of Conduct could be a road map for the future.
Then...2025-04-161h 06Mysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP5: That's How You Write A Song!Julien Salvia and Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal (Writers, Luxembourg 2025) - 18:23, Andrew Lippa (Big Fish, The Addams Family, Wild Party) - 34:45
This week we're talking about songwriting! In our first segment, we discuss how culture and technology have changed the collaborative model for songwriting over the years - and discuss how and why all collaborative models, even some older ones, are still relevant at Eurovision today.
Then, we talk to Julien Salvia and Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal- the songwriters behind Luxembourg's 2025 entry, "La poupée monte le son." They give us a window into their songwriting process and how it's developed over years writing for theater, a...2025-04-0957 minMysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP4: Let's Talk About Celine Dion (Part 2)
Emilija Kokić, Riva, Rock Me, WINNER Yugoslavia 1989 (27:23), Jackie Cox (47:08)
This is the second episode in our two part series about Celine Dion! We pick up right after Celine's Eurovision victory, tracing her rise to global pop stardom, her experience of critical backlash, her health struggles and her recent comeback. As we do so, we discuss the parallels between Celine's ebb and flow of cultural relevance, and that of the contest that launched her.
Then we speak to Emilija Kokić, who won Eurovision the year after Celine for Yugoslavia, as the front woman of Riva, with the song Rock Me. We discuss tha...2025-04-021h 09Mysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP3: Let's Talk About Celine Dion (Part 1)Marie Louise Werth, Furbaz, 1989 (21:29), Gianmarco Soresi, Comedian, (36:00)
This episode is part one of a two part series about Eurovision icon Celine Dion. We start by deep diving into some broad themes of Celine's early career and life, and discuss how she as an artist faces a lot of the same challenges and biases as the contest that made her famous. Then we talk to Marie Louise Werth who, as the lead singer of Furbaz competed for Switzerland the year after Celine Dion, and competed against Celine Dion in the Swiss National Final. Furbaz is the only band eve...2025-03-2658 minMysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP2: Eurovision Comebacks!Scooch, UK 2007 (24:11), Cady Huffman (43:35)
Scooch, Flying the Flag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT6yOIC6ihI
On this episode, we're talking about Eurovision comebacks! First we explore the history of UK artists using the Eurovision stage to relaunch their careers. Then we talk to Eurovision comeback icons Scooch, whose "Flying the Flag (For You)" remains a classic to this day. Finally, we sit down with Broadway star Cady Huffman (Tony winner for her turn as Ulla in the Producers), and play her a series of Eurovision songs that either made or broke the careers of the artists who perfor...2025-03-191h 07Mysteries of the EuroVerseS2 EP1: Eurovision and the Avant-GardeKonstrakta - Serbia 2022 (22:33), Charles Busch - Tale of the Allergist's Wife (43:42)
In our Season 2 premiere we're tackling Eurovision and the Avant-Garde! First, we deep dive into the history of avant-garde Eurovision acts and discuss the tension between Eurovision's desire to appeal to the broadest possible audience and its elevation of some of the most aesthetically and politically innovative pop acts of the last half century.
Then, we talk to Eurovision avant-garde darling Konstrakta, who took Turin by storm in 2022 with In Corpore Sano. Konstrakta walks us through her decades long career, where she has explored a moder...2025-03-121h 07Mysteries of the EuroVerseBONUS EP 3: Listener Corrections and Looking Forward to Season 2
Tali (Luxembourg, 2024 - 21:43), Kim Hale (ASL Interpreter, Loyal Listener - 38:59)
Our Bonus Episode 3 is all about you, the listener.
First, we go through some of the corrections and comments left on our youtube page - using the contributions of our listeners to look back on Season 1.
Then we sit down, in person, with Tali (Luxembourg, Eurovision 2024) and explore what post-Eurovision life is like for a contemporary artist.
Finally, we sit down with loyal listener Kim Hale for a game looking back on the season that we're calling, Have You Learned Nothing!?
Have You Learned Nothing...2024-12-2759 minMysteries of the EuroVerseBONUS EP 2: Election Special - Authoritarianism at EurovisionGUESTS: Alesia Michele (American Eurovision YouTuber, 22:43), Joe Iconis (Be More Chill, NBC's Smash, 39:29)
This is a very special election themed episode, where we channel our anxiety about the fall of American democracy into a discussion about Eurovision and authoritarianism.
We begin with a celebration of our wins at both the Signal Awards and Davey Awards (more award announcements to come), before diving into our main topic. We use two stories about Eurovision's interaction with Authoritarian regimes to get at the unique relationship authoritarians have to music. Trump looms large over this segment.
Then we interview preeminent American Eurovision YouTuber Alesia...2024-11-051h 03Mysteries of the EuroVerseANNOUNCEMENT: Vote for Us! We're a Signal Award Finalist!Hello EuroVerse-rs! We have a very special announcement! Mysteries of the EuroVerse has been named a Finalist for the prestigious Signal Awards (alongside podcasts we love like Las Culturistas).
We're in the Indie Podcast Category - and are also up for a Listeners Choice Award. This is where we need your help. We'd so appreciate it if you clicked the link below, signed-in with your gmail and voted for us. Voting closes on October 17th. This will introduce us to new audiences and help us continue to get awesome guests as we ready Se...2024-10-1401 minMysteries of the EuroVerseBONUS EP 1: Political Voting at EurovisionGUESTS: Aiko (Czechia 2024 - 22:10), EyeCue (Macedonia 2018- 36:59), Leon Neyfakh (Slow Burn, Fiasco - 48:10)
This is our first of three bonus episodes as we prepare for our big launch of season 2! After a few updates, we deep dive into the debate over Israel's score this year, and claims that the results were political-- attempting to clarify what it is when we talk about when we talk about "political voting" at Eurovision.
Then we have TWO Eurovision interviews: Aiko, who represented Czechia this year with Pedestal, and EyeCue who represented Macedonia in 2018 with th...2024-08-211h 10Mysteries of the EuroVerseEP 24: Eurovision 2024 on the Brink and What To Do About It (feat Eurovision Winners and Chart Toppers)Andreas Magnusson (Host, FalastinVision) - 6:55, Stig Karlsen (Head of Norway's Eurovision Delegation) - 13:57, Karin Karlsen (Head Organizer Eurovision 2024 for the City of Malmo) - 20:23
Bashar Murad (Wild West, Söngvakeppnin 2024) - 30:03, Tymoffi Muzychuck (Kalush Orchestra - Eurovision Winner 2022) - 47:20, Rosa Linn (Snap, Eurovision 2022, over one billion spotify streams) - 57:43
We have a SUPER SIZED episode for our season finale, as we bring in a bunch of different voices to help us figure out what happened this year, and what the organization should do next.
We begin by talking about the controversy over Israel's participation, consulting with Karin Karlsson, who organized Eurovisi...2024-05-171h 20Mysteries of the EuroVerseEMERGENCY UPDATE: Backstage Fights, Missed Performances, and the Crack-up of Eurovision 2024Immediately after we recorded our last episode, things went wild. We’ll be back next week with more analysis, but we wanted to give you an up-to-the-minute update as we’ve had one artist disqualified and several others begin to openly protest from the Eurovision stage or not show up at all. Going into tonight, it’s unclear what will happen but we wanted you to have all the information we do as you watch.
2024-05-1109 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 23: Eurovision 2024 - Tensions Rise in MalmöIn this episode we report LIVE from Malmö, Sweden! As controversy swirls around Israel’s participation in the contest and Eurovision tries to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ABBA’s win with a contest more geared toward high spectacle and chart topping pop songs than ever, we’re bringing you a super-sized episode!
First we talk to Eurovision winner Emmelie de Forest who won the contest last time Malmö, Sweden hosted, with her hit song “Only Teardrops.” She reflects on how the contest, and the city of Malmo have changed in the past decade— and talks to us abo...2024-05-111h 10Mysteries of the EuroVerseBEST OF: The Swedish Takeover of Global PopSince we're reporting on the ground from Malmo, our regularly scheduled episode will come out at the end of the week to coincide with Eurovision 2024! Until then we'd love to share two previous episodes we think set this year's contest up well. This is our episode about Sweden's takeover of Eurovision and global pop, in advance of them hosting this year's contest.
Dr. Alban, Hello Afrika, One Love (26:30), Deborah Ann Woll, (HBO's True Blood, Netflix's Daredevil, (37:13)
This week, we're talking about the Swedish domination of pop music. How this tiny country too...2024-05-081h 05Mysteries of the EuroVerseBEST OF: Israel at EurovisionSince we're reporting on the ground from Malmo, our regularly scheduled episode will come out at the end of the week to coincide with Eurovision 2024! Until then we'd love to share two previous episodes we think set this year's contest up well. This is our episode about Israel's participation in Eurovision.
Guests:
Paul Jordan (Dr. Eurovision), Dave Keating (Brussels Based EU Reporter), and Elias Jahshan (This Arab is Queer) featured in the Deep Dive - 1:37
Zack Beauchamp (Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent, Vox.com) - 27:24
Professor Shibley Telhami (Brookings Institute, C...2024-05-081h 06Mysteries of the EuroVerseEP 22: Hosting EurovisionDaniela Ruah (21:12), Dylan Baker and Becky Ann Baker (36:25)
This week we’re talking about hosting Eurovision. First we deep dive into the ways in which countries have used hosting Eurovision to communicate narratives about their nation’s culture and politics to the wider world. Then we talk to NCIS LA star and Host of Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon, Daniela Ruah. Finally, we sit down with stars of stage and screen, Dylan Baker (Happiness, Dream Scenario) and Becky Ann Baker (Girls, Freaks and Geeks) to explore the acts chosen to represent Eurovision host countries in a game we’re callin...2024-05-011h 00Mysteries of the EuroVerseEP 21: EuroVerse LIVE - Heat 4/FinalInterviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Hera Bjork, Iceland (19:59), Marina Satti, Greece (35:57)
Performances: Liam Oh (Sam Ryder, Spaceman, UK 2022) - 44:58, Magnus Riise “Ulveham/Unforgettable” (Gåte, Norway 2024, Marcus and Martinus, Sweden, 2024) - 49:41
This is our final live episode of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- the one where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR votes!
This week, we looked at songs from , with two special guests. TV Showrunner Karen DiConcetto (SKAM Austin, Recovery Road), who was also part of a pop duo with three top ten UK sin...2024-04-2455 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 20: EuroVerse LIVE - Heat 3Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Iolanda, Portugal (23:06), Sarah Bonnici, Malta (38:02)
Performances: Magnus Riise Performs “Before the Party is Over” (Mustii, Belgium, 2024)
This is our third of four live episodes of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR votes!
This week, we looked at songs from Belgium, Ireland, Georgia, Israel, Latvia, Albania, Denmark, Portugal, Malta and Italy, with Broadway playwright Douglas Lyons (Chicken and Biscuits, Apple TV’s Fraggle Rock).
We're also featuring...2024-04-1757 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 19: EuroVerse LIVE - HEAT 2Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Tali (Luxembourg) 20:37, Natalia Barbu (Moldova) 38:45.
Performances: Ali Ewoldt Performs "Zero Gravity" Kate Miller Heidke (48:57), Magnus Riise Performs "The Tower" Luna (Eurovision 2024 Cover) (52:19)
This is our second of four live episodes of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR votes. This week we looked at songs from Poland, Croatia, France, Cyprus, Moldova, Serbia, Armenia, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, with Broadway star Ali Ewoldt (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera).
At the end of the episode, you'll find out who made it out of our "2nd Heat." We're also featuring t...2024-04-1157 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 18: EuroVerse LIVE - HEAT 1Silvester Belt, Lithuania 2024 (23:43)
This is our first of four live episodes of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR votes. This week we looked at songs from the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Australia, Estonia, San Marino, Azerbaijan and Lithuania, with Mysteries of the EuroVerse favorite, stunt queen Izzy Uncut. At the end of the episode, you'll find out who made it out of our "1st Heat."
We're also featuring an interview with Silvester Belt himself, who is representing Lithuania at Eurovision this year with the hit song Luktelk. You'll also hear a li...2024-04-0345 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEp 17: Eurovision 2024 - Big Themes, Hot Trends, Hot TakesWindows95man (23:14), Flamy Grant (35:34)
This week we're looking at Eurovision 2024 through the lens of the big themes we've talked about in our first season. We talk about Eurovision's relationship to America and contemporary pop, we examine the contest's move away from English language dominance, we dive into the updates on juries and voting, and, finally, we cover this year's biggest controversies.
Then we talk to our first Eurovision 2024 contestant, Finland's Windows95man-- a performance artist who shot to viral fame when a photo of him dressed as the character he created was retweeted by John Cena.
Finally, we sit down wit...2024-03-2759 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 16: The Swedish Takeover of Global PopDr. Alban, Hello Afrika, One Love (26:30), Deborah Ann Woll, (HBO's True Blood, Netflix's Daredevil, (37:13)
This week, we're talking about the Swedish domination of pop music. How this tiny country took over one of the world's largest entertainment industries is a story with a ton of twists and turns-- and, of course, Eurovision is at the center of it. First we deep dive into that history and try to figure out what it is about Sweden that has made it such a pop power house.
Then we talk to EuroDance star Dr. Alb...2024-03-201h 05Mysteries of the EuroVerseEP 15: Israel at EurovisionGuests:
Paul Jordan (Dr. Eurovision), Dave Keating (Brussels Based EU Reporter), and Elias Jahshan (This Arab is Queer) featured in the Deep Dive - 1:37
Zack Beauchamp (Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent, Vox.com) - 27:24
Professor Shibley Telhami (Brookings Institute, Council of Foreign Relations) - 45:47
This week, we're talking about the controversy surrounding Israel's participation in Eurovision. First we talk about the history of countries being sanctioned by Eurovision, and try to get at the fundamental questions of values that underlie the debate over whether Israel should participate. We turn to E...2024-03-141h 06Mysteries of the EuroVerseEP 14: Eurovision Behind The Iron Curtain (The Intervision Song Contest)Episode 14: Eurovision Behind The Iron Curtain
25:00 Dr. Dean Vuletic (Historian, “Intervision: Popular Music and Politics in Eastern Europe”)
40:28 Chris Molanphy (Chart Expert, Host of Slate's Hit Parade, Author, "Old Town Road")
This week we're talking about the Intervision Song Contest - the Eurovision equivalent organized by communist governments during the cold war. Putin has been making noises about restarting the ISC, but as we talk about, he fundamentally misunderstands the original festival. Intervision was a liberalizing force, run by reformers working to open their countries to the rest of the world. We discuss what Intervision is and why it's so o...2024-03-061h 01Mysteries of the EuroVerseEP 13: Eurovision Icons (Featuring Eurovision Icons!)Linda Martin (Winner, Ireland 1992), Elisabeth Andreasson (Winner, Norway 1985), Senhit (Grand Final feat Flo Rida, 2021), Barrett Foa (NCIS: LA, The Residence - Netflix)
On this episode, we explore what it takes to be a Eurovision Icon and what separates Eurovision icons from pop icons-- diving into how the aesthetics, music and politics of Eurovision affect the stars who get elevated.
More importantly, we talk to three (!!) Eurovision icons: Linda Martin, who is one of only five performers to place both #1 and #2 at Eurovision, Elisabeth Andreasson (aka Bettan), who shares that distinction with Linda Martin-- and who has competed in Eurovision four tim...2024-02-281h 12Mysteries of the EuroVerseEP 12: The Spin-Offs
EP 12: The Spin-Offs
Riker Lynch (Glee, Dancing With The Stars, American Song Contest)
John D. Carrion, Executive Director of The NYC Gay Men's Chorus
On this episode, we're talking about the numerous times that the European Broadcasting Union (or EBU) has tried to spin-off the Eurovision concept. We start by taking about the European spin-offs that were started under the EBU's network of national broadcasters, including Eurovision Young Musicians, Eurovision Young Dancers, and Junior Eurovision. We then talk about the complications of exporting the Eurovision brand under a commercial model abroad, focusing in on the American Song Contest-- hosted by...2024-02-2451 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 11: Spectacle and Technological Innovation at EurovisionGerman Nenov (Ukraine's Creative Director Eurovision 2023), SuRie (UK 2018), Izzy Uncut (Watch What Happens Live)
On this episode, we explore the technology required to make a spectacle like Eurovision happen-- and we discuss how Eurovision's identity as a technological innovator is connected to its self-identity as an institution meant to stitch Europe back together. We talk with Ukraine's Creative Director for Eurovision 2023, German Nenov, about how the show comes together.
Then we sit down with SuRie, the UK's 2018 Eurovision contestant. Her performance marked one of the times that the machinery of Eurovision st...2024-02-1552 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP10: The Road to the Grand FinalSally Ann Triplett 18:41
(Prima Donna - Love Enough For Two - UK 1980 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8fUTTwOp40, Bardo - One Step Further UK 1982 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qy6S7LvtNc)
Tvorchi 31:26
(Heart of Steel- Ukraine 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neIscK1hNxs)
Size Matters With Josh Keating 36:44
In this episode, we talk about a core inequality in Eurovision's system for choosing the acts that make it to the Grand Final-- and how that's a reflection of a difficult balance that m...2024-02-0858 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 9: National Selections (Authoritarian Manipulation, Public Scandal, and the Fight For A Nation's Identity)21:06 Andrew Lambrou (Cyprus, 2023, Break a Broken Heart): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQG9YH2nCJw)
31:37 Troy Iwata (The Daily Show, Dash and Lily)
We are in the middle of National Finals season, and controversy is already swirling around some of this years' selection processes! We talk about how a country's choice of song reflects what they want to project to the world, and how authoritarians have used national selections to try to bend the identity of their countries. We also discuss some of the biggest scandals in Eurovision national finals history, and explore how broadcasters can arrive at results th...2024-01-3155 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 8: The Fandom (On the Internet, On the Ground, and Moving into the Future)Blanka (Poland 2023) - 19:31
Her song, Solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvQRpV1-ZhY
Theodor Andrei (Romania 2023) - 30:09
His song, DGT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRxv-AUCinQ
Pixie Aventura (Hulu's Drag Me To Dinner) - 42:16
On this episode, we're talking about the fandom! The unique nature of the Eurovision fandom comes from the fact that it's a sprawling international set, communicating across national boundaries, but then uniting once a year in a completely different city. We explore the network of Eurovision fanclubs under the OGAE umbrella-- w...2024-01-251h 03Mysteries of the EuroVerseEP 7: Eurovision and Contemporary Pop1:07- Deep Dive- Eurovision and Contemporary Pop
21:43 Joker Out (Slovenia 2023)
39:58 Killer Notes or Killer Nodes with Telly Leung
This week we're discussing Eurovision's relationship to contemporary pop-- and specifically what it is about the rules of the world's largest song competition that complicate its relationship to the charts. We cover rules around back-up singers, auto-tune, the orchestra, and use of tracks.
Then, we talk to pop rock darlings Joker Out, who represent a new wave at Eurovision-- their hit song Carpe Diem garnered a tremendous amount of streams across platforms. They followed...2024-01-171h 02Mysteries of the EuroVerseEP 6: Politics in Eurovision’s Modern Era (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Israel, and Russia)21:24 Interview with Fazla (Bosnia, 1993) - All The Pain In The World, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmbrJkzQ4Ik
36:20 Interview with Jeff Hiller (Somebody, Somewhere)
In this episode we look at politics at Eurovision in the modern era. First, we examine a series of conflicts in Europe, and discuss how Eurovision's increasingly dominant self-conception as "apolitical" has hampered its ability to consistently confront contemporary events. Then, we talk to Fazla, who escaped Sarajevo under siege in the dead of night-- dodging sniper fire and scaling a mountain barefoot to make it to Eurovision a...2024-01-1157 min
On the MediaMysteries of the Euroverse!50 years ago ABBA won the contest for the song Waterloo.
Recently Brooke's old friend Charlie asked her to take part in a new podcast born of his love of and obsession with Eurovision, an international song contest organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, with reps from some 70 countries!
This week's midweek podcast is episode three of the new series "Mysteries of the Euroverse," hosted by Charlie Sohne and Magnus Riise.
On Instagram: @euroversepodcast
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GlG8M6PKJOxfx5vk9jRiA
www.eurov...2024-01-1045 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 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 fro...2024-01-0357 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 4: Eurovision’s Language Rule (National Identity, Cultural Exchange and the Quest for Global Pop Success)Deep Dive - Eurovision's Language Rule - 1:19
Interview - Go_A (Ukraine, 2021) - 18:19
Tops and Bottoms - Soman Chainani (The School for Good and Evil) - 32:30
In this week's episode we explore Eurovision's language rule-- which, during the eras' it's been in effect, has required that countries only submit songs in their own national languages. Defenders of the rule claim that it's necessary to preserve the diversity of language in Eurovision, while critics point out that it's unfair to require representatives from smaller nations to perform in languages unfamiliar to the televoting audience. We talk about how the on-and-off im...2023-12-2753 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 3: Pop, Power, and Politics#03: Pop, Power, and Politics
1:15 Deep Dive into The Political History of Eurovision
16:46 Jamala (Eurovision Winner, 2016, Representing Ukraine)
30:49 Brooke Gladstone (Peabody Award-winning host of On The Media)
These days, Eurovision claims to be “apolitical,” but that wasn’t always the case. We explore how Eurovision was founded in the aftermath of World War II, alongside political institutions like the UN, with the aim of stitching Europe back together. And we talk about how the contest dealt with ‘political’ songs over its first half century.
Then we talk to Jamala, the Ukrainian s...2023-12-2151 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 2: Queer-o-Vision: The Queer History of Eurovision#02: Queer-o-Vision
18:36 - Gustaph (Eurovision Contestant, 2023, Representing Belgium)
35:18 Robin de Jesus (Three time Tony Nominated actor, Netflix’s tick…tick..BOOM!, Hulu’s Welcome to Chippendales)
There’s always been something a little queer about Eurovision. In our second episode, we explore the contest’s history with the LGBTQ+ community– and how this “family show” has, at many points in its nearly 70 year existence, been way out front on LGBT rights issues. We also discuss the moments when the contest hasn’t lived up to its image.
We then talk to Gustaph, who, as a teen, le...2023-12-1354 minMysteries of the EuroVerseEP 1: Eurovision in AmericaGuests: David Dobkin (Director: Wedding Crashers, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga with Will Ferrell), Jerry Mitchell (Three Time Tony Award Winning Director/Choreographer, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde)
Eurovision is the most watched song contest in the world– with viewership reaching 200 million people. It’s larger than the Superbowl! But while Eurovision songs have charted 28 times in America, 19 of those times came before 1974. This was shortly followed by a dry spell that featured only one Eurovision song on the US charts in nearly 50 years. What happened? And why, over the past three years, have we seen...2023-12-051h 04