Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly cloudyMagazine
Witty Wogan is still Euro's raison d'etre
by Rachel Broady19/ 5/2005
IT'S that time of year again. Anyone who says they don't enjoy
Eurovision Song Contest
(BBC1, Saturday)
is clearly lying or is a total fool. It is the telly highlight of
the year more exciting even, than the return of Footballers' Wives
or Nip/Tuck.
Sadly, the great British public weren't convinced that Jordan
should represent our country so we will have Javine taking on that
task instead. It is a shame but no reason not to tune in.
You never know, we may get nil point again this year, which was so
funny in 2003 I nearly choked on the posh crisps and booze I bought
especially for the occasion. The argument about whether it was a
war protest or just that Jemini were awful still goes on in my
world.
Or we could come 16th out of 24 places, the position James Fox
achieved in 2004 due to his bland looks and sound before he went on
to star in Jesus Christ Superstar. Oddly, not enough to inspire a
campaign calling on us to leave the EU.
Let's face it, we'll need the luck of the Irish who won seven times
and could have gone bust from repeatedly hosting the glitzy event.
But this year the kitsch show - that inspires geeks across the
globe to correct the worst records ever - celebrates its 50th
birthday and, besides, it's Wogan's commentary that proves most
fun, never failing to touch the spot or raise a smile while
stabbing a badly-dressed back.
If that isn't enough nonsense to keep you entertained, there's
Abba: Behind the Blonde
(Channel Four,
Tuesday). This show tells us the real story behind the
much-loved Eurovision winning group whose normal looks would mean
they wouldn't last two minutes in today's straightened-hair,
straightened-teeth, conformist charts.
Agnetha (the one all the boys in school liked) was the emotionally
fragile member of the band, we hear, and her friends and colleagues
spill the beans on why she is now an eccentric recluse. The sort of
loyalty expected of a Eurovision Contest judging panel but,
nevertheless, cracking gossip.
And for those of you who really do like your telly to be as
challenging as a colouring-in book to a Fine Arts student you can
watch the sixth
Big Brother
(Channel Four,
next Friday). Yes, the rubbish is back and will have sunk to
new depths, no doubt. Obviously no one knows what sort of creature
will venture into the now all too familiar BB house but here's
hoping the great British public (who realise Jordan's a joke) will
soon realise that six shows is enough. More than enough.
In fact, here's an idea; let's all switch off and teach Endemol a
lesson.
Got an opinion you want to share?| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| AA | 7.9% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.2% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Abbey Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
4.50% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
1.75% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
2.25% |