It may be difficult for the average European to understand, but when Australian’s talk about Eurovision spoilers, it is generally about knowing the winner in advance. Whilst Europe is lucky enough to have the syncronised live coverage eminating from Baku in just under a weeks time, Australians are not so lucky.
For those who reside down under, they endure a 3 day wait to see the first semi, a 2 day wait for the second semi, and an excrutiating 14-hour wait for the final to be aired on their local television station SBS, due to the disparity of time zones. Subsequently, many fans put themselves through a self-inflicted media blackout, some for the Sunday, some for the whole Eurovision selection period. Its a tough slog.
While the dedicated fan might consider finding out Sweden missed a final as a spoiler, others may be happy to know what color socks Jedward have on in a rehearsal. There is no clear line as to what is a spoiler. You could say a spoiler is merely anything that takes away the excitement of watching the culmination of all the lead up, the Eurovision broadcast itself.
Prior to Moscow 2009, I was largely free from all spoilers. The apocalypse could happen in the hours prior to the broadcast and I would remain locked away blissfully unaware. However, a growing collection of people would be talking in advance about what was to come. Rumors of Tatu and a sizeable chunk of the world’s LED screen supply heading to Moscow, meant temptation won, and I started investigating what actually goes on before Eurovision. I had flirted with the idea of going in person for several years, but had never tempted myself with research.
So in 2009, days after Moscow, a decision was made. I would find out what it takes to go to Eurovision, and the floodgates opened up. I had little concept that there was a wide world of national selections, that were reported on and noticed outside of their respective countries. Starting small, I didn’t do much more than read about what was planned for Olso, and listen to the songs once or twice as they were announced. The veritable mountain of information one could delve into was astounding, and I could easily see how people could spend all year focused on the event. I didn’t want to find myself tiring of the songs before even stepping foot into Norway.
Paul on the ground in Oslo with one of the 2010 Eurovision hosts
Finding that some foreknowledge in Oslo didn’t diminish the experience, I went into Dusseldorf with far more exposure to what was to come. I’d been reading blogs on the production, look at sneak peeks of the staging, hearing different versions of the entries. Songs I like months before the event had become tired, but I had grown to love other tracks that on first listen, weren’t my cup of tea. Despite this, I had barely scratched the surface of what was available. My experience in Dusseldorf was far from diminished, instead I went in excited not just for the event as a whole, but excited to see particular artists.
What I had considered a spoiler 2 years earlier had not changed, but my attitude towards them had changed completely. I still feel that if I was back home watching in Australia, I would be on lockdown from 5 am Sunday morning avoiding a result, so I could share the surprise and debate with friends in front of the SBS broadcast. However, I cant imagine not spoiling everything else. Listening to national finals and trying to guess the entries before they are even chosen. Finding out who will be a train wreck, and who will sound like Train. Knowing when to stay glued to the screen and when to flee the room.
So I say to all fans – don’t be afraid of spoilers. Embrace the national finals, the reports coming from Baku, the photos, the videos – they all can add a new dimension to the experience. But be sure to repect peoples wishes; because no one wants to be the person who ruins the party on the Sunday night.
I am from Ireland but worked in Australia during 2009, I put myself through a media blackout while I waited impatiently for Sbs to catch up with Europe. An hour before the final a friend of mine asked if I would be in Oslo for the 2010 contest!! I had a feeling Alexander would take the trophy but it was tough finding out before the show had even started! Although we still had a great eurovision party down under 🙂
Another Australian here – it’s very disturbing the way my Dad specifically finds out the Eurovision winner on the internet first thing in the morning just so that he can look at me with that knowledge emanating from his eyes all day until the SBS broadcast. He always appears to be just on the verge of blurting the winner out, or saying, “Do you want to know who it ISN’T?” No, no I do not.
But yes, I agree – finding out as much as I can about all the artists and each country’s selection processes makes the whole thing into a year-long festival of song for me, rather than a ‘spoiler’.
Clare – I feel your pain re: the wait. My mum always finds out via the news (not on purpose…) and then proceeds to ask me who I think won, and when I reply, gives me this look that I can never quite interpret. Last year I said I thought the UK might have done it, and when she looked at me I knew immediately that wasn’t the case.
I don’t consider getting involved with national finals to be one big spoiler. Doing so is just being a part of the Eurovision year as opposed to the Eurovision week, or days. I don’t listen to every song from every country’s preselection, but for my blog and for personal enjoyment I folllow some religiously – Melodifestivalen, the MGPs, Songvakeppni etc. I don’t think it ruins the ultimate contest experience at all.
I do ban myself from listening to the entries about a month beforehand though, and I don’t watch any rehearsals, just to keep it all fresh. I don’t mind hearing about it all though, e.g. via the Insight podcasts!
Yep, that’s a serious problem. I think it’s a kinda insult when SBS says “you can vote live”. I had the opportunity to watch it live when I was in my country. However, I will watch it online from ESC website at 5:00AM with some friends, which means shared internet charge. If SBS shows European soccer (like Juve – Napoli) live why they don’t show ESC? It may be not as important as champion’s league final, but it’s far better than Italy’s cup final.
Newcastle AU here, I didn’t start watching the contest online until 2009 just so I wouldn’t find out but then friends for the 2009/2010 contests would subtley admit who won or who didn’t which is more frustrating than if they just outright named the winner IMO
And I very much look forward to the SBS broadcast, Julia Zemiro is in her zone when commenting, it takes away from the very forced, slow, teleprompt dialogue the actual hosts give, but as many said it is a slow and long wait.
Wish SBS would air the unedited show live like most sports and then have the Zemiro version on at prime time, just makes more sense!