While the basic shape of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest follows the Adult version, ‘Our JESC‘ has built up its own traditions, rules, and shorthands. If you’re popping into the world of Haribo and Hallelujah, here’s a quick guide to some of the finer points of Junior Eurovision.
Nobody Ever Scores ‘Nul Points’
Much like everyone getting something at school sports day, since 2005 every performer will be awarded twelve points as voting starts. The official reason will vary, it could be for getting to the show, it could be that they ‘did ever so well’, or they want a kid from Australia to award some points on pre-recorded clip so they all get the douze, but the ultimate playground humiliation is avoided.
Singing Second Is Not The End Of The World
Ask Dino Jelušić from Croatia. In the very first contest, ‘Ti si moja pvra ljubav’ was second in the running order, but by the end of the Contest sneaked in a nine point victory over Spain’s ‘Desede el cielo’. The anomaly that everyone holds onto in the adult Contest? Vanquished by the kids by the end of the first Junior.
Only One Performer Has ‘Done The Double’ of Junior and Adult
A number of performers have attempted to do the double, including Molly Sandén (Melodifestivalen 2009 and 2012), Malin Reitan (Melodi Grand Prix 2012), Marios Tofi (Cypriot National Final 2006), and Dani Fernandez (Spain’s selection in 2011) are your pub quiz answers. There’s also an honourable mention for Weronica Bochat of the ground KWADro for Poland at JESC 2004, and was a backing singer for Poland’s Marcin Mrozinśki at Eurovision 2010.
But the sole double? Step forward Nevena Božović. In 2007 she took Serbia to third place at Junior Eurovision. Jump forward to 2012, and eagle eyed Song Contest spotters would have recognised her as ‘the blonde one’ from Moje 3. For some reason, her JESC participation was kept rather quiet, although with eleventh place in the semi-final and no qualification to Saturday night, she might want to consider the third place as being more of an accomplishment
It’s the one in the middle…
All The Voting!
Unlike the Adult Contest, there’s no sneaking the smaller points up on the scoreboard before the top three values. Junior Eurovision has voting in the traditional presentation with ten scores being read out, from the single point to the douze – one advantage of not having 40-odd countries to go through on the night!. There is one change to the voting this year, the spokespersons will be in the Ukrainia venue, rather than be on a satellite link.
Junior Eurovision Has Never Been On The BBC
Unlike the Adult Contest, the BBC have declined to participate with JESC on a number of occasions. The UK did enter the first three Contests through ITV, and they were broadcast on ITV1 (2003), and ITV2 (2004, 2005), but since then the Contest has been denied airtime in the UK… the official stream has been the only salve for UK fans.
That changes this year, with ESC Insight’s Ewan Spence and EscXtra’s Luke Fisher working with Edinburgh;s local radio station, Castle FM, to broadcast the Contest in the UK as a non-participatory broadcasting country. And if you can’t pick up Castle FM, you might want to check out the official stream…
There’s Been A Film…
While the Adult Eurovision world has ‘The Secret History of the Eurovision Song Contest‘ (with some contributions from our very own Dr Eurovision, Paul Jordan), if you were to rate the documentary films of Adult and Junior, ‘Sounds Like Teen Spirit‘ would be the runaway leader. The UK ‘popumentary’ from Jamie Jay Johnson has picked up critical success, and is a family favourite around the world. Especially when ‘the rice is not working’ just before the live performance…
You Don’t Have To Win To Host
Although last year’s winners are hosting the Contest this year, and Armenia also hosted in 2011 after victory the previous year, Junior Eurovision does not automatically go to the winning country. Thanks to a bidding process, much like the Olympics, the host country takes time to be announced. While it does take the pressure off the children, it does rob the Contest of some momentum in the months after the show.
At this year’s EBU Press Conference, it was indicated that the winning country would be awarded a form of ‘preferred bidder’ status if they did want to host. If Malta ever manage a JESC winner, I’m pretty sure they’ll take up that offer
It’s Not Always Live
Depending on the broadcaster, the show can be delayed to be aired in a children’s TV slot in the days following the Contest. This does mean that the scoring will be in the hands of the jury watching the show during the second dress rehearsal (as is the way with all Eurovision juries).
Are Those Vocals on the Backing Tape?
Yes.
Although it’s still a subject that gathers a huge amount of debate at the Adult Contest, backing vocals at Junior Eurovision can feature on the playback tape, along with the music. Lead vocals must remain live, but the need to hide backing singers behind scenery or to balance the dancer’s exertions with a driving chorus line is not an issue at Junior. Just be aware that the lead singer’s voice is not allowed to appear on the tape, so no sneaky multi-tracking the vocals.
Juniro Eurovision starts this Saturday, 30th November, at 7pm Central European Time (6pm UK), and will be available online as a free stream at junioreurovision.tv.