Australia is extremely befuddled yet thankful to be included in Eurovision, the OTT song contest that’s otherwise populated with European countries’ strongest performers.
This year, we’ll be represented by Aussie talent Sheldon Riley singing his original song “Not The Same“. And as usual, you can catch all the falsetto, questionably translated lyrics, and flag-waving only on SBS and SBS On Demand from May 11 to 15.
The 66th Eurovision Song Contest, “the longest running TV song competition in the world” as per the promo video below, begins with Semi Final 1 on Wednesday 11, replayed at primetime on Friday 13 of May. Semi Final 2 sees Riley perform against Swedish fan-favourite Cornelia Jakobs and show-openers The Rasmus from Finland, live at 5am on May 13 too.
The Grand Final will take place on May 15 at 5am and then again at 7.30, where only one exceptional nationalistic talent will get voted into Eurovision’s canon of musical majesty.
If you want a taste of this year’s ridiculousness, look no further than Norway’s entry “Give That Wolf A Banana”, seemingly inspired by the vulpine satire of “What Does The Fox Say“. One lyrical highlight goes, “Not sure I told you but I really like your teeth/Not sure you have a name so I will call you Keith.”
SBS’s dogged commentators Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst will be back to deliver more pithy comments and opinions as the performances roll by and the votes come in. Australian Euro-fans can vote (for any country except their own) via on-screen prompts in the 5am live performances on May 13 and 15: an important choice worth waking up early for, we think.
