It’s the Eurovision down season, and don’t you for a second think we’re going to stop speculating, arguing, and pushing our heated opinions. Our latest series will look at the national finals of Eurovision, and discussing how we would reform the national finals of Eurovision. Today we’re having a look at Eurosong.
In part one of this series Rory, Daniel, and Kittens discuss what changes they’d make to Ireland’s NF.
What is Eurosong?
Eurosong is the Irish national selection for Eurovision. The selection show often takes place on Ireland’s Friday night chat show “The Late Late Show”. It first started selecting Ireland’s Eurovision representative in 2006. In 2016 Ireland went internal with their Eurovision selection. In 2022 Eurosong returned as the selection method for Eurovision in Ireland.
Do we like what the NF does so far, and do we think there’s a chance of it producing a winner?
Rory
As an Irish Eurovision fan that has been on Eurosong in the past, it saddens me to see RTÉ struggle with its national final. Last year’s edition was definitely a step in the right direction, but only because fans were allowed to have a say in what sorts of songs they wanted. The show itself is incredibly cramped, being shoved in the corner of a late night talk show. As a result, we just do not get to see the true potential of our songs until the Contest itself. Any national final can produce a winner, but if RTÉ stays with Eurosong, those chances strongly diminish.
Daniel
First and foremost, I will literally never forgive the nation of Ireland for Connolly’s robbery in 2023. Now that’s out of the way, I must say I certainly bought into the Bambie Thug hype in May, and after watching their semi-final one jury show performance I left Malmö Arena thinking “Could They…?” This is very little to do with Eurosong and more with Bambie’s incredible stage presence though, and I think in the current format with the Late Late Show the answer is a big fat no.
Kittens
2024 feels like a turning point for Ireland, and a sign of progress. I need them to keep going and keep moving. The show itself felt like a poor idea, almost an afterthought, and seemed to have technical troubles, but it’s been nice to see them trying and moving forward. I’ve also really enjoyed the variety of songs coming through to the show, and I think it would be feasible that provided they keep the pace they could produce a winner soon.
What changes would we make to the National Final?
Rory
Honestly, I would scrap the national final entirely and start afresh. The last time we had a standalone national final came in 2008, when Dustin the Turkey came out on top. A lot has changed since then, and Ireland is finally returning to a modicum of seriousness for the show. Now, we need to treat our national final the same way. Keep it to around five or six songs, and funnel the money into a proper stage and format with a larger audience. Scrap the comments panel altogether, it does nothing to help the show and results in the guests looking like a laughingstock. If RTÉ is adamant on having a panel, make THEM the national jury, not a group of faceless people whose identities are hidden from the public.
Daniel
Something I’ve seen quite a lot from Irish artists (CMAT and Orla Gartland, unless I’m misremembering) is saying that they’d love to take part in Eurovision, but not whilst Eurosong exists as it is. Whatever much needed changes area made, involve these artists in them, and transform Eurosong into a show these artists would happily compete in. If it were up to me, I’d get rid of the studio panel, who were utterly embarrassing for everyone involved, they have no idea what they’re on about half the time and most of them couldn’t even get one of the participants’ pronouns right this year. Focus on making a small, standalone show. There doesn’t need to be fireworks right away, but giving a platform that future years can build on, something similar to ESCZ would be well suited to Ireland whilst RTÉ are still dealing with their internal problems.
Kittens
I agree with Rory here that after the result this year there’s no real reason why they need to be stuck as an afterthought on a late night talk show. There’s no reason to not make this into a proper national final and get it’s own slot. Ireland brings some of the most diverse entries to this contest and that really needs to not stop, so I hope it can keep that momentum when it comes to finding talent. Eurovision in the last few years has shown us that keeping it fresh is the key to a win.
Do we think any reforms are likely to happen to this NF?
Rory
Reports from earlier this year had suggested that RTÉ would look into a standalone national final for 2025. However, given the ongoing scandal into RTÉ’s finances, I would be shocked if they actually went through with it. The broadcaster has given Eurosong full use of the studio for the 2024 edition; but it still looks tacky. We need to have a complete refresh of the selection – and that’s something I don’t see RTÉ doing any time soon.
Daniel
If meaningful reform to Eurosong will ever happen, it will be now. I’m quietly optimistic that they can pull something out of the bag, especially with us knowing that RTÉ *want* a national final, it’s just money that’s the issue, but with Bambie Thug’s brilliant performance in May, and subsequent tour success (I’ve just seen them in Glasgow, they were great!) there may be more of an urgency than if Ireland had done poorly yet again.
Kittens
I really hope so, but I fear the worst. Given the controversy over the choice this year, I’m just hoping above all hope that they see that thinking outside the box is what gave them a good result, and going back in to it won’t help. There is plenty of talent in Ireland – 2024 was a great demonstration of that – so use it!
Ireland’s Eurovision Journey
In 1965, Ireland made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest with Butch Moore and the song “Walking the Streets in the Rain”, which managed to place 6th. Since their debut, Ireland has participated 57 times (making the Grand Final 46 times), and has won the competition seven times, which is currently tied for the record of most wins.
Ireland’s latest Eurovision participation saw them being represented by Bambie Thug, with their song “Doomsday Blue”. They placed 6th in the Grand Final, receiving 278 points in total, 138 of which were from televoters and 142 were from the national juries. This is Ireland’s best result in the 21st century.
What do you think about our reforms? As always, let us know what you think by commenting down below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all the latest Eurovision news!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
Tim J