Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Au-revoir encore une fois


So Télé Monte-Carlo have withdrawn Monaco from the 2007 edition of Eurovision. All I have to say about this is that it's a great shame. While I support new countries entering the contest, it's always good to have a balance between East and West and Monaco, however small, played some part in that balance.
Monaco first entered the contest in 1959 and participated regularly up until 1979. They won in 1971 for the first and only time (so far). They then took an extended break, but returned to great surprise in 2004. Like Andorra, Slovenia, Estonia, Belarus and Bulgaria, Monaco has suffered the curse of the semi-final and has never made it to the Saturday night in their 3 years of trying so far. Having said that, they've entered 25 times, making them amongst the most prolific Eurovision nations.
Part of me thinks ok, so they didn't enter great songs the last few years, and their 2006 effort was very off-key, but if the likes of FYR Macedonia can qualify every year, I can see why TMC have got pissed off. Possibly the biggest injustice was 2005 when Monaco came 2nd from last with one of the best songs and singers on the night, whilst FYR Macedonia sailed through to the final with a man shouting a load of old nonsense!
Anyway, I hope TMC are doing an "Austria" and that they'll return next year, with a much fresher approach to the contest than their last 3 entries.
Come back Monaco.... I'm missing you already.
Märyon - Notre Planète (Our Planet) 2004
Lise Darly - Tout De Moi (All Of Me) 2005
Séverine Ferrer - La Coco-Dance (The Coco Dance) 2006

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