Explain to me...what exactly is the attraction of Eurovision? (I have never understood this).

I've written an essay on the subject at my myspace page in 2006, about the music, but it's more the institution as a whole.

1. It's about being European as a cultural identity, and identifying yourself as feeling more aligned with what's across the channel as opposed to the Atlantic.
2. It's often camp and it makes no apologies. It's about a culture of pride and not shame, about self-expression in the face of cynical boring people who tell you to be quiet, wear sensible shoes and put the feather boa down.
3. You can be a diva. You can be funny. You can be stupid. You can be retro. If it's entertaining it's allowed.
4. I saw a great preview show talking about how it's the most watched thing in the world, and you're sharing the same moment with 300 million people, which is pretty awesome.

It's undiluted joy and celebration in a way that absolutely nothing else in this world could hope to be.

Ask me anything