
How tall is Ariana Grande? Singer has a reputation for performing in six-inch heels without much trouble
Since making her debut in 2013, Ariana Grande has become a Pop icon and has delivered one hit after another
2023-08-06 15:50

Former ‘GMA’ star Amy Robach showers love on boyfriend TJ Holmes after he cooks sumptuous meal for her after run
The post-run meal was prepared by Amy Robach's boyfriend TJ Holmes and included a mix of eggs and chorizo, which she seemed to thoroughly enjoy
2023-10-19 10:51

Eurovision 2023: A homage to naffness or musical genius? Two writers battle it out
Millions will be watching as 26 countries go head to head to be crowned champions of the Eurovision Song Contest this weekend – but not everyone calls themselves a fan. The notoriously weird and wonderful event still divides opinion right down the middle – when it comes to Eurovision, you’re either all in or not. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter We pitched two writers against each other, one who loves Eurovision and one who can’t stand it. So, whose side are you on? Kate Plummer: Why I hate Eurovision What would happen if you brought together all the kinds of musicians who X Factor judges consider passing at the audition stage of the competition - but ultimately decide not to? What would happen if you asked cruise ship singers to come together and belt out hours of 'tunes' that resemble copyright-free hold music at best, or something your 10-year-old niece cooked up on GarageBand at worst? The answer, of course, is the gaudy Eurovision Song Contest, that homage to naffness, that yearly nightmare that we are forced to endure. "But it's fun!" the doltish masses cry. "Look at their outfits," the square-eyed cretins say. Save it. Like most organised fun and forced merriment (see hen dos, school reunions and anything to do with sport), Eurovision is absolutely awful. But unlike hen dos, school reunions and anything to do with sport, there is no escaping the tyrannical grip of its regime. It man spreads over the course of Saturday night telly, it bleeds into every pub, bar and group chat of excitable friends organising their cursed viewing parties. This year, it will even be screened in cinemas. Where is my respite? I didn't even vote for Brexit but surely the yearly congregation of the worst representatives of Europe is a dividend we could have gained from leaving the bloc? The 2023 contest is being held in the UK city of Liverpool this week, building up to the grand final on Saturday. Acts from 37 countries are taking part. So will I be tuning in to see which act has become this year's meme and what 'funny moments' have gone viral on social media? Absolutely not. After all, 66 contests and over 1,600 songs, there's a reason the only Eurovision act anyone can name is Abba... Eurovision is completely naff. Count me out. Harry Fletcher: Why I love Eurovision There aren’t many things that every single member of the family can sit down to watch together and genuinely look forward to. Eurovision is one of them. It’s a big event in our household, with family members spread around the country heading back up north to watch together. Why do we love it? The sheer strangeness is certainly a factor. The likes of Käärijä, representing Finland in 2023 with the bizarre 'Cha Cha Cha', are doing a good job keeping it weird and wonderful. But the sheer quality of the entries is more impressive year on year. The overall standard has increased inexorably and the quality of the songwriting in the strongest entries is always staggering. Crafting a good Eurovision song is an art form, and there are still entries from more than 10 years ago that pop into my head occasionally. Eurovision also has to be the most welcoming, accessible major event in the UK calendar. It’s for absolutely everyone; it’s a comfortable space, completely free of cynicism. With Eurovision, you take away all the nastiness that comes hand in hand with X Factor and other formats that invite people to sing before live audiences. Here, there’s none of the sneering at contestants or gawking at eccentric members of the public. Instead, with Eurovision it’s a celebration, and an invitation to be as weird as you like when representing your country. Eurovision can always be relied on to bring out the best in Twitter, too. When so much of social media is increasingly devoted to negativity and hate, it feels like a throwback to nicer times when it functioned more as a public forum for fans during events like Eurovision. The contest has changed a lot since I started watching around 15 years ago. There was an endearingly cheap feel about the contest back then, but the production values are outstanding these days. It’s far less of a niche interest than it used to be too; with the event coming to the UK this year, it’s attracted more and more attention. More eyes on this wonderfully odd event, which celebrates diversity, gives us genuinely brilliant songs every year and gives us something wholesome to get stuck into on social media can only be a good thing. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-05-13 14:23

Russell Peters backs Joe Rogan’s definition of ‘cancel culture’: ‘They tried to peg him as a racist'
Joe Rogan has been under constant scrutiny due to his opinions about cancel culture
2023-11-30 19:48

'Jan and Chan forever': Maggie Wheeler's heartfelt tribute to late 'Friends' co-star Matthew Perry moves fans
The on-again, off-again relationship between Matthew Perry and Maggie Wheeler's characters, Chandler Bing and Janice, is much loved by 'Friends' fans
2023-10-29 15:26

Why did Jackie Bonds and Josh Demas split? 'Love is Blind' stars breakup over argument involving ex-fiance
The confrontation Jackie had with Josh's ex-girlfriend Monica Rodriguez during the 'After the Altar' special was the cause of the split
2023-09-19 16:24

The Beatles make music history as they reach number one with brand new single
The Beatles have broken a string of records as they reached the top spot with their single 'Now and Then' on Friday, more than 50 years after their last chart entry.
2023-11-11 02:57

Pintscher to become Kansas City Symphony music director
Matthias Pintscher will become music director of the Kansas City Symphony for the 2024-25 season
2023-05-09 23:25

The Last Days of Donna Summer: Queen of Disco's daughter opens up on legend's final months
Brooklyn Sudano spoke candidly about the mother she knew before she died in May 2012 for the upcoming HBO documentary 'Love to Love You, Donna Summer'
2023-05-13 11:25

Why did Cely Vazquez and Johnny Middlebrooks split? Ex-couple seeks new romance on 'Love Island Games'
Cely Vazquez and Johnny Middlebrooks broke up months after they won 'Love Island USA' Season 2 runner-up title
2023-11-02 05:50

'It’s just a bad matchup': Matt Brown claims Nate Diaz is ‘not a great wrestler’ to take Jake Paul down during ‘The Fighter vs The Writer’ podcast
UFC veteran Matt Brown shared his insights on the upcoming MMA rematch between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz during an episode of ‘The Fighter and The Writer’
2023-11-29 17:25

Halle Bailey's TikTok video with X-rated song gets hilarious online reactions with 'Little Mermaid' jokes
'Ariel left the sea and don't know how to act!' one comment read
2023-05-24 20:47
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