Eurovision's Homecoming Weekend

Summary

All Of It: Eurovision's Homecoming Weekend – Detailed Summary

Hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, "All Of It" delves deep into the cultural phenomenon of the Eurovision Song Contest. In the May 19, 2025, episode titled "Eurovision's Homecoming Weekend," host Alison Stewart engages with Paul Jordan, affectionately known as Dr. Eurovision, to unpack the intricacies of this vibrant competition.

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Introduction to Eurovision 2025

At the outset of the episode, Alison Stewart sets the stage by highlighting the recent events surrounding Eurovision. She mentions significant sports victories in New York, such as the Knicks defeating the Celtics and the commencement of the Subway Series between the Mets and the Yankees. However, the primary focus remains on Eurovision, which captivated millions globally.

Alison Stewart (00:07):
"Coming up on the show today, we'll preview the upcoming Loisaida Festival. We'll learn about a new free four-week performance series in Domino Park. It's called, wait for it, Sugar Sugar. And Somali American chef Hawa Hasan joins us to talk about her new cookbook, setting a place for us. That's the plan. So let's get this started with Dr. Eurovision."

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Eurovision's Rich History and Evolution

Dr. Eurovision, Paul Jordan, provides a comprehensive overview of Eurovision's origins and its transformation over the decades.

Alison Stewart (02:13):
"The first Eurovision was held in Switzerland in 1956. Why? Where did Eurovision come from?"

Paul Jordan (02:20):
"Eurovision was a kind of experiment really, in broadcasting. If we think about, you know, the 1950s, television was in its infancy and it was an idea to bring countries together to pioneer new broadcasting techniques and to try and create an international television show. And it grew year upon year and now it's nearly 70 years old. So the idea, yes, it was a television show, but it was also to unite Europe."
"And if we think about the '50s, you know, it wasn't long after World War II. So it was an attempt to really unite people through music and that's what it still does today." (02:20)

Over the years, Eurovision has morphed from a modest black-and-white broadcast in small auditoriums into a massive, colorful spectacle watched by nearly 200 million people annually.

Paul Jordan (02:56):
"Eurovision started off as a very, you know, small television show. It was broadcast in black and white. It was in very small auditoriums, even up until about 25, 30 years ago. It used to have quite a distinguished audience, you know, invite-only guests, dignitaries. And now it's one massive party." (02:59)
"The production values of the show. It is one of the slickest, most professional broadcasts in the world." (03:40)

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Personal Journey with Eurovision

Paul Jordan shares his personal connection to Eurovision, tracing his passion from childhood to his academic pursuit.

Alison Stewart (03:40):
"I want to be clear about this. You have a PhD on Eurovision from the University of Glasgow. First, when did you fall in love with Eurovision?" (03:40)

Paul Jordan (03:53):
"I, like many people in Europe, grew up with it. So it was always on television every year. The first year that I remember watching was around the mid-90s, 1993, and the UK sent a famous singer called Sonia and she was in the lead in the voting and it looked like she was going to win. And then Ireland beat her at the last minute and I became absolutely, you know, engrossed with it and I found it so exciting." (03:53)

His fascination deepened as he attended his first Eurovision in 2000 and later pursued it academically, culminating in a PhD published in 2011. This journey not only enriched his career but also fostered lasting friendships within the Eurovision community.

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Eurovision 2025: The Grand Finale in Switzerland

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest returned to Basel, Switzerland, the birthplace of Eurovision, under the theme "Welcome Home." Dr. Eurovision provides insights into the event's atmosphere and outcomes.

Alison Stewart (01:52):
"So Eurovision was back in Switzerland this year. The theme was 'welcome home.' What was the energy like in Basel?" (01:52)

Paul Jordan (01:52):
"The energy was incredible. And Eurovision is such a joyous event. It brings people together from around the world. Some people who are even there are from countries that aren't even taking part. And it was just sheer fun. It was utterly joyous." (01:52)

The event featured three live shows, captivating an audience of nearly 200 million viewers globally.

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Austria Takes the Crown: JJ with "Wasted Love"

This year's Eurovision victor was Austria, represented by the operatic singer JJ with the song "Wasted Love."

Alison Stewart (06:14):
"This year's winner was Austria, represented by an artist named JJ. The song was called 'Wasted Love.' Who's JJ?" (06:14)

Paul Jordan (06:14):
"JJ is an Austrian operatic singer, and the song itself was very unusual and an incredibly strong vocal. But the interesting thing about Eurovision is that you can sing in any language you want. So JJ sang in English and was rewarded by the juries." (06:14)

"Wasted Love" stood out for its captivating operatic performance and exceptional vocal prowess, appealing greatly to the professional juries, which comprise half of the final vote.

Paul Jordan (08:23):
"I think because it was unique on the night. It was very captivating, and JJ has an amazing voice... I think it was just very, very well performed." (08:23)

Despite not capturing the public vote entirely, JJ's song secured enough points to triumph overall.

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Israel's Yuval Shines Amid Controversy

Israel's entry, performed by Yuval with the song "A New Day Will Rise," garnered significant attention and stirred emotions due to geopolitical tensions.

Alison Stewart (10:50):
"In the midst of the war in Gaza last year, the audience booed the Israeli contestant. How did it go this year?" (10:50)

Paul Jordan (10:50):
"This year they had a very strong song. Unfortunately, the audience did boo again... but Israel won the public vote by quite a landslide. There was a big campaign online for people to vote for Israel, which raised questions about credibility because it was against the rules." (10:50)

Yuval's heartfelt performance resonated deeply with many, especially considering her background as a survivor of the October 7th, 2023 attacks. However, the ongoing conflict in Gaza made her participation a sensitive topic for some viewers.

Yuval's Performance Excerpt (12:05):
"And even if you say goodbye? You'll never go away? You are the rainbow in my sky..."

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Non-European Participation: Australia in Eurovision

Australia's inclusion in Eurovision has been a topic of interest, reminiscent of Israel's participation despite being outside Europe.

Alison Stewart (09:00):
"Israel, not in Europe, but it competes in Eurovision. The same is true of Australia. So why are non-European countries allowed to compete?" (09:00)

Paul Jordan (09:00):
"Israel is part of the European Broadcasting Union... Australia was invited as a one-off in 2015 to celebrate the show's 60th anniversary. They returned as an associate member. It's also about money, as participation fees help reduce overall costs for other countries." (09:00)

Australia's continued presence in Eurovision underscores the contest's expanding global appeal and the strategic considerations of the European Broadcasting Union.

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Celine Dion’s Absence: A Missed Appearance

Anticipation surrounded Celine Dion's potential appearance at the finals, given her history as a former Eurovision winner. However, her participation was ultimately sidelined.

Alison Stewart (16:18):
"Celine Dion was expected to make an appearance at the Eurovision finals. Why did she not appear?" (16:18)

Paul Jordan (16:49):
"It was reported that her private jet was spotted in Basel. Unfortunately, she has a condition called stiff person syndrome, which is triggered by adrenaline, loud noises, and excitement—common at Eurovision. It would have been risky for her to attend." (16:49)

Celine Dion's health considerations took precedence, highlighting the challenges of accommodating performers with medical conditions in such dynamic environments.

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Notable Performances and Future Prospects

The episode also touches upon Sweden's entry and the unexpected results that further exemplify Eurovision's unpredictability.

Sweden's Entry - Kai's "Barabada Bastu":

Alison Stewart (14:40):
"Let's talk about Kai. They sang Sweden's song. It's kind of hilarious. What did you think of the song?" (14:40)

Paul Jordan (14:49):
"I liked it. I thought it was good fun. They're Finnish singing in Swedish, which was the first time in 25 years. Sweden has a massive love of Eurovision, with shows like Melodifestivalen watched by millions." (14:49)

Kai's "Barabada Bastu" injected humor and novelty, emblematic of the diverse range of performances that make Eurovision uniquely entertaining.

Celine Dion's Participation of Past Winners:

Paul Jordan (17:35):
"Abba launched their career in 1974. Helio Iglesias has taken part. Riverdance became an interval act. Even songs like 'Volare' from the 1950s are still recognized today." (17:35)

These references underscore Eurovision's role as a springboard for international stardom and enduring cultural impact.

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Conclusion: The Unpredictable Spirit of Eurovision

As the episode wraps up, Dr. Eurovision emphasizes the contest's enduring appeal and its capacity to surprise.

Paul Jordan (13:21):
"Eurovision is exciting because it's unpredictable. It can be very unpredictable and sometimes you can win without winning either the jury vote or the public vote because you get enough points to get through." (13:21)

This unpredictability ensures that each year's competition brings fresh excitement, making Eurovision a beloved cultural event that continually evolves while celebrating unity through music.

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For listeners who missed the live excitement of Eurovision's Homecoming Weekend, this episode offers a thorough and insightful recap, enriched by expert analysis and personal anecdotes from a seasoned Eurovision enthusiast.

Transcript

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it. I'm Alison Stewart live from the WNYC studios in soho. Thank you for spending part of your day with us and thanks for standing with us during our spring pledge drive. We really do appreciate it. Coming up on the show today, we'll preview the upcoming Loisaida Festival. We'll learn about a new free four week performance series in Domino Park. It's called, wait for it, Sugar Sugar. And Somali American chef Hawa Hasan joins us to talk about her new cookbook, setting a place for us. That's the plan. So let's get this started with Dr. Eurovision. Two major face offs took place in New York over the weekend. The Knicks beat the Celtics and the Subway Series kicked off between the Mets and the Yankees. But across the Atlantic, millions of eyes were on a different contest, Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest returned to Switzerland last week, the country where it all began in 1956. And this year's winner was Austria, who was represented by the singer JJ and the song Wasted Love. If you didn't tune in, you'll get to hear that song in just a moment. But first, joining me now to recap this year's Eurovision is Paul Jord, who was in Basel, Switzerland for the semifinals. Jordan is a media commentator who earned his PhD on the song contest and naturally he goes by Dr. Eurovision. Welcome to all of it.

[Paul Jordan]

Hi there. Thanks for having me.

[Alison Stewart]

So Eurovision was back in Switzerland this year. Where it started, the theme was welcome home. What was the energy like in Basel?

[Paul Jordan]

The energy was incredible. And Eurovision is such a joyous event. It brings people together from around the world. Some people who are even there are from countries that aren't even taking part. And it was just sheer fun. It was utterly joyous. We had three live shows which were seen by nearly 200 million people. And, yeah, it was an incredible event and it was a real pleasure to be there.

[Alison Stewart]

The first Eurovision was held in Switzerland in 1956. Why? Where did Eurovision come from?

[Paul Jordan]

Well, Eurovision was a kind of experiment really, in broadcasting. If we think about, you know, the 1950s, television was in its infancy and it was an idea to bring countries together to pioneer new broadcasting techniques and to try and create an international television show. And it grew year upon year and now it's nearly 70 years old. So the idea, yes, it was a television show, but it was also to unite Europe. And if we think about the 50s, you know, it wasn't long after World War II. So it was an attempt to really unite people through music and that's what it still does today.

[Alison Stewart]

What would you cite as the biggest.

[Unknown]

Ways Eurovision has evolved from its.

[Alison Stewart]

Its original origins?

[Paul Jordan]

Well, Eurovision started off as a very, you know, small television show. It was broadcast in black and white. It was in very small auditoriums, even up until about 25, 30 years ago. It used to have quite a distinguished audience, you know, invite only guests, dignitaries. And now it's one massive party. You've got just so much color on that stage. It's evolved into a very sophisticated piece of television and it sometimes comes into criticism. Some people say the music is bad and that's, of course, very subjective. It depends on your. But I think that the one thing that people can't really criticize is the production values of the show. It is one of the slickest, most professional broadcasts in the world.

[Unknown]

I want to be clear about this. You have a PhD on Eurovision from the University of Glasgow. First, when did you fall in love with Eurovision? Let's just start when you first found that you found it and you fell in love.

[Paul Jordan]

So I, like many people in Europe, grew up with it. So it was always on television every year. And the first year that I remember watching was around was the mid-90et, 1993, and the UK sent a famous singer called Sonia and she was in the lead in the voting and it looked like she was going to win. And then Ireland beat her at the last minute and I became absolutely, you know, engrossed with it and I found it so exciting. And then I first attended it in 2000 and I look back and I was just. I was nearly 17, I was 16 at the time, and it's the first time I traveled abroad on my own. And I basically came to an agreement with my mum and dad the previous summer that if I was to. If I was to go to this event and attend it, then I would have to pay for it myself and get myself a weekend job, which is what I did. And true to their word, I was true to my word. And, yeah, I attended it then. Then I went to university. I started looking at Eurovision through a kind of political lens, looking at how it's really reflected the changing map of Europe. Long story short, I then attended, you know, the contest as a researcher for my PhD that was published 2011. And then I was just very lucky. I got an opportunity to talk about my research to the media, which then led to a job working on the song contest itself. So it's been a real amazing journey. And, yeah, I owe so much to Eurovision, including many friendships, but also lots of things in my career.

[Unknown]

When did it Become of academic interest to you?

[Paul Jordan]

I think when Ukraine won in 2004, it was the first time they had won it. And when they were preparing to host the event the following year, because the winner host tends to host the event following year, there was a massive revolution in Ukraine. And so it all became very politicized, and there was a lot of debate about whether it would actually take place in Ukraine. And I realized that by looking at this event actually teaches us a lot about Europe, but also a lot about how countries want to be seen. And in the case of Ukraine, it was not Russian.

[Unknown]

I'm speaking to Paul Jordan, also known as Dr. Eurovision. Recapping this Eurovision. This Eurovision Song Contest. The finals took place in Switzerland on Saturday. Let's talk about the winner. This year's winner was Austria, represented by an artist named jj. The song was called Wasted Love. Who's jj?

[Paul Jordan]

JJ is an Austrian operatic singer, and the song itself was very unusual and an incredibly strong vocal. But the interesting thing about Eurovision is that you can sing in any language you want. So JJ sang in English and was rewarded by the juries. So half the results in the grand final are decided by professional juries and half of the public. JJ won the jury vote. I don't think JJ won the public vote. I think JJ came about third or fourth, but won the contest overall. Incredibly captivating operatic performance called Wasted Love, which really builds towards the end. And then I actually have it on my playlist. And when I. I really like that, but at the end, it makes me speed up at the gym.

[Unknown]

Well, we have it now. I don't want you to go running. Here's JJ with Wasted Love.

[JJ]

I reach out my hand but you watch me grow distant Drift out to the sea and far away in an instant you left me in the deep end I'm drowning in my feet feelings how do you not see that? Now that you're gone all my good can find my heart with a worse in love There's a worse in love Go when you let me go I barely stay up I'm floating all.

[Paul Jordan]

Still.

[JJ]

I'm holding on to.

[Unknown]

Paul. Why do you think this song ended up winning?

[Paul Jordan]

I think because it was unique on the night. It was very captivating, and JJ has an amazing voice, and jj, I think, became famous on the show the Voice over in Austria, and I think it was just very, very well performed. And personally speaking, it wasn't my favorite, but I can see why it won. And I think it's a really nice thing for Austria to win this contest because then they get to host it next year and it's going to be the 70th contest next.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's talk about the runner up, Israel. Israel, not in Europe, but it competes in Eurovision. The same is true of Australia. So why are non European countries allowed to compete?

[Paul Jordan]

Well, there's a bit of a story there. So Israel is part of what's called the European Broadcasting Union. They organize the event and basically any member that's part of that, that's part of the European broadcasting area can take part. So technically, countries in North Africa as well, Morocco have taken part once, Israel have entered since the 1970s, and Australia, they've broadcast for a long time. So they were invited as a one off to take part in the contest in 2015 to celebrate the show's 60th anniversary. And they loved it and they wanted to come back and they've asked if they could return. And as an associate member, they shouldn't have technically been allowed to, but they made an exception for them. And I guess also it's about money, because countries have to pay to enter. Each broadcaster has to pay a participation fee, so the more countries you have, the cheaper it is overall for everyone else. So Australia being there, it raises some eyebrows, but also it helps other countries to keep their costs down and they enter some good songs.

[Alison Stewart]

Has the US ever tried to compete in Eurovision?

[Paul Jordan]

I think they actually tried to launch a Eurovision format in America a couple of years ago, but it. It never quite worked. I do know that it is broadcast, so I think there were some. Some smaller television channels, can't remember the name of it, apologies that used to broadcast the show. But I think with Eurovision it's something in Europe that we've all grown up with now. I don't think there is an equivalent in the States, I guess the Super BO show, but even then it's not quite comparative. But I guess the people who don't know about Eurovision would have certainly heard of ABBA and Celine Dion and they both won the contest. So it's a massive platform for launching your career, if that's what you want to do.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's talk about Israel's place in Eurovision. It was also controversial in many ways. In the midst of the war in Gaza last year, the audience booed the Israeli contestant. How did it go this year?

[Paul Jordan]

This year they had a very strong song. Unfortunately, the audience did boo again, but that's a. It's difficult one because the singer is not necessarily representing the government and you can't necessarily judge people by their governments. I think there's also something about freedom of expression, though, as well. So it's quite a sensitive, tricky issue. But Israel won the public vote by quite a landslide. But there was also a big campaign online for people to vote for Israel. So I think there are a lot of people that were questioning the credibility of that because it sounds like there was a big, as, say, assertive campaign. Technically, that's against the rules. But that said, Israel had a very good song. The singer herself, she was a survivor of the attacks on 7th October 2023. So it was quite emotive for many Israelis. But of course, for other people who are concerned about the war in Gaza, it was a very emotional issue for them as well. But I would say on the night, she was a brilliant singer.

[Unknown]

What's her name again? Yuval.

[Paul Jordan]

I just know as Yuval. The song was called A New Day Will Rise. I can't remember a surname. I'm sorry.

[Unknown]

All right, well, here's Yuval with A New day will rise.

[Yuval]

And even if you say goodbye? You'll never go away? You are the rainbow in my sky? My colors in the gray? My only wish on a star? Sunshine in the day? The only song that my piano ever plays? And even if you say goodbye? You'll always be around to lift me up and take me high? Keep my feet close to the ground. Are you proud of me tonight? Dreams are coming true? I choose the light? Nothing to lose if I lose you? New day will rise? Life will go on? Everyone cries don't cry alone? Darkness will fade? All the pain will go by? But we will stay Even if you say goodbye.

[Unknown]

We're recapping the Eurovision Song Contest with Paul Jordan, aka Dr. Eurovision. All right, so the presumptive winner heading into this final year was Sweden, who actually ended up placing fourth. Why do you think things didn't work out for Sweden?

[Paul Jordan]

It's a good question. I think there were a lot of novelty acts this year. So Sweden's song was about being in a sauna and it was a fun song. It's very, very catchy. People liked it. But it's one of those things where when you have a lot of different types of novelty songs, they sometimes cancel each other out. And Estonia had a song called Espresso Macchiato, and that was also another very catchy one. So I think the vote was split for them and I think that's why, you know, the Austrian song kind of snuck through with Eurovision voting, it can be very unpredictable and sometimes you can win neither the jury vote or the public vote. And win the entire contest because you get enough points to get through. So. And that happened to Ukraine in 2016. And that's what makes Eurovision exciting, is that it's unpredictable. I certainly thought it would be between Sweden and Austria, but then on the night, I thought Israel could do well, I thought France could do well. But the one thing I did think was the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, we don't do so well anymore. And there's many reasons for that. I think we don't have strong enough songs. We take it for granted. But also, we used to have the advantage of being one of the few countries that sang in English. But I did think the juries would vote for the UK entry because they're very good singers. And they did indeed. They got maximum points from Italy, which was delightful to see, but the public gave them zero points, so that was also to be expected.

[Unknown]

I wanted to ask about Kai. They. They sung Sweden's so song. It was kind. It kind of is hilarious. What did you think of the song?

[Paul Jordan]

I liked it. I thought it was good fun. And there's a bit of a backstory there because they're actually Finnish and they were singing in Swedish and it's the first time that we've had a song in Swedish for over. I think it's 25 years. And Sweden have a massive love of Eurovision. They have a huge selection show called Meldi Festivalin. It's a bigger show of the year in Sweden, literally watched by something like 4 or 5 million people. Now, given that Sweden has a population of around nine, that's an incredible, you know, viewing figure. And their winner, that Kai won, but the. Their previous winner from 2015 returned and he was very much predicted to win the entire thing. And when he didn't win, he didn't react very well. His name is Monzel Melo, and it was kind of, you know, sour grapes. I guess he was a little bit upset that Kai had beat him when he expected to win. It would have been really kind of poetic justice, though, if Kai had won the entire contest. But I guess. I guess it's win, win. Kai represented Sweden and Mons remains the. The last male winner for Sweden.

[Alison Stewart]

People should hear from Kai. This is Barabada Bastu.

[Paul Jordan]

Rixie Guxy Gorme.

[Alison Stewart]

We're talking about the Eurovision Song Contest with Paul Jordan. Okay. Celine Dion was expected to make an appearance at the Eurovision finals. People may not know this, but she's actually a former winner of the contest. First of all, the. Well, do we know why she didn't appear?

[Paul Jordan]

Well, it was very disappointing, but we guess it's something to do with her health. They were rehearsing two scenarios, one with her and one without. And even up until the grand final rehearsal in the afternoon, they were showing a video of Celine that she had sent in and I thought that's when she would appear. She didn't appear. It was alleged. It was reported by the BBC that her. Her private jet was spotted in Basel. But unfortunately, with her condition, she's got a condition called stiff person syndrome. Really depends on the day. And it's triggered by, you know, muscle spasms, which are triggered by adrenaline, loud noises, excitement. So you can imagine you've got all of that at Eurovision, so it would have been probably quite risky for it to be there.

[Alison Stewart]

Has anyone else come out of Eurovision that we would know their names?

[Paul Jordan]

Abba, of course. They launched their career in 1974. Helio Iglesias, he's taken part. Then Riverdance, the Irish dance phenomenon was a kind of interval act over the years. So there's quite a lot of people who've gone on to the become big stars, even if they haven't even won the song contest. And there's a song that's played in many Italian restaurants called Volari, and I'm sure people will recognize it. That was actually an entry for Italy in the 1950s and that, I think, came third or fourth. So even though all these years later, it's still played now, my guest has.

[Alison Stewart]

Been Paul Jordan, aka Dr. Eurovision.

[Unknown]

We were recapping the Eurovision Song Contest.

[Alison Stewart]

Paul, thank you so much.

[Paul Jordan]

Thank you. Have a nice day.

[Unknown]

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