Heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and retaliatory missile attacks are worrying the world again, also the organizers of the huge Eurovision Song Contest. Since Israel won the contest last year, Eurovision is supposed to be broadcast from Tel Aviv later this spring, but its Norwegian boss is concerned. “This is a serious escalation of […]
MGP winners deny they’re copycats
March 5, 2019
They’re bound for the Eurovision Song Contest, while fending off charges that their winning number in Norway’s Eurovison preliminary Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) sounded similar to other songs. The three members of the Norwegian-Sami group KEiiNO deny any plagiarism, and have won support in high places. “There are a lot of pop songs that have elements […]
Rybak takes his loss with a smile
May 13, 2018
At least Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) won’t have to spend as much as NOK 150 million producing and hosting the Eurovision Song Contest next year. The money would have been found, but Alexander Rybak’s 15th-place finish in Saturday night’s final takes the strain off NRK, and him. “Now I’m just glad I can sleep in on […]
Rybak takes Norway to Eurovision final
May 11, 2018
Norwegian musician Alexander Rybak made it into the last batch of 10 finalists who’ll be competing in Saturday’s annual Eurovision Song Contest. Rybak won the contest with the largest number of points ever accumulated back in 2009 with his hit song Fairytale, and is keen on repeating the achievement. “Fantastic! I’m very relieved now,” Rybak […]
Rybak wins a return to Eurovision
March 10, 2018
UPDATED: Norway’s Alexander Rybak, who won the Eurovision Song Contest by the largest number of points in history nine years ago, will be making a comeback in May. Norwegian voters have sent him back to the huge contest that he just may take by storm again. Rybak’s catchy new tune is called “That’s how you […]
Rybak returns as Eurovision hopeful
February 9, 2018
The young Norwegian man who won more points at the Eurovision Song Contest than anyone ever had before, Alexander Rybak, is mounting an attempted comeback. Rybak is part of the line-up in this year’s Norwegian run-up to Eurovision, called Melodi Grand Prix. “This is a small country, and I’ve been asked to compete again at […]
Norway qualifies for Eurovision final
May 11, 2017
The Norwegian duo known as JOWST were voted into Saturday’s grand final of the annual Eurovision Song Contest Thursday night, after two semi-finals that Eurovision’s Norwegian chief Jon Ola Sand has said were the most challenging that he’s ever had to lead. They’ve been taking place this week in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital that’s been plagued by political […]
JOWST heads for a troubled Eurovision
March 16, 2017
A tattooed singer with masked and hooded back-up musicians was vowing this week to “make Norway proud” at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev. Called JOWST, they won Norway’s Eurovision qualifier last weekend and now just have to hope that the huge show itself will go on in May, despite myriad problems with its production. Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) has dramatically […]
Ailing Eurovision singer wins prize
October 11, 2016
Agnete Johnsen, Norway’s candidate in this spring’s Eurovision Song Contest, withdrew from all public appearances tied to the event after suffering an acute bout of mental health problems. Now she’s won a prize for being so open about them, but still wasn’t well enough to accept her prize in person. “I really wish I could be there […]
Norway knocked out of Eurovision
May 12, 2016
For the first time in five years, Norway’s representative in the Eurovision Song Contest failed to win a spot in the finals on Saturday. Agnete Johnsen from Finnmark and her song “Icebreaker” didn’t get enough votes to beat out her 17 rivals in Thursday’s semi-final broadcast live from Stockholm. The Norwegian delegation was disappointed but put […]
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