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May 24

Ireland losing the Eurosong Contest

In the Father Ted episode A Song for Europe, the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 chose Ted's and Dougal's awful, tuneless song "My Lovely Horse" to make sure Ireland would lose because it became too expensive to host the competition every year, with Ireland having won the last five Eurosongs. Was that true in real life? 86.130.4.167 (talk) 21:16, 24 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

They came close. List of Eurovision Song Contest winners shows that they won four times in the five years 1992-1996. Ireland's economy was saved by Norway, who won in 1995. -- Verbarson ^talk_edits 21:25, 24 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I mean, was it true that Ireland wanted to lose the Eurosong because it was costing the country too much to stage? 86.130.4.167 (talk) 20:29, 25 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Well for obvious reasons you will not find that officially stated, but the speculation within the article you linked is reliably sourced to the BBC news item here. Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:17, 26 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I can say anecdotally that this was the common assumption at the time in the UK, and was entirely sympathised with, though also found amusing. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.209.235.54 (talk) 08:40, 26 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Anyone would think that you wanted Ireland to lose addresses the finances of hosting a Eurovision final, Azerbaijan spending a record 60 million Euros in 2012. The competition is not between nations but national broadcasters who also foot the bill; in Ireland's case this is RTE, who are (like most public service broadcasters) currently in a difficult financial situation.

BTW, you may be interested in Father Ted song My Lovely Horse turned down by committee (2014). What could have been...

Alansplodge (talk) 11:07, 26 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps the committee that turned "My Lovely Horse" down was afraid it would win the Eurovision Song Festival. In a world in which Boaty McBoatface can win the popular vote in a naming poll for a research vessel, anything is possible. --Lambiam 21:46, 28 May 2022 (UTC)[reply]