Graham Norton needs to go from our Eurovision presentation. He sounded bored, jaded and like he’d rather have been somewhere else last night and he is also rather rude. He needs to remember that it’s a show with 200 million viewers around the globe so has to appeal to a very broad demographic. Slagging off the comic skits isn't a good look, especially when they're being delivered by women trying to make the best of appealing to the sense of humour of a multitude of nationalities and cultures. Maybe there aren't enough A-list Hollywood actors on the show for him to giggle along with. Oh, that's right, there aren't ANY A-list Hollywood actors at this show. That's one of his problems; he never comes across as a Man Of the People.
Also, his undisguised disdain for any kind of rock music is pretty condescending. Guess what, Graham, rock music is still pretty popular in Europe. And does he actually LIKE music? I realise that a liking of music isn't exactly a prerequisite of having absolutely anything to do with the Eurovision Song Contest but surely it helps?
I will give him his due, though, he was measured and balanced when introducing the Israeli entry. He didn't shy away from mentioning that their continued presence in the competition is a cause of much debate but also spoke about the human element of the whole thing (even though he didn't say anything about the Israeli entrant, Yuval Raphael, being part of the October 7th attacks, sustaining shrapnel injuries and having to play dead for eight hours).
Can we also lay the ghost of Terry Wogan to rest? The last time he commentated was in 2008 and he’s been dead for nearly a decade. A large number of under 25s watch Eurovision and won’t have a clue who he is.
The UK commentary needs to be a lot more positive and to actually get into the whole spirit of the thing.
The UK presentation of the event needs a big reset. A new commentator please. Preferably one who actually likes Eurovision. And British. A woman maybe? Hannah Waddingham? Sara Cox? Mel Giedroyc?
