Eurovision, and estonia's magic trick

[Mercury1]

First question: Have you heard of Eurovision?
(if not you can leave now)
Second question: Who do you think should have won at Dusseldorf?
(no flaming please)
Third question: How did she do that at 0:25? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KKK3O3F0nE&feature=related
(don't guess, just say if you know)
Fourth question: why do you think practically no one in canada or the US has heard of it
(Again no flaming)
Fifth question: do you think Eurovision has become more about politics than music?

 

[Batou667]

Ehh, I usually end up watching every other Eurovision. And then I remember what a shameless display of cronyism and tactical voting it is.

The magic trick... whoo, that's pretty good. I'm guessing the whole cane is telescoping with a weighted base, and she was concealing it in her hand all the time? Notice how tense her hand was before the transformation, and how much it visibly relaxes after.

 

[ultimateownage]

All of the bands are pretty awful, and you just vote for the countries closest or with the best relations to you. Or, in the case of Britain, vote for the most retarded ones because they're fucking funny. We love you, Moldova.
Moldova should have fucking won.
No one in non-European countries care about it, because it's a European thing and doesn't affect them.

 

[hellflame]

people still care about eurovision?

also the magic trick, i'm going with batou667, you can see it extending.

 

[Broady Brio]

Q1 - Yes. I'm from England.
Q2 - I'm not one to say, I don't watch it.
Q3 - Hax0rs
Q4 - Eurovision affects Europe, not anywhere else.
Q5 - By politics you mean rigged voting, then yeah sure, I'll agree to that.

 

[Ninjamedic]

Ah a eurovision thread, this is uncommon.

First question: Have you heard of Eurovision?

Yes.

Second question: Who do you think should have won at Dusseldorf?

Moldova, because it would be hilarious.

Third question: How did she do that at 0:25? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KKK3O3F0nE&feature=related
(don't guess, just say if you know)

Not particulary sure sorry.

Fourth question: why do you think practically no one in canada or the US has heard of it

Its a european competition, even then a lot of european nations don't care as much anymore.

Fifth question: do you think Eurovision has become more about politics than music?

I believe it has something to do with hosting it has a benefit for tourism so the eastern countries are more determined to win.

Or, in the case of Britain, vote for the most retarded ones because they're fucking funny. We love you, Moldova.
Moldova should have fucking won.

Ireland agrees.

 

[Spitfire]

1. Yes I have.

2. I don't think I've even listened to any of the contestants.

3. That's some David Blain shit, right there. Seriously though, I don't have a clue.

4. Because it's a European pop music show that's marketed towards, you've guessed it, Europeans.

5. Ya think?

 

[Bad Jim]

1) Yes I've heard of it
2) But that doesn't mean I usually watch it
3) I'm pretty sure the wand is telescopic and on a spring of some kind. It's more than just a weighted bottom because it extends very fast and the top bit extends upwards. The cloth is attached to the bottom of the cane and is pulled into the cane through the top when she activates it. I caught a freeze frame of that.
4) See question 5
5) No I think Eurovision was always about politics more than music. I remember in the 80s that Greece and Cyprus would always give each other maximum points and BBC presenter Terry Wogan would show no surprise whatsoever. I'd say it has become slightly better as more countries have phone votes rather than unelected judges but it is still quite political.

 

[wottabout]

1. I am American, and I have heard of it.
2. Unfortunately, I generally only watch the performances and videos afterward when they are recommended to me, so I can't really judge.
3. Don't guess? Well, you'll never get an answer if you play like that. (However, it seems pretty clear that she is holding a cylinder in her fist beforehand, so it's probably on a spring and folds out.)
4. Most of my friends have heard of it, but we're internet nerds. I guess it just never comes up. The only ways to hear of it are by going to the right websites or knowing someone who watches it and cares enough to talk about it. So most kinds of people in the US won't hear about it.
5. I don't watch it enough to judge, but even I have heard the whole, "This country always votes for that country because they're allies, but oh noes that ally didn't vote for that one and now everyone's mad!" So it seems pretty political to me.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

why do you think practically no one in canada or the US has heard of it

That's easy to answer. It's a European contest that even most Europeans don't watch anymore. Why would anyone outside Europe watch it or know about it unless they happened to be in Europe at the time of the contest?

 

[DanielBrown]

Off-topic: I read an article on Cracked once where they said Eurovision was like American Idol for Europe... and it wasn't a joke.
I've never facepalmed so badly.

 

[thespyisdead]

1.yes

2. don't know, did not watch it

3.she has the stick in her hand, but its compact, and she presses a button, the stick opens. as the scarf is connected to the bottom segment, it hides in the sick as it opens (this is a pure guess, but a logical explanation to what happens)

4. as the name suggests, it is only televised in Europe

5. maybe, maybe not... have not studied it in great detail to give a proper answer

and now, i have to say this:


HARD ROCK HALLELUJAH!!!

 

[Private Custard]

3.she has the stick in her hand, but its compact, and she presses a button, the stick opens. as the scarf is connected to the bottom segment, it hides in the sick as it opens (this is a pure guess, but a logical explanation to what happens)

I just slowed it down 20 times and it appears this is correct. The stick extends downwards first, pulling in the yellow thing and then extends upwards a small amount to completely conceal it.

In slow motion, you can see something shiny in her hand every time her palm is facing the camera. I suspect it's not even button operated, just held in place until she moves a finger out of the way.