TONIGHT: Euroviisut 2011 live blogging

As usual I will be live blogging for Euroviisut 2011 second semifinal. Please join me at 20.00 CET. Right here. And you can watch the webcast here
Let's see if tonight's show is a bit better than the first one. The Finnish semifinals have never been exactly spectacular but last week's semi was propably the low point so far, even Jaana Pelkonen seemed like sheäs about to give up. Right afterwords YLE's producer announced it will all change in 2012 and YLE makes changes in the way of selecting the song - and not a year too late. Since YLE2 took charge in mid 2000's and new people got in Finland not only won but also reached the final four times in a row. But now a change is needed. While waiting for that let's get over with this year's edition...

... and we are ready to start. Once again Jaana Pelkonen will host the show, with Tom Nylund from Tohloppi TV-studios in Tampere.
The show has started and Jaana is wearing black tonight. Like last week the old Eurovision stars will present this year's artists and here is Monica Aspelund presenting Soma Manuchar....

SOMA MANUCHAR - STRONG

Oh dear what's she wearing? Mert Otsamo has designed the outfits but they're a bit too much I guess. And the choreography - or the lack of it - isn't helping much. Poor man's Lady Gaga? I don't think the Finnish televoters would go for this.... The song isn't up to its title either. No wonder Tom also talks about her dress in the interview... But off we go. Marion Rung presenting the next one :-)

PARADISE OSKAR - DA DA DAM

He is alone on stage with his guitar, sitting on a stool dressed casually in a shirt and jeans. Sweet. Vocally good. Charming. Excellent camera contact for a newcomer. Move over Tom Dice! I would say fabulous! A star is born! Tom small talks about Axel's or Oskar's guitar, a real Landola from the 1960's and he comes across a real charmer even in the interview.... Viktor Klimenko now presenting the next act.

JIMI CONSTANTINE - PARTY TO PARTY

If the previous act showed less is more Jimi believes more is more but unfortunately it comes across a bit too annoying. Talking and shouting c'mon everybodys and clap your hands all the time, pretending to be a real rockstar throwing out money and such.... and of course undressing..... Sorry Jimi. You ruined it for me. Shame, this was my favourite but.... No. No way. He could not even qualify with this now unless his fans are as numerous as we think they are.... Sigh... I'm confused. Ann-Christine presenting the next act....

MILANA MISIC - SYDÄMENI KAKSI MAATA

Laila Kinnunen's daughter, 50 years after her mother brings a rather ethnic song, with hints of both Finland and Croatia as the song title suggests "my heart's two countries". Two dancers and two backing vocalists with her, all in turquoise, live fire on stage and Milana is vocally in form tonight. The song is quite demanding mix of different styles and maybe need further listening to be understood but can she make it tonight after all? Rki Sorsa is presenting the last act for tonight...

FATHER MCKENZIE - GOOD ENOUGH

Swedish-Finnish band on stage with a perfect pop song. The song starts by the piasno but soon all three guys are in front of the stage. Vocally good enough but comes across a bit shaky otherwise me thinks. A bit desperate somehow - did they lose their nerves? Tom does the interview in Swedish... Time for a recap. It's over! 33 minutes (watch and learn RAI!)

Predicting is very difficult tonight. I would say only Paradise Oskar is safe. Before tonight I would have said Jimi was sure, Oskar and McKenzie in final, too. Now... will Milana qualify instead of Jimi? Or will fan favourite McKenzie drop á la Automatic Eye last week. I just can't believe Soma has any chances.... Let's see...

Old Eurovision stars are now remembering all sort of troubles they have had in their Eurovision; Carita Hollströn, Kuunkuiskaajat, Viktor Klimenko, Anneli Saaristo amongst others.... throat problems, visa problems, sound problems, backing tape problems - anything can happen! And the voting is closed! And now again some bad humour. Whoever signed them for this should be fired immediately, like Krisse said. Immediately!

And the time has come: who gets the green light, who gets the red light? First is Soma Manuchar.... red! Next Milana Misic... green! Father McKenzie now..... green! Next is Paradise Oskar... green! So Jimi Constantine is OUT! (Am I good or not?)

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