Hating on Eurovision
Last night on Rachel Maddow, Kent Jones went for a little cultural superiority talk, when discussing the Eurovision Song Contest:
“You ever wonder what happened to countries that didn’t invent Blues or Jazz or Rockabilly or R’n'B or Funk or Hip-Hop? This happens!”
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tapmag thinks that the Eurovision Song Contest is a far too complex concept to be understood in American terms of entertainment shows. Americans watch American Idol to see good acts and funny rejection clips. Europeans tune in to Eurovision for a lot of reasons, but not to discover awe-inspiring new singers.
We want pseudofolkloristic bands in nonsense costumes, eurotrash glam from the Balkans, a sense of socially shared television moments that has been long gone since the Internet arrived, and of course one of the last places being reserved for Germany.
The Eurovision Song Contest is meta-show that allows us Europeans to reflect on our own awkward cultural backgrounds, giving us a chance to come to terms with the lowbrow elements of European culture. By laughing about our neighbors’ ridiculous ideas of a good show, we establish connections that foster understanding and solidarity which transcends borders.
But of course, it’s far easier to denounce this expression of humility, humanity and the understanding of dignity that arises from it as the simple lack of musical talent. Kent Jones, a little humbleness suits everyone, especially Americans.
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5 Comments, Comment or Ping
dd
stupid americans
May 19th, 2009
Kolja
Dear DD, could you be maybe a little more specific in your criticizm? thanks.
May 19th, 2009
dd
good point, Kolja.
My comment was in reference to Rachel Maddow and Kent Jones
cynicism, arrogance, and the assumption of american cultural superiority. They can’t take the Eurovision joke, and do not understand the concept of multiculturality.
This attitude reminds me of Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld attitudes
about many countries during the former administration, which is precisely what Rachel criticises all the time.
I think she is just jealous
that Americans do not participate in the contest:)
May 19th, 2009
M Vinaka
*Who* can’t take a joke? The whole point is that Eurovision is a wonderful mess of craziness in a way that is different from America’s own musical hilarity. Maddow’s bit of a joke is certainly no less insulting than the coverage by Graham Norton. Laugh it off, people. Laugh it off.
May 20th, 2009
Hans J. Wollstein
I lived in the US for 15 years and really, really missed Eurovision Song Contest. And every ex-patriate I met felt the same. If we had nothing else in common except living in that vast cultural boon that is the United States, whether we were from Greece, or France, or Denmark, at least we could laugh at Eurovision memories. Which is why I am currently preparing a blow by blow Eurovision account for the American Youtube generation.
Jun 20th, 2009
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