I Have a Question

@Raingirl there is a very simple answer

Australia have been rabid fans of Eurovison since the 70's and we had to adjust the aerials to get a hazy picture and crackly sound on our crappy black and white box televisions. That and the fact we begged.

I could not understand why Australia were there ! I enjoyed the show though

Then the Martians will complain it is not PC...

Russia's been in it for years and I'm pretty sure Israel are too. Countries know who they are going to vote for before the contest even begins anyway.

It is called Eurovision Songcontest because it is arranged by Eurovision Network under the European Broardcasting Union. The European Broardcasting Union (EBU) is an alliance of European public service radio- and TV stations but it has associated members also in USA.
Eurovision Network distributes much more than just the annual songcontest and best known probably is the annual Neujarhskonzert (New Year Concert) with der Wiener Philharmoniker. It is via Eurovision transmitted to more than 90 countries that of course not all are in Europe.

I think it would be nice if everyone was welcome, although there's something quite specifically European about it and even though I'm English and many Europeans see us as distancing ourselves from Europe, I feel very European and I love celebrating my Europeanness. I noticed Australia had a really good song and were seeing it as a competition they wanted to try and win, which isn't really the point of it. I see it more as getting together and having a laugh (and being a bit quirky).

@Faerylight LOL! fair play - come back next year - more than welcome !

America is never going to get it

@glassdog: precisely!!!!!! :-)

Universalvision?

Galaxivision?

100 % agree!