See the 2026 Grand Final here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYEIv2qhYAI

Eurovision 2026 Semifinal 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy510SZZDw4 Eurovision 2026 Semifinal 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeLS4psFNqQ The Eurovision semi-final bloodbath has concluded and morale is low. In this emergency reaction episode, we immediately unpack the chaos of Semi-Final 2: the shock non-qualifiers, the songs we think Europe got catastrophically wrong, and whether this year’s Grand Final is shaping up to be iconic… or weirdly mid. Topics include: The entries we’re genuinely devastated to lose Why some performances connected instantly while others felt strangely airless Poland’s staging and vocals Whether Finland is now inevitable The “cargo shorts” epidemic Eurovision production, presenters, and the return of deeply questionable disco tailoring Moldova as chaos candidate The songs we think people will still remember in three years Why Eurovision fans may actually be masochists Featuring strong opinions on: Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Poland, Finland, Moldova, Ukraine, Greece, Australia, and several songs we’re still actively grieving. If your favourite got flattened in the semis: condolences. We’re suffering together.

Eurovision Song Context presents our annual Turquoise Carpet commentary experiment. Here’s how this works: Open the official Eurovision 2026 Turquoise Carpet video. Start this episode. When we say “GO,” press play on the video and mute the official commentary. Watch the visuals while listening to us instead. The official Eurovision Turquoise Carpet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hPqh_Ezg3k&t=3538s This year’s turquoise carpet comes from Vienna, and compared to Basel 2025, the entire production feels dramatically more optimized for television: tighter camera work, stronger crowd energy, better pacing, more spectacle, more fashion, more drama. So Bradley, Susie Russ, and Russ watch the entire thing live and provide an alternative commentary track covering: fashion staging camera choices crowd energy Eurovision absurdity orchestral grandeur random cultural tangents and whether various outfits belong at the Met Gala, the CMAs, or Hobby Lobby No official audio is included because of copyright, so this episode is designed to be played alongside the official stream. When instructed: Cut the sound. Watch the images. Let Vienna wash over you. Eurovision #ESC2026 #Vienna2026 #TurquoiseCarpet

This week’s episode is a late-night Eurovision catch-up with Suzie from Euro Riffs, as we go through this year’s entries with zero structure and very strong opinions. We cover the songs we love, the ones that might grow on us, and the ones that absolutely should not be anywhere near the final. Along the way: Switzerland’s “too good for Eurovision” moment, Moldova doing what Moldova always does, staging worries, guilty pleasures, and one entry that sparks a full-on rant. If you’ve been listening to the 2026 lineup and trying to figure out what actually works, this is the unfiltered version. 🎵 Songs Covered Switzerland – “Alice” by Veronica Fusaro Armenia – “Paloma Rumba” by Simón Lithuania – “Sólo quiero más” by Lion Ceccah Moldova – “Viva, Moldova!” by Satoshi Belgium – “Dancing on the Ice” by Essyla Austria – “Tanzschein” by Cosmó Estonia – “Too Epic to Be True” by Vanilla Ninja Germany – “Fire” by Sarah Engels Sweden – “My System” by Felicia Eriksson San Marino – “Superstar” by Senhit (feat. Boy George) United Kingdom – “Eins, Zwei, Drei” by Sam Battle Malta – “Bella” by Aidan Cassar Greece – “Ferto” by Akylas Mytilinaios Denmark – “Før vi går hjem” by Søren Torpegaard Lund Finland – “Liekinheitin” by Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen France – “Regarde !” by Monroe

Episode References United Kingdom – Look Mum No Computer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niMKvJ-Itq8 San Marino – Senhit (Adrenalina, Live 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOQe-fQSFxg San Marino – Senhit ‘Superstar’ (National Performance 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOQe-fQSFxg Boy George – ‘Miss Me Blind’ (see approx. 1:07:12): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkDWe3xS718 France – Monroe ‘Regarde !’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujoCYrvvTYQ Finland – Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen ‘Liekinheitin’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bfwNIYb96Q Eurovision Odds: https://eurovisionworld.com/odds/eurovision Episode 66, Mark talks ESC 2025: https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2 Episodes 38/19, Mark talks ESC 2024: https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=4 Boy George Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EgT39WsFf0&t=13s Mark Bowden Official site: https://truthplane.com/ Mark's Truth and Lies: What People Are Really Thinking https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Lies-People-Really-Thinking-ebook/dp/B072L52J3D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3W19IBJF1NRZK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gg3FDkL8MMtgU7OW_-lBvDDi4pT47WY8dCZwgx1HxlIb5pGIsIFV6tA1NDyswSQia-F94q14CLEsOAH839MdIPI9eRDgDHanfTYk6oaLjTM.Ziln-trJvfT61cPzwGZwpGvG5g-3iAzjXHn8W6v3CsI&dib_tag=se&keywords=mark+bowden+book%2C+truth+and+lies&qid=1776132760&sprefix=mark+bowden+book%2C+truth+and+lie%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1

Bradley is joined by Russ from EuroRiffs to break down the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 lineup. No fluff, no over-editing, just real reactions. Songs: Why Greece’s “Ferto” (Akylas) is a top contender Mixed reactions to Australia’s Delta Goodrem and big ballads this year Whether songs like Estonia, Norway, and Armenia have enough to qualify The ongoing debate around lyrics vs performance vs staging Why some entries feel “very Eurovision”… and others feel like they could come from anywhere Which songs risk getting lost in the semi-finals—and which might sneak through Plus: staging worries, jury vs televote dynamics, and early predictions for who could land top 5—or miss the final entirely. 🎵 Songs Covered in This Episode Sarah Engels – “Fire” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sarah+Engels+Fire+Eurovision+2026 🇫🇷 France Monroe – “Regarde !” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Monroe+Regarde+Eurovision+2026 🇨🇾 Cyprus Antigoni – “Jalla” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Antigoni+Jalla+Eurovision+2026 🇧🇬 Bulgaria Dara – “Bangaranga” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dara+Bangaranga 🇫🇮 Finland Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – “Liekinheitin” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Liekinheitin+Eurovision+2026 🇺🇦 Ukraine Leléka – “Ridnym” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Leleka+Ridnym 🇵🇹 Portugal Bandidos do Cante – “Rosa” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bandidos+do+Cante+Rosa 🇬🇧 United Kingdom Look Mum No Computer – “Eins, Zwei, Drei” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Look+Mum+No+Computer+Eins+Zwei+Drei

Episode Links - Festival da Canção / SAMAs FESTIVAL DA CANCAO 2026 https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Festival+da+Cancao+2026 NAPA ROSA https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Napa+Rosa+Festival+da+Cancao DENISE MOTTA JURE https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Denise+Motta+Jure SANDRINO DISPOSTO A TUDO https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sandrino+Disposto+a+Tudo JOAO RIBEIRO CANCAO https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Joao+Ribeiro+Cancao SILVANA PERES NAO TEM FIM https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Silvana+Peres+Nao+Tem+Fim NUNCA MATES O MANDARIM FUMO https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Nunca+Mates+o+Mandarim+Fumo INES SOUZA UM FILME AO CONTRARIO https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ines+Souza+Um+Filme+ao+Contrario SAMAs / SOUTH AFRICA KABZA DE SMALL IMITANDAZO https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Kabza+De+Small+Imithandazo ZAHARA LOLIWE https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Zahara+Loliwe MAFIKIZOLO https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mafikizolo TYLA WATER https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Tyla+Water BEATENBERG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FavE84Mmc7s Loved Sheldon on this episode? Dive into his past appearances on Eurovision Song Context: • Episode 64: Bonus: Eurovision 2025 Sanremo / Festival da Canção https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2 • Episode 65: (follow-up episode) https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2 • Episode 49: (Part 1) Milli Vanilli https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=3 • Episode 50: (Part 2) Milli Vanilli https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=3

Podcast Show Notes - Links SANREMO 2026 https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sanremo+2026 SAL DA VINCI PER SEMPRE https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sal+Da+Vinci+Per+Sempre FULMINACCI STUPIDA SFORTUNA https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fulminacci+Stupida+Sfortuna ARISA MAGICA FAVOLA https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Arisa+Magica+Favola FEDEZ MARCO MASINI MALE NECESSARIO https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fedez+Marco+Masini+Male+Necessario SERENA BRANCALE QUI CON ME https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Serena+Brancale+Qui+Con+Me J AX ITALIA STARTER PACK https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=J+Ax+Italia+Starter+Pack DITONELLAPIAGA CHE FASTIDIO https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ditonellapiaga+Che+Fastidio JONI MITCHELL BOTH SIDES NOW LIVE https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Joni+Mitchell+Both+Sides+Now+live WE ARE THE WORLD DOCUMENTARY https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=We+Are+The+World+documentary CELINE DION IF YOU ASKED ME TO https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Celine+Dion+If+You+Asked+Me+To WHITNEY HOUSTON I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Whitney+Houston+I+Will+Always+Love+You DOLLY PARTON I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dolly+Parton+I+Will+Always+Love+You Loved Sheldon on this episode? Dive into his past appearances on Eurovision Song Context: • Episode 64: Bonus: Eurovision 2025 Sanremo / Festival da Canção https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2 • Episode 65: (follow-up episode) https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2 • Episode 49: (Part 1) Milli Vanilli https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=3 • Episode 50: (Part 2) Milli Vanilli https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=3

🎶 Eurovision & Songs Sébastien Tellier – “Divine” (France, Eurovision 2008) • YouTube video of the performance at Eurovision 2008: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZQjBCvFd9E • Wikipedia page for the song Divine (background, album, Eurovision facts): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_(S%C3%A9bastien_Tellier_song) Joost Klein – “Europapa” (Netherlands, Eurovision 2024) • Wikipedia page for Europapa (song info, Eurovision entry details): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europapa • EurovisionWorld entry page for Europapa info and entry details (archival/contest info): https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/joost-klein-from-the-netherlands-disqualified-from-eurovision-2024 💿 Tiny Vinyl & Format Tiny Vinyl (official site) • Tiny Vinyl 4-inch playable record format overview and info: https://www.tinyvinyl.com/ Tiny Vinyl articles & press • What Hi-Fi article on Tiny Vinyl collectible format: https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/vinyl/check-out-these-adorable-tiny-vinyl-4-inch-records • GearPatrol overview on Tiny Vinyl and how it works on normal turntables: https://www.gearpatrol.com/audio/tiny-vinyl/ • MusicRow announcement of Tiny Vinyl launch and retail rollout: https://musicrow.com/2025/08/tiny-vinyl-launches-nationwide-with-pocket-sized-records-from-top-artists/ 🎙 Other Contextual & Reference Links Joost Klein (artist page) • Wikipedia page for Joost Klein (career overview, discography including Europapa): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joost_Klein Tiny Vinyl at Target USA: https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=tiny+vinyl Sebastian Tellier Article: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jan/08/sebastien-tellier-interview-kiss-the-beast-electropop-eurovision

Links to June’s Newsletter! https://buttondown.com/WhereAre — June Thomas — Book A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas — Podcasts by June Thomas Working (Slate) https://slate.com/podcasts/working The Waves (Slate) https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast) https://slate.com/podcasts/outward Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum) https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest — Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003) Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025) Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021) Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4 Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021) Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024) Grand Final placement: 24th of 26 Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025) Placement: 19th of 26 Jury: 88 — Televote: 0 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE — Guardian Review Referenced Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible” The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible — Other Guardian context discussed Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature) https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate) https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews — Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse Slate — review of “American Canto” https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html — Optional background links for listeners Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024 — Show page & archive https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm —