To me the Eurovision song contest is an enjoyable tradition, however I've noticed people in Australia chortle condesendingly if they admit to watching it all, "its just an excuse to drink really isn't it?" they say. It contains no ridicule, is that what makes it so ridiculous?

I rarely watch talent shows like Australian Idol because the judges propensity to mock makes me squirm. While some contestants are better equipped than others to handle public humiliation, for me this doesn't entertain, but I suspect for these shows it's their bread and butter.

Does this type of entertainment give bullying respectability? I think it does, and it also sets a bad example for our young.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/ ... icide-fear

The Australian 'So you think you can dance' show was the opposite - really constructive criticism, by people who knew what they were talking about. My wife and daughter watched it, and they don't usually watch tv at all (they are/have been dancers)

As far as Eurovision goes, the sneering I think started with the mainstream pop music industry; the contest seemed to have nothing to do with successful music as they knew it, more like a hangover from the old variety show performances.

For many years now, music has been fairly incidental to the Eurovision. It's principally a festival of camp.

And that's just fabulous, darlings. More, please!

One remembers the smirks of condesention when Susan Boyle first appeard on stage before the judges.
Truly gratifying was their 'gobsmacked' astonishment when they realized that they were at last listening to real talent.

For many years music has been fairly incidental to the music industry as a whole. It seems to thrive mainly on visual presentations and image, although there have been signs of change, recently.

I have close relatives who like heavy metal. To me it just seems barbaric, I think a heavy metal song won Eurovision not long ago, which was a strange turn up for the books.