Terry Wogan 'totally spoiled' Eurovision for a Generation of Brits, Says Swedish Producer - Polidicks

[url]http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/16/terry-wogan-totally-spoiled-eurovision-says-contest-producer[/url] [IMG]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/news/2016/04/15/20225106_May0049479_Daily_Telegraph_Terry_Wogan_for_DT_Features_Picture_show_Sir_Terry_Wogan_pic-large_trans++qVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwfSVWeZ_vEN7c6bHu2jJnT8.jpg[/IMG] [I]Above: Terry Wogan relaxing after totally spoiling Eurovision[/I] [QUOTE]The late broadcaster was accused of creating a generation of Britons who see the show as irrelevant and “kitsch” by Christer Björkman, the Swedish producer of this year’s contest, who said he would never have given him the job.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]In comments published in the Daily Mirror that were made at Polar Talks London, Björkman said Wogan was the reason Eurovision is seen as frivolous entertainment in the UK. “He did this for 28 years and his commentary always forced the mockery side, and there is a grown-up generation in Britain that doesn’t know anything better,” he said. “He raised a generation of viewers believing this was a fun, kitsch show that had no relevance whatsoever.” The veteran Irish presenter, who died in January aged 77 , first fronted the BBC’s Eurovision coverage in 1971. His stinging commentary proved to be one of the many highlights of his career. Wogan would snipe at the acts, the political manoeuvring of eastern Europe’s voting and the half-time entertainment, but it was all done in a spirit of affection. Björkman, however, said: “It totally spoiled Eurovision. Because of what Terry Wogan did, the UK don’t put in their best efforts. “If you go back to the 60s and early 70s when Britain ruled this competition that wasn’t the case. “So somewhere along the line you hanged your perception of it. Wogan did what he did very well, make fun of something, but if I would have been in charge I would never have chosen him.” A BBC spokesperson said: “Sir Terry Wogan is and always will be part of the heritage of the Eurovision Song Contest. His unique brand of humour brought millions of people to the competition and he unquestionably helped to establish the show as one of the TV highlights of the year to audiences throughout the UK and beyond.” Wogan handed the baton to Graham Norton in 2009, who during last year’s contest said of Albania’s entry: “It’s three minutes we’re never going to get back.”[/QUOTE]

I don't think he understands British culture. We're never going to take Eurovision seriously.

Wouldnt want it any other way

Yes, because a contest where nearly every song is an insipid love ballad should be taken seriously.

Also what a nice respect to Terry Wogan's memory right

Imagine taking Eurovision seriously. Fuck off Björkman.

[QUOTE] “He raised a generation of viewers believing this was a fun, kitsch show that had no relevance whatsoever.”[/QUOTE] Erm, what makes it particularly relevant, if I may ask? I was under the impression it [I]was[/I] a fun thing - and expensive.

"Swedish man doesn't understand British culture" is basically how you can sum up this article. What a farce to Wogan's memory.

Eurovision is srs business

[QUOTE=Galaxy;50142048]Erm, what makes it particularly relevant, if I may ask? I was under the impression it [I]was[/I] a fun thing - and expensive.[/QUOTE] It's a political show.

I would argue the people of Britain and Ireland had a better version of Eurovision thanks to Terry Wogan. The event itself is very self serious from what I've seen.

Eurovision is frivolous kitsch and nobody with half a brain, even here in ABBA-land, would take it seriously. The only interesting aspect about it is the politics, as the voting and commentary tends to reflect certain countries affection or hate for one another.

[quote]He raised a generation of viewers believing this was a fun, kitsch show that[B] had no relevance whatsoever.”[/B][/quote] It's like the olympics of American Idol, of course it's not relevant

The day we take eurovision seriously is a sad, sad day.

Graham Norton is carrying on the tradition just fine.

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vJi4i0vxAk[/media] And Graham's continuining it. Anyone with half a brain knows that Eurovision is horrendously political, and the "talent" in it is close to lacking. There's only a handful of good songs put up each year. It's only real use ( in my opinion ) is something fun to watch once a year whilst swandiving into inebriation

[quote]Björkman said Wogan was the reason Eurovision is seen as frivolous entertainment in the UK.[/quote] I thought everyone sees Eurovision as frivolous entertainment, not only the uk

The only relevant Eurovision contest happened in 2006.

spoil? honestly without the humour Eurovision would be so bland. [editline]16th April 2016[/editline] what's even more hilarious is that some countries actually take it seriously. :]

[QUOTE]“He raised a generation of viewers believing this was a fun, kitsch show that had no relevance whatsoever.”[/QUOTE] What? Entertaining and being relevant aren't mutually exclusive qualities.

There must be 5 people on planet earth who think eurovision should be serious

If I took Eurovison seriously I'd be voting the UK to leave the EU based on us getting 'Nil Poi' all the time as everyone hates us.

How could anyone take Eurovision seriously? Fucking Australia competes in Eurovision now, and we are on the other side of the world from Europe lol.

[QUOTE=cyanidem;50141978]I don't think he understands British culture. We're never going to take Eurovision seriously.[/QUOTE] Wait. [I]People take it seriously?[/I]

[QUOTE=Fr3ddi3;50142812]If I took Eurovison seriously I'd be voting the UK to leave the EU based on us getting 'Nil Poi' all the time as everyone hates us.[/QUOTE] They hate us because we take the piss out of it. Based Graham Norton makes it a great laugh.

God I totally forgot that Terry Wogan had died, thanks Swedish presenter who cares way too much about a silly contest.

Björkman is a nutjob that takes this wayyy to seriously. Not only does he make sure that the songs he likes get more publicity, he is also a big baby that threatened to quit his job as producer if a song he dislikes wins. It would be really beneficial for the whole Swedish ESC if he just left.

[QUOTE=cyanidem;50141978]I don't think he understands British culture. We're never going to take Eurovision seriously.[/QUOTE] Didn't your culture die with your empire?

[QUOTE=Whitefox08;50143365]Didn't your culture die with your empire?[/QUOTE] I guess Björkman isn't the only one who knows nothing about British culture, gj

People care about Eurovision?