EP 9: National Selections (Authoritarian Manipulation, Public Scandal, and the Fight For A Nation's Identity)

Mysteries of the EuroVerse

21:06 Andrew Lambrou (Cyprus, 2023, Break a Broken Heart): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQG9YH2nCJw) 31:37 Troy Iwata (The Daily Show, Dash and Lily) We are in the middle of National Finals season, and controversy is already swirling around some of this years' selection processes! We talk about how a country's choice of song reflects what they want to project to the world, and how authoritarians have used national selections to try to bend the identity of their countries. We also discuss some of the biggest scandals in Eurovision national finals history, and explore how broadcasters can arrive at results that people view as "legitimate." Then we talk to Cyprus' representative from 2023, Andrew Lambrou. Andrew was selected by Cyprus in a surprising way, and the Australian-Cypriot-Greek singer brings his perspective to the ways in which Eurovision's universalism allows for the mixing of identities and cultures. Finally, Daily Show Correspondent Troy Iwata drops by to explore some of the biggest National Finals controversies in years past, and figure out what those controversial choices say about a nation's character. It's a game we're calling "National Not-Quite Final Answer" National Not Quite Final Answer Belarus, 2012 1: Alonya - Solayoh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKewBfUE2Mg 2: Litesound - We Are The Heroes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JWbOKNaIAo Poland 2023
3. Blanka - Solo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANM4CwbE0Is
4. Jann - Gladiator - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYtmjhR8_8E Spain 2017
5. Manel - Do It For Your Lover - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwS45HBhzTs
6. Mirela - Contigo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEKotQh05ds
Spain 2022
7. Chanel - SloMo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mYBiIO0pfY
8. Tanxugueiras - Terra - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uGN9efcACw Ukraine 2022
9. Alina Pash - Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAHyFdNFnrE
10. Kalush Orchestra - Stefania - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKpYMb4Zwt4