Leave Eurovision As It Is: America Doesn't Need Any More Music Show Adaptions
The world-renowned Eurovision Song Contest is coming to America in 2022. In all my 12 years of watching Eurovision, I never thought I'd see this particular show come to the States. Before you say it's just another music program, Eurovision is its own entity. Eurovision sets itself apart from all competitive music shows because its main focus is not just the music, but the performance aspects as well.
What is Eurovision?
For those not familiar with Eurovision, it's an international song competition organized by the European Broadcasting Union. A maximum of 44 countries may participate in the program each year. Singers primarily from European countries compete against each other spanning over several days. Primarily European contestants, though countries such as Israel, Morocco, Cyprus, Russia, Turkey, and now Australia participate.
Each country casts its votes for another countries' songs, and the one with the most votes is crowned the winner. The winner of the contest will then get the opportunity to have their country as hosts for the next years' competition. Overall, Eurovision helps promote the host country and its city as an attractive travel destination.
Why is Eurovision such a phenomenon outside the United States?
The theatrics, the outlandish outfits, the wacky dances, its what make up the spirit of Eurovision. It goes beyond singing, though it does play a part, it's about everything included; the stage, costumes, special effects, etc. If people weren't talking about your performance then you didn't do it right.
Also, another thing to note, Eurovision isn't just a music competition, it's a whole event. The show has a special opening, additional musical guests and artists also perform during the competition. Acts such as ABBA, Celine Dion, Mahmood, and other artists have competed in the show and went on to become international artists.
Watch the video below to get a little feel of what you'll get when you watch Eurovision.
Check out these other clips from various performances over the years.
Alexander Rybak - Fairytale 2009 Eurovision
SunStroke Project - Hey Mamma! 2017 Eurovision
Hatari - Hatrio Mun Sigra 2019 Eurovision
Jedward - Lipstick 2011 Eurovision
Somehow I just don't see how America can bring this level of entertainment to our screens. It goes beyond performance, the various participating countries bring their own unique cultures to their performances and that is what brings such great moments to the show.
Now that the organizers for Eurovision have achieved success overseas, they want to bring that same success here to America. Martin Osterdahl, the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, was quoted saying:
For 65 years the Eurovision Song Contest has connected people far and wide. As owners of this hugely successful format, we have seen how it has found a place in millions of hearts across Europe and beyond.
Now we are excited to have found the perfect partners to share this unique competition and its passionate celebration of music and original songs with the American people.
The problem with bringing another competition show is America already has too many song contests shows like American Idol, The Voice, America's Got Talent, and so on. Some of those shows are adaptions of the original. The Voice, for instance, is based on the original, The Voice of Holland, created in 2010. It spanned an entire franchise with over 145 countries/regions participating. The X Factor is another show that made its way across the pond to the U.S.
Where am I going with this you ask? The U.S. has a problem, and that is taking on too many remakes and adaptions of shows it doesn't need to take on. What makes Eurovision so special is that it's a one-of-a-kind of show. You don't see artists and groups that appear on that stage anywhere else but on Eurovision. The competitors either sing in their own languages or English. The culture and diversity that come across that stage are fun to see. Eurovision celebrates the weirdness, quirkiness, and overall appeal of its artists in a way that America never could.
So America, please don't try to recreate Eurovision, it's an impossible feat. Instead, make American Song Contest as American as you can, that way it'll be something unique to this country and not a ripoff of others.
Opinions and Perspectives
Each of those performances tells a story about their country. That's what makes Eurovision magical.
Maybe we should just enjoy Eurovision as it is instead of trying to remake it.
I love how Eurovision embraces its quirkiness. American TV would probably try to make it too polished.
Those performance videos really drive home why Eurovision is special. It's about so much more than just singing.
Eurovision works because it brings together different countries and cultures. State differences just aren't the same.
Let's create our own unique music competition instead of trying to copy Eurovision.
I watched all the clip examples and they're right. This isn't something that would translate well to American TV.
The mix of languages and cultures in Eurovision creates such a unique atmosphere. An American version would feel flat in comparison.
America already dominates global pop culture. Do we really need to adapt everything?
Each Eurovision entry feels like a piece of that country's soul. That's not something you can recreate.
Those performances shared in the article really show what we'd be missing in an American version.
I think the biggest issue would be losing the international aspect that makes Eurovision so special.
Maybe we should focus on making our existing shows better instead of adding new ones.
Just watched those clips and I get it now. This isn't just another singing competition.
The whole point of Eurovision was to unite Europe through music. America needs to find its own way to do that.
I love how Eurovision embraces the unusual. American TV tends to play it safe.
Eurovision connects people across borders. A state-based competition just wouldn't have the same impact.
The article's right about America having too many singing competitions already. We don't need another one.
Those performance clips really highlight the difference between Eurovision and American singing shows.
I actually think state rivalries could create interesting dynamics, but it wouldn't be the same as international competition.
American TV needs to stop trying to copy successful European shows and create something original.
The cultural aspects aside, Eurovision's voting system is part of what makes it entertaining. That wouldn't work here.
Why do we always have to remake everything? Some things are better left as they are.
Looking at those past performances, there's just something magical about Eurovision that can't be replicated.
I appreciate that Eurovision allows performers to sing in their native languages. That adds so much authenticity.
The production value of Eurovision is incredible. Even with American budgets, you can't buy that kind of creativity.
Can we talk about how Eurovision launched ABBA's career? That kind of platform is really special.
Pretty sure they'll focus too much on the competition aspect and forget about the cultural celebration part.
I've watched both American singing shows and Eurovision. They're completely different experiences that shouldn't be compared.
Those example performances in the article really show what makes Eurovision unique. It's more than just another singing show.
The language barrier actually adds to Eurovision's charm. Hearing songs in different languages makes it special.
I think we're underestimating American creativity. Given the chance, we might surprise everyone.
American TV executives will probably try to make it more like The Voice or American Idol. That would be such a shame.
Each Eurovision performance feels authentic to its country. I can't see how states could capture that same feeling.
You can't manufacture the kind of organic moments that happen at Eurovision. Remember the epic sax guy? That was pure gold!
Wonder if they'll try to make it more competitive and less about the spectacle. That would miss the whole point.
The clips perfectly demonstrate why this show works in Europe. It's not just about the music, it's about cultural expression.
I love how Eurovision embraces both serious ballads and completely over-the-top performances. Will America allow that range?
Maybe we should just appreciate Eurovision for what it is instead of trying to americanize everything.
The charm of Eurovision is watching countries proudly share their culture through music. States just don't have that same dynamic.
Martin Osterdahl's quote shows they're more interested in the format's success than preserving what makes Eurovision special.
I've lived in both Europe and America, and the way each approaches entertainment is completely different.
Looking at the voting system alone, how would they make that work between states? It wouldn't have the same political undertones.
Those costumes and staging choices in the clips are incredible. American budget or not, you can't force that kind of creativity.
Eurovision succeeds because it doesn't take itself too seriously. American TV tends to add too much drama and backstory.
I wonder if they'll try to incorporate international judges like American Idol did. That could add some interesting perspective.
We should focus on creating original content instead of trying to copy successful European formats.
The article makes a good point about American TV taking too many foreign shows and adapting them poorly.
I find it interesting that Australia got to join Eurovision before America tried to make its own version.
Sure, America has diversity, but Eurovision has decades of history and tradition that can't be replicated overnight.
Looking at those video clips really shows how unique Eurovision is. Each performance tells a story about its country's culture.
The language diversity in Eurovision adds such richness to the performances. In America it would all just be in English.
I've watched Eurovision for years and the cultural exchanges are what make it special. You can't recreate that with just one country.
Maybe instead of copying Eurovision, we should create something entirely new that celebrates American musical diversity.
SunStroke Project's performance was iconic! That saxophone guy became a huge meme. That's the kind of organic moment you can't manufacture.
The whole point of Eurovision was to unite Europe through music after WWII. America doesn't have that kind of historical context.
I actually disagree with everyone saying it won't work. America has incredible diversity between regions that could make for great TV.
Our existing shows already struggle with ratings. Adding another competition show seems like a recipe for failure.
Watching Jedward's performance really shows what Eurovision is about. Pure entertainment without taking itself too seriously.
I'm just worried they'll sanitize it and make it too mainstream. Eurovision thrives on being outrageous and unexpected.
The voting system alone would be totally different. Part of Eurovision's charm is countries voting for their neighbors and old allies.
You're all missing the point. Every successful show format gets adapted for different markets. Why should Eurovision be any different?
I loved those clips in the article. Hatari's performance was absolutely wild! Can't imagine that on American television.
What makes Eurovision great is how wonderfully weird it can be. American shows are always too focused on finding the next pop star.
The problem isn't just about the format, it's about how American TV tends to over-produce everything and make it too commercial.
I think we're being too negative. America is a melting pot of cultures. We could bring something fresh to the format.
Remember when ABBA won with Waterloo? That launched their entire career. That kind of platform is what makes Eurovision special.
State vs state competition would never capture the same international flavor. It's not about geography, it's about different cultures and languages.
I watched Alexander Rybak's performance and was blown away. The energy and uniqueness is something you just don't see on American TV.
Let's be honest, we already have enough singing competitions. American Idol, The Voice, AGT... do we really need another one?
Have you seen the costumes and staging from Eurovision? American shows could never match that level of creative freedom and weirdness.
Actually, I think it could work if they did it state by state. Each state has its own musical identity that could bring something unique.
I agree completely! Eurovision's magic comes from the cultural diversity of European nations coming together. Making an American version just misses the whole point.