Eurovision Song Contest: Latvia 2003

I adore the Eurovision Song Contest. It is the only time that all European countries get together to participate in TV together. Especially since Jeux sans Frontieres ended. I wish we had more continental programmes in the UK as well as the constsant stream of American ones. Maybe we would realise and appreciate our own European heritage more instead of thinking we're a 51st State.

However, 2006's competition felt like MTV instead of a competition. Since the Eastern European and Nordic countries just vote for each other it has ruined the 'feel' of the competition. So too has the fact that everyone sings in English, the most stupid songs are submitted just for effect (ok, they always were odd songs but at least they were songs). I used to love the orchestras too, which doesn't happen anymore and in 2006 the tour of the countries for the results just zoomed past.

The old countries no longer seem to register on the scale as all the smaller new additions vote for themselves. It did get boring and everything sounded tinny and off-key.

I hope there is an improvement next year, but as everyone sings in English now it doesn't feel European enough...I used to like the songs sung in their own language...again, this was changed because the Nordic and Slavic languages are so harsh..

Of course, I hope the contest continues but keeps its sense of European-ness...instead of an MTV contest.