web02.fireside.fm Tue, 05 May 2026 12:40:48 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Eurovision Song Context - Episodes Tagged with “Eurovision Flops” https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/tags/eurovision%20flops Mon, 04 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 We start with expertise and end up in Eurovision. It’s kind of our thing. Eurovision Song Context is a monthly podcast that looks at the Eurovision Song Contest through an unexpected lens: expert insight. Each episode, a guest from a different field — psychology, fashion, politics, design, linguistics, and more — talk about their work and how it helps us understand 2–3 Eurovision entries in a whole new light. Are these songs genuinely good? So bad they’re good? Or just weirdly unforgettable? Longform episodes come out on the 12th of every month (the "douzeth"). We're where brilliant minds meet bad key changes. en-us episodic A podcast where we bring in smart people. We talk about smart things, then veer into glitter, wind machines, and geopolitics. Experts. Insight. Eurovision chaos. Bradley Dalton-Oates We start with expertise and end up in Eurovision. It’s kind of our thing. Eurovision Song Context is a monthly podcast that looks at the Eurovision Song Contest through an unexpected lens: expert insight. Each episode, a guest from a different field — psychology, fashion, politics, design, linguistics, and more — talk about their work and how it helps us understand 2–3 Eurovision entries in a whole new light. Are these songs genuinely good? So bad they’re good? Or just weirdly unforgettable? Longform episodes come out on the 12th of every month (the "douzeth"). We're where brilliant minds meet bad key changes. no Eurovision, music, expert analysis, Europe, music, arts, culture, ESC Bradley Dalton-Oates eurovisionsongcontext@gmail.com Episode 85: Eurovision 2026 w Suzie: The Good, The Bad, and the Absolute Hell Not https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/85 0db1b3db-169f-4b4d-a891-0bbc95c2a139 Mon, 04 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 Bradley Dalton-Oates full Bradley Dalton-Oates This week’s episode is a late-night Eurovision catch-up with Suzie from Euro Riffs, as we go through this year’s entries with zero structure and very strong opinions. We cover the songs we love, the ones that might grow on us, and the ones that absolutely should not be anywhere near the final. Along the way: Switzerland’s “too good for Eurovision” moment, Moldova doing what Moldova always does, staging worries, guilty pleasures, and one entry that sparks a full-on rant. If you’ve been listening to the 2026 lineup and trying to figure out what actually works, this is the unfiltered version. 1:05:24 no <p>This week’s episode is a late-night Eurovision catch-up with Suzie from Euro Riffs, as we go through this year’s entries with zero structure and very strong opinions.</p> <p>We cover the songs we love, the ones that might grow on us, and the ones that absolutely should not be anywhere near the final. Along the way: Switzerland’s “too good for Eurovision” moment, Moldova doing what Moldova always does, staging worries, guilty pleasures, and one entry that sparks a full-on rant.</p> <p>If you’ve been listening to the 2026 lineup and trying to figure out what actually works, this is the unfiltered version.</p> <p>🎵 Songs Covered<br> Switzerland – “Alice” by Veronica Fusaro<br> Armenia – “Paloma Rumba” by Simón<br> Lithuania – “Sólo quiero más” by Lion Ceccah<br> Moldova – “Viva, Moldova!” by Satoshi<br> Belgium – “Dancing on the Ice” by Essyla<br> Austria – “Tanzschein” by Cosmó<br> Estonia – “Too Epic to Be True” by Vanilla Ninja<br> Germany – “Fire” by Sarah Engels<br> Sweden – “My System” by Felicia Eriksson<br> San Marino – “Superstar” by Senhit (feat. Boy George)<br> United Kingdom – “Eins, Zwei, Drei” by Sam Battle<br> Malta – “Bella” by Aidan Cassar<br> Greece – “Ferto” by Akylas Mytilinaios<br> Denmark – “Før vi går hjem” by Søren Torpegaard Lund<br> Finland – “Liekinheitin” by Linda Lampenius &amp; Pete Parkkonen<br> France – “Regarde !” by Monroe </p> Eurovision 2026, Eurovision Song Contest 2026, ESC 2026, Eurovision songs, Eurovision entries, Eurovision review, Eurovision reactions, Eurovision podcast, Eurovision rankings, Eurovision favorites, Eurovision flops, Eurovision guilty pleasures, Eurovision commentary, Veronica Fusaro Alice, Simón Paloma Rumba, Lion Ceccah Solo Quiero Más, Satoshi Viva Moldova, Essyla Dancing on the Ice, Cosmo Tanzschein, Vanilla Ninja Too Epic to Be True, Sarah Engels Fire, Felicia My System, Senhit Superstar, Boy George Eurovision, Look Mum No Computer Eins Zwei Drei, Aidan Bella, Akylas Ferto, Soren Torpegaard Lund, Linda Lampenius Liekinheitin, Monroe Regarde This week’s episode is a late-night Eurovision catch-up with Suzie from Euro Riffs, as we go through this year’s entries with zero structure and very strong opinions.

We cover the songs we love, the ones that might grow on us, and the ones that absolutely should not be anywhere near the final. Along the way: Switzerland’s “too good for Eurovision” moment, Moldova doing what Moldova always does, staging worries, guilty pleasures, and one entry that sparks a full-on rant.

If you’ve been listening to the 2026 lineup and trying to figure out what actually works, this is the unfiltered version.

🎵 Songs Covered
Switzerland – “Alice” by Veronica Fusaro
Armenia – “Paloma Rumba” by Simón
Lithuania – “Sólo quiero más” by Lion Ceccah
Moldova – “Viva, Moldova!” by Satoshi
Belgium – “Dancing on the Ice” by Essyla
Austria – “Tanzschein” by Cosmó
Estonia – “Too Epic to Be True” by Vanilla Ninja
Germany – “Fire” by Sarah Engels
Sweden – “My System” by Felicia Eriksson
San Marino – “Superstar” by Senhit (feat. Boy George)
United Kingdom – “Eins, Zwei, Drei” by Sam Battle
Malta – “Bella” by Aidan Cassar
Greece – “Ferto” by Akylas Mytilinaios
Denmark – “Før vi går hjem” by Søren Torpegaard Lund
Finland – “Liekinheitin” by Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen
France – “Regarde !” by Monroe

]]> This week’s episode is a late-night Eurovision catch-up with Suzie from Euro Riffs, as we go through this year’s entries with zero structure and very strong opinions.

We cover the songs we love, the ones that might grow on us, and the ones that absolutely should not be anywhere near the final. Along the way: Switzerland’s “too good for Eurovision” moment, Moldova doing what Moldova always does, staging worries, guilty pleasures, and one entry that sparks a full-on rant.

If you’ve been listening to the 2026 lineup and trying to figure out what actually works, this is the unfiltered version.

🎵 Songs Covered
Switzerland – “Alice” by Veronica Fusaro
Armenia – “Paloma Rumba” by Simón
Lithuania – “Sólo quiero más” by Lion Ceccah
Moldova – “Viva, Moldova!” by Satoshi
Belgium – “Dancing on the Ice” by Essyla
Austria – “Tanzschein” by Cosmó
Estonia – “Too Epic to Be True” by Vanilla Ninja
Germany – “Fire” by Sarah Engels
Sweden – “My System” by Felicia Eriksson
San Marino – “Superstar” by Senhit (feat. Boy George)
United Kingdom – “Eins, Zwei, Drei” by Sam Battle
Malta – “Bella” by Aidan Cassar
Greece – “Ferto” by Akylas Mytilinaios
Denmark – “Før vi går hjem” by Søren Torpegaard Lund
Finland – “Liekinheitin” by Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen
France – “Regarde !” by Monroe

]]> Episode 79: (Part 2) Zero Stars, Nul Points: June Thomas on Failure, Cynicism, and Eurovision https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/79 6b0b672a-9b28-41e2-a09b-53831db3e1a7 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:00:00 -0500 Bradley Dalton-Oates full Bradley Dalton-Oates In this episode, Bradley is joined by writer and longtime Slate culture critic June Thomas for a conversation about criticism, failure, and what it means for a work to be “truly bad.” They explore the difference between a one-star work and a zero-star work — the kind of cultural object that isn’t just unsuccessful, but “fascinatingly, existentially terrible.” This leads into a discussion of Lucy Mangan’s Guardian review of All’s Fair and questions about ambition, tone, intentionality, and when something collapses under its own concept. From there, they bring these ideas into the world of Eurovision, using several entries — from joyful chaos to critically praised underperformers — as case studies in how audiences and critics respond to risk, camp, sincerity, and cynicism. Together they ask whether it’s better to flop than be forgotten, why some failures linger while others vanish, and what Eurovision reveals about our tastes, expectations, and the strange afterlives of cultural failure. 55:17 no <p>Links to June’s Newsletter!<br> <a href="https://buttondown.com/WhereAre" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://buttondown.com/WhereAre</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>June Thomas — Book</p> <p>A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture</p> <p>Amazon US<br> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas</a></p> <p>Amazon UK<br> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Podcasts by June Thomas</p> <p>Working (Slate)<br> <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/working" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/podcasts/working</a></p> <p>The Waves (Slate)<br> <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves</a></p> <p>Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)<br> <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/outward" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/podcasts/outward</a></p> <p>Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)<br> <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode</p> <p>Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)<br> Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw</a></p> <p>Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)<br> Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs</a></p> <p>Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)<br> Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points<br> YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4</a></p> <p>Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)<br> Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk</a></p> <p>Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)<br> Grand Final placement: 24th of 26<br> Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA</a></p> <p>Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)<br> Placement: 19th of 26<br> Jury: 88 — Televote: 0<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Guardian Review Referenced</p> <p>Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”<br> The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025<br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Other Guardian context discussed</p> <p>Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)<br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are</a></p> <p>Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)<br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse</p> <p>Slate — review of “American Canto”<br> <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Optional background links for listeners</p> <p>Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)<br> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age</a></p> <p>Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview<br> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Show page &amp; archive</p> <p><a href="https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm</a></p> <p>— </p> all’s fair, ambition, criticism, cultural criticism, cultural failure, culture, cynicism, esc, eurovision, eurovision analysis, eurovision flops, eurovision song contest, go-jo, jeangu macrooy, jendrik, june thomas, lucy mangan, media criticism, music competition, olly alexander, one star reviews, outward podcast, pop culture, remember monday, slate, taste and identity, television criticism, the waves podcast, working podcast, zero points, zero star reviews Links to June’s Newsletter!
https://buttondown.com/WhereAre

—

June Thomas — Book

A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture

Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

—

Podcasts by June Thomas

Working (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/working

The Waves (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves

Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)
https://slate.com/podcasts/outward

Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)
https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest

—

Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode

Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)
Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw

Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)
Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs

Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)
Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points
YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4

Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)
Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk

Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)
Grand Final placement: 24th of 26
Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA

Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)
Placement: 19th of 26
Jury: 88 — Televote: 0
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE

—

Guardian Review Referenced

Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”
The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible

—

Other Guardian context discussed

Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are

Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews

—

Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse

Slate — review of “American Canto”
https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html

—

Optional background links for listeners

Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age

Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024

—

Show page & archive

https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm

—

]]> Links to June’s Newsletter!
https://buttondown.com/WhereAre

—

June Thomas — Book

A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture

Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

—

Podcasts by June Thomas

Working (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/working

The Waves (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves

Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)
https://slate.com/podcasts/outward

Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)
https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest

—

Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode

Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)
Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw

Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)
Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs

Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)
Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points
YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4

Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)
Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk

Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)
Grand Final placement: 24th of 26
Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA

Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)
Placement: 19th of 26
Jury: 88 — Televote: 0
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE

—

Guardian Review Referenced

Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”
The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible

—

Other Guardian context discussed

Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are

Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews

—

Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse

Slate — review of “American Canto”
https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html

—

Optional background links for listeners

Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age

Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024

—

Show page & archive

https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm

—

]]> Episode 78: (Part 1) Zero Stars, Nul Points: June Thomas on Failure, Cynicism, and Eurovision https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/78 73245e93-7761-48e8-864a-cf06123679a9 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:00:00 -0500 Bradley Dalton-Oates full Bradley Dalton-Oates In this episode, Bradley is joined by writer and longtime Slate culture critic June Thomas for a conversation about criticism, failure, and what it means for a work to be “truly bad.” They explore the difference between a one-star work and a zero-star work — the kind of cultural object that isn’t just unsuccessful, but “fascinatingly, existentially terrible.” This leads into a discussion of Lucy Mangan’s Guardian review of All’s Fair and questions about ambition, tone, intentionality, and when something collapses under its own concept. From there, they bring these ideas into the world of Eurovision, using several entries — from joyful chaos to critically praised underperformers — as case studies in how audiences and critics respond to risk, camp, sincerity, and cynicism. Together they ask whether it’s better to flop than be forgotten, why some failures linger while others vanish, and what Eurovision reveals about our tastes, expectations, and the strange afterlives of cultural failure. 56:19 no <p>Links to June’s Newsletter!<br> <a href="https://buttondown.com/WhereAre" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://buttondown.com/WhereAre</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>June Thomas — Book</p> <p>A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture</p> <p>Amazon US<br> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas</a></p> <p>Amazon UK<br> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Podcasts by June Thomas</p> <p>Working (Slate)<br> <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/working" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/podcasts/working</a></p> <p>The Waves (Slate)<br> <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves</a></p> <p>Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)<br> <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/outward" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/podcasts/outward</a></p> <p>Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)<br> <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode</p> <p>Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)<br> Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw</a></p> <p>Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)<br> Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs</a></p> <p>Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)<br> Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points<br> YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4</a></p> <p>Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)<br> Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk</a></p> <p>Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)<br> Grand Final placement: 24th of 26<br> Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA</a></p> <p>Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)<br> Placement: 19th of 26<br> Jury: 88 — Televote: 0<br> YouTube:<br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Guardian Review Referenced</p> <p>Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”<br> The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025<br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Other Guardian context discussed</p> <p>Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)<br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are</a></p> <p>Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)<br> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse</p> <p>Slate — review of “American Canto”<br> <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Optional background links for listeners</p> <p>Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)<br> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age</a></p> <p>Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview<br> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024</a></p> <p>—</p> <p>Show page &amp; archive</p> <p><a href="https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm</a></p> <p>— </p> Eurovision, Eurovision Song Contest, ESC, culture, cultural criticism, criticism, zero star reviews, one star reviews, Lucy Mangan, All’s Fair, June Thomas, Slate, Working podcast, The Waves podcast, Outward podcast, television criticism, media criticism, pop culture, cultural failure, cynicism, ambition, zero points, Eurovision flops, Eurovision analysis, Jeangu Macrooy, Jendrik, Olly Alexander, Remember Monday, Go-Jo, music competition, taste and identity Links to June’s Newsletter!
https://buttondown.com/WhereAre

—

June Thomas — Book

A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture

Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

—

Podcasts by June Thomas

Working (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/working

The Waves (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves

Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)
https://slate.com/podcasts/outward

Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)
https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest

—

Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode

Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)
Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw

Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)
Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs

Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)
Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points
YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4

Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)
Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk

Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)
Grand Final placement: 24th of 26
Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA

Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)
Placement: 19th of 26
Jury: 88 — Televote: 0
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE

—

Guardian Review Referenced

Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”
The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible

—

Other Guardian context discussed

Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are

Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews

—

Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse

Slate — review of “American Canto”
https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html

—

Optional background links for listeners

Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age

Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024

—

Show page & archive

https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm

—

]]> Links to June’s Newsletter!
https://buttondown.com/WhereAre

—

June Thomas — Book

A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture

Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

—

Podcasts by June Thomas

Working (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/working

The Waves (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves

Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)
https://slate.com/podcasts/outward

Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)
https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest

—

Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode

Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)
Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw

Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)
Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs

Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)
Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points
YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4

Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)
Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk

Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)
Grand Final placement: 24th of 26
Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA

Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)
Placement: 19th of 26
Jury: 88 — Televote: 0
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE

—

Guardian Review Referenced

Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”
The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible

—

Other Guardian context discussed

Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are

Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews

—

Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse

Slate — review of “American Canto”
https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html

—

Optional background links for listeners

Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age

Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024

—

Show page & archive

https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm

—

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