web02.fireside.fm Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:13:48 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Eurovision Song Context - Episodes Tagged with “Eurovision Song Contest” https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/tags/eurovision%20song%20contest Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -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 83: Love It or Side Eye: Eurovision 2026 Breakdown with Russ https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/83 90df2dc7-4558-4379-9ead-5db2fd8fb12a Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400 Bradley Dalton-Oates full Bradley Dalton-Oates In this episode, Bradley is joined by Russ from EuroRiffs to go song-by-song through the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 lineup. With minimal editing and maximum honesty, they react to this year’s entries using their “love it, hate it, or side eye” framework. They discuss standout tracks like Greece’s “Ferto,” question whether big ballads like Australia’s “Eclipse” can land, and debate which songs risk being repetitive, forgettable, or carried entirely by staging. Along the way, they get into jury vs televote dynamics, qualification chances, and why some entries feel unmistakably Eurovision, while others could come from anywhere. Early predictions, strong opinions, and a few disagreements included. 1:12:19 no Bradley is joined by Russ from EuroRiffs to break down the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 lineup. No fluff, no over-editing, just real reactions. Songs: Why Greece’s “Ferto” (Akylas) is a top contender Mixed reactions to Australia’s Delta Goodrem and big ballads this year Whether songs like Estonia, Norway, and Armenia have enough to qualify The ongoing debate around lyrics vs performance vs staging Why some entries feel “very Eurovision”… and others feel like they could come from anywhere Which songs risk getting lost in the semi-finals—and which might sneak through Plus: staging worries, jury vs televote dynamics, and early predictions for who could land top 5—or miss the final entirely. 🎵 Songs Covered in This Episode Sarah Engels – “Fire” https://www.youtube.com/results?searchquery=Sarah+Engels+Fire+Eurovision+2026 🇫🇷 France Monroe – “Regarde !” https://www.youtube.com/results?searchquery=Monroe+Regarde+Eurovision+2026 🇨🇾 Cyprus Antigoni – “Jalla” https://www.youtube.com/results?searchquery=Antigoni+Jalla+Eurovision+2026 🇧🇬 Bulgaria Dara – “Bangaranga” https://www.youtube.com/results?searchquery=Dara+Bangaranga 🇫🇮 Finland Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – “Liekinheitin” https://www.youtube.com/results?searchquery=Liekinheitin+Eurovision+2026 🇺🇦 Ukraine Leléka – “Ridnym” https://www.youtube.com/results?searchquery=Leleka+Ridnym 🇵🇹 Portugal Bandidos do Cante – “Rosa” https://www.youtube.com/results?searchquery=Bandidos+do+Cante+Rosa 🇬🇧 United Kingdom Look Mum No Computer – “Eins, Zwei, Drei” https://www.youtube.com/results?searchquery=Look+Mum+No+Computer+Eins+Zwei+Drei Eurovision 2026, Eurovision Song Contest, Eurovision podcast, Eurovision review, Eurovision reactions, Eurovision analysis, Eurovision songs 2026, Eurovision favorites, Eurovision predictions, Eurovision semi final, Eurovision final, Eurovision staging, Eurovision jury vs televote, Akylas Ferto, Greece Eurovision 2026, Delta Goodrem Eclipse, Australia Eurovision 2026, Vanilla Ninja Too Epic to Be True, Estonia Eurovision 2026, Jonas Lovv Ya Ya Ya, Norway Eurovision 2026, Simon Paloma Rumba, Armenia Eurovision 2026, Alexandra Capitanescu Choke Me, Romania Eurovision 2026, Felicia My System, Sweden Eurovision 2026, Sarah Engels Fire, Germany Eurovision 2026, Monroe Regarde, France Eurovision 2026, Antigoni Jalla, Cyprus Eurovision 2026, Dara Bangaranga, Bulgaria Eurovision 2026, Liekinheitin Finland Eurovision, Leleka Ridnym, Ukraine Eurovision 2026, Bandidos do Cante Rosa, Portugal Eurovision 2026, Look Mum No Computer Eins Zwei Drei, United Kingdom Eurovision 2026 Bradley is joined by Russ from EuroRiffs to break down the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 lineup. No fluff, no over-editing, just real reactions.

Songs:

Why Greece’s “Ferto” (Akylas) is a top contender
Mixed reactions to Australia’s Delta Goodrem and big ballads this year
Whether songs like Estonia, Norway, and Armenia have enough to qualify
The ongoing debate around lyrics vs performance vs staging
Why some entries feel “very Eurovision”… and others feel like they could come from anywhere
Which songs risk getting lost in the semi-finals—and which might sneak through

Plus: staging worries, jury vs televote dynamics, and early predictions for who could land top 5—or miss the final entirely.

🎵 Songs Covered in This Episode

Sarah Engels – “Fire”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sarah+Engels+Fire+Eurovision+2026
🇫🇷 France
Monroe – “Regarde !”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Monroe+Regarde+Eurovision+2026
🇨🇾 Cyprus
Antigoni – “Jalla”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Antigoni+Jalla+Eurovision+2026
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Dara – “Bangaranga”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dara+Bangaranga
🇫🇮 Finland
Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – “Liekinheitin”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Liekinheitin+Eurovision+2026
🇺🇦 Ukraine
Leléka – “Ridnym”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Leleka+Ridnym
🇵🇹 Portugal
Bandidos do Cante – “Rosa”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bandidos+do+Cante+Rosa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Look Mum No Computer – “Eins, Zwei, Drei”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Look+Mum+No+Computer+Eins+Zwei+Drei

]]> Bradley is joined by Russ from EuroRiffs to break down the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 lineup. No fluff, no over-editing, just real reactions.

Songs:

Why Greece’s “Ferto” (Akylas) is a top contender
Mixed reactions to Australia’s Delta Goodrem and big ballads this year
Whether songs like Estonia, Norway, and Armenia have enough to qualify
The ongoing debate around lyrics vs performance vs staging
Why some entries feel “very Eurovision”… and others feel like they could come from anywhere
Which songs risk getting lost in the semi-finals—and which might sneak through

Plus: staging worries, jury vs televote dynamics, and early predictions for who could land top 5—or miss the final entirely.

🎵 Songs Covered in This Episode

Sarah Engels – “Fire”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sarah+Engels+Fire+Eurovision+2026
🇫🇷 France
Monroe – “Regarde !”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Monroe+Regarde+Eurovision+2026
🇨🇾 Cyprus
Antigoni – “Jalla”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Antigoni+Jalla+Eurovision+2026
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Dara – “Bangaranga”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dara+Bangaranga
🇫🇮 Finland
Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – “Liekinheitin”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Liekinheitin+Eurovision+2026
🇺🇦 Ukraine
Leléka – “Ridnym”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Leleka+Ridnym
🇵🇹 Portugal
Bandidos do Cante – “Rosa”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bandidos+do+Cante+Rosa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Look Mum No Computer – “Eins, Zwei, Drei”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Look+Mum+No+Computer+Eins+Zwei+Drei

]]> 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 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/BirthofaNewAge Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UnitedKingdomintheEurovisionSongContest_2024 — Show page & archive https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm — 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 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/BirthofaNewAge Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UnitedKingdomintheEurovisionSongContest_2024 — Show page & archive https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm — 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

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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

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Show page & archive

https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Show page & archive

https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm

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]]> Episode 73: Vienna 2026! Helena Steinhart on Vienna in Culture, Inclusivity & ESC https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/73 6c83c853-030f-45c2-a72d-9f62e5315d38 Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0400 Bradley Dalton-Oates full Bradley Dalton-Oates Vienna has twice hosted Eurovision and remains one of Europe’s great cultural capitals. In this episode, Bradley talks with Helena Steinhart from the Vienna Tourist Board about the city’s food, culture, and inclusivity — and what fans can expect from a future contest in Vienna. They also revisit four iconic songs: Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like a Phoenix”, Loreen’s “Euphoria”, Udo Jürgens’ “Merci, Chérie”, and Teya & Salena’s “Who the Hell Is Edgar?”. 1:11:53 no Museums & Culture Sigmund Freud Museum – https://www.freud-museum.at/en Leopold Museum – https://www.leopoldmuseum.org/en Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) – https://www.khm.at/en Funeral Museum Vienna – https://www.bestattungsmuseum.at/en Cafés & Coffee Culture Café Landtmann – https://www.landtmann.at/en/ Café Bräunerhof – https://www.cafe-braeunerhof.at/ Café Sperl – https://www.cafesperl.at/ Café Balthasar – https://www.balthasar.at/ Café Ritter – https://www.cafe-ritter.at/ Food & Drink Sachertorte – https://www.sacher.com/en/original-sacher-torte/ Wiener Schnitzel – https://www.austria.info/en/things-to-do/food-and-drink/recipes/wiener-schnitzel Viennese Coffee Specialties – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/coffeehouses/coffee-339182 Events & Public Spaces EuroPride Vienna – https://viennapride.at/en/ Life Ball – https://www.lifeball.org/ Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest) – https://donauinselfest.at/ Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) – https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/sights/from-s-to-z/rathaus-352254 Vienna Experiences Vienna Vineyards & Wine (Gemischter Satz) – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/viennese-wine-342014 Apple Strudel Show at Schönbrunn Palace – https://www.cafe-residenz.at/en/apple-strudel-show/ Viennese Waltz Lessons – https://www.viennawaltz.at/en/ Music Helena Mentioned HVOB – https://www.hvob-music.com/ Camo & Krooked – https://www.camoandkrooked.com/ Voodoo Jürgens – https://voodoojuergens.com/ Wanda – https://wandamusik.com/ Eurovision Songs Discussed Conchita Wurst – “Rise Like a Phoenix” (2014) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToqNa0rqUtY Loreen – “Euphoria” (2012) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80 Udo Jürgens – “Merci, Chérie” (1966) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqQY-MmfzDY Teya & Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” (2023) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmLeV47Au4 Eurovision, ESC, Eurovision Song Contest, Vienna, Austria, Conchita Wurst, Loreen, Udo Jürgens, Teya & Salena, Rise Like a Phoenix, Euphoria, Merci Cherie, Who the Hell Is Edgar, Vienna Tourist Board, Eurovision podcast, ESC history, Eurovision culture Museums & Culture
Sigmund Freud Museum – https://www.freud-museum.at/en
Leopold Museum – https://www.leopoldmuseum.org/en
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) – https://www.khm.at/en
Funeral Museum Vienna – https://www.bestattungsmuseum.at/en

Cafés & Coffee Culture
Café Landtmann – https://www.landtmann.at/en/
Café Bräunerhof – https://www.cafe-braeunerhof.at/
Café Sperl – https://www.cafesperl.at/
Café Balthasar – https://www.balthasar.at/
Café Ritter – https://www.cafe-ritter.at/

Food & Drink
Sachertorte – https://www.sacher.com/en/original-sacher-torte/
Wiener Schnitzel – https://www.austria.info/en/things-to-do/food-and-drink/recipes/wiener-schnitzel
Viennese Coffee Specialties – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/coffeehouses/coffee-339182

Events & Public Spaces
EuroPride Vienna – https://viennapride.at/en/
Life Ball – https://www.lifeball.org/
Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest) – https://donauinselfest.at/
Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) – https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/sights/from-s-to-z/rathaus-352254

Vienna Experiences
Vienna Vineyards & Wine (Gemischter Satz) – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/viennese-wine-342014
Apple Strudel Show at Schönbrunn Palace – https://www.cafe-residenz.at/en/apple-strudel-show/
Viennese Waltz Lessons – https://www.viennawaltz.at/en/

Music Helena Mentioned
HVOB – https://www.hvob-music.com/
Camo & Krooked – https://www.camoandkrooked.com/
Voodoo Jürgens – https://voodoojuergens.com/
Wanda – https://wandamusik.com/

Eurovision Songs Discussed
Conchita Wurst – “Rise Like a Phoenix” (2014) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToqNa0rqUtY
Loreen – “Euphoria” (2012) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80
Udo Jürgens – “Merci, Chérie” (1966) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqQY-MmfzDY
Teya & Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” (2023) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmLeV47Au4

]]> Museums & Culture
Sigmund Freud Museum – https://www.freud-museum.at/en
Leopold Museum – https://www.leopoldmuseum.org/en
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) – https://www.khm.at/en
Funeral Museum Vienna – https://www.bestattungsmuseum.at/en

Cafés & Coffee Culture
Café Landtmann – https://www.landtmann.at/en/
Café Bräunerhof – https://www.cafe-braeunerhof.at/
Café Sperl – https://www.cafesperl.at/
Café Balthasar – https://www.balthasar.at/
Café Ritter – https://www.cafe-ritter.at/

Food & Drink
Sachertorte – https://www.sacher.com/en/original-sacher-torte/
Wiener Schnitzel – https://www.austria.info/en/things-to-do/food-and-drink/recipes/wiener-schnitzel
Viennese Coffee Specialties – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/coffeehouses/coffee-339182

Events & Public Spaces
EuroPride Vienna – https://viennapride.at/en/
Life Ball – https://www.lifeball.org/
Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest) – https://donauinselfest.at/
Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) – https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/sights/from-s-to-z/rathaus-352254

Vienna Experiences
Vienna Vineyards & Wine (Gemischter Satz) – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/viennese-wine-342014
Apple Strudel Show at Schönbrunn Palace – https://www.cafe-residenz.at/en/apple-strudel-show/
Viennese Waltz Lessons – https://www.viennawaltz.at/en/

Music Helena Mentioned
HVOB – https://www.hvob-music.com/
Camo & Krooked – https://www.camoandkrooked.com/
Voodoo Jürgens – https://voodoojuergens.com/
Wanda – https://wandamusik.com/

Eurovision Songs Discussed
Conchita Wurst – “Rise Like a Phoenix” (2014) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToqNa0rqUtY
Loreen – “Euphoria” (2012) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80
Udo Jürgens – “Merci, Chérie” (1966) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqQY-MmfzDY
Teya & Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” (2023) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmLeV47Au4

]]>