Pop Culture Conversations: Stasi Nudie Films

Chris: Did you hear the story about East Germany's porn?
Jen: East German porn? Who collects that, Eliot Spitzer?

Germany's Eurovision 2008 Entry

I am a big fan of Germany's entries to Eurovision. Stefan Raab's "Wadde Hadde Dudde Da" is classic, and the past two representatives, Texas Lightning's "No No Never" and Roger Cicero's "Frauen Regier'n die Welt" were ten tons of fun.

Side note: Because Jen and I are both standards fans, we got Cicero's album Männersachen. This is the second time we've ever gotten a full album by a Eurovision act. The first, obviously, was ABBA Gold.

Anyway, the point is, I'm big on Germany's Eurovision acts. So it pains me that I was completely non-plussed by this year's entry, No Angels with "Disappear." I know the Spice Girls reunited this year, but that doesn't mean they should be emulated. There is nothing horrible about "Disappear." It's competent from top to bottom. It's just not very interesting.

Jen's running commentary (part 2 of 2)

Jen's commentary, based on notes, continued.

13. France

Wow, this seems pretty disrespectful, like they're mocking other Eurovision countries. And, wait, is that in the opening riff a sample of the Belarus song? Sheesh. They come off like total assholes.

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14. Latvia

Let's bring it boys, the contest is ripe for the picking. Their performance has benefited from the extra rehearsal time. They sound much better than in the semis.

All of them are holding white roses. Except the Italian. He gets the red rose. You know, like the flag.

At least I now have the answer that nagging question: what does it sound like when 6 opera singers sing Leo Sayer.

Dangerous. They sounded good.

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15. Russia

Doesn't pretend to be anything anything other than what it is - barely legal eye candy singing a dance confection. And they work it. I love it, and so does the audience.

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16. Germany

It's hard to follow Russia. But he's a pro - sounds good, looks good (although maybe a tad too much like Jack Black for my liking), and has a 5 piece jazz combo complete with upright bass. There's some sensitivity in the vocal - he knows exactly how to sing to a big crowd like this.

On the backdrop is only a giant ROGER CICERO in BIG ASS LIGHTS. That suggests to me he doesn't think he's got a shot at this and is only here for the exposure. Eh, so be it. He's the best entry Germany's had in years, and I dig it.

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17. Serbia

I see we're in the heavy artillery section of the draw. She's got a great voice, and sings with great musicality. And, unlike Georgia, knows not to oversing. I'm very impressed by the amount of support she's got on the really big notes.

Really good - I think she' s got it.

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18. Ukraine

He's dressed like a giant disco ball, with a communist star on his head. On his back is a "69", like a ballroom dancing competition number. The backup singers are dressed in silver lame 40s-GI-inspired outfits. To me, it really does remind me of WWII. And cartoon mice, like when they're "making the dress for Cinderellee", except in this case they're mocking Germans. "La la lalalala la la..."

But, hey, the performance has good energy, and is well sung even though there is a lot of movement. This is the better performance compared with Denmark. Of course, it doesn't change the fact the song goes nowhere.

I don't get it.

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19. United Kingdom

It rough placement for the UK to follow Ukraine, especially with this fluff. It's like having a 5 year aged blue cheese, followed immediately by mild cheddar.

They're dressed like flight attendants, and clearly the song isn't strong because they have tons of props. Utter theatrics.

Miserable. An embarrassment.

I guess they deserve points
1) for their commitment; and 2) for being in tune.

Bottom line: it's Saved By The Bell comes to Eurovision. I'm so excited... so excited... so... scared.

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20. Romania

Like Latvia, this act is 6 men. Except each one is singing in a different language. And, aw, it's at Eurovision... like we should all come together. Kumbaya, my lord, kumbaya.

They have better choreo than Latvia, but not better singing, and it's not a better song.

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21. Bulgaria

Sigh... 3 more left. Rock it, kids.

I like that the intensity of this song is driven by percussion. By drums, not by backup dancers or by singers trying too hard.

This builds nicely - it's really good, they look relaxed and like they're having fun. They did better than the semis. They might place top 10 after all.

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22. Turkey

Good placement for Turkey here, the last song of consequence. He too looks comfortable, better than the semis. He's also playing to the crowd - nice touch. I'm digging it.

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23. Armenia

Someone TP'd his tree. Probably the Turks.

Who's strangling the cat?

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24. Moldova

Over singing in a big way.
Sheesh, she's pitchy, screechy.

Moldova could learn a lesson from Bulgaria.

Chris' Finals Recap, Pt. 2

12. Sweden

What is The Ark's singer wearing? It looks like a metal bib. Good pop from the crowd for them, but this performance really lacks energy. I was wrong in my preview, by the way: this does sound like ABBA. It sounds like "Waterloo" covered by a glam band. This would've won in 1977, but I don't think it has a chance thirty years later. I like the swirling spinning lazy susan the vocalist rides on near the end, though.

13. France

They're dressed in pink and black. This is supposed to be cute and funny, but instead it's just frantic and grating. There's a brief sample of Belarus' opening riff in the middle. Really bad.

Ooo, a shushing librarian segment! Actually, the librarian hisses more than shushes. Is that how they do it in Finland?

14. Latvia

Where's my wine? I need some right now. Although they're singing really well tonight. I'm still concerned it will do well, but man, I hate this song.

15. Russia

As mentioned, we had to watch this during the replay because of our connection problems. "Song #1" is a complete guilty pleasure song. It's staged pretty straightforwardly, as if it were a rock concert performance. There's a little choreography and a lot of posturing, and great use of the electronic backdrop. This was a lot of fun for me.

16. Germany

Very Vegasy. The electronic backdrop has "ROGER CICERO" displayed in giant letters, with RCs all over the place on stage. Roger's performance is so smooth. I don't know if he even remotely has a shot to win, but I thought he did a great job.

17. Serbia

The staging of this is anti-staging. They really let Marija and the song be the stars. She is giving me chills. I can't see anyone (not even Ukraine, who are the favorites) winning this besides Marija. Brilliantly done.

Germany (2007 Eurovision preview)

Roger Cicero - "Frauen Regier'n die Welt"

Big band arrangement - Roger Cicero is too much of a tenor to be Michael Buble, but there's a similar vibe and swagger. I don't know a ton of German, but I THINK the lyrics are witty. I definitely catch the bit about "no Mafia money".

I like this one, but then again, I like Steve Lawrence.

Germany (Eurovision 2007 Preview)

Roger Cicero: "Frauen Regier'n Die Welt"

I think the title means "The Lady Rules the World" or some such thing. (Updated: it means "Women Rule the World." I must work on my German.) Roger is the German Michael Bublé. I have deemed him so. This is a swinging jazz number, with a lovely dollop of lounge on top. I'm such a sucker for this kind of stuff, even if the synthesized strings make it a bit too cheesy. On the other hand, it is Eurovision.

8. Germany - Texas Lightning: "No No Never"

Texas Lightning is a country band from Germany that specializes in gimmicky covers of pop songs. They are as country as Senor Coconut is Latino. I love the fact that Germany barely takes this competition seriously. How else would Stefan Raab's "Wadde Hadde Dudde Da" make it to the final? The song is just adorable, though. Right now, they're vying for my vote with the song from Bosnia & Herzegovina's Hari Mata Hari. If I were voting, I mean.