People – Ryan has won already
FOR the first time in years, I am watching the Eurovision from my armchair. I spent the past seven years at the side of the stage watching as our Eurovision pedigree was chipped away with failure after failure.
Nicky Byrne’s 2016 attempt at reclaiming our glory in the song contest probably hit me the hardest, knowing how much it meant to the DJ and singer, and just how much he had put into his efforts.
Tears followed tears and then came the frustration as one by one, each Irish song failed to qualify.
I used to dread meeting Marty Whelan in the hotel lobby the morning after the contest.
He had that sad look in his eyes, like that of a five-year-old who had discovered that Santa brought him a pair of shoes instead of a PlayStation.
We would share a few moments of small talk and Marty would plod along, facing a night in a tiny booth commentating on a final he cared little about with only a bottle of Baileys to keep him company.
So this year, with my wife on the verge of labour and in the midst of moving house, I missed out on the Lisbon trip.
And wouldn’t you know it — we made it through, but not without calamity.
Ryan O’Shaughnessy survived the dreaded Eurovision semi-final of death with a spell-binding performance and some tasteful staging.
It is all the more impressive when you consider that many of the other semi-finalists placed plenty of emphasis on gimmicks, over-the-top production and, ahem, panto-style dress (yes, Israel, I’m talking about you).
However, Ryan’s dancers have caused controversy in some parts of the world.
As the singer kick-starts his #LoveisLove campaign on social media, it has emerged that Mango TV, the Chinese broadcaster, edited out the entire Irish performance from their broadcast of the semi-finals as it depicted a gay romance. Mango TV is run by Hunan TV, China’s second largest broadcaster. It has been broadcasting the Eurovision in China since 2015. Despite speculation that Russia would not broadcast the Irish performance, it was actually shown in full. However, the Russian commentator told viewers the song was about ‘true male friendship’.
Ryan said the decision to include dancers as a gay couple was because he wanted to show love was universal.
But whatever the reasoning, the furore surrounding the staging is worth more than any stage gimmick. Because, as what happened when Conchita and the beard took to the stage for Austria and won, the LGBT community have a strong vote. Ireland’s entry has shot up the bookies’ ranking as anticipation mounts it could be our best result in years.
Now this is where I start to get really nervous. Not as nervous mind as RTÉ, who would probably have to cancel their GAA coverage if they had to pay to host next year’s song contest should Ryan actually win.
Iwas, however, there six years ago in Malmo, when another Ryan, — Ryan Dolan — qualified for the finals. There was huge excitement and the bookies were again predicting a triumph — only for Ryan to finish Paddy last.
Not exactly a tragedy, but little cause for celebration. There is something beautiful and almost timeless about this year’s entry. But it is not, by a country mile, a runaway favourite for the title.
I know from years of covering Eurovision that the genuine fans are militant. And while they will vote to make a point when it comes to Ryan’s on-stage message, they will still want a credible song to win.
And don’t forget, twice as many people will watch tomorrow’s final as the US Superbowl and it can be watched or streamed in every country in the world. I would love for Ireland and Ryan to win (just for that Father Ted moment when RTÉ realise they actually have to pay to put it on next year) but I just don’t see it happening.
A strong top ten finish is what I predict awaits Ireland and Ryan and that alone should be celebrated. And don’t forget, Ryan wrote and sang this song, so by making it to the final, his track will be included in the official Eurovision soundtrack which gets a worldwide release. And it is him and not RTÉ who get the royalties from this double CD.
On the back of that alone, he stands to earn just over €100,000. The song will also get international radio play which could net him almost double that figure by the time June rolls around. That’s a tidy payday.
He won’t be touring China or Russia anytime soon, but with countries such as France, Spain and Portugal now fans of the singer, the future is bright for O’Shaughnessy, regardless of the result.