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Another bad result could be curtains
Terry Wogan: UK Might withdraw
In an interview with today's Independent newspaper, he states: "Eurovision is such silly fun, and I love doing it, but if the enthusiasm isn't there ... this year is pretty crucial for me. Eurovision without Le Royaume-Uni would be unfortunate." He goes on to say that "If we finish nowhere again, I worry that disenchantment might take hold".
British bookmakers believe Andy Abrahams, despite being praised for a strong song and a high cabilbre performance, is heading for a very poor result. Betting odds of 66/1 are far longer than any previous British participant. Javine was the previous longest odds at 25/1.
The feeling in the press centre is that the song is the strongest that the United Kingdom has sent for several years, with many delegation heads stating that they believe it should do well. There has been a lack of promotion for the song, with very few public appearances and no international promotion, which may also make British fans nervous of seeing the country slip to the lower reaches of the scoreboard once again.
Terry Wogan was at the centre of a media storm a week ago after apparent criticism of his style from Bjorn Erichsen, Director of Eurovision TV at the EBU. At the time, there was no mention of him declaring that he would retire, but these comments do beg the question: Who should replace Terry Wogan if and when he retires from commentating at the Eurovision Song Contest final? readers are welcome to leave their thoughts in the reactions section below.
It would certainly be a knock to the competition if one of the Big Four countries was to withdraw, however media interest for the Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom has rarely been higher. Stories about Austria's withdrawal, the French language debate, Andy Abraham's national final victory and the alleged rigging of the 1968 competition has meant more pre-contest publicity than has been seen for decades.
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after terry wogan's comments last night, I have to agree. It is time for BBC to evaluate their position, and possibly withdraw, as what is the point of entering a competition, knowing you have no chance. The UK sent it's best entry since Jessica Garlick (3rd in 2002), and though not a winner, I thought we would finish in top 15. Perhaps instead of two semi-finals and a final, there should be two finals, one for eastern Europe, and one for the west, or 1 west europe semifinal, and one east semifinal, wirh east voting on west and vice versa, and only the votes of final 25 counting in the final.
There is no quick fix, and currently, even if we sent our top pop acts, we would not win, and I think if the russian song had represented the UK , we would have come last. I would not be surprised if 2009 is make or break for us in the UK, and if a similar result occurs (which it will ) we would pull the plug. Norway, or Portugal should have been worthy winners last night
also if tery doesnt retire he's been warned not 2 say anything offensive which is wot he does so it basially becomes borring for us last night the only joke was in the interval act ' i dont know if its for a wedding or for a funeral
If uk do pull out the big 4 (big 3) will be damaged and the rest of the big contributors Uk, Germany, france, spain ,(italy) even netherlands could withdraw to and could spell the end of euorvision as we know it a bigger percentage of block voters, less money, and on the whole smaller no wonder they call it the 'dark times' wen i watched last night i thought swden and iceland had a good song and never did that well the eurovision song contest has become he eurovision country contest if thingd dont chnage like terry i will have nothing to do with it
If UK sends a good song, East Europe still ignore it!
Time UK pulls out of ESC and put a dent into ESC!!!
Why should the UK jump through hoops to send a brilliant song in the future, when other countries still send poor entries, but get hundreds of votes. It seems a bit unfair to make the UK go the extra mile for the sake of what? That's all I hear on here - UK must make the effort. Err, what would you call last night?
I don't accept that other countries don't like the UK styles in music - whenever I go abroad, half the music on the local radio stations seems to be UK or American based (same thing essentially).
Even though things are not going well for the Big 4 in Eurovision, any country who withdraws just out of bad results is not a fair player. That goes for Austria, Italy, and shall we add Switzerland and the UK this year?
Please, UK, don't withdraw, Eurovision would not be the same without you, even in these "dark" times for the big 4. The attitude you should display towards this failure is the opposite: just try to improve the quality of your songs and try to send something so good even the so-called Eastern Block would like.
As long as Andy sings with conviction which he shall and put on a good performace he will do the UK proud regardless of his final position.
Well, that's great news.....he's no fun any more! He's too old and way out of touch with what's happening in the ESC anyway and instead of being the witty, sharp, tongue-in-cheek character we used to love.....he's now just a grumpy old man!
So, here's what will happen!
TW will resign from doing ESC ever again. The BBC will follow suit and retire from the BIG 4. They just dont get that the problem is "them" and prefer to blame block voting for the UK's miserable performances.
Scotland have already been given the go-ahead by the EBU to participate from 2009. There will be a public outcry in the remainder of the former UK that they should also be allowed to participate as separate entities......and so from 2010, Wales, Northern Ireland and England will also compete alongside Scotland.
And so begins a new era of diaspora voting along with happy cousins in Ireland, giving those countries from the North, the South and the East a taste of their own voting medicine!
And so peace will be restored from the West and a more balanced outcome will be reached for all! The End!
John Barrowman?
No! He is terrible and his comments on the NF are stupid.
He's rubbish - less Barrowman please. His quiz show stinks and he is the worst judge on the Nancy show (thats Graham).
There's no point blaimng Andy when the UK comes second last - Michelle Gayle or The Revelations would not have done any better -standing screaming "You make me ooh" several times down the mic would not have appealed any more than a girl group singing off key (cf Germany's effort). Tuesday's semi-final results show this farce up for what it has become. The Netherlands and Slovenia had much superior songs to Bosnia or Greece (out of tune attempt to mimic Britney) but didn't get through because of political voting. Norway (another excellent song) only got through on the jury vote. Western countries can forget about winning - there's no chance - and yes, that includes you, Sweden. We need to break away and form our contest. Heaven knows, there are enough of us to make a success of it. Let the eastern bloc have their own show - it'ss soon fade into oblivion.
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I do hope Terry retires..that is good if it happens.I also hope UK withdraw because while they better continue to broadcast the show UK can never do well ever again because they are loathed in Europe and this is the crux of the whole matter.Also resentment of a BIG 4 and auto qualifying is also HATED and it effects voting on top.Something has to change big 4 and SOON !
Just an opinion(also my whole family hate Andy Abraham song) Oh well lol.
Can I just remind people that know that it is because of Terry W the UK is represented by this sh.t entry! As good as Andy is the song is sh.t. And if it was not for Terry W he would not be here cause people did not vote for him in the 1st round and only got through due to his widl card. Take responsibility Terry. Don't blame others for 'political' voting. You can't tell me that Croatia and Serbia vote each other causeof politics. They were killing each other until few years ago.
Just commenting on a few lines i've seen below: this one actually concerns all viewers, how difficult is it to understand that one song can either be liked or sisliked (or even worse be indifferent)? Is it sooo hard not to like eg this year's UK song? I've said it before that UK had some of my all times favourites, it just seems to have given up in recent years. Ok, Javine was gr8, but it does happen that songs that are favoured by 'everyone' (at least on the net) don't do well on the actual night. But Andy's song (song, not performance, circus act or whatever) seems to pass unnoticed by a lot of people and that could mean something. Also, bear in mind that with all these countries participating now reaching all geographical longitudes and latitudes (for heaven's sake, do people watch it in Vladivostok - and vote???) tastes have shifted. I am starting to believe that a hard core 'western' sounding song will not be embraced in its entirety by 'eastern' viewers no matter how good it is, and this of course is another matter..
Another thing is the comparison with last year's Verka. Let me just point out that Verka was the only non-winning eurovision entry into the UK charts for a long long time, doesn't that have something to say about the UK's music consumers?? Why discredit their tastes in such a cynical way? Just some thoughts here..
I think Terry disqualified himself years ago with the accuse of politics voting for Gemini. What a bullshit. I expect from a man like Terry being fair enough to admit if the uk entry was simply flat song with an horror performance. UK can do better, but the songs are not good at all in recent years... another question is, if there would any better placings for the uk if there are better songs sent ?? Look at Germany 2006, 2007
Terry's commentary has been great over the years but I think he should have given up a few yrs ago. Alternatives, although he is everywhere at the moment I think John Barrowman would be good, knows the business, gets the importance of a good outfit and dance routine, and does catty quite well when needed. I'm bored of the TW tirade on fixed voting, agree with many - get a good song and maybe we'd do better, Michelle Gayle would have stood more chance than Andy Abrahams, song is just not Eurovision enough.
Terry could do more to popularise the contest, like playing some Eurovision songs on the radio and talking a bit more about the better entries. He used to do that but now he's more interested in perpetuating myths and stereotypes. He knows he can do what he likes and get paid £1750,000 to do it.
Be carefull what you wish for, Terry!
"The feeling in the press centre is that the song is the strongest that the United Kingdom has sent for several years"
Eeeh, that´s not a difficult task looking at what UK have sent for the last 5 years or so.
In the end; good luck UK! But you should´ve sent The Revelations instead. That would´ve secured you atleast one vote.
I agree that 2008 could be a watershed for the UK. Andy probably won't be able to climb out the bottom 5. Let's face it, he's a black man, singing a soul song and eastern Europe won't like it at all.
I've been following Eurovision since the early 1970's and I don't think there's any point in the UK participating any further.
I wouldn't be sad to see us withdraw.
Emh hello ? Did I miss somethig ? Nothing against Andy and the UK but who on earth says he has " a strong song " and" a high cabilbre performance" ? First time I hear it ! 70s retro funk wil ldo as bably as german country or german jazz.....that's logical as such a song is " too special " to score all over Europe. The UK should not expect a good reult with this song, so there won't be a big disappointment. Don't think even " the west " will vote for it.
Correction!
I saw this coming!
Andy is a 100% aprovement since 2002 and if he scores bad (which is likely as he sings for a 'big4' country) then I do not blame my country withdrawing!
I be glad if we(U.K.) withdraw and knock a dent in Eurovision, then the EBW should wake up and see what Eurovision Song Contest has realy become! I hope the rest of the 'big 4' will do the same or do what East Europe has done:
Form a bloc!!
Terry is right - the voting is obviously unfair as things stand. The two-semi format is a step in the right direction, but come the final it will be diaspora-and-neighbours business as usual.
Terry is wrong - the reason the UK has done so poorly recently is the poor quality of the songs. With the exception of Daz Sampson the songs have, for years, been bland, boring and forgettable. This year will be another low scoring contest for the UK for the same reasons (despite Andy's excellent and reliable voice).
Terry is wrong - the UK will not be withdrawing from Eurovision any time soon; the people of the countries of the UK love it too much! The viewing figures are astronomical every year.
And can anyone really envisage Terry giving up the position when he receives such a fat pay cheque?
Love him or loathe him - Terry is a very popular host in the UK for ESC and his departure would affect ratings.
2007 ESC - good ratings, yes BUT remember that ITV only had Grease up against it and it was getting trounced every week by the BBC. This year will be a different matter because ITV have the hugely popular Britains Got Talent up against ESC for the first hour. So, ESC ratings 2008 will be down. I for one will watch ITV for 1st hour and so will all my friends.
Ok the UK entries have not been the best over the last few years but they did not deserve the bottom placings they have been getting.
Having just watched the 1st semi final, Andy's entry this year knocks most of the qualifiers for six. There is some real dross about. Andy certainly deserves Top 15, if not Top 10.
So - VOTING issues and yes, they do exist. OK, it is down to cultures, history, disapora, geography etc. Whatever the reasons for the voting problems it is ruining ESC. UK, Spain, France, Germany etc. have no chance anymore.
Saddens me and 5 years ago, I would NEVER have said this but, I am also calling for the UK to withdraw.
The idea as ESC as a contest is redundant. It now only serves to reinforce the divisions it set out to stop.
So, BBC - Please withdraw from this ridiculous event and don't show it on TV anymore. Use the licence fee for something else.
Let's face it - the UK music industry does NOT need ESC. And my friends, that is why you will never get Leona, Amy etc entering ESC - so any comments to this effect are just pointless.
I saw this coming!
Andy is a 100% aprovement since 2002 and if he scores bad (which is likely as he sings for a 'big4' country) then I do blame my country withdrawing!
I be glad if we(U.K.) withdraw and knock a dent in Eurovision, then the EBW should wake up and see what Eurovision Song Contest has realy become! I hope the rest of the 'big 4' will do the same or do what East Europe has done:
Form a bloc!! 
WITH ANDY ABRAHAM AND HIS DEMODE SONG , UK WILL BE BOTTOM PLACE IN THIS SATURDAY NIGHT.WAIT AND SEE. ITS NOT SUPRISE 
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The UK should stop whining and send better songs instead. It's not ONLY about diasporavoting, countries actually have to send quality songs to the contest in order to get points. I think the UK have to step up their game if they want to score well in esc. The withdrawal-talk is just plain silly. Let's hope this is the last year in many years that you'll end up on the lowest part of the scoreboard. Good luck next year, UK!
It would also be wise for the Big4 to compete alongside the rest of the countries in the semis. I mean, why should people vote for someone when they're guaranteed to be in the finals next year anyway?
This is simply nonsense.
I think it would be a disaster for ESC if the UK withdrew 
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