Eurovision 2012: Semifinal Voting Thoughts

So here's some initial thoughts on the semi-finals.  Obviously there will be more, as well as thoughts on the finals.  However, so far, we've had a few good performers, songs, or acts that for whatever reason don't succeed.  Some highlights (or lowlights):

Joan Franka - "You and Me" (Netherlands)

The song grew on me over the past few weeks.  It's kind of sweet, and girl with guitar can go over really well (see, eg, Soluna Samay).  But Eurovision is about 3 minute presentations and most people were probably scratching their head at the bad 1980's-Cher head dress and didn't vote for her.  It probably didn't help that the closest neighbors and traditional supporters were all in the other semifinal either.  And that's kind of a shame.

Max Jason Mai - "Don't Close Your Eyes" (Slovakia)

This was the only true rock song, and one of the better entries in my opinion.  So what happened?  Slovakia was in the semi-final with a lot of former Yugoslav and Soviet states.  Whether it was all bloc voting or just a few guitar solos too much for older voters, it just couldn't get the support it needed.  It might have fared a little better in the first semi-final, which featured more of its neighbors.

Nina Badric - "Nebo" (Croatia)

Croatia was exactly where it wanted to be:  A good song, great performer, and in a semifinal with 4 other former-Yugoslav states.  I figured three of them would get in, and I was right.  Unfortunately, when it came down to it, Croatia and Slovenia were on the outs with FYR Macedonia sneaking in.  Bloc voting giveth, and bloc voting taketh away.

Filipa Sousa - Vida Minha (Portugal)

This was the complete opposite boat than Croatia.  A nice song with great traditional overtones, in a semi-final of Eastern European countries.  Neighbor Spain voted in the other semi-final, which probably didn't help Portugal break up the eastern blocs.

Pernilla Karlsson - "När jag blundar" (Finland)

A rather pretty little song from Finland (we've come a long way from Lordi) that against just didn't get the support it needed.  While Greece and Iceland have given Finland a lot of points over the years, it probably didn't help that Sweden, Norway, and Estonia (other traditional supporters) were in the other semi-final.  Also am I the only one who thought the first semi-final was pretty stacked?

Valentina Monetta - "The Social Network Song" (San Marino)

Again, my bias is showing, but I loved this song.  It was fun, cheeky, upbeat, and satirical, and Monetta was great to watch in the lead up.  Obviously the voters just didn't get it.  Europe's loss.

I'm sure we can analyze the voting until the cows come home.  What are your thoughts?

Eurovision 2012 Preview: Pot 6

We're in the home stretch, cats and kittens, with our last pot of semi-finalists.  Central and Eastern Europe ahoy!

Austria
First Appearance:  1957
Highest Place:  1st (1966)

Trackshittaz - "Woki mit deim Popo"

Definitely one of the most original songs in this year's field (translation available here).  Much like a glow-in-the-dark badunkadunk, you just can't stop watching.  I'm really looking forward to see the performance, and  perhaps a little bit of humor will take them a long way.

Bulgaria
First Appearance:  2005
Highest Place:  5th (2007)

Sofi Marinova - "Love Unlimited"

This Romani singer is known for her five octave range, which is on display.  Although it's probably closest to the pop dance numbers of the younger contestants, it might just be original enough to score a few points.  Bulgaria hasn't had much success lately, but this could finally turn things around.  Final note:  Although the song is primarily sung in Bulgarian, it contains "I love you" in 10 languages (translation available here).

Hungary
First Appearance:  1994
Highest Place:  4th (1994)

Compact Disco - "Sound of Our Hearts"

An underrated performance by an MTV Europe award winning band.  The electronic rock is certainly a welcome change, but it's almost overshadowed by the music video.  Hungary has frequently not placed as high as it deserves (Magdi Ruzsa being the prime example), but this should at least make its way out of the semi-finals.

San Marino
First Appearance:  2008
Highest Place:  16th in the semifinals (2011)

Valentina Monetta - "Facebook Uh, Oh, Oh (A Satirical Song)"*

This is what happens when parody viral video becomes an art form (200,000 views within the first 5 days, and to compare, Jedward only has about 130,000 in total)!  It's gotten horrible negative reviews, including in Forbes, but in my humble opinion, it's absolutely brilliant (and really Eurovision, are you now trying to take yourself far too seriously?)  Love it or hate it, you can't stop watching it, and if the Russian babushkas can have a little fun, so can San Marino!  And to explain the asterisk:  That is the original title and video.  However, a few days after it's release, the EBU ruled that the song violated contest rules for having a commercial message about Facebook (although, really, I'm not sure it's all that commercial, given that Facebook is free).  In response, San Marino basically just replaced "Facebook" with more "Oh oh ohs" and took out that great reference to Mark Zuckerberg.  The not-as-awesome version is available here.

Slovenia
First Appearance:  1993
Highest Place:  7th (1995, 2001)

Eva Boto - "Vergamem"

Taking things in the complete opposite direction than San Marino, we have our youngest competitor (she's only 16, folks!)   The song is pretty enough, and she certainly has stage presence, but the voting hasn't been kind to Slovenia in recent years, but look for things to possibly change this year (translation available here).
Slovakia
First Appearance:  1994
Highest Place:  18th (1996)

Max Jason Mai - "Don't Close Your Eyes"

The only real rock song of the competition (which is a shame) but this one is pretty cool.  It will probably draw heavily on the over 25 crowd, especially those who have a soft spot for acts like 30 Seconds to Mars.  Slovakia has never done well in the competition, but with any luck, this will be distinct enough from the dance and pop to place pretty high.
Final thoughts?  With all due respect to everyone else...SAN MARINO!  SAN MARINO!  SAN MARINO!

What is your favorite act from Pot 6?