Nul Points Scores 9
Author: Tim Moore
Publisher: Vintage; New Ed edition (3 May 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0099492970
ISBN-13: 978-0099492979
Publisher: Vintage; New Ed edition (3 May 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0099492970
ISBN-13: 978-0099492979
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Anyone remember how many points Great Britain flag bearers Scootch landed in this year's Eurovision Song Contest? ABBA they weren't.
Don't say <<Nul Points>>, much to Terry Wogan's acerbic relief, but do say <<doit lire>> to Tim Moore's jaunt to meet all 15 national heroes turned Eurozone zeros. For UK loser fans, look no further than Jemini's 2003 howler, "Cry Baby" - the title says it all.
With who-done-it intrigue, Moore picks through the historic roots and expanding underbelly of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) while cajoling the nul pointers to chortle, rage and scratch their heads at the memories.
It would be too easy for Moore to stay pumped up on national stereotypes so he soon gets underneath them, down into a deep ESC tissue massage, and we emerge invigorated by all the Turks, Finns, Austrians and Lithuanians he can get his hands on... those, of course, who are willing to talk.
The Norwegians give him the most trouble because of their aloofness; perhaps because Moore begins his tale with them his writing is also distant and self-conscious. Moore and his writing style get over it only after a nasty Norwegian, Finn Kalvik (nul points: 1981), scares the author on a Thai beach.
Debate will go on over whether so many Eurovision losses for Norway added to the country's snub to joining the EU. No matter, but Moore proffers the argument up to prove the power of Eurovision for many lands outside the UK.
Back in Blighty, while we may swipe at the songs, the show, the state-sponsored shamans all looking to work their magic on the voters... we secretly want to win, Wogan or not.
So while we're waiting, do you want triumph over adversity mixed in with voyeuristic schadenfreude? Nul Points is for everyone who sings in the shower.
With who-done-it intrigue, Moore picks through the historic roots and expanding underbelly of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) while cajoling the nul pointers to chortle, rage and scratch their heads at the memories.
It would be too easy for Moore to stay pumped up on national stereotypes so he soon gets underneath them, down into a deep ESC tissue massage, and we emerge invigorated by all the Turks, Finns, Austrians and Lithuanians he can get his hands on... those, of course, who are willing to talk.
The Norwegians give him the most trouble because of their aloofness; perhaps because Moore begins his tale with them his writing is also distant and self-conscious. Moore and his writing style get over it only after a nasty Norwegian, Finn Kalvik (nul points: 1981), scares the author on a Thai beach.
Debate will go on over whether so many Eurovision losses for Norway added to the country's snub to joining the EU. No matter, but Moore proffers the argument up to prove the power of Eurovision for many lands outside the UK.
Back in Blighty, while we may swipe at the songs, the show, the state-sponsored shamans all looking to work their magic on the voters... we secretly want to win, Wogan or not.
So while we're waiting, do you want triumph over adversity mixed in with voyeuristic schadenfreude? Nul Points is for everyone who sings in the shower.
Here Is The Writer : Ian Brown
Ian Brown is chief executive of Here Is The City, so if you do or don't like something, tell him: ian.brown@hereisthecity.com. Ian has worked across different media in various roles, mostly editorial and business development (and whatever else needs doing). His past includes stints at Financial News and eFinancialCareers in London as well as NBC TV and a defunct 'streaming media financial news network' dotcom (damn those share options) in San Francisco. As the attached headshot suggests, he is often surprised / intrigued / annoyed / over-caffeinated...
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