“You know everyone in the UK thinks it’s a joke?”, a bloke I met last night told me of Eurovision.

I actually think there’s a degree of xenophobia in the “Eurovision As Joke” school of thought that you often find with people from the UK, reflecting a deeper series of feelings about England and Europe. But that’s another story, I guess.

Yeah, there are some dud songs, and some woeful performances, but I genuinely the spectacle of it all, and, at a deeper philosophical level, think it’s great that countries can be brought together in a way that doesn’t involve politics or sport. I also think it’s an interesting chronicle of the times, and how the world has changed.

I missed most of last night’s semi-final, but watched tonight’s and enjoyed it very much. My favourites from tonight were the singers from Estonia and Lithuania (power ballads, one with a poperactic feel), and the act from Moldova. By and large, though, I enjoyed most of the songs.

The hosts, on the other hand, were shocking. Phrases like “Victor, you are a very unattractive man” (from Fast Foward) came to mind, as they appeared to be direct from Eurovision Central Casting.

For me, the most memorable hosts were the couple from 2006 who bore a remarkable resemblance from Will & Grace.

“Disappointed with Albania’s performance. Better than the national final though x”, came the text message earlier tonight from my mate, Louisa who is even more interested in/aware of Eurovision than I am.

I sent my friend Patrick a text tonight wishing him all the best. Lucky buggar is in Moscow for Eurovision.

And so here it is, Saturday night, I’ve had some pizza and I’m now half-watching ABBA – The Movie for the umpteenth time.

“Life is as good as an ABBA song. It’s as good as ‘Dancing Queen’”.