- Wow! She's really good. - ♪ Ohh ♪
- Actually, he's good. They all are.
♪ (metal music) ♪ - Okay, Iceland!
♪ (industrial intro) ♪
(comments popping)
- (FBE) So today, we're gonna be reacting to something that has
become a bit of a tradition here at FBE.
It's Eurovision. - Oh, that's the--
is that the singing contest that obviously only happens in Europe?
- I grew up in Austria, so I used to watch it with my mom.
It's super huge. Everyone watches it.
- I'm from Macedonia. - (FBE) Did you watch Eurovision
growing up? - Growing up, yeah.
- (FBE) Okay. - Not lately. Not in the last
probably 10 years. I haven't seen anything.
- Ooh, yes. Okay, I'm so excited for this.
Literally, this is something I grew up since I was a baby.
I'm repping Denmark all the way.
- (FBE) So, we've covered Eurovision in the past
and discussed it more in detail. So, for anyone who wants
to check those out, the links will be in the description.
- Yeah. I've done this before. And after every time I do it,
I'm like, "I should probably pay attention."
And then I NEVER do!
- (FBE) Eurovision has been around since 1956.
- I didn't know it was around for that long.
- (FBE) It's a song contest not just about vocals and the song,
but also lyrics and the performance elements itself
are what you vote on. - Wow. "The Voice."
You know, it's literally just your voice.
The judges turn around. Or America's Got Talent's
who can be the craziest? In this, it's just kind of all of the above.
- (FBE) So, we're gonna show you clips of the final results
from the top 10 countries and see if you can properly
place them where they finished in the contest, and we'll talk
about some of them as we go along. - Last time, I did pretty bad.
I think I didn't guess any of them, so I hope this time
I at least get one. - Ahh, I should have watched it!
I feel so bad now. My mom's gonna be so disappointed.
- ♪ I'm going where there's zero ♪ - You're on top of the world.
- ♪ Gravity ♪ - It's kind of like a Glenda
from "Wizard of Oz" vibe. - Is this a remake of "Wicked"?
(laughs) - ♪ Gravity ♪
♪ Zero gravity ♪ - It's cool, 'cause Australia
just joined too, like a few years ago.
And they're doing really well I know. - ♪ It feels like, oh ♪
- Okay, dress, visuals, high notes.
- Oh, god. This is so weird. - ♪ It feels like ♪
♪ Ohhh ♪ - It's like opera.
♪ (holds high note) ♪ - Damn, girl!
Get it, Australia! (laughs) - Damn. I mean,
some badass talent right there. - The set design was awesome.
On top of the planet and stuff. Though, I wasn't really
a fan of the song. - (FBE) So, where are you
gonna rank that in the top 10? - Who knows? Number six.
- Might be moderately and put it, like, five?
- In the number three spot, because it was pretty awesome,
but I wanna see what's the other competition looking like.
- ♪ Girl, for every... ♪ - Macedonia.
- ♪ ...makes you cry ♪ - She's not doing anything so crazy.
- ♪ I am always on your side ♪ - Yeah, that's nice.
- ♪ Don't be afraid to spread your wings ♪
- Okay, this is a little bit more interesting.
- This song is beautiful. - ♪ Tell them ♪
- Such a powerful voice. - ♪ ...say it loudly ♪
♪ Show them ♪ - Wow! She's really good.
- ♪ Tell them, this is me and... ♪
- That's so good! - It almost reminds me
of a Disney soundtrack. - See, this is the stuff
that I don't like about Eurovision. It's more of the serious--
that's not why I watch Eurovision. - You can understand
what she's singing, you know?
So, she's not flexing. I really like that one.
- (FBE) This singer from North Macedonia,
her name is Tamara Todevska, and she said online,
"I was six when Carola from Sweden won the Eurovision Song Contest
in Italy, and I remember telling my parents,
'One day, I will be performing just like her.'"
- Aww. What a glow-up! You love that manifesting.
- I'm gonna put it at 10, 'cause I didn't like it. (chuckles)
- I'm gonna just put it at nine. - I'm going to put that
in the number six position. It was pretty good,
but just, I feel like it's lacking some
of that pizzazz to it.
- ♪ 'Cause I've been running with the demons now ♪
- This is a little more... (clicks tongue)
- ♪ ...see my fear ♪ ♪ They say there's nothing,
nothing here ♪ - ♪ I see a spirit in the sky ♪
- Oh, I like this. - ♪ ...the lights are... ♪
- I tend to like Norway's-- uh. - ♪ (yoiking) ♪
- (laughs) This is what's great about Eurovision.
So, you'll get this pop, but then they'll add
this traditional kind of cultural-type thing.
- (yoiking) - ♪ I hear you... ♪
- (chuckles) What was that? I was very surprised,
but it was good.
- ♪ Whenever wind is blowing ♪ - The way they zoom in,
it seems a little comical. - ♪ When northern lights
are dancing ♪ - Come on, man! I'm Norwegian.
Do better! - I wanna dance now.
- I don't think they all met the same level of singing abilities.
So, I'm gonna have to put it at six. - I'm gonna put Norway on number four.
- I'ma put 'em at three.
Norway does have a good track record, actually.
I think they've won a few times,
and people tend to like their submissions.
- ♪ (singing in Italian) ♪ - That's Italy, ah.
- It's "Soldi"! I know this song!
- ♪ (singing in Italian) ♪
- Yeah. It's nice how they have it in their own language.
- 'Kay. This is very dramatic.
- ♪ (singing in Italian) ♪ - Ooh.
- Okay. See, I would listen to this. - (Mahmood and audience clap on beat)
- Okay. Well, at least we know the crowd is on his side.
- I really like the song. - Yeah.
Me?
- This feels a bit more relatable to what we see in music now,
which I like. - I think I'm gonna put it at four.
- Seven. I feel like they were way better in years before.
- I'm gonna have to put that in the number eight position.
Sorry, Italy. Love you, but I don't know if you chose
the right guy to represent you.
- ♪ Silence ringing inside my head ♪ - Ooh.
- ♪ Please carry me... ♪ - He sounds good.
- ♪ ...carry me home ♪ - Ooh, those eyes!
- ♪ Ahh ♪ - That's another really good song.
- Actually, he's good. They all are.
- ♪ All I know ♪ - He's really good! Oh my gosh!
- ♪ ...is a losing game ♪ - Oh, that's beautiful.
- Maybe I'm just a fan of minimalism, but I like
when there's less crazy stuff happening.
- Ooh, I like this a lot. - ♪ ...is a losing game ♪
- Wow, I really like him. - The song is amazing.
- It sounds catchy. It sounds like, you know, majestic.
- (FBE) So, that's Duncan Laurence, and he was the singer chosen
to represent the Netherlands. And he was on their version
of "The Voice." - Oh, okay! That's kind of fun,
from one competition to another.
- (FBE) For the song that he sang, "Arcade," he said,
"I got my inspiration from the story of a loved one
who died at a young age. 'Arcade' is a story about the search
for the love of your life. It is the hope for
the sometimes unattainable." - That's kind of sad.
But I guess it shows a good message.
- That's been the most enjoyable, I think, out of all of them so far.
I'm placing Netherlands at one. - I'm gonna put it at six.
It's too conventional! - That's what normally wins,
the catchy, powerful ones. So, I'm gonna put the Netherlands
as number one.
- ♪ When she poured out a little spice ♪
♪ Got the whole place... ♪ - Got a Swiss Justin Timberlake vibe
going on. - ♪ Gettin' rowdy, rowdy ♪
♪ She let her body... ♪ - It's kinda Ricky Martin.
- They even got the Swiss colors going on
in the background. - I don't hate it.
I mean... but I don't think I like it
as much as the other ones.
- I love this one! - Actually, I kind of
like this more now.
- See, I really like that song,
but I don't feel like he's showing off his voice a lot.
- I don't know what he got, but I'm gonna put that as a two,
'cause I like that one. - For now, I'm gonna give him
number four. - As much as I like that,
I think I might put it at nine. - ♪ Drink till I forget ♪
- Azerbaijan. - ♪ She's on to
the next ♪ - Okay, that's cool.
- ♪ She's on to the next ♪ - This is Iron Man.
- Homie's got an Iron Man thing going on.
- ♪ ...starts screaming ♪ - He's like, "I have surgery,
but I have this competition. Is there any way we can
do 'em at the same time?" - It's a bop. Ayyy.
- That's super cool. I love that, too.
- ♪ So shut up about it ♪ - That was fun.
That kind of had it all for me. - He sounds good.
The song is catchy. It was groovy.
- (FBE) Doing my best to pronounce this.
The country of Azerbaijan only first started to compete
in Eurovision in 2008... - Oh really?
- (FBE) ...and has won once so far.
And they continuously bring in great artists, where many of them
have been in the top 10. - Yeah. No, they're really good.
- I'm surprised, 'cause I've never heard of that country.
So, it's definitely not a huge country,
at least popularity-wise. So, to be able to have
that many good artists, like... (claps softly) Congratulations.
- I'm gonna place that at seven. - Number eight.
- I'm gonna put it on seven, just because I feel like
they're new-ish. - ♪ If I could be there ♪
♪ I would be there ♪ - Sweden has won a lot of times.
- ♪ I could be the sun that lights your dark ♪
- Ooh! - ♪ Is it too late for love? ♪
- This sounds like a '90s R&B song. - ♪ Hear me ♪
♪ I could make it... ♪ - They're all good is the problem.
I guess they wouldn't be there if they weren't.
- Wow! - ♪ Maybe I would lit your world
with just one spark ♪ - I feel like I'm in church.
- Those backup dancers are going at it.
- ♪ If I could be there ♪ - Oh, god. This is one of the songs
that puts everyone happy. - ♪ I could be the sun
that lights your dark ♪ - I like this one! Ah!
- I'm a fan. This is nice.
- ♪ But is it too late for love? ♪ - Oh my gosh. He really good!
- ♪ Is it? ♪ - Ohhh, a little wink at the end.
He would've won my heart. (laughs) No, I'm just kidding!
Don't tell my boyfriend! - Number two.
They always do pretty well. - I'm putting Sweden
in the number two spot. - I'm gonna put it at eight,
but with the intention of moving it.
- ♪ Tears will fall ♪ ♪ I hear them all ♪
♪ They scream ♪ - Oh!
- That's so cool! - Are those different people
or is it a mirror effect? - This is... very intense.
- That design is insane, though. Wow!
- That's really cool, actually. - Wow, Russia.
You really came for everyone with that.
- With Eurovision, you have to be different,
so people remember you. - (whispers) Sorry, Russia,
but you're going at number 10. - I gotta put it at number one.
- Number one. I have only have number 10 left.
It's gonna be the one I like the best.
- ♪ (singing in Icelandic) ♪ - Oh, jeez, whoa.
- Okay, Iceland! - They made the top 10!
- Got our number 10 spot!
- Sick.
- Definitely heavy metal. - It's okay.
I don't like it that much. It's not my kind of thing, so...
it's probably number one. - Yes! (laughs)
- Oh, it's Game of Thrones inspired.
- I hate this kind of music SO much.
- Weirdly, I was into that. I kind of liked it.
The great stage presence, there were some high notes
in the back. It was very intense.
- This is so much better than "The X Factor" or "The Voice."
This is the best show ever.
- (FBE) So, that was Icelandic group, Hatari, who describe themselves
as an award-winning, anti-capitalist, BDSM techno dystopian
performance art collective. - Okay. (laughs)
Certainly a long title. - They definitely made a performance,
and that's what I like. Eurovision is supposed
to be a performance. It's supposed to be different.
- I have number two left. - Iceland, sorry.
You've got to go at number 10, because that's all that's left.
- (FBE) So, now you'll get a chance to rearrange.
- So, I'm just gonna put Russia on the top.
- I'm gonna put Netherlands at two, Italy at three...
- I'm just gonna follow my gut and say that this is my final answer.
- (FBE) Now that you are done, we're going to go from number 10
to number one, and we'll see
how many you got right. - Okay.
- (FBE) Number 10 is Iceland.
(buzzer) - Aww. I'm sad.
I wish they were at number two. - I was close. Number eight.
- Number 10 is Iceland? - (FBE) You got it.
- Okay. - Ooh, I got 10 right!
- Yay! Two points!
- (FBE) Number nine is Australia. - I put Australia at four.
- Oh, I put that at number 10. - Oh, I was close!
- Oh, I got that! Nice!
- (FBE) Number eight is Azerbaijan. - Really? I put that at three.
- That, I put at one. - Oh, god. I put it at number seven.
(ding) - Oh, wow.
- (FBE) Number seven is North Macedonia.
- I put that at five. Damn!
- I had it as number four. (chuckles)
- That's who I have.
- (FBE) Number six is Norway.
(buzzer) - Oh, I put it at 10.
- No points. - Ooh, I put it at number five.
- Yes, I got that one, too!
- (FBE) Number five is Sweden. (buzzer)
- I got this all wrong. - Okay, I got six.
- I put Sweden at four. - I got one right!
- (FBE) Number four is Switzerland.
(buzzer) - Which I have as number seven.
- I got one, 'cause I put Switzerland at five.
- Oh, I was right about that one.
- (FBE) Number three is Russia. - Three is Russia.
Yes, I definitely do not get a point for that.
- I put them at two. - One point. I'll take it.
- (FBE) Number two is Italy. - Nooo!
- Oh, I had them as three, so that's a point.
- Oh my god, yes!
- (FBE) Which means number one is the Netherlands.
- I have it as number two. I'm not that far.
- I had that right. - Okay! I got number one right.
- Yay, I got that one, too. Sick!
I think out of all of them, that's the one that
just was the best. - It's always a toss-up, I feel,
what people are gonna vibe with, what people are gonna like.
So, I didn't vibe with it, but most of Europe did.
- (FBE) So, this year's Eurovision was held in Tel Aviv
since the singer last year, Netta, who won was from Israel.
- Oh, okay. That's cool!
- (FBE) So, there was some controversy this year when the Icelandic group,
Hatari, was elected to represent the country.
They said that they vowed to raise hell about issues
between Israel and Palestine. When they were eliminated,
they waved the Palestinian flag... - Oh my gosh! Why?! Just why?!
- (FBE) ...which went against the competition rules,
which asks to leave politics out of the event.
- Right, because this is a singing thing!
- (FBE) So, in your opinion, should this competition
put politics to the wayside, or is this the right place
to bring up political issues? - It's complicated.
I don't think it was a right move.
- I think it should be a song contest, music contest event.
Politics, we can just leave it to the politicians.
- When you earn a platform, I think you have the right
to use that platform however you choose.
And if you believe something strongly, I feel like you should be able
to express that. - Everyone is kind of coming together
over one thing, which is, I guess, just a love for music.
At those times, it might be the opportunity to
since everyone's there, kind of bring up
that sort of issue. - They should put it on the wayside,
because, I mean, this is a family event.
Maybe the reason they want to watch this is to get away
from all that. - It's not the right place.
Eurovision was founded because of World War II, I think.
The whole point was everyone was against each other,
and Eurovision is a place where everyone belongs.
- (FBE) So finally, Eurovision is a huge deal in Europe
but not really as popular in other parts of the world.
So, do you think that Eurovision should become a worldwide
singing event? - As long as they don't
let the United States in there, I think that's fine.
- I don't wanna ruin Eurovision. It's just gold.
But we can create another one with tons of other countries.
- I think it's good how it is, 'cause, I mean, for me,
I'm European. So, it's kind of like a pride thing, you know?
It's like, we don't bring Super Bowls to Denmark.
What are they gonna do? Bring in Migos? No!
We don't want Migos in there!
- Thanks for watching this episode of Generations React.
And shoutout to Samantha Navarro. - Subscribe and hit the bell,
so you never miss an episode. And shoutout to Stephanie Rodriguez.
- Bye! - Hey, everyone. Lauren,
producer here at FBE. Thank you so much for watching
this episode of Generations React. If you wanna see
more content like this, we have a lot of it
across all of those generations. Links are gonna be down there.
Bye, everyone!