Montenegro, the Czech Republic, and Andorra have also withdrawn, btw. Montenegro I liked last year, but it's nice having one less Yugoslav bloc voter. The Czech Republic has only done Eurovision three times, and they never got the hang of it at all. And Andorra was often shafted in the semifinal round, and got sick of it. Plus they apparently don't have the budget for it anymore.
I'm watching the Iceland contest. Only six entries and what an odd mix they are... Basically one or two attempts to duplicate Iceland's second place song from last year, a few entries that are attempt's to duplicate Norway's winning song, and a few others that were a hair different.
I'm rooting for Je Ne Said Quoi, which means it won't win.
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The girl that sang Iceland's song from last year just covered "The Winners Takes it All"... I just love her.
I realize this isn't the song he's going to sing, but at least we have one candidate to rival the high standard set by Ukraine and Greece on last year's sleazometer!
The Netherlands' entry was written by an old guy who wrote a once famous Smurf song. It was the only song written for our entry this year, and five acts had to battle it out for the honour of performing it at this year's competition. It gives me great pride and the need to vomit to present to you, our 1st round exit: Sieneke!
The Dutch follow up the best Junior Eurovision song in history with the worst National Final in history, a mess that left judges storming off the stage, and has the once proud Eurovision country sending this joke.