TO THE DELIGHT OF many (and no doubt to the chagrin of others) tonight’s Late Late Show completely revolved around the Eurovision.
This year’s Irish entry was decided by a mixture of jury and text votes, and 16-year-old Molly Sterling’s Playing With Numbers was chosen to represent us in Vienna in May.
As always, the selection process was uniquely Late Late. Here are seven weird and wonderful moments.
“I’m just making sure Billy McGuinness isn’t here.”
Right off the bat, Linda Martin snuck in a reference to last year’s ridiculous barney with Aslan’s Billy McGuinness by snooping madly around the chairs and tables.
Just in case you can’t remember the barney in question:
“You’re an odious little man.” #neverforget
Alex Saint’s contemporary dancer
She’s So Fine may have had the judges questioning whether the Eurovision was ready for rap or not, but mostly we were distracted by the girl whirling around in the white gúna. Why? For what purpose?
“The Westlife, the Boyzone”
A Swedish songwriter explained Sweden’s connection to Irish music (his countrymen have written songs for “the Westlife, the Boyzones and the Jedwards”) – and everyone thought he was AS CUTE:
Linda Martin created a new word
Linda coined the term ‘skraking’ – which appears to mean ‘screeching’ – to describe Nikki Kavanagh’s (above) performance. It could catch on…
Marty Whelan asking Erika Selin what the President of Ireland’s name is
Erika is the Swedish singer of Break Me Up, and Marty decided to make her prove she was worthy to represent Ireland by asking her about such Irish things as Co Offaly and the President.
NOT THE TIME FOR NITPICKING, MARTY.
The Lyrics Board briefly returned
Oh, excuse us – The Eurovision *Sing and Spin*. Ahem.
The segment starred such luminaries as the Singing Priest Fr Ray Kelly, Tesco Mary Byrne, Joe McCaul of Donna and Joe, and Kelly McDonagh of The Voice.
It all got a little ’3am in the residents’ bar at a wedding’, so to speak.
And everyone had a massive, earnest singalong to Hold Me Now
Look at them all there, on their feet, hands in the air. As it should be.
