Eurovision 2016: the semis

I've got a new tactic, it seems.
Not listen to anything (or a lot) beforehand and letting myself be surprised.
It's been my tactic for two years now, though not out of choice, mainly necessity. Or priorities. But it's nice. It's actually nice not to know what's coming, kind of like the rest of the world!
I loved being surprised by Israel's Golden Boy last year. The surprise still makes me happy this year.
And then this year... let's say I was surprised at some of the results.

Seriously, Europe, seriously?

Not letting Greta Salome through with the gloriously haunting "hear them calling" is nothing more or less than a crime against humanity.
How could you?

yes, it might have reminded you of Heroes, but who cares. It didn't stop you from letting "You are the only one" through, did it. 

And then my other gem. My precious: San Marino's Serhat!
How glorious was that?! The suit! The silver-clad ladies! The 80s throwback. Instant Eurovision classic!

But no love for San Marino... now I know I might never be considered the "norm" but honestly!
Have some Serhat. Relive the madness, the gloriousness, the fabulousness that you just didn't appreciate. Shame on you. 

And then my kids' favourite: the man with the wolves.
Now when I say "favourite" this should be taken with a grain of salt. None of the three seem to have inherited the Eurovision gene. We don't understand how this is possible, it must be a statistical anomaly. Perhaps when they're older and they see Eurovision as the key to a night staying up late and eating crisps in front of the telly, the love will grow. (of course that's not blackmail). Any time we try to show them some Eurovision the oldest starts rolling his eyes, and -with him being the oldest and therefor the key example to his brothers- the other two agree with him. Eurovision, apparently, is for girls.
Ha.
He's obviously never taken a close look at the audience.
There's one exception though: "The man with the wolves".
I actually like the song. I do. The boys like wolves. "But why is the wolf sitting there? And why is that man naked? Why is he dressed now? Why is there a baby? Why do you say he's a cylon?"
Hush, child, it's Eurovision, just go with it. 

I would have loved to see Ivan again at the final. If only because my kids can't believe someone with wolves can actually lose a contest.
He had wolves! 
(though perhaps Mans Zemerlow and *his* wolf were a tad more appealing)

I have a weakspot for the Balkan Ballad, everyone knows that. I also have a weak spot for Deen. Everyone also knows that. Oh my little twink of the balkans, shaking his ass to in the disco.
I could write sonnets for him.
Now the little twink is all grown up, lost his hair, grew a beard and acted butch.
And that's all good and well, even if the barb wire imagery is a bit OTT for me. But a rapper? Really? They couldn't have left him in Bosnia&Herzegovina? 

For me those are the ones that were left behind in the semis.
I'd have gladly traded them for say Malta, Georgia (honestly!) or Serbia.