Eurovision 2004 - Wogan's choice Eurovision quotes - Tiscali Music Features

Wogan's choice quotes

Quotes from Wogan

On Eurovision night, Terry Wogan is the voice of reason and humour in an often bizarre and tacky euromusic world. His chirpy, oft-ironic commentary makes the evening doubly enjoyable for the UK audience - so to celebrate his excellence in the job, we have compiled a short list of quotes on what Wogan thinks of this year's contest.

Wogan's favourite moment: "Favourite and most memorable was the Eurovision from the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin in 1971 - my first Eurovision. Not more than five hundred people in the audience and only about half the entries that we have these days... Also, Luxembourg at the height of the Black September terrorism when the floor manager addressed the audience just before the programme started and said: 'Please remain seated when applauding, anyone that stands up is likely to be shot'!" (BBC)

On Tatu's chances of winning: They'll probably kiss on stage, but I don't think they'll get votes from the mosre conservative countries. It's not the best song - but they do say the West won the Cold War but lost Eurovision."

On politics and the Eurovision song contest: All the former Warsaw Pact countries don't see it as a song contest, but as a way to show their neighbours how much they love them. The former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia will go 'We give 12 points to our affectionate neighbours, Bosnia Hercegovnia. (Metro)

Wogan's tip for 'most kitsch act' this year: "If you really want Eurovision kitsch, though, you'll be able to go to the pub early. The secdon song, the Austrian entry, is the Germans trying to be funny. It's unbelieveable." (Metro)

Wogan's outside chance: "Poland are my outsiders: they've a peace anthem that will appeal to tree-huggers..." (Metro)

On Eurovision's enduring appeal: "It doesn't have any critisism here any more, people have got tired doing that! The more intelligent critics realise that it's a spectacular piece of pop and an aspect that no other light entertainment show has."

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