Can anyone explain just what is the point of the Eurovision song contest?

Can anyone please explain just what is the point and origins of the Eurovision song contest? To me it seems it's a political vehicle for countries to enter the EU e.g. if Macedonia votes for Belgium they'll get fast tracked in

Can anyone explain just what is the point of the Eurovision song contest?
it fills a slot on telly for the BBC
Reply:In short to give points to your neighbors and launch crappy music...
Reply:It started well before the EU/EEC was even thought of!





What I'd like to know is why Israel is allowed to enter when they are not even part of Europe geopraphically or economically.
Reply:It's a showcase for the magnificent Wogmeister.
Reply:Nil point at all !
Reply:fun!!!
Reply:I never, watch it anymore. Its crap. UK, no points as usual.
Reply:Once upon a time, many years ago, a few European nations joined into a group called Eurovision, to show TV program's it didn't take off, but the song contest was born, compered by Katie Boyle, it was cringe worthy then, now its insufferable, haven't watched it much for about twenty years, but I believe it's still rubbish! as for the tactical voting Well----------- what do you expect from Europe?
Reply:My lovely horse, you're a pony no more.
Reply:Something to laugh at in the world of sadness
Reply:Haha, good question. In short, there is no point. Its all about countries voting for their friends and neighbours, not who actually plays music.





I remember the year when England invaded Iraq. We got no points that year, no-one liked us, whereas the Swiss always get some points cos they are so nice and never hassle anybody.
Reply:I am not going to waste my time bothering explaining a load of cobblers!whats the point!exactly!
Reply:You are so ignorant.


The whole council decides who gets in.


It's meant to have songs from different countries been broad casted life on television.


There are no hidden agenda's behind it at all.


Any idea when it started:way before you were born


Sky.
Reply:its to put all those eastern european countries, (we've never heard of )on the map, IF THERE IS ANYONE living there still,because they all live in the uk
Reply:nope i don't wanna!
Reply:The best way to watch Pukevision, other than not at all, is to use the subtiltes page on Ceefax (888) having downed a few units of alcohol, and speaking the words as if ham acting. Get a few mates round and take turns.
Reply:In the early days of European unity, it was seen as a way of bringing the people of the continent together (they dragged us on board too - in fact, we pay for the majority of the thing) and putting the dark past behind us. It worked for a while and the UK was always in the top five ... whether it was because the Europeans were grateful to us for the war, I don't know.





However, now it has descended into sectarian and political backbiting. Neighbours vote for each other trying to keep in each other's black books and because the current generation weren't involved in the war, they are no longer 'grateful' to us, and tend to revile us a little. It is now just a parody of what it was intended to be.
Reply:It shows how much we in the UK are despised. It also shows the bias between certain countries.