The first episode of the podcast “The Mad Epic of Eurovision” takes us through the exciting history of “Eurovision Grand Prize for European Song”, as was the name of the competition when it was launched in 1956. It also reveals the manufacturing secrets of what has become an impressive international television production whose popularity goes far beyond the continent.
The opportunity to remember that Eurovision was not originally a song competition but a communication network which aimed to bring European people together through television. And what better way to bring together as many citizens as possible than music?
We will also relive the evolution of the Competition. Because if it will establish itself as a formidable generator of emotions shared by hundreds of millions of viewers, it will also experience, over the decades, ups and downs, will go from wonder to corniness before a spectacular “comeback” in the 2010s.
Finally, we will shed some light behind the scenes to discuss the many changes that the regulations have undergone in terms of language or voting, tell how to prepare for this major competition during the weeks preceding the semi-finals and the grand final, and explain how these TV shows, which have become extravagant, are produced. Thanks to captivating stories, delightful archives and the memories, explanations and tasty anecdotes of Sandra Kim, victorious in 1986, Jacques Mercier and Jean-Louis Lahaye, Eurovision commentators, Leslie Cable, head of the Belgian delegation and Vincent Bayer, competition expert.
“The Mad Epic of Eurovision!”, a series written and directed by Olivier Monssens and presented by Bruno Tummers can be found below, on RTBF Auvio and on RTBF VivaCité.
