The final of Eurosong 2008, the Czech preselection for Eurovision Song Contest will kick off within a few minutes. Ten competitors will fight tonight to win the ticket to Belgrade. The winner will be decided via SMS televoting, which is already proceeding. You can follow the show by clicking on the link below (ČT live streaming, external link).
Live coverage in collaboration with Miloš Hozda
The show has just begun. The hosts of the show welcome the audience.
Young singer Ewa Farna is performing (off contest) on stage now the song Ticho (silence).
Video snippets of last year's Czech national final entries are displayed now.
Now, all participating songs tonight are shown together with their number to be voted via SMS.
Pick a star – Samer Issa. Vote: SONG 4
One of the hot favourites tonight, Samer has appeared dressed in white uniform on stage with beret hat, surrounded by girls in white mini dresses and black berets. The song has electronic features. After the performance, Samer says that he is again in Czech final (he was there last year too) because he thinks that this competition is a good chance for young artists. He reminds that he took part in the New Wave competition in summer 2007, but that is a contest for Eastern Europe; Eurovision is for all Europe.
Have some fun – Tereza Kerndlová. Vote: SONG 2
Tereza, who is dressing a elegant white outfit, is accompanied on stage by several dancers dressing also in white. The song is catchy, but Tereza seems to be a little out of tune. The overall impression is not very good, and thepublic's reaction is not very warm. After the performance, Tereza says that a song in English is better, because people will understand it.
Another chance – Le Monde. Vote: SONG 7
Despite their French name, the song is in English. We are watching tonight's rap act. Their outfits fit this style of music, really fresh and catchy. The singing couple have one of the best vocals so far. The public shows enthousiasm at the end of the performance. Le Monde have become popular in Czech Republic thanks to their single Vzducholoď. The rapper speaks a little bit of Czech, and the woman was singing in foreign countries, but not with the group Le Monde.
And now Kabat in Helsinki… Verka Serduchka was greeting Czech singer Karel Gott. Kabat said that this competition was not good for them, and Czech language was not good for the song, because nobody understand it. He continues saying that the important is when you are first in ESC; if you are second, third or last, it is all the same.
Partir et revenir – Iva Frühlingová. SONG 9
The French act tonight. The song has some soft rock features. The French language contributes to the song's sensuality. Iva appears dressed in a very simple way. The problem: Iva's weak vocals. In the interview, Iva says that she sings in French, so the people from France and Belgium can vote for her, she started her carreer in France, this is the reason why she is singing in that language.
Další den přijde – Temperamento. SONG 6
The members of the group appear dressed in a very casual way, even one of them is wearing a Mexican sombrero. This song presents some rap features, but it is not a pure rap as Le Monde's song was. The singers should take care of their coordination and vocals. In the interview, they say they are a Czech group, so they must sing in Czech.
In a video report about Eurovision 2006 and 2007, they are speaking about the languages, they say that most songs in ESC are in English, but everybody can win with his national language, like Marija Serifovic last year.
Time for a recap of the first five songs.
Don't leave me – L.B.P. Vote: Song 5
L.B.P., which means little black peggy, is the performing name of Markéta Poulíčková. She sings with a man wearing a white shirt and she has a golden outfit. The song has a nice beat and the vocals of both singers are well stuck. Four violinists accompany the singers. Markéta says after her peformace that Eurovision would be the next step in her career. Joking, she says that this year her participation in national final is more complicated, because she is more out of breath.
Benga beating – Gypsy.cz. Vote: SONG 1
Gypsy.cz already stated that they are participating to win. The song romano-hip hop of this group was very succesfull in one world chart on MTV. They are wearing typical rapper clothes, mostly in white. The song is really catchy and energetic. We are watching one of the hot favourite acts tonight. Funny interview afterwards: What's Eurovision for you? "A vision of Europe".
Two sides – Toxique. Vote: SONG 8
This group is not famous in the Czech Republic, it is a new group, but the competition song Two sides is now very popular in the country. The leading singer starts performing lying on a sofa. No doubt, impressive and strong performance. Regarding the song itself, it is catchy and American-influenced. The performers' outfits are quite extravagant. The singer is now jumping on stage! In the interview, they say that their aim is to recreate a living room on stage and so they want to do in Belgrade.
A video report about Eurovision 2007 is now shown, featuring the top-3 positions in Belgrade: Russia's Serebro, Ukraine's Verka Serduchka and Serbia's Marija Serifovic. Now, a discussion about the Balkan bloc vote is taking place.
Józef, mój kochany – čechomor. Vote: SONG 3
This group has become very popular in their country.It was founded back in 1988. They are singing a Czech folk song featuring modern elements. We are watching the most traditional Czech song in this year's Eurosong. It is important to mention that the lyrics are written in Silesian, a language close to Polish, spoken in the South-Eastern part of the Czech Republic. The tune is really nice to hear. The language of the song is matter of discussion in the interview.
Holiday – Daniel Nekonečný. Vote: SONG 10
This is the last act to be presented tonight. The performance begins with fire effects, the most impressive beginning so far. Daniel is dressing completely in yellow, a colour he likes because it resembles the colour of the Sun. He shouldn't come into a theatre dressing like that. Despite his vocals are not very good, he is a great showman. With him on stage there are several Brazilian dancers and confetti drops from up above. Daniel finishes his performance with burning rockets in his clothes. In the interview, the host says that if people wants to see fire in Belgrade, then they should vote for Daniel. Daniel was singing in Czech, Moravian languages and in animal language. Daniel is expecting 10 million votes (the people living in the Czech Republic) because he thinks, he made the people happy with his song.
Now a recap of all songs is shown.
A guest now comes in to talk about the Malta Song for Europe show. He was choosing the finalist entries for this year's Maltese final. He says that there are 20 good songs, a high number for a small country like Malta.
A special performance takes place right now: The group Elán. They are from Slovakia, but they are very popular in neighbouring Czech Republic.
All SMS codes to vote are now displayed.
Telephone lines are now closed!! The hosts appear wearing typical Serbian outfits. A new recap of all songs is displayed.
Last year's Czech Eurovision representatives Kabat come into stage now. There are only two members of the band. The hosts ask them which act have more chances to win, but they reject to give a clear answer. They speak about their experience in Helsinki 2007. They say that they didn't know anything about the competition, and that was the reason of their last place. Also, they see the Czech capital Prague as a city able to host succesfully Eurovision Song Contest. They stress in the importance on the show, more than the song itself.
WE HAVE A WINNER: TEREZA KERNDLOVÁ FOR BELGRADE!!
