This week we begin our analysis of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in earnest. First up: the first half of the first semi-final! Which entries are locks for advancing to the Grand Final? Who might get help from the running order? Why is Staples playing Eurovision songs from 2016?

Episode Summary

• Eurovision Viewing Parties (3:50)
• Why is Staples playing “Sunlight”? (5:20)
• Analyzing the semi-final (9:36)

First Semi-Final Running Order

1. Azerbaijan – Aisel – X My Heart (9:36)
2. Iceland – Ari Olafsson – Our Choice (14:48)
3. Albania – Eugent Bushpepa – Mall (19:52)
4. Belgium – SENNEK – A Matter of Time (27:16)
5. Czech Republic – Mikolas Josef – Lie to Me (31:27)
6. Lithuania – Ieva Zasimauskaitė – When We’re Old (37:44)
7. Israel – Netta – Toy (43:29)
8. Belarus – Alekseev – Forever (47:44)
9. Estonia – Elina Netšajeva – La Forza (52:22)
10. Bulgaria – Equinox – Bones (58:09)

Links

• Oddschecker: Overall | First Semi-Final | Second Semi-Final
• Eurovision Viewing Party form