It’s given the world Abba, Celine Dion, the Finnish heavy metal band Lordi, a made-for-Netflix tribute musical, and inspiration for untold generations of fashion school runway shows. But with Eurovision Song Contest finally coming to America, it’s fair to ask whether its reception in the US will mirror such transatlantic successes as The Office, Rosalía and pizza, or suffer the ignominious fates of Piers Morgan, Robbie Williams and the modern welfare state.
The American Song Contest (we’re as confused as you about why it’s not called Amerivision) promises to be “the biggest live music event America has ever seen”, according to NBC, which begins airing the show on 21 March. It will substitute the US’s 50-odd states, districts and territories for Europe’s 50-odd countries and, we imagine, open up new frontiers for ways Americans can resent each other.
