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 One of the reasons Estonians have so enthusiastically embraced the
chance to host the Eurovision Song Contest on May 25 is that it gives them
a rare chance to shine on an international stage, to make an
impression on the world at large. But there are fears here that one widely watched British
Eurovision commentator, Terry Wogan, could rain on Estonia's
big parade.
Wogan's 30-year radio career has been
made, at least in part, by his witty,
often biting comments about
Eurovision during the BBC's annual airing of the event. Last year during the Danish-hosted
Song Contest, for instance, Wogan dubbed the two Danes who
introduced each song as "Dr. Death and the Tooth
Fairy." His fans ate it up. Danes were outraged. (Apparently
red-faced higher-ups at the BBC even contemplated an apology.)
Even Brits who otherwise don't listen to Wogan on his regular Radio 2 slot each weekday morning, seem to love his annual
Eurovision shows, peppered with so much dry humor and
stinging barbs. His trademark Eurovision commentary is credited
with dramatically boosting the number of Brits who tuned in to watch
the competition each year.
Said a commentator on the British-based www.dooyoo.co.uk: "Like most right-minded people, I don't much like Terry Wogan. He's
irritating as hell. But for one night a year, he becomes my hero." Others peg Wogan as Britain's best broadcaster hands down,
Eurovision or no Eurovision.
Estonians
have hardly sounded similar notes of appreciation for Wogan’s famous
and/or infamous flare.
On the contrary, Estonia's Eurovision organizers have appeared to amount a preemptive defense against a fully expected Woganesque
onslaught, going out of their way to single him out for criticism weeks
before his plane even touched down in Tallinn.
In an April 30 press release entitled "BBC Show Host will not have Mercy on Estonia," the Estonian organizers noted that the
"Eurovision Song Contest to take place in Tallinn will be subject to a crushing
assessment." "This," it went on to say "is going to happen, if, instead of
our gravely serious commentators, you listen to the BBC Prime (broadcast), where Terry Wogan will be the host.”
“This man is loved in Great Britain and hated in
greater
continental Europe," the statement said. "When commenting on the
Song Contest, Wogan will leave no stone unturned regarding the organizing country, the
presenters and their outfits, the songs and the final results of the show. He considers it funny and so do the British, who have started to watch the
Eurovision more and more every year because of his ironic remarks." The press release went on to say that "booze has its affect on Wogan, who becomes more and more intolerable as the show develops."
The executive producer of Eurovision
2002, Juhan Paadam, has also gone on the record expressing his
displeasure with Wogan. "Yes, I know Terry Wogan," Paadam was quoted by Estonia’s Paevaleht
newspaper as saying. "There is not such an arrogant and rare type in the world."
"But I still believe that we should not take him so
seriously," he hastened to add. “He is an unusual person and so let him be.”
The security chief for this year's
Song Contest in Tallinn, Urmas Piir, reportedly joked that Wogan could be searched for "a very long time in order to keep him from reaching his broadcast booth as
Eurovision went on the air," Paevaleht reported.
In the end, so used to criticism from outside
Britain and always on the lookout
for fresh comedic material, such comments are probably all music to the ears of Terry
Wogan.
(You can see more about Wogan
and listen to his morning show on BBC Radio 2, here.)
—CITY PAPER-The Baltic States
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