Justin Timberlake is going to perform his new single “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” at the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday.
Hope he’s ready to get schooled, because Eurovision takes kooky showmanship to a whole new level. It’s the only place where Björk would be the most normal person in the room.
One of the longest-running, most demented spectacles in the world, this camp-alicious singing competition has been pitting European countries against each other since 1956. And for the first time ever, it’s going to be broadcast live on American TV (on the Logo network).
The concept is simple: one song per country, some lengthy televoting, and voilà — a singing sensation is born.
Or not, as the case may be, since the Eurovision’s star-making record is spotty. Among the major names to come out of it are ABBA, which won in 1974 when it represented perennial powerhouse Sweden, and a poodle-headed Celine Dion, who triumphed on Switzerland’s behalf in 1988.
The one thing the show can always be counted on for is over-the-top outlandishness. In just the past few years, it’s featured Latvian pirates, a bearded Austrian going by the name Conchita Wurst, an Irish turkey puppet, a Finnish hard-rock band in full monster makeup, and a group of Russian grannies. The Austrian and the Finns won, by the way.
This year’s edition is promising: Sadly, the Belarussian who threatened to perform naked with live wolves won’t be among the 26 finalists, but the German singer with a manga fixation (pictured above) and the Croatian diva encased in a Frank Gehry building of a dress are.
Tip: France’s Amir and Russia’s Sergey Lazarev (video below) are the bookies’ favorites.
While you’re welcome to watch at home, sharing the experience with fanatical Eurovision-heads adds a dollop of special sauce to the crazy-burger. A good bet would be to join the Swedish expats — this year’s contest is held in Stockholm — congregating at Tonic Times Square (727 Seventh Ave.; 212-382-1059).
Hell’s Kitchen’s Hibernia Bar (401 W. 50th St.; 212-969-9703) has been popular with Eurovision fans for years, due to its online feed from the event, and now its downtown sibling, the Winslow (243 E. 14th St.; 212-777-7717), will broadcast the competition.
As for Justin, well, the contest doesn’t need him — but hey, his new song was co-written and produced by Swedes, so maybe Eurovision’s already infiltrated America.
The Eurovision Song Contest is on Logo and LogoTV.com Saturday at 3 p.m.