A tough choice

I'm torn. A dilemma has arisen that I am simply not sure how to resolve. This could have a heavy impact on me and my family for years to come.

Simply put, do I watch Eurovision this weekend?

For those of you who don't know, I've been a huge fan of Eurovision since I was a kid. I've even taken to running Eurovision parties so that I can enjoy it with groups of friends (although these have died away somewhat since the departure from Aberdeen of a certain gay doctor who is such a huge fan that he could single-handedly bring a party to a Eurovision party!) The spectacle, the kitsch-ness, the music (!), its all been such fun and makes for a really enjoyable evening (especially with a few glasses of wine down you!). One thing has made it particularly enjoyable however, the fantastic and comedically brilliant commentary by Sir Terry Wogan. Listening to him praise and lambast the acts (and the presenters) in equal measure has brought great delight to me and my chums for years.

As you should know by now, Sir Terry gave up his commentary seat after last year's show, the biggest loss to the commentating profession since Murray Walker hung up his F1 microphone. Graham Norton is taking over, and I'm sure he'll be just fine - he certainly has the personality to fit in with Eurovision - but I'm just not a huge fan of his, and I pray his commentary is funnier than his "jokes" at the recent TV Awards show he presented (did anyone else notice the tumbleweed rolling past after every joke he tried to make?).

But its not even the change of commentator that would draw me away, its the reason behind the change. Sir Terry left because the whole Eurovision voting process has become more of a joke than the acts. Lets face it, when the winner is given top votes by 7 countries, of which 6 were formerly a part of that winning country, something has to be done. So I understand Sir Terry's reluctance to be involved again, to such a degree that after last year's show I resolved to leave with him and find other channels to watch during that little window on Saturday night.

So what's the dilemma, I hear you ask? Well, they have made substantial changes to the voting system, to try and stop the Bloc voting that has been happening the last few years. Potentially this, along with Mr Norton could give us a substantially different Eurovision this year. Add into the mix a pretty strong UK entry (and publicity campaign, something we've sorely lacked in the past) and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to boot, and this could be the year where things are turned around and Eurovision can finally raise its head as something that the contestants can again be proud of.

So, at long last, here is my problem. If I stick to my resolution to stop watching, I could potentially miss the first very good Eurovision in years. If, on the other hand, I watch it, one of two things could occur.
1) Its rubbish and I feel let down and disgusted with myself for not sticking to my principles.
2) Its good and I then continue to watch it for years to come, subjecting my family (and particularly my baby daughter) to the highs and lows of Eurovision (and to Graham Norton) when they'd rather be doing something else instead!

What to do? What to do?....