The UK’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest performed last night at the semi-finals, and it was safe to say that the reactions from fans were less than impressed.
Look Mum No Computer, also known as Sam Battle, received heavy criticism for his performance of ‘Eins, Zwei, Drei’ at the the second semi-final in Vienna, Austria on Thursday night, with some suggesting it’s the UK’s worst entry to date.
“Every time you think the UK has sent its worst entry, they somehow surprise you and send something worse, I’m crying,” said one viewer watching the semi-final.
“LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER for the United Kingdom. already qualified The BBC seems to have wanted to go back to the era of clownish performances from the 2000s with this Danish nonsense disguised under synths which is the favourite for last place on Saturday. 7/20 #Eurovision,” said another viewer on social media.
View 3 ImagesThe singer’s real name is Sam Battle(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
One follower even apologised to former UK entry Sam Ryder for the UK’s poor entry: “Sorry Sam. Look Mum No Computer should never have been selected. Experienced performers only please. Not good. #eurovision”
However, some did think that the risky performance was fabulous, with the song truly dividing fans.
An impressed viewer said: “I’m British so I’m biased OH MY GOD THAT WAS SO GOOD?!?! There’s so many interactive camera moments which Look Mum No Computer nails. The ‘Cosmo’ dancers are one of the most fun things this year, and there’s treadmills in the desks that he moves on. #Eurovision.”
“Eins, Zwei, Drei by Look Mum No Computer is a bold and authentic choice. Instead of a safe and forgettable pop song, the BBC has bet on pure British eccentricity: DIY synth chaos, mad inventor energy, and a catchy anti-9-5 chorus,” said another.
View 3 ImagesThe artist performed the song Eins, Zwei, Drei(Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
Speaking to The Independent, Sam, who the bookies currently have down at 80/1 to win, said: “I’m used to being an underdog.”
He also said in the interview, which took place ahead of last night’s performance, that he was hoping to “surprise” people and felt confident about his efforts. “There’s all different ways of looking at it, but it’s not bothering me, because nobody’s actually seen the full [performance]. There’s a lot more going on than meets the eye – I’m hoping it’s going to surprise people.”
As the UK is one of the ‘Big Four’ countries, whose broadcasters make the biggest financial contribution to Eurovision, the UK qualifies for the final automatically, so Sam didn’t need to impress on Thursday night to make it to the final.
Joining him are the other acts who qualified on Thursday inclduing; Albania’s Alis singing Nân, Australia’s Delta Goodrem singing Eclipse, Bulgaria’s Dara performing Bangaranga, Cyprus’s act (and former UK Love Island star) Antigoni singing Jalla, Czechia’s Daniel Zizka singing Crossroads, Denmark’s Søren Torpegaard Lund singing Før Vi Går Hjem, Malta’s Aidan singing Bella, Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu performing Choke Me, Ukraine’s Leléka singing Ridnym, and Norway’s Jonas Lovv singing Ya Ya Ya.
They join Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Sweden – all of whom qualified on Tuesday.
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The Eurovision Song Contest final takes place on Saturday at 8pm UK time and will be broadcast on BBC One.