12points.tv

++ Don't play that song again ++ Graham Norton believes in Jedward ++ No Fairytale ++ Engelbert enters at 64 in UK charts ++..

Another rehearsal day has come. All rehearsals can be seen here. This will be the first day the big five and Azerbajan will rehearse. And also tonight the official opening party will be held in the Euroclub. Opening parties are the official kick off of the Eurovision week, where the hosting city welcomes the delegations. Yesterday evening Eurovision DJ Lars Peter dared to play an Armenian song in the Euroclub, Apricot Stone. He survived this, but the dancefloor emptied immediately. Today the Euroclub management has told the Eurovision DJ's that this is strictly forbidden from now on.

Roving reporter Roy took Tooji outside the Crystal Hall for a great interview among Baku's glittering skyline.

With Rick stuck in Sweden at home on the couch while his colleagues are having a ball at the hall, here's his analysis of how the first rehearsals went.

++ Parodi Grand Prix tonight ++ No gay pride in Baku, Iran furious anyway  ++ Kuunkuiskajat #1 in Europe ++ Eurovision in the charts ++..

We are quite exited that next week already we are going to be in Baku to report about everything that is happening in the city that is the capital of Eurovision this month. Keep an eye on our site during the coming weeks, to get the best interviews (we're starting to get a record on that), all the news and some of the gossip too. For all of you heading to Azerbaijan as well, see you at the Euroclub and elsewhere.

++ Euphoric ++ Green traffic lights in Baku  ++ No invitation yet for presidential son-in-law ++ Rick adores Kaliopi ++..

Finally it's May, just a few weeks left. According to the bookmakers it is definitely Sweden that will win this year. Also the Eurovision fans around Europe stand united in declaring Loreen the winner in 2012. In OGAE's poll, Sweden stands on top till know, and will be hard to beat even though there are still quite some countries to vote. And last but not least the Swedes themselves have high hopes for their entry too. The panel members in Inför Eurovision, SVT's own preview show unanymously give the maximum of 5 points to Euphoria. And well, we at 12p[oints.tv are quite euphoric too...

We're going up, up, up!

Now that all the songs are announced, it's time for the 12points staff to discuss their best and worst entries for ESC 2012.

Here at 12points.tv headquarters, we spend most of our spare hours this time of year thinking and dissecting all things Eurovision. Now that all the songs have been announced for Baku, each of our founders has written a little something about their favorites (and least favourites) for this year. We know you won't agree with some of our choices but that's OK, the joy of Eurovision should allow for some lively debate about the merits or each entry.

++ Two more 2012 songs added today! ++  Got some 200 euros to spare? ++ Lena Ph's pride ++ Dima Bilan back? ++ ..

The ticket sales for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest is kicking off tomorrow. On the first of May the tickets for the first semi final will be sold. On 5 March this will be the case for the tickets for the second semi final, a week later the judge rehearsal tickets will be sold and finally on 15 March you can get your hands on tickets for the final of the contest. Finla tickets will be available between 160 and 240 AZN (1 AZN = 0,95 Euro). More details can be found here.

++ Euphoria disqualified?? ++  Dutch battles announced ++ No enthusiam for the Georgian and Montenegrin entries here ++ ..

Before the song Euphoria by Loreen actually is allowed to be released it already seems to be on its way to become an international hit. Euphoria, one of the qualifiers in the first heat of Melodifestivalen this year is a favorit among fans. Untill the day of the Swedish national final the song amy not be published, but somehow it already slipped out and now even made its way into a trailer of a Spanish TV series, reports Eurovision fansite Escdaily. Although this is against the contest rules, Loreen is not likely to be disqualified. Warner Music and SVT are trying hard to get the transmission of the trailer stopped (watch it below).

Part 1 of 12points' review of the songs that didn't make it to Baku, but are worth your attention.

Welcome to our newest feature - The Good, The Bad and The Weird. We're examining songs from national finals you might have missed and perhaps never will want to hear again. We here at 12points.tv want to be as comprehensive as possible so we are bringing you a deeper look at the heartbroken artists who went home crying, vowing revenge on their competitors for beating them to a free trip to Baku, stabbing a voodoo doll in anguish, falling to their knees and holding their hands to the heavens in torment. Well, this is regular activity here at 12points HQ so we assumed everyone does it. 

It's like we're losing all control now that Tooji has won Melodi Grand Prix 2012. Reviewing Melodi Grand Prix 2012.

After probably the highest quality Melodi Grand Prix ever, both in contestants and production values, Norway has chosen Iranian-born singer Tooji and his song "Stay" to make it's way to the wilds of Baku.