It is Eurovision Time

Contributed by Joshua Mason

This weekend one of the biggest TV shows on Earth returns to our screens. No, I am not talking about Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead, but the Eurovision Song Contest.

The annual extravaganza is one of the longest running and most watched live events in TV history. This contest - which dates back to the 1950s - was a precursor to a format we all know and love today: reality singing competitions. But Eurovision brings us all the action and excitement in a very short period of time. It’s like watching an entire season of The Voice in one night!

Despite its name Eurovision is not just popular in Europe. Twenty-two countries will compete in the Grand Final on Saturday May 14th. Adding to the level of excitement, the voting system has seen its first change in this system since 1975. Under the new scoring system, the winner of the show will remain unknown until the last few minutes of the broadcast (unlike in previous years when it was relatively easy to predict the winner)

The Eurovision Song Contest goes all the way back to 1956. It started as a trial run for live broadcasting, with only seven countries participating. Over the years, Eurovision has given birth to huge stars over the years, most notably ABBA.

All European countries except for Kosovo, Vatican and Lichtenstein have performed at the competition. Countries from outside Europe have also taken part. Morocco in 1980 and Australia, invited in 2015 due to the popularity of the show down under and set to return this year.

The show will be broadcast from Stockholm Sweden, home-country of last year’s winner Max Zelmerlowe who will be presenting the final on Saturday night alongside Petra Mede. Justin Timberlake is set to perform, but Eurovision is all about outlandish performances you can’t see elsewhere [a singer performing naked with a wolf e.g.]

Whether you are in Europe or not, Eurovision is a TV must-watch!

Even if Americans are a bit confused...

Haven't been this excited about confusing America since Cheeky Nandos #eurovision

— ruby (@rubyetc) May 19, 2015

Joshua is a freelance writer from London. You can find him on Twitter @AccuracastGB