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Boycotters Spain, Ireland, Slovenia will not show Eurovision
The withdrawals leave Eurovision with 35 entrants, and broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia are replacing the contest with alternative programming.
- Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan objects "in the strongest possible terms" to RTÉ airing the sitcom's Eurovision-themed episode on Saturday night, accusing the broadcaster of using his work as "a tool of antisemitic harassment."
- RTÉ scheduled the episode for Saturday as part of its boycott of this year's contest, citing Israel's participation and the war in Gaza; Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia are refusing to send competitors to the 70th iteration in protest.
- RTÉ2 will air "A Song for Europe," featuring priests Ted and Dougal performing "My Lovely Horse," instead of the final. RTÉ previously stated participation remains "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there."
- Linehan shared a petition demanding the resignation of Director-General Kevin Bakhurst, alleging the episode serves as "an act of pointed, gleeful counter-programming." RTÉ declined to comment beyond its prior humanitarian stance.
- Critics, including over 1,100 cultural workers, have pressured the European Broadcasting Union to exclude Israel, citing Russia's 2022 ban following its invasion of Ukraine. The EBU maintains the contest will proceed as planned.
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Father Ted co-creator blasts RTÉ over Eurovision boycott, calls move ‘antisemitic’
Graham Linehan accuses Irish broadcaster RTÉ of using a Father Ted Eurovision episode as “a tool of antisemitic harassment" after deciding not to air the Eurovision final due to Israel’s participation.
·Israel
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Ireland confirmed to air beloved sitcom instead of Eurovision as boycott continues
Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, is set to air an episode of Father Ted in place of the Eurovision Song Contest final this weekend as part of the ongoing boycott over Israel’s participation.On Saturday night (16 May), RTÉ will air the Eurovision-themed episode of Father Ted, titled A Song For Europe, where priests Ted and Dougal perform their Eurovision song My Lovely Horse - and earn zero points.Ireland's decision comes as part of a wider b…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources137
Leaning Left27Leaning Right17Center55Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 27%
C 56%
R 17%
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