Discussions about the return of the National Song Contest have been inflamed after criticism

The criticism of Holland’s Eurovision entry Mia Nicolai and Dionne Cooper has not been tender after their first shows. Their unfortunate debut on April 8 in Madrid caused quite a stir. The artists made a number of vocal gaffes during the performance. Last Saturday, Nicolai and Cooper performed a duet in Holland for the first time and again failed to impress. The duo sounded insecure, quivering, and didn’t sing clearly at certain moments. Now the discussion is raging about the return of the National Song Contest.

The responsible broadcaster AVROTROS regularly talks about this, Eric van Stade, general manager and member of the Eurovision selection committee, tells the news agency. AP. According to him, it is not inconceivable that the national song contest will eventually return to the Netherlands.

General Manager Avrotros talks about the possibility of returning the National Song Contest

In fact, there is a discussion every year, says Van Stade. “Of course we try to see if we are still doing well and if we have to change that from time to time. We talk about it regularly, but so far it seems logical to continue on the path we are on now.”

Van Stade anticipates that the debate over whether the Dutch entry should not be chosen publicly will also return after this song festival, especially now that there has been so much criticism of Nicolai and Cooper. “And then we will have this discussion very seriously again with those involved,” says van Stade. The director does not dare to say how important the opportunity to return is. “But it’s not zero. Absolutely not.”

‘It is a pity that there are no more national song contests’

Broadcaster AVROTROS admitted that Nikolai and Cooper’s performance during the Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam was not good again. A spokesman denied AP Know that the broadcaster is working hard to support the duo and will continue to do so until the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Many viewers are very worried. “Netherlands need a miracle to qualify if they perform like this in Liverpool,” someone said below the YouTube video.

Many people on Twitter are calling for the return of the National Song Contest. “You could also have sent artists who could sing. And/or go back to the old idea, with a national song contest,” one writes, for example. Another: “It is a pity that there is no more national song contest. Transparent with the participation of the Dutch public and a specialized jury.”

National Song Festival in 2012 for the last time

If the National Song Contest returns, according to the broadcast director, a model that works must be found. “Of course we have all seen the National Song Festival where Father Abraham had to make an impossible choice. We want to prevent that.” In 2010, Vader Abraham delivered a famous TV moment when he, as author, had to make a crucial decision between Sieneke and the girl group Loekz. At random, after a few minutes of hesitation, he finally chose Sieneke.

The National Song Contest was last organized in 2012. Then the jury and the audience chose Joan Franca to represent the Netherlands in Azerbaijan. Last week, Franca candidly told how she experienced the song fest as a horror and jumped last night Sunday race In breach of Nicholas and Cooper. Negativity is useless, the singer assures, and, according to her, “hatred” will not help these two candidates.

Anouk volunteered in 2013 and since then Dutch entry selection has always been done internally behind closed doors. And this paid off, because in the following years only Trijntje Oosterhuis did not reach the final.

Since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, the Netherlands have often missed the final with an entry also chosen by the public. Glennis Grace (2005), Triple (2006), Edisilia Rombley (2007), D-Toppers (2009), Seniki (2010), 3JS (2011) and Joan Franca all had to pack their bags early.

Other countries also choose internally

The Netherlands is not the only country you choose to enter internally. Armenia and the United Kingdom, among others, are also opting in internally. Other countries have major first rounds that are televised. An oft-cited example is Sweden’s Melodifestivalen, which annually draws millions of viewers in its country from a large arena.

‘My confidence is gone,’ she told Pointer’s Mike of how she and her family were put on the street.