Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004

  • Sarah Kuttner
  • Jörg Pilawa

Under the title Germany 12 Points! place on 19 March 2004 in Berlin, the German preliminary decision for the Euro Vision Song Contest 2004. Was organized the competition from the NDR in cooperation with the music channel VIVA. Was sent from the sold-out arena with 6,000 spectators in the Berlin district of Treptow. Moderated the show by Sarah Kuttner and Jörg Pilawa.

Before the show

In contrast to the following year, the preparation of the preliminary award in 2004 for media spectacle was. An advantage for some of the candidates was that they had relation to television and took advantage of this. VIVA presented the participants before in a series. The criticism of the pop scene ( see below ) was a godsend for Boulevard Magazine, which supported the media coverage of the preliminary decision.

Rules of the preliminary award 2004

The German advance Scheid of the Euro Vision Song Contest was totally rebuilt in its concept. Participants were only allowed to performers who were represented by their contribution in the charts and already could show a video on VIVA.

For the first time so-called wildcards have been awarded which should allow artists with great chart success, take off the Viva- qualification short term in the preliminary.

This rule has been claimed by both Max Mutzke as well as by the singer Masha. While the former was able to qualify without any problems, the daughter of Frank Elstner not made ​​the leap into the field of participants.

Rejections came, however, from the hip- hop group Beginner and the Donots, who had applied only for the participants, but then jumped off again without giving reasons. Other possible participants also Sportfreunde Stiller, the dance formation Groove Coverage and the soul singer Joy Denalane were traded in advance.

The result of the new concept was clear. Contrary to the previous years competitions various music directions were given and the competition rejuvenated. This met with divided opinion. The pop scene, led by Bernhard Brink, Nicole or Michelle, felt marginalized by these rules of participation and expressed for weeks to critically approach and participants in the media. Ralph Siegel was missing this year, and instead sent a party on the Mediterranean island of Malta in the race.

Participants with a lasting impression

Following the success of previous years with Guildo horn and a private performance was again " Alf Igel " (earlier self-designation Stefan Raab in allusion to Ralph Siegel ) of the party. In his ProSieben broadcast TV total he launched the SSDSGPS action (Stefan sucht den Super -Grand- Prix -Star), an allusion to the casting show Germany sucht den Superstar. The winner Max Mutzke qualified after winning the show by the entry of his single Can not Wait Until Tonight at number one in the German charts. Even before he was considered a favorite.

In the run was within the industry also competition from pop stars, the boy band Overground, highly traded. Many viewers, however, calculated the band MIA. with the rather atypical for her song Hungry Heart high chances of.

The most unusual appearances this year, the representatives of electronic sounds, Scooter and Westbam and Africa Islam. Scooter Jigga Jigga supported her appearance with by scantily clad dancers and a fireworks display. Westbam and Afrika Islam presented their contribution Dancing with the Rebels with a cop - show act.

With the exception of Tina Frank, which is the only newcomer of the evening the song, I grant you imagined my heart to cinema 's animated film version of Derrick and previously only came into existence as a female voice in the songs of Oli.P, all participants were already known.

Expiration

The audience could SMS or telephone vote. For the first round, all candidates competed against each other. This two winners were selected that had to compete against each other again. In contrast to the previous year, only two instead of three participants came this time to the final.

Participants and outcome

In the second round of televoting 766 615 votes were cast by phone and 154 863 votes via SMS. Max Mutzke was clear margin winner and represented Germany at the international final in Istanbul, in which he reached the eighth place.

Financing of the show

The NDR refinanced the event by the televoting: The voice of a fee of 49 cents was charged.

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