Good Evening Ramalmo!

With Sharon Davidovitch

Forget college campuses, the real culture war will take place next week in Malmo, Sweden, where the Eurovision Song Contest (otherwise known as the "gay olympics") will take place.

If you don’t know what Eurovision is, I google image searched the word, and this first photo I found explains everything you need to know. I can practically hear this image.

We are joined by sports journalist and Eurovision rainman Sharon Davidovitch to talk about how Israel will fare this year in the glitter soaked battlefield - even if you know nothing of what is as big as the superbowl across the pond, this episode offers fascinating takes about the intersection of gepolotics and culture. Take the world’s campiest, most fabulous show, put it in a Swedish city with a large Muslim population, throw in a banger entry from Israel, and - voila! It’s gonna be lit.

By the way, Israel’s participant Eden Golan has been advised not to leave her hotel in Malmo room for safety reasons, and several countries have threatened to boycott the whole contest it due to Israel’s participation (but they’re just jealous because our song is a banger)

Other important things we discuss:

• Why did Israel have to change the name of its song this year or risk being kicked out?

• How Dana International blew the world's mind in 1998 as the first transgender winner (from Israel!)

• Why the 1983 outfits of the Israeli team were a big F U to Germany

• How we determine who is antisemitic based on how they vote

• What it's like to play and cover sports on behalf of Israel abroad.

• What it’s like spending a month in Qatar

• Why Israelis like to pretend they’re from Malta

  Come for the music, stay for the weird insights into Scandanavian incestuous voting habits!

A few more amazing clips for everyone to enjoy:

• Israel’s 1978 win in Paris

• Israel’s 1979 win in Jerusalem

• Israel’s 2018 win in Lisbon

And if you can’t get enough, here’s a spotify playlist for you.

See you in Malmo - just don’t leave the hotel room!