What is a Musikantenstadl? Here's Andy Borg to explain...

So, it that time again once again when Germans, Austrians and the Swiss dress up and go for a night out at a Musikantenstadl. But I hear you say what is a Musikantenstadl? Well, that's what I first thought when I saw one New Year's Eve when flicking through the channel on the satellite system bored looking for something, anything to watch. As the time counted towards midnight in German, acts like Nana Mouskori and Roger Whittaker turned up to entertain the slowly inebriated audience. 

Compared to anything else I had seen this was like the Val Doonican shows of the past, but on a much bigger scale. Its so big that, the set is like one huge alpine lodge including bar serving drinks. Ok, that seemed like a one off thing but over time when ever it on, I have tuned in to see it.

With its genial host Andy Borg, a cross between Englebert Humperdinck and a yodeller, he holds the whole thing together in the face of all the acts and the audience who at any opportunity want to give the stars a bunch of flowers or chocolates to show their appreciation without even one security officer rushing in to stop them. A far cry from what would happen in this country if anyone was to do at any live programme or event.

Such is its appeal, that the show since 1981 has gone to China, Croatia, Dubai, Melbourne and Cape Town to entertain the people there. Its appeal itself is the total opposite to both The Voice and The X Factor in which performers love to perform for their audience and the range of people at such a show ranges from the very young to the very old.

But why can't this type of programme actually work even in a slimmed down version in Britain, when Val Doonican and Roger Whittaker could get large audiences at one time. Though a silent change has been happening with both Sir Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck being part of competions, especially with Englebert being announced as this year's entry for Eurovision. Who handedly produces Musikantenstadl for ARD, ORF and SF. Where they maybe seen as old fashioned by some, its interesting at one time they were leading pop music into light entertainment back in the late sixties.

So maybe its time to give the golden oldies another chance, besides its not how old you are, it wheither you can still entertain...

Please release me... No, because Enge will show you how to have fun at Eurovision...

Hello and welcome back to the blog after a short rest to regain my Light Entertainment mojo, but something today has stirred me again and its the choice of singer for this year's Eurovision and its Englebert Humperdinck... Ah, I can hear some of you moaning why him and also we won't win it now. But do we have to win it? I mean, its an entertainment show rather then the be all and end all of everything ever, ever, ever. 


To some younger viewers they would want to see an Cowell reject singing or maybe a load of reformed pop stars like Blue last year, but to me Englebert is the right choice as he is an entertainer first and foremost. A star for many years, having his own television show much like his contemporary Tom Jones back in the late sixties. Why should we be pressing to fight the good fight rather then having fun with this? To some its jingoism, the pride of the nation and I find that a load of sloblocks, it is a television programme not a warzone. Leave that stuff to Question Time and alike, there maybe questions asked if this an easy way out for the BBC of not wanting to do Eurovision. 


But they put up technical support to the host broadcaster along with the Germans, Italians, Spanish and French, plus the argument of 'Why not get the host broadcaster pay for it all?' Well, for the fact it creates money, such as a programme like Top Gear does for the BBC. Not all people may like Top Gear, but its sales pay for other programmes like Call the Midwife, the BBC's sports coverage and other entertainment shows. Money is such, that some will create itself. 


So there's nothing wrong with Enge doing this, he bring class to an already classy show. And the business we call show, there's wrong with a bit of a class act...