"Death Metal" band wins Eurovision; contest's credibility skyrockets

Just a quick heads-up to anyone who hasn't heard the biggest news of 2006 - that Finnish heavy metal band Lordi has taken out first place at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, with an inspirational number called "Hard Rock Hallelujah". For a band that looks like it's been struggling with an extreme case of psoriasis since the mid 1800s, Lordi has done quite nicely for itself. In what's grown into the most extreme, and probably most democratic version of the Idol phenomenon, Eurovision has actually turned up a pop group worthy of all the attention, if only for their elaborate make-up and tongue-licking theatre show. And the always cynical Terry Wogan, who provided running commentary for about the 400th year in a row, kept any sardonic comments to himself when Lordi came to collect the prize and and perform a reprise of its new hit - which is something Eurovision really hasn't seen for quite some time.