shirl
05-19-2008, 08:52 PM
By Louise Hogan
Monday May 19 2008
Turkey ruffles feathers before semi-final
GO on ya' good thing. Dustin the Turkey (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Turkey) has already been awarded 'Douze Pointe' in the eyes of other publicity hungry delegations.
According to the foul-mouthed feathered one's entourage, other countries are now hoping to catch the tail end of the talkative turkey's publicity trail by inviting Dustin to sit in on their Eurovision Song Contest conferences.
Dustin and his entourage have already commandeered the headlines in the Serbian press and he hasn't yet clucked a note of 'Irlande Douze Pointe' outside the rehearsal studios.
Accompanied by an entourage of 67 people, the turkey has been preparing for tomorrow's semi-final performance in Belgrade (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Belgrade).
"Lots are working for free as RTE wouldn't let me bring as many as I liked," he said.
"A number of high-profile celebrities have been trying to get in on my act and have offered their services for free.
"Bob Geldof (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Bob+Geldof) is on hair and make-up, while Dana is my spiritual adviser," he quipped.
As his fame has grown, so too have his dressing-room demands, with a box of Lyons Tea, the 'Fair City' box set and a podcast of Joe Duffy (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Joe+Duffy)'s 'Liveline' show topping the requests.
After Dustin's tongue-in-cheek selection sent internet users into frenzied activity on forums and websites, RTE said they hoped a crowd would tune in for tomorrow night's semi-final performance.
Dustin's quips have already led to several front-page headlines, especially after Polish entrant Isis Gee (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Isis+Gee)'s performance on 'the Late Late Show'.
One read, "Turkey wants to be served up with Polish bird", another "I don't have bird flu", and Serbia (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Serbia)'s evening paper may have hit home with "The most talkative Turkey in the world".
Despite the publicity drive in the lead-up to tomorrow's key performance, Dustin has drifted slightly in the betting stakes.
The turkey was fifth-joint favourite last night -- at odds of 8/1 with Paddy Power (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Paddy+Power+plc) -- to win the competition outright. But first of all, he's got to wing it at the semi-finals.
- Louise Hogan
Monday May 19 2008
Turkey ruffles feathers before semi-final
GO on ya' good thing. Dustin the Turkey (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Turkey) has already been awarded 'Douze Pointe' in the eyes of other publicity hungry delegations.
According to the foul-mouthed feathered one's entourage, other countries are now hoping to catch the tail end of the talkative turkey's publicity trail by inviting Dustin to sit in on their Eurovision Song Contest conferences.
Dustin and his entourage have already commandeered the headlines in the Serbian press and he hasn't yet clucked a note of 'Irlande Douze Pointe' outside the rehearsal studios.
Accompanied by an entourage of 67 people, the turkey has been preparing for tomorrow's semi-final performance in Belgrade (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Belgrade).
"Lots are working for free as RTE wouldn't let me bring as many as I liked," he said.
"A number of high-profile celebrities have been trying to get in on my act and have offered their services for free.
"Bob Geldof (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Bob+Geldof) is on hair and make-up, while Dana is my spiritual adviser," he quipped.
As his fame has grown, so too have his dressing-room demands, with a box of Lyons Tea, the 'Fair City' box set and a podcast of Joe Duffy (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Joe+Duffy)'s 'Liveline' show topping the requests.
After Dustin's tongue-in-cheek selection sent internet users into frenzied activity on forums and websites, RTE said they hoped a crowd would tune in for tomorrow night's semi-final performance.
Dustin's quips have already led to several front-page headlines, especially after Polish entrant Isis Gee (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Isis+Gee)'s performance on 'the Late Late Show'.
One read, "Turkey wants to be served up with Polish bird", another "I don't have bird flu", and Serbia (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Serbia)'s evening paper may have hit home with "The most talkative Turkey in the world".
Despite the publicity drive in the lead-up to tomorrow's key performance, Dustin has drifted slightly in the betting stakes.
The turkey was fifth-joint favourite last night -- at odds of 8/1 with Paddy Power (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Paddy+Power+plc) -- to win the competition outright. But first of all, he's got to wing it at the semi-finals.
- Louise Hogan