Eurovision fans were left in stitches on Thursday night, after a hilarious skit recreating the viral shouting meme from Miss Universe.
The second semi-final was hosted by Hollywood actress Malin Akerman and fan favourite Petra Mede in Malmo, Sweden.
As the two women began the show, they explained that three of the ‘Big Five’ acts would be performing, despite already having spots in the grand final.
The group – made up of the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy – gets direct entry into the final, as they make the biggest financial contributions to the European Broadcasting Union.
Malin said: ‘Tonight new memories will created for people watching us all over the world, as 16 competitors take the stage. But you’ll also get the opportunity to hear three of the countries that are already qualified for the final. That is…’
Eurovision fans were left in stitches on Thursday night, after a hilarious skit recreating the viral shouting meme from Miss Universe
The second semi-final was hosted by Hollywood actress Malin Akerman and fan favourite Petra Mede in Malmo, Sweden (pictured)
They then cut to a clip of three pageant stars introducing their countries, Italy, Spain and France.
However, when it came to France’s turned the beauty queen screamed the country loudly, to laughter from the audience.
The skit was parodying the viral clip from the 2018 Miss Universe pageant, which became a popular meme last year.
The funny moment saw the French contestant, Eva Colas, join the other beauty queens in announcing her country’s name, when her voice cracked, causing her to shriek: ‘France!’
Viewers watching at home were also in hysterics at the parody and took to social media to declare that France should be introduced in the same way every year.
They wrote: ‘Not them recreating miss Universe France meme; I know the France joke is coming, and I have laughed at it EVERY SINGLE TIME’.
‘This is gold and should be used every time France is introduced; I love how they did the FRANCE meme!’
‘petition for france to be announced in #Eurovision via this form forevermore; The FRANCE meme lmaooo’.
They explained that three of the ‘Big Five’ acts would be performing, despite already having spots in the grand final and then cut to a clip of three pageant stars introducing their countries, Italy, Spain and France
However, when it came to France’s turned the beauty queen screamed the country loudly, to laughter from the audience
The skit was parodying the viral clip from the 2018 Miss Universe pageant, which became a popular meme last year, when the French contestant, Eva Colas’ voice cracked, causing her to shriek: ‘France!’ (pictured)
Elsewhere, the semi-final caused shockwaves after fan favourites Malta and Belgium failed to make it through.
While Israel’s Eden Golan defied thousands of protestors, including those demonstrating in Malmo, calling for her to be excluded from the competition as she made it through to the final.
Latvia, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Greece, Estonia, Switzerland, Georgia and Armenia were the other countries who made it through to Saturday’s final.
Malta was represented by Sarah Bonnici with the song Loop while Belgium was reprsented by Mustii with the track Before The Party’s Over.
Although both songs were well received by the crowd and had been viewed as early favourite, they failed to get enough votes to qualify for the final, causing sadness from fans.
The EBU, whose members approved Israeli broadcaster Kan, has taken a strong stance, as in previous years, against political messages at Eurovision and flags and symbols from non-competing countries.
Despite the position, Tuesday’s first semi-final saw former Swedish contestant and opening act Eric Saade wear a keffiyeh pattern material, commonly used by people who want to show they are pro-Palestinian, on his arm.
Golan was booed by some of the spectators watching rehearsals on Wednesday and there were reportedly shouts of ‘free Palestine’.
Viewers watching at home were also in hysterics at the parody and took to social media to declare that France should be introduced in the same way every year
‘Just like in all major TV productions with an audience, SVT work on the broadcast sound to even out the levels for TV viewers,’ a statement from the Eurovision organisers, including Swedish host broadcaster SVT, said.
‘This is solely to achieve as balanced a sound mix as possible for the audience; and SVT do not censor sound from the arena audience.
‘The same principle applies to all competing performances and opening and interval acts.
‘The EBU and SVT encourage all audiences to attend in the spirit of the contest, embracing its values of inclusivity, celebrating diversity and being United By Music.’
Greta Thunberg also joined the thousands of protesters in the southern Swedish city earlier today demonstrating against Israel competing in the famous song contest.
The climate activist, 21, was at the Stop Israel demonstration in the centre of the city on Thursday ahead of the young Israeli-Russian singer’s performance at the second semi-final of the competition later this evening.
It was reported earlier that Israel’s national security agency Shin Bet had warned Golan not to leave her hotel room except for performances because Malmo was anticipating the wave of pro- Palestinian demonstrations.
The prediction was correct, with as many as 5,000 people taking to the city’s streets today, including the young Swede – who was pictured wearing a keffiyeh, a black and white shawl commonly used to show support for Palestine, around her body in the centre of the crowd within a sea of Palestinian flags.
Elsewhere, the semi-final caused shockwaves after fan favourites Malta and Belgium failed to make it through (Malta’s Sara Bonnici pictured)
Although both songs were well received by the crowd and had been viewed as early favourite, they failed to get enough votes to qualify for the final, causing sadness from fans (Belgium’s Mustii pictured)
While Israel’s Eden Golan defied thousands of protestors, including those demonstrating in Malmo, calling for her to be excluded from the competition as she made it through to the final (pictured)
During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off and protesters, some of whom have dogs, young children and bicycles with them, were carrying signs displaying images of Gaza civilians who have been injured amid the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Other banners displayed messages including ‘welcome to Genocide song contest’ and ‘stop using Eurovision to whitewash Israeli crimes’.
At one point, the pro-Palestinian demonstrators were told to go back by police and, following shouts of ‘free Palestine’, returned to the main gathering.
During Eden’s rehearsals of her song Hurricane, which was reworked from an early track October Rain deemed too political, she was booed and there were reportedly shouts of ‘free Palestine’ on Wednesday.
Eden, who was born in Israel but grew up in Russia, told MailOnline in an interview this week: ‘I won’t let anything break me, I wouldn’t say I’m worried. I’m prepared.’
Denmark, Finland, Norway and even host country Sweden have repeatedly called for Israel to be banned from the contest altogether.
And in Belgium, two Ministers demanded that the Jewish state be treated the same as Russia, which has been barred since 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine.
Greta Thunberg also joined the thousands of protesters in the southern Swedish city earlier today demonstrating against Israel competing in the famous song contest (pictured)
During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off and protesters were carrying signs displaying images of Gaza civilians who have been injured amid the Hamas-Israel conflict
