Possible new rule for semi-final allocation

[Fluke]

There's already a rule to divide certain groups of countries that tend to vote for each other divided (though some are arbitrarily placed in the groups because they have nowhere else to go), so what do you think of an extension to the rule to also equalize the number of male / female performers?

This year there were only 12 female-led entries out of 31 in the semis. Of course they can't do anything about that, but it means there should have been roughly 6 in each semi, but instead there were only 2 in the first semi, which both qualified, which they probably would have anyway, but Semi 1 really came off as over-stuffed with a certain type of high-energy male performers, which made it really tough for them to get a fair result.

This could be fixed by a simple rule that prevents such unequal allocation - the number of male / female-led entries has to be (almost) the same in both semis, reflecting the overall gender distribution - simply not putting too many of a kind in the same semi. Any ambiguous entries (like mixed duets and bands) could simply go in either semi, they're not the problem.

This idea could also be extended to genres, to some extent - divide groups of entries that are too much like each other, or any 2 really similar entries from being in the same semi at all. For example really slow ballads, traditional ethnic non-english songs, rock bands or jokey/gimmick entries. Basically, whenever this occurs, the producers would decide that two certain entries must not be in the same semi before drawing, something which both of the acts involved would probably agree on benefits them.

For example this year, Australia and Estonia (which was a runaway televote success) was in the same semi, and Australia NQed despite being a favorite for quite a few. Montenegro, Greece and Serbia were in the same semi with songs with very similar appeal (non-english balkan ballads), and two of them NQed. And i won't even go into what happened in Semi 1 in this thread.

So what do you think, should any of this be implemented?

 

[Judas]

Gender based division is controversial because not everyone has to identify either one of the two (You would assume Nemo belongs to the group of male singers before getting to know him, but well...), and this sort of classification is even sexist to an extend.

 

[Fluke]

It's already discriminating by nation by your definition then. It's only to make it fair for all contestants. Any non-binary or mixed entry could simply go in either semi. I actually think dividing by genre would make more of a difference, but it might be harder to implement.

(You would assume Nemo belongs to the group of male singers before getting to know him

You just self-owned yourself there.

 

[Harry]

Dividing by gender is just asking for further division and arguments on top of the incredibly eggy and awkward situation we have endured for the last 2 years - we need unity now more than ever, not more division.

Non-binary people deserve respect and many would feel excluded with that approach in a contest that does not boast biological advantage for any gender.

 

[NemesisNick]

The trouble is, the Semi-Final Allocation Draw normally takes place late January. Very few songs have been chosen then.

 

[Verjamem]

I propose to put Israel in separate semi-final, only for them.

 

[EliGrant6]

I know this would be wild, but I'd like to see the EBU put whole pots in one semi final or the other. For example, what if all the Nordic countries and all the former Yugoslav countries were put into the same semi final? If every country in a region is there, wouldn't be good for ratings? And each country will probably end up with a good number points in the end. But that's my theory.