While 200 million viewers across Europe tune in to the Grand Final from Vienna on Saturday night, RTÉ 2 will be airing "Father Ted" at 9pm.
But not just any episode, RTE will air (of course) the one where Ted and Dougal frantically write "My Lovely Horse" in a bid to represent Ireland in a Eurovision-style song contest on Rugged Island.
You genuinely could not make it up.
RTÉ confirmed in December that it would neither compete in nor broadcast any of the three Eurovision shows this week for the first time in 61 years.
The boycott was in protest at Israel’s continued participation, with RTÉ citing the "appalling loss of lives in Gaza."
However, unless it’s an extraordinary coincidence, someone in RTE has decided that a boycott doesn’t have to be boring. And RTÉ’s replacement schedule across the three Eurovision nights this week reads like someone was having a very good time with the EPG.
Tuesday: Semi-Final 1 (8pm)
RTÉ One serves up "Reeling in the Years" (repeat) and "Home Grown" (repeat). RTÉ 2 counters with "Home of the Year Scotland" and, yes, another "Father Ted" repeat.
Thursday: Semi-Final 2 (8pm)
RTÉ One goes with "Fair City" at 8pm, followed at 8.30pm by "The End of the World with Beanz", a travel show featuring none other than Eurovision legend, Niamh Kavanagh.
RTÉ won’t show "Eurovision", but they’ll happily put a former Eurovision winner on screen at the exact same time the semi-final is on.
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Saturday: Grand Final (8pm)
RTÉ One opts for an animated comedy called "Mummies", followed by the Lotto draw and the "Nine O’Clock News".
RTÉ 2 gives us "My Epic Camel Adventure", the iconic "Father Ted" "Eurovision" episode at 9pm, "The Saturday Game", and then "Jaws" to close the night.
It’s just perfect.
What if you want to watch?
For Irish viewers who do want to watch the actual contest, BBC One will carry all three shows live, with Graham Norton on commentary for Saturday’s final.
The "Eurovision" YouTube channel will also stream the shows for free.
Ireland has won "Eurovision" seven times, still a joint record. This week, we most certainly won’t be watching; instead, we'll be following RTE’s lead and humming along to "My Lovely Horse".
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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