The audience of the Uuden musiikin kilpailu (UMK) finale has reacted with frustration and disappointment towards Yle, Finland's national broadcasting company, for excluding the iconic heavy metal band Lordi from the recent selection process for Eurovision. This exclusion has sparked outrage, particularly because this year marks the 20th anniversary of Lordi's victory at Eurovision, which was a significant cultural moment for Finland. According to the article, Mr. Lordi himself expressed his discontent, using strong language to describe the treatment they received from Yle after approaching the network for a potential performance.

Social media has seen a surge of responses, particularly on the anonymous messaging platform Jodel, where hundreds of messages reflecting sorrow and anger over Lordi's exclusion have been posted. Many fans feel that the treatment of Finland's only Eurovision winner is unjust, and they are voicing their dissatisfaction towards Yle vehemently. Some fans are even calling for a public apology from Yle, stating that Lordi deserves better treatment than this perceived disrespect. The backlash highlights the continuing cultural impact of Lordi and the strong emotional connection fans have with the band.

In the broader context, this incident underscores the sometimes contentious relationship between artists and national broadcasters, especially in competitive settings like Eurovision. The expectation for national recognition and inclusion in events that connect to a country’s cultural achievements is significant, making Yle's decision particularly controversial. As fans rally around Lordi, this situation could lead to increased scrutiny of Yle’s programming decisions and a demand for greater transparency in how participants are selected for high-profile events in the future.