“And finally, 12 points go to… Alaska!” Words like these could soon be a catch phrase in North America as the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) expands to the United States for the first time. An eight-episode spin-off of the spectacle that has been broadcast in Europe since 1956 is seeking new fans in the US as the American Song Contest (ASC). Launched in March, the show’s five preliminary rounds will be followed by two semi-finals and a final on May 9. But will there be the usual obligatory key changes? Surprise on-stage costume changes? Pianos on fire? Wind machines turned up to 11? There are…