Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

I don't usually care about the commentators but this year just like San Marino also Sweden has something remarkable going on. While Wiktoria will be the spokesperson, two gentlemen will be taking care of the commentary. Two gentlemen with a lot of experience. First of all Måns Zelmerlöw , the Eurovision 2015 winner and the 2016 co-host with Petra Mede. And more importantly Edward af Sillén . He has screenwriter and director for Melodifestivalen 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2016. He already did commentary in 2009-2012. And in 2014 and 2015. In 2010 he was screenwriter and director the 2010 Eurovision. And again in 2013. And 2016. In 2015 he co-wrote the Eurovision Greatest Hits in London show. He's been also the Swedish commentator for JESC from 2010 to 2014. And that's only his Eurovision curriculum vitae.  Did you know he was born in Brazil and adopted by a Swedish father and American mother?

Last month Petra Mede premiered her very first own floor show in Maxim Theater in Stockholm after being one of the most beloved comedians for over ten years. This is what she tells to QX magazine about the show, Eurovision, being Faghag and what Alcazar Andreas has thought her: "I have had the privilege of constantly getting challenging assignments assigned to me. But I am a prophet of doom, and believe that every gig will be my last. So to my parents' joy I have always the idea to start studying to become a teacher" , she jokes. "But I have some involuntarily ended up in this fantastic slot managing large galas and events like Eurovision. I love it very much, and am so comfortable in leading an evening and being funny. But unfortunately, they are of course limited in number so I want to go on to become a stage performer, creating my own platform. And I insist on singing even though many try to thwart me!" she laughs. "Eurovision is just about th...

Edward af Sillén and Daniel Réhn are writing the script for this year's Eurovision song contest and they say it's going to be crazier and taking things a bit further than before. They know what they are doing as they have also written the scripts for Oslo 2010 and Malmö 2013. They both love Eurovision and will threat it with love, joy and without cynicism. And they love to work with their old friends Petra Mede and Måns Zelmerlöw as they are "safe and fun. And they are quite unpredictable both of which are fun. And they both love the show, no need to fake it!" Edward and Daniel met thanks to Slovakia's Eurovision entry 1998. Edward heard it in a bar in Stockholm and stood up and went to ask the bartender who is this. Daniel thought he was there to critizise the music choice - as it usually was - but it was on the contrary. They have been friends since. And now they are once again working together for Eurovision. "We want to cherish the gift we are given...

Gina Dirawi was at it again with her pre-contest talk show.... Live here now. Mark Levengood, Swede's most famous Finn interviewed Krista Siegfrids in a doctor's room..... Sarah Dawn Finer aka Lynda Woodruff was there.... ByeAlex came by and sung his song acoustic with the Swedish bits added.... Edward af Sillén was there again :-) ... interval act Darin visited..... Margaret Berger passed by for a chat.... ... so did Ralph Siegel.... ... and Thomas G:son....

Petra Mede, the fabulous presenter had her press conference today along with Show producer Christer Björkman and scriptwriter Edward af Sillén. They promise humor and saome laughs at the Swedish costs as well. Petra didn't rule out the surprise in Lill Lindfors' dimension, but for that we just have to wait and see. Edward said he has made her watch the past 20 Eurovision finals to give her idas what to do, and especially not to do.... This bloggers believes it's going to be fun, fun, fun!  We know for example that she will be guest starring digitally as Cliff Richards backing singer, and duet with Udo Jurgens in the old balck and white video clips.....

The hostess has landed Malmö 2013 Eurovision. Stylish. Elegant. Popular. Down-to-earth. Extremely talented. Warm. Unpredictable. Funny. Spomtaneus. Critizised. Petra Mede is all that and more.  Her demands in her rider for the backroom have made the headlines but it all was rather a misunderstanding, all she ever wanted was something where to bath her baby.  Her role model for the part is Lill Lindfors, the legendary hostess back in 1985 but we can't expect similar wardrobe shocker as these days it's forbidden in the rules. She may have something else in her sleeve though. She says her goes is to lead the show in an exciting, funny way and bring the boys home, so to speak. She'll be alone and will alternate between being funny and serious, depending on the situation. The script will be developed and changed until the very last moment with Edward af Sillén and Daniel Rehn. She says she will do the hosting in Swedish, English and a little bit of French thrown in. But ...

Melodifestivalen didn't quite make it last year. People didn't appreciate the interval acts and the voting was a mess in several cases and harsh critic fell on the Swedish institution. Most of it was forgotten when Eric Saade's winning entry Popular did indeed prove popular by the voters all around Europe and gained Sweden's first success since Carola's 5th place in 2006 with Invincible and especially coming after Sweden's first ever drop out from the final in 2010 with Anna Bergendahl's This is my life . Christer Björkman continues as the producer and is in charge for the song part of the show while the interval acts have been given to Henrik Johnsson to think about and Edward af Sillèn will be directing the show. They will write the script and promise the 90 minutes shows will be mainly live and in general talk about "live atmosphere" for the whole event (like it was never missing there, was it?) Both guys also have already various experiences ...