Thorsten Schorn: This is how the new German ESC voice works

On Tuesday evening (May 7th), Thorsten Schorn (48) will make his debut as the new commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest (Das Erste/One, from 9 p.m.) at the first ESC semi-final in Malmö, Sweden. Star commentator Peter Urban (76) had previously guided the audience through the programs with a distinctive voice for 25 years, and now he handed over the responsible position to the younger TV and radio presenter.

Schorn, who is known, among other things, as the voice-over of the VOX styling documentary “Shopping Queen” and co-host of the RTL game show “The Price is Hot,” starts his new job in a good mood and full of anticipation for an unforgettable “major European event.” “. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he revealed how he assesses the chances of the German ESC candidate Isaak (29) with his song “Always On The Run” and how he celebrated Nicole’s ESC victory in 1982 as a six-year-old in his living room .

Mr Schorn, as an ESC commentator you are following in Peter Urban’s footsteps, who shaped the spectacle with his distinctive voice for over 25 years. Will you follow his style?

Thorsten Schorn: I really appreciate the way Peter Urban did it. His comments were to the point, clever and with his unmistakable voice he shaped the ESC in Germany like no other before him. And finally there are names like Thomas Gottschalk, Max Schautzer and Jan Hofer. It is important to me to show that the ESC is not just an important celebration for a tight-knit fan base, but also a major European event. With my comment I would primarily like to reach those who are interested in the ESC for exactly one day a year.

How do you prepare for the ESC? Will you listen to all 37 participating songs in advance or will you be surprised?

Schorn: I’ve already listened to the songs and I really like that at the ESC every country – no matter whether small or large – has the same chance. And unlike in sport, no nation can build on its last achievements. That’s also what makes this music competition so exciting for me. And I’m looking forward to the full range of music that will be available at the ESC. Whether mainstream or crazy and weird. Anything is possible, I love that.

Part of the fun of watching the ESC is gossiping a bit together about bizarre entries. How nasty do your comments get?

Schorn: It shouldn’t be bad anyway, after all we’re doing a family show here. But when I think of something funny, I say that, despite all the competitive nature, it should above all be an entertaining evening. The juries and the television audience ultimately make their own judgment about the songs.

The ESC candidates are now putting on gigantic stage shows during their performances – should the song contest be more about the actual songs again?

Schorn: Sure, there are now as many pyrotechnics being burned at some performances as in an entire small town on New Year’s Eve. But the ESC has always been about an effective appearance – preferably with a wind machine or trick dress. In 1974, ABBA placed great emphasis on their glittering outfits and platform shoes. And who knows whether Nicole would have won like she did without Ralph Siegel’s white-lacquered guitar.

When Nicole won the ESC in 1982 with “A Little Peace”, you were 6 years old – how did you experience the hype back then?

Schorn: We watched it at home back then. I was allowed to stay up late, which makes it immediately clear to a six-year-old: Today is a special evening. As a child, I found the famous awarding of points, with 12 as the highest score, fascinating. And when Germany won, I was happy and ran around the living room cheering as if we had become world champions.

Will you personally console the German candidate Isaak after the finale if he only ends up in the bottom places with “Always on the Run”?

Schorn: I don’t think that will be necessary. But basically I give a hug to anyone who needs it.

What do you do after the ESC to get all the catchy tunes and weird stage outfits out of your head?

Schorn: When it comes to catchy tunes, it always helps me to simply listen to another song and sing along loudly. A scientific study found that chewing gum can help. But hey, if we still have the ESC so present in our ears and in our eyes days later, then that shows what a unique show we have here in Europe.