Singing for their supper
This year’s Eurovision comes with two fresh faces as Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey get set to host Australia’s coverage of the event on SBS. The new presenters tell DANIELLE McGRANE what to expect at this year’s contest and why they’re the right pair for
How do you replace a duo with the comedic nous of Laurel and Hardy and the knowledge of Holmes and Watson?
SBS was left with such a conundrum when Julia Zemiro and Sam Pang decided they’d had enough bearded ladies and Nordic heavy metal bands and were stepping down from their
Eurovision hosting duties after eight years guiding the country through the OTT song contest.
The network managed to find a new and willing pair to take over hosting duties for the annual event for SBS, and they are on the ground in the Ukrainian capital Kiev for this year’s contest.
What’s more, they appear to have what it takes to lead an Australian audience through one of the wackiest musical events in the world.
One half of the team, comedian Joel Creasey, reck- ons he knows exactly what makes him the most qualified for the job.
“Eurovision was always on in my household because my parents are British … I love it. And in recent years I’ve hosted Eurovision parties,” Creasey said. By his side will be former
Spicks and Specks team captain and Double J presenter Myf Warhurst, who was on Australia’s Eurovision jury last year.
“In terms of music knowledge in this country Myf is one of the highest authorities. I can’t think of anyone else, apart from Molly Meldrum. So she’s an encyclopedia on music and I’m just an encyclopedia on everything camp and fun and silly. So hopefully us both combined, we’ll kind of be like the Planeteers from Captain
Planet,” Creasey said. There’s no argument from Warhurst. She knows her place in the pairing, but she also brings with her a genuine love of the competition.
“As a music lover and having worked in music for 20 years, Eurovision is like everything I love but turned up to 11,” she said.
Eurovision wasn’t always seen as cool or a legitimate place to source music. But these two reckon that’s all changing and it’s no longer viewed as the secret shame it once was.
“I really feel like things are turning around and it’s OK to be into whatever you’re into now,” Warhurst said.
Anything goes at the flamboyant event, with one of this year’s favourites, Italy’s Francesco Gabbani, appearing with a gorilla on stage.
“It’s just a guy in a costume. They could have gone for some CGI or something but as far as I can tell, it’s just going to be a guy in an ill-fitting gorilla suit and that is Eurovision,” Warhurst said.
Australia will be competing this year for the third time. Last year, we just missed out on the top spot with Dami Im coming second with the song Sound of Silence.
“We’ve definitely earned our place and I think people thought we wouldn’t take it seriously, but then we really backed it up, we’re not mucking around and Dami was so popular that I think people are excited to see what we deliver this year,” Warhurst said.
This year X Factor winner Isaiah Firebrace will assume the mantle with the song Don’t Come Easy and the hosts reckon he’s a force to be reckoned with.
“Isaiah is so talented. He’s 17 and what kills me is I’m usually the youngest person on a show and he beats me by 10 years. I love his song, I think he’ll blow them away,” Creasey said.
Wahrhurst agrees: “I think Isaiah can do it. I feel like he’s just got some little bit of magic about him which makes me feel he could do this.”
Eurovision Song Contest Tonight, 7.30pm on SBS