Eurovision 2021 in Sydney, as Rotterdam abandoned.
Exclusive: All 39 acts to converge on the Sydney Opera House in a major coup for SBS.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under Coronavirus, Eurovision, News, Top Stories
EXCLUSIVE: In a major coup for Australian Eurovision fans, organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest have cancelled plans for Rotterdam in May and all 39 acts will converge on the Sydney Opera House.
SBS will be host broadcaster for the May 19 – 23 spectaculars, to be beamed across Europe for the first time from “Down Under.”
Dami Im will host joined by comedian Joel Creasey & presenter Myf Warhurst with the event to seat 2,600 fans.
The European Broadcasting Union is understood to have abandoned Scenarios A, B, C and D and pivoted to ‘Operation G’Day,’ secretly planned under the federal government’s Location Incentive Attraction Fund.
“Australia has had a love affair with Eurovision for 40 years and we can’t think of a safer or more socially distant country than one 15,000 km away,” organisers said in a statement.
“Besides we don’t really know what Australia is doing in Eurovision either.”
All acts and delegations are being vaccinated in their own countries and will controversially spend just 7 days in quarantine in Sydney, following special approval by the Federal and NSW Governments.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, “First Zac Effron and Matt Damon, now Conchita Wurst and Jedward discovering the wonders of Sydney. Deux Points!”
“The Morrison Government is pleased to support this iconic cultural fixture,” said Minister for Communications and the Arts Paul Fletcher. “As long as it’s not on the ABC. What time will ABBA be on?”
Producers Blink TV are currently preparing an opening number described as a quintessential smorgasbord of Australiana: kangaroos, boomerangs, surf lifesavers and dual flush toilets.
Guest stars set to appear include Sia, Keith Urban, Rhonda Burchmore, Dannii Minogue (Kylie was unavailable) and Kamahl (direct from his second appearance at Carnegie Hall). An offer from Bruce Samazan to reprise rap single “One of a Kind” was declined.
Former SBS presenter Lee Lin Chin will also return as Green Room host after producers knocked back a plea from Beau Ryan.
“Too much of a hugger,” she quipped.
Update: Happy April Fool’s everyone, thanks for playin’!
Photo by Roberto Parlavecchio.
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- Tagged with Eurovision Song Contest
58 Responses
Lol, omg I completely fell for it. I should’ve known from the Gladys quote! When I saw the “lineup” I was like “Oh god this is going to be awful”. Thanks for the laughs hahaha.
Thanks for the annual laugh David…and ignore the arrogant twitter haters
Keep up the great work
Forgot the date, completely fell for it! damn!!!! I was beside myself with excitement. Everything about that idea is so brilliant! Lee Lin Chin in the Green Room, all the special guests…I was genuinely wrapt to see SBS doing TV so well! And now I’m thinking maybe you should be running SBS…please?
Aussievision! 😀
I woke up looking forward to the headline. This was a nice lighthearted laugh. As always it takes some planning and I love the recent inclusion of Kamahl.
Plus poor Beau, I like his larrikin attitude
Unless of course this is a April fool’s joke. :S
Doh!
Happy April, fools.
Congratulations to everyone involved in getting Eurovision ‘downunder’!!
Fake News
It’s called April’s Fools. Lighten up!
April Fool !
You really had me there David until the last line 😉 Forgot what the date was today.
Me Too!
April 1
Happy April Fools’ .
Yea alright, this one initially got me. Well played David.
I started googling to see more news regarding this and then caught on! Haha you did well this year
Just checking. Ah yes, It’s April 1.
But what an interesting idea. 😉
Love this – happy first day of April!
We can only wish!!!!!! 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
I knew it was April fools day and it still took me a minute before it dawned on me. I also went through the thoughts about how I didn’t see or hear about it in the news. It’s good because it’s actually partly believable that this would happen.
I do want Australia to win Eurovision because this prospect would have to come up. I don’t know if it’s possible to bring it to Australia but it would set the impetus.
Happy April Fools David 🙂
Happy April Fools!
What date is it today?
Also Stefan Dennis will be doing a one time only performance of his hit song don’t it make you feel good
Happy April Fools Day, David? 😀
What a big coop for Australia! What a minute… great joke David! 😆
Eurovision will be here when pigs 🐷🐖 fly.