Surprisingly, Jan Boehmermann (42) and Olli Schulz (49) announced that they will act as commentators for the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2023. The two entertainers will comment on the final of the competition in Liverpool for the ORF media and the youth culture radio station FM4, which puts them in direct competition with the established commentators Peter Urban (ARD) and Andi Knoll (ORF).
The announcement was made on Sunday in the current episode of their Spotify podcast "Fest & Flauschig". Böhmermann and Schulz will travel to Liverpool to accompany live the event. Peter Urban, who celebrates his 75th birthday on April 14, will commentate on the ESC on German television for the last time this year at his own request, a tradition he has continued since 1997.
In his typical satirical style, Böhmermann explained that "after all these years, they want to give back to Austria" what the country has given them. Schulz added: "Finally, what belongs together is growing together."
Due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, this year's ESC will take place in the UK, last year's runner-up. The BBC is working closely with Ukraine on this. Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra had won the ESC in Turin in 2022 with the track "Stefania."
The Eurovision final is set for May 13, with the semifinals taking place on May 9 and 11. Austria will be represented in the second semifinal by the female duo Teya & Salena ("Who the hell is Edgar?") and still has to qualify for the final. As one of the big spenders, Germany is already seeded for the finals, as are France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and last year's winner Ukraine.
