Thorsten Schorn
This is how it resonates with the audience
Thorsten Schorn comments on the ESC in the first – with a portrait of his predecessor Peter Urban in the background.
© NDR Press and Information
After 26 years, another voice commented on the ESC on the first for the first time on Saturday: Thorsten Schorn. This is how it was received by the audience.
Quite a change for long-time ESC fans: For the first time since 1997, a different voice commented on the Eurovision Song Contest on Das Erste. Peter Urban, 76, announced in 2023 that he would be giving up the reins after 25 years. His successor Thorsten Schorn, 48, celebrated his premiere at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden. How is the radio presenter received by the TV audience?
Net enthusiastic about Thorsten Schorn
On Platform X, Schorn receives mostly positive feedback. “After just twelve minutes I think that Thorsten Schorn is a great successor to Peter Urban,” one user states. “Guys, how brilliant is Thorsten Schorn! We celebrate every comment he makes here,” writes another.
The commentator’s humor is particularly well received by the judges one user. “Great voice, informative, the right pinch of humor. Already a winner,” praises another.
Some users also criticize Thorsten Schorn: “I find Thorsten Schorn’s comments mostly quite embarrassing. Old white man vibes”, writes one user. “Thorsten Schorn’s humor at #Eurovision2024”, commented another on a video saying “Boomer Alert“.
Criticism for Israel statement
A statement by Thorsten Schorn in particular caused criticism among some X users. After the performance by Israeli Eden Golan, 20, the commentator mentioned the numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the streets of Malmö and explained: “It is criticized that Russia was excluded, but Israel was not, regardless of its actions in the Gaza Strip.”
“Incredibly bad comment from Thorsten Schorn comparing Israel with Russia,” one user snubs. Another classifies: “Thorsten Schorn correctly says that there were and are protests against Israel in Malmö. And talks about the comparison with Russia. But he doesn’t explain that the Russian broadcasters are Putin propagandists and therefore Russia is not allowed to take part – but the Israeli broadcaster is journalistic , also reported critical of Netanyahu.”