Petra Mede Hosts Eurovision Alone

MAY 15 2013 · 12:35

Petra Mede (host) · "N/A" · Sweden · 2013 Language: N/A · Venue: Malmö Arena · Host: Malmö, Sweden · Type: performance innovation · Broadcast: streaming era Malmö 2013. Swedish comedian Petra Mede hosts Eurovision alone — the first solo female host since 1995. Her multilingual scripting, deft transitions, and confident ownership of the entire three-show production set a new standard. Emmelie de Forest wins for Denmark with 'Only Teardrops'. Mede's hosting is widely considered the best Eurovision hosting of the 21st century. Context SVT's decision to send Mede alone was deliberate — a demonstration of Swedish television confidence and a refutation of the tradition of male-female hosting pairs. Mede had been a Swedish comedy mainstay since 2009. Her scripted material balanced Eurovision camp with substantive musical commentary. Legacy Mede returned as co-host at Stockholm 2016 with Måns Zelmerlöw, including the legendary 'Love Love Peace Peace' self-parody interval act. Her 2013 solo hosting reset expectations for Eurovision presenters; every subsequent contest has been compared against the Mede benchmark. She has reportedly declined multiple return offers.