Eurovision Song Contest - Ask Jon Ola Sand

What has been Jon Ola Sand’s favourite Contest of the past decade? 🏆
What was the trickiest moment of his time as Executive Supervisor? 😬
And most importantly, does he say "Take it Away" outside of the Eurovision world? 🤔
We asked the outgoing boss all of the important questions YOU wanted answering. Here’s what he had to say!
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[@alexandergunnarsson1537]

Interviewer: “So Jon Ola, what kind of toothbrush do you use?” Jon Ola: “So I have a lot of different toothbrushes...”

[@ja1207]

all of them, I use...

[@frodo2561]

One day Jon Ola said "take it away" for the last time and none of us couldnt realize that..

[@im.joeyb.]

Martin really shouldn't use that catchphrase in the following years. It's Jon's and Jon's only.

[@EternalNyappy]

Last year was the last time he said that.

[@olympia_taf3592]

In this year's allocation draw..that's the time when he said it for the last time

[@doriyahdude5277]

In this video it's the last time he said it

[@Jesperrr2306]

Jon Ola: "my diplomatic skills have improved a lot" Yeah, we can see

[@saiq4440]

LOL

[@treypohe4593]

Jesper - I was your 100th like

[@graham6525]

"What's your favourite Eurovision?" - "All of them" "What's your favourite song? - "I have so many favourites" "Where would you like to see Eurovision next" - "I want to go to every country" It really seems that Jon likes "All Kinds of Everything"

[@erenovich48]

I came here to write this

[@mikehandsome]

Its probably due to his "diplomatic skills" ;)

[@euro--towelie1890]

They remind him of youuuuuu 😂

[@gchornyi]

Trying to be diplomatic

[@eu-RON-vision]

That's Jon Ola Sand, always diplomatic 😃 He did though say he wish UK will host Eurovision.

[@raulvalerosabariego301]

The modest man who brought the Eurovision Song Contest to a whole new level in just a decade's time. Congratulations and thank you for your hard work, Mr. Sand.

[@chelseaisabelkellypereira311]

Raül Valero Sabariego he did an amazing,he put the Eurovision in another level making even more exciting.Hope Martin do the sa,e

[@fanofl4ndo_twd77]

JON OLA SAND JON OLA ROCK JON OLA GRAVEL JON OLA WATER JON OLA FIRE

[@arvinroidoatienza7082]

But everything changed when Coronavirus attacked

[@ImmClau]

In spanish "ola" its wave :v

[@caglarsatir]

Yeah, yeah, fire

[@joanacaetanogomes]

@@ImmClau and in portuguese it's hello xD

[@insertnamehere0247]

Jon ola .. Yeah yeah fire 🔥

[@Asa...S]

I want a EBU skit with Jon Ola Sand in Eurovision 2021, with him sort of guiding Martin Österdahl into the new job, and moving stuff out of his old office, saying to the moving company "take it away".

[@Mineycart]

😂

[@silversurfer3890]

He actually didnt answer any of the questions Xd he was like ahh i like all the songs i loved all the countries all the hosts i am pretty sure he must have favourites.

[@Thomanski]

It's not really appropriate for an executive supervisor to express his favorite countries and songs

[@tommay6590]

Well he did by saying he grow as a diplomat...:-]

[@jausephry3080]

I feel so sorry for Jon Ola Sand. This was supposed to be his last Eurovision, the last chance for him to proof what he can do. And then Corona forces the EBU to cancel Eurovision... We are all sad about Eurovision being cancelled but can we all take a moment and think about how all of this has to feel like for him?

[@ericgabriel3774]

He low-key became a meme for us Eurovision fans😂🤔 (still sad that Eurovision is cancelled. Who else?)

[@_o..o_1871]

Eric Gabriel Jon Ola SAnD

[@danielal.h_youtube]

me, rip esc 2020 and the year in general 🙏🙏

[@mpchannel.]

It's obvious that eurovision wont be the same without him and his catchphrase but he will still be remebered Thank you :)

[@chelseaisabelkellypereira311]

marco picci so true ,he was amazing,he will be missed

[@ismaelsuleimanov5835]

Dear Jon Ola Sand, Thank you for your amazing job during all these years, I wish you the best in this life. I am really grateful to you for enjoying one of the best TV shows, and you made them better. Have a long and happy life! With love from Azerbaijan!

[@HarmonixHeroine]

Can we honor him next year please?!

[@chelseaisabelkellypereira311]

Harmonix Heroine they should

[@Inna.odarchenko]

We will miss you , mister.

[@Lantispitfire]

If he were exposed to 2300 deg C, would he become Jon Ola Glass?

[@tetsuo964]

He would become Jon Ola Burnt Sand

[@pierretres8305]

Jon Ola Glass of course

[@Joraultechy]

"My diplomatic skills have definitely improved a lot" Interviewer: What is your answer to this question? Jon Ola: "All of the above, for sure, I love all the answers!"

[@badiskhay7908]

I only keep in mind that he said UK would win one year xD

[@esmaystokhof]

The UK just needs to send serieus entries. We Dutchies managed to win after 44 years.

[@WillMeganFan]

I wish I shared his optimism 😝

[@IndieJenny]

Yeah if they realise that poppy radio musics won't win the trophy, then they might send a winning song. I'd love that because I could actually go but I have my hopes down.

[@TotalbadassX]

@@IndieJenny 2010/2011/2012/2015/2018... last decade winners seems very popish to me.

[@byJannik]

UK had an great entry in 2017 but look at the result

[@eugeniawhales7582]

Asking Jon Ola Sand about his favorite editions, songs, etc is the same as asking your grandpa whom of his grandchildren he likes the most 😂 Of course he likes all of them!

[@MrThedwp]

As an Aussie I have to say that we'll miss you and your awkward interactions with the hosts every year and we have to thank you for including Australia during your reign as boss of Eurovision even if a lot of Europe finds it strange and weird that we're a part of it but hopefully as he says that we'll become a permanent part of the ESC family

[@_o..o_1871]

This is the Q&A we didn’t know we really wanted to have. Ahaha

[@Me-sm2jp]

He avoided a lot of questions😑

[@stardimspb]

He "answered" only questions which were convenient or favorable to him...

[@lucas7793]

Could be a future politician

[@karleduard7725]

Like always he does

[@nashwagemakers]

anybody in his position would.

[@Me-sm2jp]

@@nashwagemakers he is leaving though

[@TheFunnyBrain]

It's so sad, that Jon Ola has to retire now before saying the last time "Take it away!"😢. It would have been so emotional to me, but now there will be a gap for the future Song Contests. Maybe they will honour him once more next year😜. 🍀THANK YOU Jon Ola for being such a great supervisor and good luck at NRK!!!🍀 You are our #1️⃣🏆

[@tko97]

Which edition is your fav? ALL 🙂 Which is your fav performance ever? ALL 🙂 Which city was your fav host? ALL 🙂 Which city would you like to hose? ALL 🙂 Which song has stuck in your head? ALL 🙂

[@teo43]

What country you would love the ESC to be hosted to? UK xD

[@mc-qq5vf]

What was your funniest moment from the last decade in Eurovision Song Contest? It was lots of funny moments in Azerbaijan.😊

[@tko97]

@@mc-qq5vf he basically said Azeris did everything to please a Western 💋

[@mc-qq5vf]

@@tko97 The team really did its best💋😘❤😊

[@mm-pn5lu]

We have loved you very much for 10 years and we got used to you. We would never want you to leave. Good luck to you in the next life. Long Live Jon Ola Sand✨ Lots of love from Azerbaijan 💞💞💞

[@jarrydfederico7272]

If he showed any favouritism, people would be claiming the contests were rigged for years.

[@gyter442]

Eurovision will return in 2021 stronger than ever

[@michelilla511]

But without Jon Ola Sand

[@robspereall8203]

Such a shame that we cannot give him the great send off that he deserves this year! I love the way that Eurovision has evolved during his time in charge and I'll certainly miss Graham Norton's jokes about him.

[@YourMateLumpy]

Just imagine Australia winning Eurovision. It'll surprise SBS a whole lot!

[@drunkbear8159]

Ahahha, they'll be sad then because Australia can't to host ESC :))

[@treypohe4593]

drunk bear very sad so why the smiles?

[@eu-RON-vision]

Thank you to our sweetest Eurovision daddy, Jon Ola Sand 😃❤️. I'm the one who asked the "Take It Away" question😃 and many others from this video, so thank you for your answers, and thank you for a great decade at Eurovision. You've answered almost all of my questions, even if you remained quite diplomatic and didn't mention any specific song etc. 😃 Good luck in your next role!

[@mikehandsome]

Me: What do you do with my money for the tickets this year? JON: Well... We "take it away" ....

[@esmaystokhof]

Actually Sietse Bakker has said they are gonna try to keep the tickets valid for the next contest.

[@mikehandsome]

@@esmaystokhof thx for the info. Although its a bit against the law :D If it is an option then ok but if the only solution then its not ok ;)

[@itsturt]

He really didn't want to answer any of the questions directly haha but he's so kind! I love him and I wish him all the best!

[@mm-pn5lu]

Please, don't go.We will miss you very much 😪 Love u so so much from Azerbaijan 🇦🇿❤️

[@X1musicx2Princess3X]

Thank you so much for making us happy Jon, we love you 💞💞

[@Denis-89]

To bad ESC has been cancelled so he can't be thanked off. Shame his reign ended in tragedy:(

[@vilkopoljak7370]

Personally, his tragedy lasted the Ukraine drama in 2017 to Covid-19 2020.

[@cosminapisoi]

@@vilkopoljak7370 you forgot how Romania was witrawn in 2016 that was the begging.

[@petarpoljak6918]

@@cosminapisoi Yeah that too and letting Ukraine compete if it had several problems. He was spineless from the beginning and definitily scared of Russia at eurovision

[@emanuelesgarra]

In 2018 there was no tragedy instead

[@sebbrollins3884]

Jon, we love you, and we'll miss you.

[@rubtuga]

At the end of each question, they should have write ( it's not allowed to answer with "all of them")

[@aysu8850]

We will miss you🙂 Thanks for everything from 🇦🇿

[@aywennagiyeva6863]

Ãýšů Ãýšů o ne dediki?

[@aysu8850]

@@aywennagiyeva6863 gelen ilden etibaren onun yerine başka adam olacaq

[@aywennagiyeva6863]

Ãýšů Ãýšů twkler

[@joeharper9126]

1:28 “that was Martin Österdahl” 😂

[@seanwilson6559]

"it weren't me, officer"

[@OrSNCucumber]

1975 The Netherlands 1976 UK 1977 France 1978 Israel 1979 Israel 1980 Ireland 1981 UK 1982 Germany 1983 Luxembourg 1984 Sweden 1985 Norway 1986 Belgium 1987 Ireland 1988 Switzerland 1989 Yugoslavia 1990 Italy 1991 Sweden (By today's rules France) 1992 Ireland 1993 Ireland 1994 Ireland 1995 Norway 1996 Ireland 1997 UK 1998 Israel 1999 Sweden 2000 Denmark 2001 Estonia 2002 Latvia 2003 Turkey 2004 Ukraine 2005 Greece 2006 Finland 2007 Serbia 2008 Russia 2009 Norway 2010 Germany 2011 Azerbaijan 2012 Sweden 2013 Denmark 2014 Austria 2015 Sweden 2016 Ukraine 2017 Portugal 2018 Israel 2019 The Netherlands (I have a pure passion to the contest :D) 7:35 It would be hard for the Big 5 to ever win the contest, unless they will compete in the semis and get more exposure. I genuinely think that Italy could had win it twice at least (2015, 2019) If they would compete at the semis. And the rest of the Big 5, wouldn't get such bad results if the audience would get to know their entries prior the final. On the final, most viewers already have a favorite, and I am pretty sure the jury too.

[@1world]

I agree ;-) Would love to see a video of you making this list from your head :P

[@OrSNCucumber]

@@1world Haha no joke! Fun fact: I had the privilege to be in the audience of last year's final. And I let someone film me, pouring this list from my head. I sent the video to the Eurovision by email and also to Wiwi Blogs, to make an act ;-) It didn't passed through unfortunately.

[@yoshida6972]

Nice skills!

[@OrSNCucumber]

@@yoshida6972 Thank you ;-)

[@seanwilson6559]

what about 1956-1974?

[@nathkowes5846]

right now we would be seeing the rehearsals and how the stage will be 😭😭

[@Svi3sa]

I don't know why but I find him so endearing. Thanks for all your work!

[@RosidinAli]

Ahhh Feker Libi in the background ❤❤

[@najrenchelf2751]

Rosidin Ali, but did you catch Lithuania?

[@fairladyelin7746]

Naj Renchelf Almost all of the songs played...

[@meowpoosaymeow]

I think we ALL like ALL songs.

[@corneliolotto]

Yes

[@declanstephen3546]

not all songs, austria this year was bad

[@corneliolotto]

@@declanstephen3546 I like that but there is better. 😁 My fav is Azerbaijan and Israel❤️❤️❤️.

[@sikkukas]

I love him so much 🥺

[@EternalNyappy]

At least I can see all these videos this year. My fav post I read from tumblr about him was: "Eurovision is like sex: glitter, explotions, Jon Ola Sand is there..."

[@AvyBuecel]

We will miss you, Mr. Sand.

[@geminislorenzo]

I’ll miss his “Take It Away” :(

[@tom_4546]

He will "take it away" in Norway

[@anto44rf71]

Jon: the uk will win Amazing uk music industry: for sure, like we have so many talen.. BBC with their trashy song selection: Oh no no no no no no no Not a chance friend!

[@IndieJenny]

I wish they would just do like many other countries and leave to the public to vote. Also by bringing actually good musics, not radio songs.

[@declanstephen3546]

why don't we use bgt eo pick our uk eurovision act

[@anto44rf71]

@@declanstephen3546 ngl that's a great idea!

[@rodrigoraab9694]

What a Legend, thank you for everything 👍🏻

[@mm-pn5lu]

0:41 Yes😄 Bringing tea in Azerbaijan often means this. At work :)

[@KarimMaassen]

I hoped he would extend his role for one more year to take it away one last time... :'(

[@BayYolal]

Nobody: Jon Ola Sand: We have no time!!

[@JolienWeuts00]

I'm still so sad he won't be the executive supervisor anymore. I hope he'll come back next year (or in 2022 if there isn't one next year) to say Take It Away one more time so we can say goodbye properly. I'll definitely miss him becaue he's the first executive supervisor I remember (I started watching in 2010) and he did such a good job.

[@olgagreben3495]

So diplomatic answers but we will miss about him

[@Luigia_official]

Thank you very much for everything, Mr. Sand! You've started your work in Dusseldorf in my home-country Germany. I'm actually very sad that your last contest as Executive Supervisor was cancelled. But new challenges will come! The very best of luck for the future! Greetings from Germany!

[@freyaivy8636]

Thank you Jon Ola Sand! What a professional and kind person you are. Good luck in the future!

[@MostlyMattMusic]

Eurovision 2021 will hopefully be the best one yet 💪

[@benjaminblackburn7715]

Eurovision 2021 will be better

[@MostlyMattMusic]

They'll hopefully have double the budget for next year with some money saved from this year. 🎉🎉🎉

[@christopherwalker1436]

Jon Ola, you and your colleagues have turned this event into something, the world should be proud to have, and the music, wow, Eurovision is ready for the generation to come. Thank you for everything.

[@Mediesc]

We'll miss you❤

[@christianholte5721]

Omg its so sad gonna miss this man he is a legend!

[@cameronclarkhull]

can we have Jon Ola Sand back please? 😭

[@VictorGomezJ]

Jon Ola Sand is the specific kind of guy i would vote for if there were elections.

[@ESC_jackqulen]

The diplomat

[@buddhidev7877]

"Why did the EBU stop mention or give an honour and credit to the song composer, song writer, lyrics writer - unlike in the previous era in 60's to 90's when the award was giving to them on the stage, not to the singer? I wonder why?"

[@najrenchelf2751]

1:24 - speaking of funny moments... 😂 Also, fascinating insights! Mr Jon Ola Sand, you shall be missed! 🤗

[@treypohe4593]

6:31 “Don’t Break Me” by Montaigne started playing

[@jackdergamer1870]

Cool video!

[@chelseaisabelkellypereira311]

Good Luck Jon in the future,the whole Eurovision family will miss you ,thanks for put Eurovision in other level and make more exciting,hope we see you again,definitely we will miss the famous Take it Away

[@tetsuo964]

Mr. Jon Ola Sand, Jamala has a very uncomfortable question for you...

[@niekas245]

Let esc 2020 artists sing same songs in 2021!!!

[@mpchannel.]

it would be boring to listen to the same songs whole year until we don't get totally bored. i'm already waiting for nf and new great songs :)

[@shoogashooga]

I'll never be bored of repondez-moi just saying😂

[@wellhi9700]

The songs are amazing but we will get very bored of them in a year’s time

[@miloseviczarko45]

Oh please stop this!!! GET OVER IT!!!

[@YourMateLumpy]

The EBU Reference Group already said we have to have new songs. There's no changing that.

[@torquettalk]

Are these instrumental versions of the songs officially released?

[@enginyasar7111]

I've been watching ESC since 1997 or maybe 96. I'm not sure. Also I watched the older ones. In the last 10 years you have done an amazing job. We loved ESC more with you. We'll miss you. Thank you Jon Ola Sand. :)

[@mete8384]

Who else is waiting for the instrumental versions of the ESC2020 entries?

[@radgamerrach]

I’m going to miss it when the camera cuts to Jon Ola Sand at the Eurovision Song Contest

[@EKalinovski]

As we won't see Jon Ola Sand next year as a supervisor, "take it away" should be a tagline of next edition

[@dilarakurr]

i loved this video a lot and i also love jon ola sand so really much❤️ but i was expecting that answering the questions personally. not like "yeah i like all of them, i love all the songs, all the years" i can understand that it's too hard to select one but we are curious about his real favourites❤️ i also asked a question "what should i do to be the executive supervisor of the eurovision song contest in the future" i wish he could see this question🥺❤️ i love you jon olalalalala sand and eurovision will not be the same without you. we're gonna miss you so much!!!

[@SorchaYT]

*TAKE* *IT* *AWAY*

[@sampanyalilokum]

does he have the split results of the 2013 contest?

[@Thomanski]

He has it in his basement locked behind a 29 digit password vault

[@tom_4546]

@@Thomanski hahaha

[@sampanyalilokum]

@@Thomanski i'd never be surprised

[@jlhabitan50]

7:40 Were you not in Edinburgh in 2018 for the UK's hosting of Eurovision Young Musicians?

[@declanstephen3546]

that is a very good point

[@eurovisionsongcontestSWZ]

Τhe cutest executive supervisor of 'Eurovision' ever ❤Jon Ola Sand 🇳🇴

[@nekfernandez6910]

Unfortunately, all the questions were quite general and Jon Ola answered all of them in a politely correct manner. However, I wonder why all the EUR Executive Supervisors in the last 20 years are from Scandinavian countries. I would also like this position to be rotated to other European regions, because they could bring interesting innovations to the festival.

[@EurovisionFan91]

We will hold your promise, Jon Ola, that Eurovision will return stronger than ever. And it better be 2021! Don't want any rumours about it not taking place next year.

[@gehamarakelyan3110]

Better question: Why can't you make any exceptions to the rules for this year's participants?

[@RubyChiang]

Love how they put Looking Back as the background music.

[@benjaminblackburn7715]

I hope France can win Eurovision in the next few years

[@ImmClau]

I hope Spain end in the top 10 in the next years :v

[@benjaminblackburn7715]

I hope France in the top 10 of Eurovision in the next five years

[@declanstephen3546]

i hope the uk end in the top 10 in next years but not gonna happen

[@m1guelsh0ck49]

Praise the lord that is JON OLA SAND !

[@ahmetkamiku]

I M GONNA MISS YOU DADDY

[@tetsuo964]

Eww

hope that karaoke/instrumental versions will be released EBU !! PLEASEEE

[@markshnaider-o1f]

Jon Ola Sand tank you for 9 magic phenomenal years 2011-2020 Huge love and appreciation we miss you Jon Ola Sand thank you for your last show last year at our country Israel🇮🇱

[@einstineokoa181]

Jon Ola Sand!!! We still need you in Eurovision, we miss you so much! 😭😭

[@muddyfeet69]

Our king of Eurovision ......Mr. Jon Ola Sand .....and when he says 'take it away' - everything is fine ♥

[@RaymondStudio]

This should be called, "How to talk saying nothing" hahahaha xD

[@clemencedesaintmartin9231]

already miss u jon ola

[@user-mr4ci9xv3z]

Love you Yon Ola Sand your a legend gonna miss you

[@lesims45]

Thé instrumental versions of the songs we hear are awesome, specially Bulgaria and Norway

[@SelfMedicatedOnHalloumi]

Take it away!

[@enzohennequin354]

I’m gonna miss him ❤️

[@deanscott1234]

I would like to see an honest version of this interview. 🥱

[@seanwilson6559]

at 07:30 that he wants the Uk to win

[@EMA-ds1xj]

We will miss you, Mr. Jon Ola Sand.

[@artsakh8795]

There is a big question for me . Will JESC 2020 and ESC 2021 take place ?

[@MsLarne1]

It will never be the same again