Interview: Courtney Act and Tony Armstrong on being Australia's new Eurovision commentators

Yesterday, SBS announced that Australia's new commentary team would be Courtney Act and Tony Armstrong.

It was huge news in Australia. Courtney and Tony had media appearances on all major broadcasts and were on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald.

In some ways, this announcement is even more important than the artist for 2025.

Courtney and Tony will set the tone for our Eurovision coverage for years to come, not just for one year.

The duo sat down with us to chat through the announcement, their chemistry together and how they are preparing for the big role in Basel.

Courtney and Tony's "chemistry test"

During the process of being selected, Tony, in earlier interviews, mentioned a "chemistry test" that the pair did before being selected.

I asked them about the test and their working relationship.

"[SBS said] we're gonna put them together and we'll see what kind of sparks fly," Courtney explained.

"They knew they'd be sparks, but they wanted to make sure that they were the right Eurovision coloured ones. And I think they are. We're having a lot of fun."

"I mean, like a day like this, it's a pretty solid day, but that's when you really stress test, like, what a relationship is going to be like on screen," Tony added.

"And, you know, I'm only finding Courtney funnier and more fun to be around!

Tony explains that this will translate to the broadcast.

"Having someone to lean on in the box, as it's a decent amount of time to wear," he said.

"So being able to help each other out, like, I think that's, that's the beauty of broadcasting. When you're working with people you trust, you're able to..."

At this point, Courtney jumps in:

"Pass the ball back and forth to use a sports metaphor!"

Can Tony fit into the Eurovision sphere?

Although the news was widely received with praise by Eurovision fans, some were questioning how Tony would fit into this new world.

An accomplished and award-winning broadcaster and host, some were worried whether his Eurovision credentials stacked up.

He was happy to answer the critics.

"Well, it is a big competition with millions of eyeballs looking at it, right? That's every single global sporting competition. So there's already that in common," he said.

"I will look at it will be through fresher, newer eyes, there's going to be viewers at home who are going to be watching it for the first time.

"If I can ask the questions, or I can point out the things that they're seeing, and they're like, 'Well, why is no one talking about that?' I mean, that's only making the broadcast more rounded.

"I would say I will be able to be a conduit to a big portion of our viewership who also like watching going 'what's happening?' you know? And I think me bouncing off Courtney asking those questions is doing the service of the viewer who doesn't know at home."

How are the pair preparing for Basel?

The duo leave for Basel on May 7 and are already preparing.

"I've been nerdy prepping," Courtney says.

"I've watched all 37 songs, I've been on YouTube, watching Eurovision fan content and hearing everybody's sort of dissertations on all the songs."

Tony is also going to do his research, but hold back a little as well.

"I'll be deep diving into watching all the songs before I get there," he said.

"I also don't want to go too preconceived as well, because I want to be wowed in the moment."

Tips from previous commentators

Courtney revealed she had received tips from a previous commentator.

"Myf gave me some very, very lovely words of encouragement, she was passing the baton," she said.

While Tony revealed he'd be told to not "fuck it up!"

And are they worried about the passing and strong opinions of Eurovision fans?

"Both of us kind of live an existence where people have lots of opinions, they have been very forthcoming in their opinions, good, bad and indifferent," Tony explained.

"So this is no different. I don't think."

"Maybe I'm being naive, hopefully not, but I feel like the Eurovision fandom, although opinionated, is more on the constructive side," Courtney added.

"There's much more of a supportive sort of non-toxic fandom, which I really love, you know, I come from the drag race world where some small factions of the fandom have become toxic.

"But, Eurovision, I've just found a lot of love."

Watch the full interview:

Read next: Australia's new SBS commentary team for Eurovision revealed

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