Looks Matter, guys!

Now this is far too juicy for me to ignore it, so let's get to the entertainment news, shall we?

Finland will be hosting the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Earlier this week the broadcaster in charge, YLE, announced the hosts of the show, popular actor Mikko Leppilampi and media person Jaana Pelkonen. This announcement was met with astonishment, joy and outrage.

Astonishment, because YLE had been hinting that it wanted the hosts to be experienced ones (meaning older) and these young, hip hosts were a nice surprise and joy in that sense. But lots of folks back here are angry, because usually they had seen Jaana Pelkonen hosting Eurovision-related shows with another young fellow, Heikki Paasonen. Now YLE and EBU simply announced that Mikko Leppilampi was a better choice.

Why I find this hilarious, then?
Well, first things first: my sympathies are with Mr Paasonen. He has the experience and talent of hosting a show. He has personality and sense of humor. I like his style. BUT he lacks one thing: he cannot speak French, a talent, which Mr Leppilampi has. And, more than that, according to the statement, Mr Paasonen does not have the looks for the job! There we have it: LOOKS MATTER. That means you too, guys!

That's why I find it funny. Women have faced this dilemma for decades; if you're beautiful, you need less talent. That's why it is kind of refreshing to see that men do face the very same thing. Let's face it, you can be funny, talented and experienced, but still, if someone is more good-looking, you're out. French, my dears, can be learned. But looks... that cannot be altered complitely.

Now, personally I have absolutely nothing against Mr Leppilampi. I liked his rewarded perfomance in Finnish film Helmiä ja Sikoja (Pearls and Pigs) and I've heard him sing. He can entertain, that's for sure. And apparently, he has spoken French in public before, so there's that. And looks... he has bit of that young georgeclooney charm, which, without a doubt, helped him get this job. But can he sustain his popularity now when lots of Finns are angry at him because he is not Mr Paasonen? Time will tell.

If you ask me, it is interesting that when Mr Paasonen was not "good enough", he was replaced with another young man. That's plain cruel to me. Especially, when the lady he is hosting lots of shows with has been picked for the job...