Ylen’s SuomiLove has been rebranded as Maikkar’s Love. Presenter Susani Mahadura announces the first surprise of the show with the words, “Our first surprising love is chocolate”. Love, the highly popular TV show, has returned to the screens with filming taking place in Helsinki’s Herttoniemi. The audience is visibly excited and somewhat nervous as spotlight moves around them.
The music program was formerly known as Yle SuomiLove, and the name was shortened to Love when it transferred from Yle to the MTV3 channel. While Susani Mahadura and Ernest Lawson are now at the helm, the show retains much of its familiar elements.
One of the highlights of the show involves the spotlight focusing on Ernest Lawson, who is seen holding a bar of chocolate. It is revealed that the chocolate bar is not for him but for his mother who is seated in the audience with Eemel. The show allows ordinary Finns to surprise their loved ones by arranging a surprise performance by their favorite artist. They also share the touching life stories of the participants, such as that of 25-year-old Eemel.
Eemel has had a challenging life, having spent a significant part of his childhood in the hospital with doctors unsure of his survival. His mother, Pia, shares his story with the audience, mentioning his strength and resilience despite his health struggles.
The show also features Eemel’s mother dedicating a song to him, and an artist in a neon green bolero performing on stage. The artist, Cha Cha Chan, gets Eemel out of his seat and dancing. Eemel expresses his surprise and gratitude, acknowledging that Jere Pöyhö, the wrapper, is a role model for his family.
Hosts Ernest Lawson and Susani Mahadura express their privilege of being able to witness such important moments in people’s lives. Mahadura notes that the show debunks stereotypes about Finns not showing emotions or knowing how to talk about them.
The article concludes with a note about the successful return of the show, now hosted by Susani Mahadura and Ernest Lawson. Despite the name change and the shift in channel, the show continues to maintain its essence. The hosts are praised for their gentle approach, and the show’s wide variety of stories about friendship and love are appreciated, albeit with a critique of its narrow representation of the Finnish music scene.
