After significant controversy, TV 2 has decided to pull the plug on the much-discussed new programme Alle elsker Rasmus (translation: Everyone Loves Rasmus).
The station has also apologised for the programme, which follows Rasmus Wallbridge being secretly filmed over four months with 149 people lying to him, convincing him he had been given a film deal.
On Saturday, Wallbridge also made his first public comments on the programme and his experience following discourse around it.
Alle elsker Rasmus
The programme, over six episodes, follows Wallbridge and his friend and collaborator Martin Johannes Larsen, who is in on the prank, as they work to prepare a film inspired by the American Scary Movie franchise.
Wallbridge is a lesser-known comedian, while Larsen is a prominent media figure in Denmark, having recently hosted Forræder – Ukendt grund, the Danish non-celebrity version of The Traitors.
Alle elsker Rasmus features a long list of other celebrities who are in on the prank, including Klovn star Casper Christensen, musician Malte Ebert (also known as Gulddreng), and Tinka star Josephine Højbjerg.
The initial plan had been for a new episode to be released every week, with the first released on Monday. However, following the criticism of the show, TV 2 released all six episodes on Thursday.
In an article on TV 2 Echo, TV 2 says, “To give greater insight into the making of the programme, TV 2 has now chosen to publish all six episodes of the programme on TV 2 Play.”
Criticism from other media figures
Following the release of the first episode, many prominent figures in the Danish media shared their frustrations with the premise of the programme.
TV chef Hannah Grant told TV 2 Echo, “It is completely absurd and rotten that a nationwide TV station thinks it’s okay to deceive people, lie to them, and gaslight them in order to make entertainment.”
TV host Anna Lin suggested in a much-shared and discussed video on Instagram that the programme should have been called Everyone Bullies Rasmus (Alle mobber Rasmus).
She also suggested that Wallbridge would have been under significant pressure from TV 2 to allow it to air the programme, despite its insistence he was given the option.
TV 2 defending the programme
Throughout the week, TV 2 defended the programme.
Programme editor Mads Elias Højbjerg Ravn, in a written statement to B.T., said, “It is an unusual programme that has not been made before, and it challenges some of the frameworks we normally associate with entertainment. We have, of course, had many considerations along the way.”
TV 2 has confirmed that Wallbridge was given the final say on whether to allow the programme to air. He was also involved in the creative process after the prank had been revealed, and he has been compensated for the programme.
Wallbridge speaks out
Wallbridge chimed in on the programme on Saturday in an Instagram post, writing, “I fully understand that there is curiosity and questions, but after consulting with those closest to me, I have decided to keep full focus on the work for my upcoming show.”
Several outlets, including Politiken, had reported the film project was going ahead following the programme, but he has now confirmed this is not the case.
TV 2 had also raised the prospect with Politiken that Wallbridge may have been double-pranking the broadcaster during the process. He shut down this idea.
And he noted, “In the same article, the same boss from TV 2 states that she cannot rule out that TV 2 will make similar concepts in the future. I strongly urge them not to.”
TV 2 apologises
Following this post, TV 2’s programme director Dorthe Thirstrup wrote in a press release, “I would like to offer an unconditional apology to Rasmus Wallbridge and the participants in the programme Alle elsker Rasmus.”
“I look inward and acknowledge that my judgment has simply failed here. This is the judgment that all the participants have relied on, and I am truly sorry about that. It was a wrong decision to make the programme the way we did. We have not looked after Rasmus well enough, despite the considerations we had beforehand.”
The station has now taken the entire programme down from its streaming service TV 2 Play.
Others apologise too
Other participants have since come out to apologise for their role in the prank and the programme.
Malte Ebert wrote on Instagram, “I am really sorry that I took part in Alle elsker Rasmus. I should have thought better and said no. I didn’t, and that responsibility is mine.”
Martin Johannes Larsen wrote on Instagram, “Rasmus is my good friend and close collaborator, and that is why I can only emphasise that I never intended to hurt him.
“Have I not been attentive enough to the consequences a project like this could have? Apparently not.”
