TV 2 is facing intense criticism from both the public and politicians in Denmark over its show, Alle elsker Rasmus (in English: Everyone Loves Rasmus).
Now, the controversy is also having a significant impact on the Danish cultural and media world.
Several prominent figures are boycotting TV 2, and musician Malte Ebert has found himself at the center of an adjacent media storm.
What is the controversy?
In short, Alle elsker Rasmus was a prank program where 149 people agreed to lie to comedian Rasmus Wallbridge over four months.
During that time, they convinced him he had landed the movie deal of his life. However, it was all just a joke.
The show premiered recently, but after several days of backlash, with many arguing the premise was hurtful, inconsiderate, and potentially traumatic, TV 2 pulled the show.
The production company behind the program, Drive, has also apologized for its role, and an internal investigation has been launched at TV 2 into how the program was greenlit.
Boycott of TV 2
As for the boycott, several prominent media figures have decided to stop appearing on the channel over this program.
Hannah Grant, the TV chef who appears regularly on the channel’s morning program, Go’ Morgen Danmark, said she will be taking a break for the time being.
In an Instagram post, she wrote: “I’m taking a break from Go’ Morgen Danmark until the management background and TV 2’s ethical and moral compass have been sorted out.”
In a comment on Grant’s post, famous baker Tobias Hamann wrote: “I was supposed to be on Go’ Morgen Danmark tomorrow,” adding, “Thank you for leading the way.”
Malte Ebert scandal
Meanwhile, another adjacent scandal has emerged around musician Malte Ebert, formerly known as Gulddreng.
He participated in Alle elsker Rasmus, which he later apologized for in an Instagram post.
Then, he released a song on streaming services that was featured in the program, “En ild der altid brænder” (in English: “A Fire That Always Burns”). However, later that same day, he pulled the song and apologized again in a post on Instagram.
He wrote: “The song was originally written for my fiancé and not for the series. It therefore holds a personal meaning for me. But that doesn’t change the fact that it is now connected to a show I cannot stand behind.”
