'A catastrophe in slow motion': TV 2's handling of criticized program faces criticism

It's a shame that TV 2 will not grant interviews and stand by the program, says Se & Hør's editor-in-chief Niels Pinborg.

Se & Hør's Niels Pinborg is not impressed by TV 2's handling of the case. Video: DR Nyheder 36 min. ago

Not everyone is happy and satisfied, even though TV 2 announced earlier today that, following massive criticism, they are withdrawing the program series 'Alle Elsker Rasmus' (Everyone Loves Rasmus).

According to Se & Hør's editor-in-chief Niels Pinborg, it is far too late.

"It has been like watching a disaster in slow motion. That they are removing the program now – it was quite clear early on in the process that this was the only option TV 2 had," he says.

Read also: TV 2 removes 'Alle Elsker Rasmus' after massive criticism ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/tv-2-fjerner-alle-elsker-rasmus-efter-massiv-kritik )

In the controversial program series, comedian Rasmus Wallbridge is tricked by friends and acquaintances into believing he is going to live out his dream of making a feature film. Criticism has been that it amounts to adult bullying on open air.

In a press release, TV 2's program director Dorthe Thirstrup apologizes to Rasmus Wallbridge and all participants. According to Niels Pinborg, however, she does not address the core of the problem.

"They address the criticism and how Rasmus is feeling. But I think the crux of this case is actually the program itself and the thinking behind it."

Read also: TV 2 program sparks anger: 'I think it's bullying' ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/tv-2-program-vaekker-vrede-jeg-synes-det-er-mobning )

"I have yet to see them actually acknowledge that they have made real mistakes, and not just accidentally stepped on a comedian," he says.

TV 2 has not wished to grant interviews following the announcement. That would have been fitting for TV 2, Niels Pinborg believes.

"TV 2 has a knack for always having logistical problems when they need to answer critical questions, and they wrap themselves up in more or less clever communications advisors and PR agencies."

"I think it's a shame that they don't dare to show up and stand by what they have done."

The announcement has also sparked reactions on social media.

From Ekstra Bladet's editor-in-chief Simon Bendtsen on X: ( https://x.com/SimonBendtsen/status/2116541432442007727 )

"This is a gigantic media scandal. It must have consequences at TV 2."

The decision, however, will not have direct consequences for TV 2's program director Dorthe Thirstrup, TV 2's content director Ulla Pors has made clear. She tells Ekstra Bladet ( https://ekstrabladet.dk/underholdning/filmogtv/article11339073.ece ) that she still has confidence in Dorthe Thirstrup.

TV 2's content director Ulla Pors tells Ekstra Bladet that she supports the decision Dorthe Thirstrup has made. (Photo: © Ida Marie Odgaard, Ritzau Scanpix)

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'It doesn't give him those four months back'

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One of the program's first and most prominent critics was TV host Anna Lin, who called it "psychological terror" ( https://www.instagram.com/anna_l1n/reel/DfDLHaPge3r/ ).

She tells TV 2 that she is glad the program series has now been removed.

Comedian Torben Chris has also criticized the TV 2 series in harsh terms. However, he is more reluctant to say whether pulling it was the right decision.

"Well, only Rasmus can really assess that, because it doesn't give him those four months back that he wasted as a new father running around believing he was chasing his dream," he says.

Rasmus Wallbridge is the main character in the TV 2 program 'Alle elsker Rasmus', where friends and celebrities take part in a large-scale experiment (PR photo: TV 2).

After the recordings, Rasmus Wallbridge was given the opportunity to decide whether the process should be made public.

But according to Torben Chris, that is no excuse for the four months he lived a lie.

"It makes no sense that you should have to approve a program after you've been fucked in the ass. That's not how the rules of consent work," he says.

Culture Minister Zenia Stampe has also commented on today's announcement from TV 2. She calls it the right decision to withdraw the program.

"Now I hope they will use their efforts to help Rasmus Wallbridge move on after the distasteful psychological experiment they subjected him to, and that they will otherwise follow his call never to do it again," she tells Ekstra Bladet. ( https://ekstrabladet.dk/underholdning/dkkendte/kulturminister-reagerer-paa-tv-2-skandale-usmageligt-psykologisk-eksperiment/11339068 )

Rasmus Wallbridge has not wished to grant an interview, but his manager, Jakob Riis, writes in a written response that "we appreciate that the programs have been taken down."

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What is 'Alle elsker Rasmus' about?

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* TV 2's program follows comedian and actor Rasmus Wallbridge through a four-month TV experiment, primarily recorded on hidden camera.

* All participants are part of a setup where everyone except Rasmus knows the premise. A total of 149 of Rasmus Wallbridge's friends and acquaintances, as well as a number of celebrities, take part in the hoax.

* A central part of the story is the prospect of getting the opportunity to develop a film, which is a big dream for Rasmus.

* Only after the recordings was he given the opportunity to decide whether the process should be made public.

Source: TV 2 Play

Warning: This article was translated by a Large Language Model, in case of doubt, you can always visit the original source.