Dansk TV 2 has officially pulled the hidden camera program «Alle elsker Rasmus» after a total of 149 people spent four months orchestrating a prank on Danish comedian Rasmus Wallbridge, who believed he was producing a feature film with a friend.
Program Director Issues Unconditional Apology After Massive Backlash
The program debuted on Monday to immediate criticism from media executives and television personalities, prompting TV 2 to cancel the series and remove it from broadcast by Saturday. Program director Dorthe Thirstrup issued an unconditional apology, stating in a press release that her judgment had failed and that the network failed to protect Wallbridge during the four-month production period.
Initially, when criticism began to mount, the network defended the broadcast by stating Wallbridge had approved the show and participated in editing and storytelling. By Saturday, however, Thirstrup acknowledged that putting Wallbridge in that position was a mistake and that the network did not provide a fair situation for him to decide whether he could stand behind the program.
Researchers and Government Officials Call the Project Psychological Torture
The project drew sharp rebukes from outside the network, with bullying researcher Helle Rabøl Hansen characterizing the setup as more than mobbing, it is a shaming setup,
according to Politiken. TV program host Anna Lin also condemned the series on Instagram, describing the production as psychic torture
rather than entertainment.
Denmark’s Minister of Culture, Zenia Stampe, joined the criticism in comments to Ekstra Bladet, stating that she hopes TV 2 will help Wallbridge move forward after the psychological experiment. Meanwhile, participants in the prank, including Martin Johannes Larsen and singer Malthe Ebert, have issued public apologies on Instagram, with Ebert writing that he should have known better and said no.
Manager Confirms Wallbridge Appreciation While Future Status Remains Uncertain
Wallbridge has not directly commented on the network’s decision to pull the series, but his manager, Jakob Riis, said that they appreciate the cancellation. Riis also shared an Instagram post noting that he is seeing the public debate but cannot participate directly at this time, while advising the network against producing similar concepts in the future.
Wallbridge addressed statements made by TV 2 management regarding whether he double-pranked
the network, clarifying in his social media post that he did no such thing.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cancelled Production
How long did the hidden camera prank last?
The production spanned four months, during which comedian Rasmus Wallbridge believed he was working on a feature film with his friend Martin Johannes Larsen.
How many people were involved in deceiving the comedian?
A total of 149 individuals participated in the elaborate prank before the show premiered to widespread public criticism in Denmark.
What reason did TV 2 give for pulling the series?
Program director Dorthe Thirstrup stated that her judgment failed and that the network did not take adequate care of Wallbridge, acknowledging that the production placed him in an unfair situation.
Who publicly criticized the broadcast?
The show drew condemnation from bullying researcher Helle Rabøl Hansen, TV host Anna Lin, and Danish Culture Zenia Stampe, alongside public apologies from participants such as singer Malthe Ebert.