Scandal in Denmark over TV show: comedian secretly filmed while he thought he was making a movie. Society is furious

Danish comedian Rasmus Wallbridge gained fame through Instagram videos featuring quirky characters. For almost ten years, he worked with his friend, comedian and TV host Martin Larsen. They created TV sketches and a podcast, performed a joint show, and dreamed of a Danish version of "Scary Movie". In the summer of 2025, they had to abandon this idea, but Larsen came up with a way to use it: his friend's dream would become bait for a TV show.

In the spring of 2026, Rasmus and Larsen attended a meeting at a production company, where they were told that the film studio Nordisk Film was looking for an idea for a comedy that could be quickly filmed. Rasmus proposed their long-standing idea, and it was supported: the friends were tasked with preparing a presentation for the studio. He didn't know that the meeting was rigged and filmed with hidden cameras. Thus, a fake film with the working title Zloty was born.

For four months, Rasmus believed his dream was coming true, while 149 people, including Larsen, staged a performance around him. Hidden cameras filmed a show about Rasmus himself for TV channel TV 2, which was supposed to consist of six episodes. The American series, in which everyone around the main character turns out to be actors, served as an example for the creators.

Everything related to the film was captured on camera. Cameras were hidden behind mirrors, in coffee cups, in USB drives, and even in a button on Larsen's shirt. The presence of a film crew was explained by claiming a documentary was being made.

Rasmus only learned the truth in the finale. Viewers see him laughing, as if accepting a joke. Afterwards, he was asked if the show could be broadcast to viewers, and he agreed.

"This is psychological torture"

The first episode of the show "Everybody Loves Rasmus" aired on October 26. The remaining five were planned to be released weekly until the end of November.

But a wave of criticism immediately hit TV 2. Famous comedians, TV presenters, and viewers spoke of bullying, manipulation, and psychological abuse. TV presenter Anna Linn called the show psychological torture and suggested renaming it "Everybody Bullies Rasmus". Her video was watched by more than 300,000 people.

On October 29, TV 2 released all episodes at once: the channel stated that this would help to conduct a discussion, knowing the full story. The outrage only grew. The main question became whether Rasmus could truly refuse to broadcast the show when dozens of colleagues, his best friend, and a major national channel had worked on the project. TV 2 assured that he could, and a psychologist constantly monitored his condition.

Павялічыць

According to one Danish columnist, in case of refusal, Rasmus would have received only 25,000 Danish kroner for four months, which is about 3,300 euros. The channel neither confirmed nor denied this but promised to investigate.

Rasmus himself remained silent until October 31. On that day, he wrote on Instagram that he was not yet ready to participate in the discussion and strongly asked the channel not to do such a thing again. He also declined the offered opportunity to make a real film with Larsen.

On the same day, TV 2 removed the show from all its platforms and apologized to the comedian. Even Denmark's Minister of Culture intervened in the scandal, who called the show an "unpalatable psychological experiment". She stated that TV 2 had violated its own ethical rules: participants have the right to know the theme and conditions of filming. Some parties are demanding more decisive action from the minister, while the Social Democrats believe that TV 2's management reacted too late.

Meanwhile, one Danish tabloid has already called for the dismissal of TV 2's executives. A media expert believes that the secret filming might have violated Denmark's Criminal Code, which provides for up to six months of imprisonment for such an offense; however, no charges have been filed against anyone yet.

Rasmus himself, meanwhile, is preparing for his first solo stand-up tour, which will begin in November. The story is being covered live by TV 2 itself.

• 1
• 0
• 1
• 12
• 5
• 0
• 1
• 0